A Taxonomic Revision Of The Afrotropical Species Of The Weevil Genus Cionus (Coleoptera: Curculionidae)
Author
Caldara, Roberto
Author
Košťál, Michael
0000-0002-3271-1400
michael.kostal@iol.cz
text
Zootaxa
2023
2023-05-18
5288
1
1
98
http://dx.doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5288.1.1
journal article
53332
10.11646/zootaxa.5288.1.1
1bb291cc-9442-4973-8dd8-9cc79a0a432b
1175-5326
7958875
7ABCE6CB-D92C-4B11-87F2-263B7163EEF2
23.
Cionus nubilosus
Rosenschoeld
(
Figs 23a–f
)
Cionus nubilosus
Rosenschoeld, 1838: 739
.
Cionus virgatus
Rosenschoeld, 1838: 738
(
syn. n.
).
Cionus decorus
Boheman, 1845: 180
(
syn. n.
).
Type
locality.
Cape
of Good Hope (
South Africa
).
Type series.
This species was described from specimens collected in “Caput Bonae Spei” received by Chevrolat. At NHMS under the name “nubilosus” we examined
one male
syntype
labelled “21 [printed] /
Cionus nubilosus, Schr.
4.739.19, Cbsp / Chevrol., C. b. sp. [underside of a blue card] / Coll. Chevr. / Typus”, which we designated as the
lectotype
by adding the following label “
LECTOTYPE
Cionus nubilosus Rosensch.
des. Caldara & Košťál 2014” and two other specimens similar to the
lectotype
but lacking requisites for considering them as
paralectotypes
since labelled merely “♁ [blue paper] / Coll. Chevol.” and “
♀
/ Coll. Chevol.” (NHMS).
Synonyms.
Cionus virgatus
was described on one page before
C. nubilosus
based on specimens from “Caput Bonae Spei” received by Drège. We examined
one specimen
labelled “♁ Cap b. sp., Drège / Typus”, which we designated as the
lectotype
by adding the following label “
LECTOTYPE
Cionus virgatus Rosensch.
des. Caldara & Košťál 2014”. It differs from the
lectotype
of
C. nubilosus
only by the elytral vestiture which lacks spots and is formed only by vittae. We decided to consider this species as a synonym of
C. nubilosus
and not vice versa since the vestitural pattern of the latter form is the most common one.
FIGURES 23–24. FIGURE 23.
Cionus nubilosus
. a: body in dorsal view (male), b: body in lateral view (male), c: rostrum in lateral view (female), d: penis in ventral view, e: penis in lateral view, f: apex of penis in dorsal view.
FIGURE 24.
Cionus histrio
. a: body in dorsal view (male), b: body in lateral view (male), c: rostrum in lateral view (female), d: penis in ventral view, e: penis in lateral view, f: apex of penis in dorsal view. Not to scale.
Cionus decorus
was described based on specimens from Port Natal obtained by J. Wahlberg and preserved according to the original description in Museum Holm (
Sweden
). However, at NHRS under the label “decorus” there is a specimen labelled “EZ [Ecklon & Zeyer] / Typus / [big rectangular brown card]” perfectly corresponding to Boheman’s description, where the author writes “
Cionus decorus (Schh.)
.....Statura et summa similitudo Cioni virgati, nonnihil minor, ut videtur magis convexus, aliter coloratus. Anne species distincta?”. On the basis of the original description and this specimen, which is morphologically completely identical with the
lectotype
of
C. nubilosus
except for the lighter colors of scales of the dorsal vestiture, we consider
C. decorus
as a synonym of
C. nubilosus
.
Diagnosis.
Pronotum with two pronounced protuberances. Elytral vestiture brown, with whitish maculae and vittae, striae not visible. V
2 in
male with distinct tuft of hair-like scales. Claws asymmetrical in male.
Redescription.
Male (
Figs 23a–b
).
Body:
robust, moderately elongated.
Head:
rostrum stout, short (Rl/Rw 3.35–3.40, Rl/Pl 1.27–1,33), black, in lateral view regularly moderately curved, of same width from base to antennal insertion, then distinctly tapered to apex, in dorsal view parallel-sided, slightly enlarged from antennal insertion to apex; from base to near apex with dense, recumbent, elliptical, moderately short (l/w 3–5), grayish and light brown scales. Head between eyes moderately narrow, half as wide as rostrum at base. Eyes flat. Antennae dark brown, inserted between middle and apical third; scape long (l/w 10); funicle moderately shorter than scape, S1 moderately robust, moderately more robust than and as long as S2, 2.0× as long as wide,
S2 2.5
× as long as wide, S3–5 as long as wide; club oblongly oval, moderately shorter than funicle, uniformly pubescent.
Pronotum:
dark brown, with dense, more or less small, irregularly arranged deep punctures, completely hidden by dense, recumbent, moderately long (l/w 5–7), rectangular, intermixed dark brown and light brown scales with whitish scales forming median vitta in basal half and covering sides; conical, distinctly transverse (Pw/Pl 1.66–1.72), widest at base, with rectilinear sides, with small, shallow regular punctures and two distinct lateral protuberances, weakly convex.
Prosternum:
anterior margin distinctly emarginated.
Scutellar shield:
heart-shaped, densely covered with elongated white scales.
Elytra:
dark brown, short (El/Ew 1.15–1.20), subrectangular, widest in basal half, somewhat wider than pronotum (Ew/Pw 1.52–1.58), humeri distinct, rounded, sides rectilinear in basal half, moderately convex on disc; interstriae. slightly convex, with small, shallow, irregular punctures completely hidden by recumbent, dark brown, light brown and white rectangular scales, latter ones forming numerous quadrate to rectangular white spots on odd interstriae and almost completely covering interstria
4 in
apical half and interstria 8; striae with moderately deep punctures, half as wide as interstriae, completely hidden by scales similar to those on interstriae.
Venter:
mesosternal process weakly convex, not emarginated. Metasternum densely covered with uniformly elongated, rectangular brown (at sides) and white (in middle) scales, without hair-like scales. Abdomen with dense, irregular, moderately deep punctures completely hidden by moderately elongated scales, hair-like in middle, on V2 where forming distinct tuft, and on V5; V1 1.6× as long as V2; V1+2 5.5× as long as V3+4, latter ones 0.9× as long as V5.
Legs:
femora dark brown, with robust sharp teeth; tibiae dark brown, unci absent; tarsi brown, onychium as long as T1–3 combined; claws asymmetrical, one claw 1/2 as long as other.
Penis:
Figs 23d–f
, its body slightly narrowed from base to apex, with short, blunted tip. Flagellum robust, moderately long, bifurcated at base.
Female. Rostrum very slightly longer (Rl/Rw 3.43–3.48, Rl/Pl 1.36–1,43) (
Fig. 23c
), claws symmetrical, abdomen with all scales similar in shape.
Variability. Length
2.8–3.7 mm
. This is one of the most variable species with regard to the pattern of the dorsal vestiture, especially of the elytra. In typical specimens, elytra are mainly covered with brown scales, interstriae 4 and 7–8 covered with more or less predominating white scales and a few spots of white scales on odd interstriae. This is the intermediate pattern whereas the range varies from specimens with many white spots to specimens without spots (as in the
lectotype
of
C. virgatus
). Moreover, darker scales vary from pale brown to dark brown, whereas longitudinal striae of white scales vary in number and width.
Remarks.
This species is sometimes difficult to identify because of its variability in the pattern of the dorsal vestiture. It is similar to
C. pustulatus
, from which it differs by the less distinctly conical pronotum with prominent protuberances, elytra usually widest in basal third, and the presence of vittae formed by white scales on some interstriae. It is similar also to
C. terrosus
, from which it differs by the longer and thin rostrum and asymmetrical claws in males.
Biological notes.
In
Eastern Cape
(Peddie), larvae were collected feeding on
Selago corymbose
(det. Brent), whereas adults were found on
Selago
sp.
by the second author and on
Tetraselago
sp.
by E. Colonnelli.
Distribution.
This species seems to be common in the whole
South Africa
. It is also known from
Lesotho
.
Non-type material examined
.
SOUTH AFRICA
:
Mpumalanga
:
Middelburg,
XI.1933
(3,
SANC
); Springboklaagkte, Middelburg,
13.XI.1962
, leg. van Schalkwyk (3,
SANC
).
Gauteng
:
Johannesburg,
9.XII.1973
, leg. Reavel (1,
TMSA
); Pretoria, Hennopsriver,
XII.1950
, leg. van Schalkwyk (2,
SANC
); Tarleton,
1.XII.1969
, leg. van Schalkwyk (1,
SANC
).
North West
:
Rustenburg,
XII.1951
, leg. Capener (3,
SANC
); Ventersdorp,
8.II.1969
, leg. van Schalkwyk (2,
SANC
).
KwaZulu-Natal
:
Boston nr. Pietermaritzburg,
1450 m
,
29°40’S
30°04’E
,
30.XI.2015
, leg. Košťál (15,
MKCS
); same data except
24.XI.2017
(23,
MKCS
); Butterworth,
26.I.1963
, leg. van Schalkwyk (3,
SANC
); Cedara,
V.1949
, leg. Munro (1,
SANC
); Margate,
30.51S
30.22E
,
23.IV.1977
, leg. Cilliers (1,
SANC
) Richmond,
XII.1964
(1,
MRAC
); Van Reenen, Drakensberg,
XII.1926
, leg. Turner (3,
BMNH
).
Free State
:
Adullam Farm near Clarens,
28°32’S
28°28’E
,
20–26.II.1980
, leg. van Tonder (1,
SANC
); Allanridge,
22.XI.1961
, leg. van Schalkwyk (3,
SANC
); Bourville,
25.I.1963
, leg. van Schalkwyk (3,
SANC
); Fauresmith (Blaauwbank),
18.XI.1961
, leg. van Schalkwyk (17,
SANC
); Meyerskop, Bethlehem,
7.XI.1963
, leg. van Schalkwyk (2,
SANC
); Mooivlakte, Bloemfontein,
9.XI.1963
, leg. van Schalkwyk (1,
SANC
); Rouxville (Uitkyk),
29.I.1963
, leg. van Schalkwyk (3,
SANC
); Tussen-die-Riviere Res. nr Bethulie,
20–26.I.1994
, leg. Uys (5,
SANC
); Witkop, Senekal,
6.II.1964
, leg. van Schalkwyk (3,
SANC
).
Northern Cape
:
Kimberley (Smookspan),
15.XI.1961
, leg. van Schalkwyk (2,
SANC
); Namaqualand, Kotzesrus,
30°57’S
17°50’E
,
23.VIII.1979
, leg Endrödy-Younga (1,
TMSA
); Nieuwoudtville,
31°23’S
19°06’E
,
14.IX.1985
, leg Endrödy-Younga (16,
TMSA
); Olifantshoek E,
24.II.1984
(1,
TMSA
);Vanrhyn’s Pass,
31°23’S
19°02’E
,
24.X.1981
, leg Endrödy-Younga (1,
TMSA
).
Eastern Cape
:
Alexandria Forest,
95 km
WSW Alexandria,
22.VIII.1998
, leg. du Plessis (1,
SANC
); R72–
30 km
W Alexandria,
33°36’S
26°08’E
,
6.XI.2006
, leg. Colonnelli (1,
ECCR
); Algoa Bay, leg. Brauns (2,
BMNH
); Aliwal North,
XII.1922
, leg. Turner (3,
BMNH
); Aliwal North,
8.II.1964
, leg. van Schalkwyk (3,
SANC
); Aliwal North (Nuwe Jaarspruit),
20.XI.1961
, leg. van Schalkwyk (1,
SANC
); Aliwal North, Buffelsvlei,
28.I.1963
, leg. van Schalkwyk (5,
SANC
); Aliwal North, Strydfontein,
28.I.1963
, leg. van Schalkwyk (3,
SANC
); road Atherston to Stonehaven,
33°20’S
26°21’E
,
12.XI.2005
, leg. Osella (1,
GOCV
); Bethelsdorp,
XI.1952
, leg. Munro (1,
SANC
); vicinity of Coega,
33°47’S
25°36’E
,
16.XI.2006
, leg Colonnelli (1,
ECCR
); Fort Beaufort,
IX.1952
, leg. Munro (1,
SANC
); Grahamstown,
8.XII.1977
, leg Endrődi (1,
HNHM
); Grahamstown, Manley Flat,
VII.1947
, leg. Munro (13,
SANC
); Grahamstown, Faraway Farm,
33°20’S
26°28’E
,
22.XI.1988
, leg. Grobbelaar (6,
SANC
); Grahamstown, Botanic Garden,
30.I.1991
, on
Selago corymbosa
(1,
BMNH
); Grahamtown to Southwell,
13.XI.2006
, leg. Colonnelli (1,
ECCR
); road
N2,
10
km SW Grahamstown,
33°22’S
26°28’S
,
10–11.XI.2005
(2,
ECCR
); R343,
10 km
SE of Grahamstown,
33°22’S
26°28’E
,
3.V.2005
, leg. Audisio (1,
ECCR
); Gqeberha [formerly Port Elizabeth],
13.VIII.1957
, leg. Taylor (4,
SANC
); Hankey,
33°50’S
24°55’E
,
26.XI.2015
, leg. Košťál (3,
MKCS
); Jeffreysbaai,
34.02S
28.20E
, leg. van Tonder (4,
SANC
); St. Francis bay, Jeffrey’s bay,
33°57’S
24°57’E
,
25.XI.2015
, leg. Košťál (1,
MKCS
); ditto,
29.XI.2018
(3,
MKCS
); Kareedouw Pass, 33°57’67”S
24°16’15”E
,
16.XI.2006
, leg. Colonnelli (3,
ECCR
); Katberg,
14–26.XI.1932
, leg. Turner (2,
BMNH
); Knisna,
34°02’S
23°03’E
,
I.1979
, leg. Van Tonder (1,
SANC
); Komga,
600 m
,
32°34’S
27°56’E
,
25.XI.2017
, leg. Košťál (7,
MKCS
); Kruisfontein, Humansdorp,
33°59’S
24°46’E
,
27.XI.2015
, leg. Košťál (28,
MKCS
); Kruisfontein, Impofu Dam,
34°02’S
24°34’E
,
27.XI.2015
, on
Selago
sp.
, leg. Košťál (10,
MKCS
); Loerie,
33°52’S
25°02’E
,
25.XI.2015
, leg. Košťál (5,
MKCS
); Peddie,
III.1932
, ex larva on
Selago corymbosa
, leg. Brent (2,
BMNH
);
5 km
E Port St. Johns,
31°36’58”S
29°34’61”E,
8–9.XI.2006
, leg. Colonnelli (2,
ECCR
); Suurberg Pass,
900 m
,
28.XI.1988
, leg. Grobbelaar (6,
SANC
); near Thornhill,
33°54’27”S
25°07’03”E
,
16.XI.2006
, on flowers of
Tetraselago
(Scrophulariaceae)
, leg. Colonnelli (2,
ECCR
); Uitenhage,
1230 m
,
33°58’S
24°02’E
,
16.XI.2006
, leg. Osella (1,
GOCV
); Zuurberg Nat. Park,
550 m
,
33°21’S
25°44’E
, leg. Osella (1,
GOCV
).
Western Cape
:
Bookram farm,
32°39’S
18°17’E
,
30.VIII.1981
, leg Endrödy-Younga (1,
TMSA
);
Cape
Town, 1937–38 (2,
BMNH
);
Cape
Town
65 km
N,
33°21’S
18°15’E
,
30.VIII.1983
, leg Endrödy-Younga (1,
TMSA
);
Cape
of Good Hope, Table Mountain (8,
BMNH
);
Cape
Town, W slope Table Mountain,
6.XI.1949
, leg. Malkin (1,
BMNH
); Cederberg, Boshof,
32°20’S
18°59’E
,
17.IX.1985
, leg Endrödy-Younga (6,
TMSA
); Cederberg Mts.,Matjiesfontaine Reserve,
32°32’23”S
19°19’05”E
,
12.XI.2018
, leg. Borovec (12,
RBCS
); Cederberg Mts., SE Uitkyk Pass, road to Driehoek,
32°25’07”S
19°09’09”E
,
11.XI.2018
, leg. Borovec (5,
RBCS
); Cederberg Mts., SE Uitkyk Pass, Kliphuis,
32°28’03”S
19°13’01”E
,
12.XI.2018
, leg. Borovec (19,
RBCS
; 6,
RCCM
); Cederberg W.A., Eikeboom trail,
955 m
,
32°45’S
19°16’E
,
6.XII.2013
, leg. Wanat (1,
MNHW
); Cederberg W.A.,
1 km
S of Eikeboom,
930 m
,
32°46’S
19°17’E
,
6.XII.2013
, leg. Wanat (1,
MNHW
);
13 km
E. Ceres,
17.XI.2007
, leg. Colonnelli (1,
ECCR
); Doorn River,
XI.1931
, leg. Ogilvie (1,
BMNH
); Eshowe,
IX.1949
, leg. Capener (4,
SANC
); George,
19–21.I.1922
, leg. Turner (2,
BMNH
); Farm Wiedou, Gifberg,
17.IX.1986
, leg. Oberprieler (1,
SANC
); Farm Wiedou, Gifberg,
17.IX.1986
, leg. Oberprieler (1,
SANC
); Katbakkies Pass,
21.XI.1984
, leg. Prinsloo (1,
SANC
); Keurboomrivier Mond nr. Plettemberg,
13.II.1990
, leg. Jonsson (2,
SANC
); Langebaanweg,
29°57’S
18°08’E
,
24.VIII.1983
, leg Endrödy-Younga (2,
TMSA
); Milnerton,
I.1926
, leg. Turner (2,
BMNH
); Mossel Bay,
IX.1924
, leg. Turner (4,
BMNH
); Oudtshoorn,
X.1931
, leg. Mackie (1,
BMNH
); Outeniekwaberge
33°52’S
23°11’E
,
14.XII.1977
, leg Endrödy-Younga (15,
TMSA
); Paternoster, 32°81’S 17°86’E, on
Scrophulariaceae
,
22.IX.2018
, leg. Haran (1,
CBGP
); Plettenbergbaai,
34.03S
23.23E
,
I.1979
, leg. van Tonder (1,
SANC
); Prince Alfred’s Pass nr. Uniondale,
12.II.1990
, leg. Jonsson & Uys (3,
SANC
); Saasweld nr George,
33.57S
22.35E
,
12.II.1985
, leg. Breytenbach (1,
SANC
); Somerset East,
X.1930
, leg. Turner (8,
BMNH
); Stellenbosch,
27.XI.1964
, leg. Capener (1,
SANC
); Swellendam,
II.1932
, leg. Turner (1,
BMNH
); S. Swellendam, De Hoop
N.R.
,
8.XI.2011
, leg. Borovec (8,
RBCS
); Swellendam,
34°00’S
20°82’E, on
Scrophulariaceae
,
23.VIII.2018
, leg. Haran (
CBGP
); Top uan, Bains Kloof,
25.IX.1978
, leg. Holm and Scholtz (1,
SANC
); Velddrif, 32°72’S
18°19’E
,
27.VII.2019
, on
Scrophulariaceae
, leg. Haran” (11,
CBGP
); Villiersdorp,
1.XII.1964
, leg. Capener (2,
SANC
); Wildernis,
3.X.1981
, leg. Scholtz (5,
SANC
).
LESOTHO
:
Hodson’s Peak,
3000 m
,
29°37’S
29°17’E
,
12.III.1976
, leg Endrödy-Younga (5,
TMSA
); Molomoshoek,
III.1944
, leg. Munro (2,
SANC
).