On the identity of Otiorhynchus (Nihus) subcostatus STIERLIN, 1866, description of Otiorhynchus muffi sp. nov., and an illustrated key to the species of Nihus REITTER, 1912 with taxonomic comments on both the subgenera Nihus and Eunihus REITTER, 1912 (Coleoptera, Curculionidae)
Author
Germann, Christoph
text
Contributions to Natural History
2014
2014-08-29
25
45
69
journal article
2577
10.5169/seals-787044
9249662f-ded1-45f6-8025-a195947abd56
2624-9170
5851300
Remarks on
Otiorhynchus azaleae
sensu auctorum
Based on the key by
Reitter (1913)
and subsequently the one by
Frieser (1981)
to the taxa of
Nihus
, both
O. azaleae
and
O. gredleri
were mostly misinterpreted. One important detail, the shape of the eyes which is initially characterized by
Daniel & Daniel (1898)
in their description as "…stark gewÖlbte Augen", followed by
Reitter (1913)
as "…selten sehr schwach vortretend v. Gredleri Dan." and finally termed by
Frieser (1981)
as "… Augen wie bei
azaleae
…" (Whereas nothing is stated concerning the eyes in the case of
azaleae
…). This may have led to the repeated quotation of
O. azaleae
for
Switzerland
, initiated by the first record by
Linder (1968)
and followed by all subsequent authors (
Germann & Lüscher 2007
,
Germann 2010a
,
2012
,
2014b
,
Magnano & Alonso-Zarazaga 2013
). The present investigations, with a new key to this subgenus replacing those proposed by
Reitter (1913)
and
Frieser (1981)
, showed that all Swiss specimens belong to
O. gredleri
, presently known from
Italy
(
Trentino-Alto Adige
) and
Austria
(Nordtirol). Contrary to
Magnano & Alonso-Zarazaga (2013)
no reliable records from
Germany
are presently known (P. Sprick, pers. comm.), although records from
Austria
(Ausserfern) are very close to Bavaria.