A new species of Lamiogethes from Socotra Island (Coleoptera: Nitidulidae: Meligethinae)
Audisio Paolo
Acta Entomologica Musei Nationalis Pragae 52(supplementum 2): 241-248, 2012
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Abstract: A new species of pollen beetle of the genus Lamiogethes Audisio & Cline,
2009, L. socotranus sp. nov., is described from Socotra Island (Yemen). The new
species is isolated from other East African representatives of this genus,
exhibiting a general shape of male genitalia partially resembling certain
Lamiogethes species known from southern Indian Peninsula. The new species is the
first described Meligethinae recorded from Socotra Island, where further
specialized research could enable discovery of other endemic or new species,
chiefly in the genera Lamiogethes, Afrogethes Audisio & Cline, 2009, and
Pria Stephens, 1830. Lamiogethes socotranus sp. nov. was regularly collected on
Cephalocroton socotranus Balf.f. (Euphorbiaceae), but it could be more likely
associated as larvae with an unidentified species of Leucas L. (Lamiaceae),
which includes seven species endemic to Socotra Island.
Key words: Coleoptera, Nitidulidae, Meligethinae, Lamiogethes, new species, Yemen, Socotra