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Zhu
Member Demonax
China
79 Posts |
 Posted - 22/12/2008 : 07:05:07
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Dear Dr. Vitali:
Sorry to bother you again.
Last time you help id. the Trigonoptera species.
This time we Chinese quarantiners intercepted an unusual large lamininae beetle, long about 4 cm.
Could you pls help identify this seemingly economically important one? |
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Francesco
Forum Admin
Luxembourg
9454 Posts |
Posted - 23/12/2008 : 18:28:05
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Dear Colleague, I am always happy to hear you. This beetle seems to me Phryneta leprosa (Fabricius, 1775), a species that is also present in the gallery.
This species has a large African distribution and it has already been introduced in Malta since 2003, where it attacks cultivated broadleaf-trees.
It is also mentioned as pest in
this official document. |
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Zhu
Member Demonax
China
79 Posts |
Posted - 24/12/2008 : 02:17:30
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| That is so great. It could have taken me for months to identify this kind of beetle. First I thought it might be Dihammus, or Epepeotes, or what ever... But none seems to match with the specimen. What is it, there is so many confused Laminines. I felt like see it once, but I lost it somewhere.I have many other specimens from Africa and PNG, I will post later. But wait a minuter, this seem to only live in Africa,but my colleague told me to find it on PNG logs,they must make mistake,right? |
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Zhu
Member Demonax
China
79 Posts |
Posted - 24/12/2008 : 02:24:41
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Sorry, it is from Africa, Gabon.
I was too excited when I see the big beetle. |
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Francesco
Forum Admin
Luxembourg
9454 Posts |
Posted - 24/12/2008 : 17:01:46
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| Yes, Lamiinae are in a very confusing situation, partially also due to the great number of species... Nonetheless, Lamiini (as Dihammus or Epepeotes) are distinguishable for a ridge on the apex of the first antennal joint, while Phrynetini are deprived of it. Under other aspects they are actually very similar... Thank you for the news: Gabon was not among the already recorded localities, though it is located in the areal of this species. |
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Zhu
Member Demonax
China
79 Posts |
Posted - 25/12/2008 : 02:16:06
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| Thank you for the very useful tips though I have noticed that the antenna scape is smooth on the Phryneta while the Lamiini is ridged at the apex. However, I have no idea that character is the key to seperate. |
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PNG lamininae: Phryneta leprosa ♂
