Monolepta anxia Weise 1909

A very variable species that has been described three times by Weise:

WEISE, J. 1909. Liste von Chrysomeliden und Coccinelliden aus Deutsch Zambesia. Archiv für Naturgeschichte 75: 126-128.
--> Monolepta anxia: https://www.biodiversitylibrary.org/page/15112180#page/135/mode/1up

WEISE, J. 1909. 7. Coleoptera, 12. Chrysomelidae und Coccinellidae. in: SJÖSTEDT, Y. (ed.) Wissenschaftliche Ergebnisse der schwedischen zoologischen Expedition nach dem Kilimandscharo, dem Meru und den umgebenden Massaisteppen Deutsch-Ostafrikas 1905-1906. Stockholm: Palmquist, 153-267.
--> Monolepta ciliata: https://www.biodiversitylibrary.org/page/1372024#page/677/mode/1up

WEISE, J. 1914. Beiträge zur Kenntnis der Land- und Süßwasserfauna Deutsch-Südwestafrikas. in: MICHAELSEN, W. (ed.) Ergebnisse der Hamburger deutsch-südwestafrikanischen Studienreise 1911. Hamburg: L. Friederichsen & Co., 1
--> Monolepta arenaria: https://www.biodiversitylibrary.org/item/31142#page/286/mode/1up

The colouration of the elytra can be completely or predominantely yellow or my have colourful cross-like pattern similar to Monolepta cruciata.
The cross-pattern form is told from M. cruciata by the red elytral suture and the broad antennomeres which are predominantly brown-black.
Head yellowish-red or red.
Basal 3 antennomeres usually reddish, antennomeres 4-11 brown to black. Antennomeres short, broad,
basal antennomeres particularly broad in males, apical antennomeres also comparatively broad.
Prothorax yellow, reddish-yellow or red. Pronotum very broad.
Elytral pattern very variable: (1) elytra yellow to yellowish red with insignificant reddish margins, suture, and median transverse band. (2) elytra entirely yellow (as type of M. ciliata). (3) elytra with some black colouration of small black cross band in the middle and black margins (4) elytra mainly black elytra, with 4 yellow spots, with red suture and apex (only in southern Congo).
Scutellum red to yellowish red or black. Meso- and metathorax, usually brown, rarely yellow as pronotum.
Legs yellow to reddish yellow.
Abdomen yellow to yellowish red.

Description and figures in:
Wagner, T. 2007. Revision of afrotropical Monolepta Chevrolat, 1837 – Part VI: Species with reddish to black cross-like elytral pattern (Coleoptera, Chrysomelidae, Galerucinae)
https://www.researchgate.net/publication/354059018_Revision_of_afrotropical_Monolepta_Chevrolat_1837_-_Part_VI_Species_with_reddish_to_black_cross-like_elytral_pattern_Coleoptera_Chrysomelidae_Galerucinae

In Southern Africa commonly recorded from Namibia (Northern parts and Zambezi region), Botswana (Okavango).

Publicado el 23 de enero de 2024 por traianbertau