A revision of the ruteline genus Anoplognathus Leach (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae).

Abstract

The genus Anoplognathus Leach is restricted to Australia and adjacent islands. Many of its species, commonly known as Christmas beetles, cause severe defoliation of trees, especially eucalypts. Notes on the biology, host preferences, and distribution of the species are given. The key to the species is based on a careful study of their mutual affinities. The grouping that results differs considerably from that adopted by previous workers. The species are redescribed and figured, particular attention being paid to the male genitalia which show marked constancy within species, in contrast to the variation in colour, size, and degree of vestiture of the beetles. The following new species are described: A. narmarus, sp, nov. A. pindarus, sp. nov. A. nebulosus moanus, subsp. nov. Changes of status proposed: A. insularis Ohaus, 1898, to become a subspecies of punctulatus Oll., 1890. A. aurora Arr., 1919, to become a subspecies of macleayi Blackb., 1891. A. acuminatus Ohaus, 1904, to become a subspecies of nebulosus Macl., 1864. New synonymies proposed: A. uiriditarsis Leach, 1815, =reticulatus Boisd., 1835, =viridicollis Macl., 1873. A. montanus Macl., 1873, =odewahni Macl., 1873. A. olivieri (Dalm.), 1817, =duponti Boisd., 1835. A. macleayi Blackb., 1891, =pallidus Arr., 1919. A. rugosus Kirby, 1818, =longipennis Macl., 1873, =dispar Macl., 1873. A. porosus (Dalm.), 1817, =pectoralis Burm., 1844, =luridus Arr., 1901. A. hirsutus Burm., 1844, =explanatus Arr., 1901. A. brunnipennis Gyll., 1817, =flavipennis Boisd., 1835, =quadrimaculatus Ohaus, 1898.