Proposed New synonymy for Pseudopyrochroa longa (Perty) (Coleoptera: Pyrochroidae: Pyrochroinae), with description of the presumed mature larva and redescription of the adult

Abstract

Field observations, together with a study of the comparative anatomy of larvae and adults, and examination of all types suggests that 11 southeast Asian species Pseudopyrochroa described by Maurice Pic and Kenneth Blair between 1906 and 1943 are junior synonyms of Pseudopyrochroa longa (Perty, 1831). Ten new junior synonyms proposed include: Pyrochroa apicalis Pic, Pyrochroa bipartite. Pic, Pseudopyrochroa curleapicalis Pic, Pyrochroa gibbiceps Pic, Pyrochroa impressiceps Pic, Pseudopyrochroa impressicollis Pic, Pyrochroa kannegieteri Pic, Pyrochroa malaccana Pic, Pseudopyrochroa moulloni Blair, and Pyrochroa robusticornis Pic. The eleventh species, Pyrochroa nebulosa Blair, was previously synonymized with Pyrochroa gibbiceps. The presumed larva of Pseudopyrochroa longa is described and salient features are illustrated. The species association is based on field collections of adults in the immediate vicinity and comparisons with another locally abundant species; structures associated with the urogomphal plate are diagnostic. The adult of P. longa is redescribed and illustrated; antennal configuration (♂) and form of the cranial pits (♂) are diagnostic for the species.

Key words:

• Pseudopyrochroa longa
• taxonomy
• synonymy
• Oriental Region