UZBEKISTAN • 13 ♀; “Бухара Кара-Булак” [Uzbekistan, Kara-Bulak, 41°44'43"N, 70°09'22"E, handwritten by G.L. Suvorov]; 14.V.1915; “Peronaspis bucharica ♀ typ. m.”; [golden circle]; ZIN • 16 ♀, same data; “L. Arnoldi det.”; ZIN.

The species was described from an unspecified number of specimens which were considered males. Sixteen additional specimens were apparently found later in the unsorted material and provided with identification labels by L.V. Arnoldi. There are no males in the available material.

The structure of the head was described by G.L. Suvorov incorrectly: he wrote that the pterygia are produced into bidentate processes, with the inner branch curved upward and somewhat laterally, and the outer branch pointed laterally. In fact, the inner margins of the pterygia are situated much higher than the outer margins and are weakly produced anterodorsally while the outer margins are much longer and produced into thrice as long, compressed laterally genal processes (gp). In addition, the left mandible has deciduous process (mn-dp) somewhat longer and noticeably thicker than the genal process, more strongly curved and more medially pointed (Fig. 1A).

Figure 1. 

Peronaspis, head dorsal view: A, B. Peronaspis bucharica, females; C. Peronaspis claviger, male; D. Peronaspis claviger, female. Photo credit: by Genrik E. Davidian (ZIN), CC-BY 4.0. Abbreviations: gp – genal process; mn-dp – deciduous process of mandible.

TURKMENISTAN • 1 ♂; “Kushka”; “ex coll. G.L. Suvorov”; ZIN • 1 ♂; “Transc. Wuste Kara-Kum”; “Corigetus claviger Rost”; ZIN. TAJIKISTAN • 1 ♀; Aivadzh – Shaartuz; sand desert; 15 May 1961; I.M. Kerzhner leg.; ZIN • 1 ♂; Aivadzh near Shaartuz, 24 Apr. 1959; L. Mikitova leg.; ZIN • 1 ♂; Khozreti-Sho Range: 10 km from Muminabad, 16 Jun. 1966; I.K. Lopatin leg.; ZIN • 1 ♂, 1 ♀; Sarkoron; meadow; 18 Jun. 1958; I.K. Lopatin leg.; ZIN • 1 ♂, 1 ♀ Kabadian, 15 Apr. 1928; Novitskii leg.; ZIN • 1 ♂; Tigrovaya Balka Nature Reserve, Apr. 1966; O.L. Kryzhanovskij leg.; ZIN • 1 ♀; Dzharkurgan, desert, spiny plants, 2 May 1986; Pekin leg.; ZIN • 1 ♂ “Бух.[ара] Тоби-Дора, № 132, Вильберг” [Buchara, Tobi-Dora, № 132, Vilberg leg.]; ZIN.

Recently, Colonnelli and Paladini (2019) described the genus Viridistylus in the tribe Mesostyloidini. The authors noted that the mandibular process is almost straight and forms an angle of about 30 degrees with the sides of the rostrum, but the authors say nothing about the genal process. After examination of the description and image of the beetle provided in the paper, we hypothesized that it was actually a species of Peronaspis. To verify this, we compared the image with two syntypes of Peronaspis claviger and other material of this species in the ZIN collection.

Peronaspis claviger is a Middle Asian species of the tribe Cyphicerini, notable for its highly unusual structure of the pterygia bearing a genal process (Faust 1894; Marshall 1944), and females with the left mandible bearing rather long deciduous process, and ventral parts of the pterygia strongly spiniform, projecting anterolaterally.

Marshall (1944) examined Corigetus claviger Faust, with its large genal process, and erected for it the genus Taurostomus. Later, Nasreddinov (1974) compared Taurostomus claviger with Peronaspis bucharica and discovered their close relationship, concluding that Taurostomus is a junior synonym of Peronaspis.

We suggest that the attribution of Viridistylus robustus was based on a misinterpretation of the genal process as the permanent mandibular process (pedicel) characteristic of Mesostyloidini (Thompson 1992). Viridistylus robustus has the genal process and is conspecific with Peronaspis claviger (Faust, 1894), sharing all morphological characters with the latter.

Sepiomus frontalis Aurivillius, 1891: CAMBODIA • 1 ♂; “Kirirom / (Cambodge)”; M. André leg.; GAC. Sepiomus parallelus Chevrolat, 1883: CAMBODIA • 1 ♂; “Kiri Rom / (Cambodge)”; M. André leg.; GAC (Fig. 2A) • 1 ♀; “Kirirom / (Cambodge)”; M. André leg.; GAC. • 1 ♂, 3 ♀; “Indochine”; GAC.

Figure 2. 

Sepiomus parallelus, male: A. Body dorsal and lateral view; B. Head dorsal view; C. Head lateral view; D. Head ventral view; E. Aedeagus dorsal and lateral view; F. Sternite 8 and 9. Abbreviations: ml-app – apical preostial process of median lobe; Mst8 – sternite 8; pr – prementum.

Sepiomus was established for three Indo-Chinese species: Episomus parallelus Chevrolat, 1883 from Cambodia and Vietnam, Sepiomus frontalis Aurivillius, 1891 and S. tuberculatus Aurivillius, 1891 from Cambodia. Later, Faust (1895a) described a Vietnamese species, S. aurivilliusi Faust, 1895, and added to this genus another Vietnamese species Corigetus figulus Faust, 1893 (Faust 1895b), characterized by thin antennal funicle and a widened base of the antennal scape in females. Subsequently, Heller (1925) described Sepiomus tuberculatus microscutellaris Heller, 1925 from North Sumatra, and Vayssière (1941) discovered S. casuarinae Vayssière, 1941 in Vietnam.

Some Cyphicerini in South-East Asia exhibit specific modifications of the head capsule and body vestiture resembling those of Episomus Schoenherr, 1823, such as the Formosan weevil Episomoides albinus (Matsumura, 1910) (Kôno 1930).

Sepiomus was originally classified in Cyphicerini. Marshall 1944 while revising the genera of Cyphicerini proposed a new classification based on the chaetotaxy of prementum and mandibles. According to this classification, Cyphicerini genera have 3-setose mandibles, thus genera Sepiomus and Cylindromus having 4-setose mandibles were transferred to Leptopiinae. Alonso-Zarazaga and Lyal (1999) conventionally retained it in Tropiphorini.

We transfer Sepiomus to Cyphicerini based on the deeply emarginate epistome (Fig. 2B), the prementum concealing the maxillae (Fig. 2D, pr), and male genitalia typical for this tribe: median lobe significantly shorter than apodemes and possessing apical preostial process (Fig. 2E, ml-app); endophallus very long, unfolded from median lobe, and bearing large fields of abundant, dense spiculae; sternite 8 consists of heavily sclerotized, broadly lanceolate hemisternites with long setae along the posterior margin (Fig. 2F, Mst8). Sepiomus may be placed in the subtribe Cyphicerina based on the presence of post­ocular lobes (Fig. 2C).

This genus, originally described from Cambodia, is related to Sepiomus Aurivillius, 1891 and the Formosan Episomoides Kôno 1930. We transfer it to Cyphicerini based on a deeply emarginate epistome, which is typical for this tribe.

AUSTRALIA - Victoria • 1 paratype; “Bacchus / Marsh. Vict. XII.” [blueish label, handwritten], “Bacchus / Marsh. Vict. XII.” [handwritten], “Paratypus / Myllocerus / bacchus m.” [red label], “Coll. E. Voss / Eing. 3-75”; ZMH 841041.

Figure 3. 

Myllocerus bacchus (= Titinia tenuis): A, B. Paratype, body dorsal and lateral view; C. Paratype, labels. Photo credit: by Matthias Seidel (ZMH), CC-BY 4.0; D. Map showing correction of the type locality from African Lake Victoria to Bacchus Marsh, a peri-urban town near Melbourne (Victoria, Australia).

While studying African specimens of the genus Myllocerus Schoenherr, 1823 from Eduard Voss’s collection in the Zoological Museum of Hamburg University, we found M. bacchus Voss, 1949, previously described from East Africa. However, upon closer examination of the paratype, we identified it as the South Australian Titinia tenuis (Germar, 1848), uncovering a misinterpretation of the label. Eduard Voss had mistakenly assumed that “Bacchus Marsh. Vict.” referred to a location near Lake Victoria in Africa, when Bacchus Marsh actually is a peri-urban town near Melbourne, Victoria, Australia. Titinia tenuis is distributed in New South Wales, Queensland, South Australia, and Victoria (Oberprieler and Zimmerman 2020).

Brachymerinthus helferi Faust, 1886: 339. Fig. 4.

Figure 4. 

Brachymerinthus helferi, syntype: A, B. Body dorsal and lateral view; C. Head ventral view; D. Head apex and mandibles, dorsal view; E. Head dorsal view; F. Head lateral view; G. Antenna; H. Distal part of metatibia, lateral view; I. Metatibia apex posterior view showing narrow scaleless corbel bevel; J. Metatarsus; K. Labels. Abbreviations: mn-pc – permanent mandibular process (pedicel); mn-sc – scar.

Brachymerinthus densesquamosus (Magnano, 2009: 245), comb. nov.

A review of old collections in the Museum of Zoology in Dresden has revealed a syntype of Brachymerinthus helferi Faust, 1886. This species was described from an uncertain locality along the Euphrates River. Brachymerinthus was initially placed in the tribe Eustylini (Faust 1886) probably based on the presence of metatibial corbel and humeral calli of elytra. Faust affined this genus with Platyomicus Thomson, 1858 belonging now to Episom­ini. Later Brachymerinthus was provisionally classified as Phyllobiini (Lona 1938; Alonso-Zarazaga and Lyal 1999). Dorsal placement of antennal scrobes converging posteriorly, spatulate apex of protibia, mandibles with permanent process (pedicel; mn-pc) bearing scar (mn-sc) on its medial surface (Fig. 4C), free tarsal claws, straight anterior margin of pronotum, and presence of metatibial corbel and glossy scaling of body reveal that this taxon belongs to the psammophilous tribe Mesostyloidini, where it is closely related to, or even congeneric with, Kasakhstania Arnoldi 1960 from Kazakhstan and Middle Asia. Further morphological study is needed to resolve this taxonomic issue.

Another monotypic genus Parakasakhstania Magnano, 2009 was described from the United Arab Emirates without considering the existence of Brachymerinthus. A comparison of images given in the original description of Parakasakhstania densesquamosa Magnano, 2009, with Brachymerinthus helferi suggests that these taxa are at least closely related species, if not conspecific. Therefore, we establish a new synonymy of Parakasakhstania with Brachymerinthus, leaving the issue of species status for further study.

Based on recent investigations of Jan Vilém Helfer’s itinerary (Mlíkovský 2012), the type locality of Brachymerinthus helferi is potentially situated between Qal’at Najm and Al-Salihiyah in Syria. This discovery, along with recent findings in the United Arab Emirates, has enabled a reassessment of the taxonomic composition of Mesostyloidini and broadened the knowledge of its distribution. The distributional pattern of this tribe now links vast desert territories from Arabia to the lower Ural River.

2 ♀ paratypes; IRAN (Recht) / Tahergourabe [=Taher Gourab, Gilan Province] / (feucht) 0 m.u.M. / VI.1950 / F. Schäuffele leg. [blue label, printed]; Polydrusus / constellatus m. [handwritten]; Paratypus [red label, printed]; Polydrusus / constellatus m. [handwritten]; ZMH 839374.

This species was described from Taher Gourab in Gilan Province, Iran. Examination of the paratypes in ZMH revealed completely dorsal placement of the antennal scrobes and sharp lateral margin of the protibiae (Fig. 5E) similar to those in the Phyllobius pyri L. species group, which is already known from Iran.

Figure 5. 

Phyllobius constellatus comb. nov.: A. Polydrusus constellatus, paratype 1, body dorsal and lateral view; C, D. Polydrusus constellatus, paratype 2, body dorsal and lateral view; E. Polydrusus constellatus, paratype 2, head dorsal view and forelegs; F. Labels. Photo credit: by Matthias Seidel (ZMH), CC-BY 4.0.

The major characteristic of Polydrusini that differentiates it from Phyllobiini is the lateral position of the antennal scrobes. We agree with the conclusion of Thompson (1977), who conducted a comparative morphological analysis and proved affinity of Brachyxystus with Pachyrhinus Schoenherr, 1823 and its placement in Polydrusini. We disagree with Alonso-Zarazaga and Lyal (1999) who transferred the genus to Phyllobiini without explicit justification. In addition to the morphology of the head, the structure of the aedeagus also supports the affinity of Brachyxystus with Pachyrhinus within Polydrusini.

Brachyxystus subsignatus subsignatus Faust, 1897: 356.

= Polydrusus (Chaerodrys) setifrons kashmirensis Voss, 1959: 82, syn. nov.

Brachyxystus subsignatus gulmargicus Thompson, 1977: 454.

Brachyxystus subsignatus praevius (Voss, 1959), comb. nov.

Polydrusus (Chaerodrys) setifrons praevius Voss, 1959: 81

Brachyxystus subsignatus: the lectotype was designated by Thompson (1977) who noted that he had no information about the second specimen mentioned by Faust (1897). We found the second specimen in Johannes Faust’s collection and consider it the paralectotype (Fig. 6); INDIA “Khamba [= Chamba] / Andrewes” [handwritten by J. Faust]; “subsignat/us Fst.” [handwritten by J. Faust]; “Coll. J. Faust” [yellow, printed]; “Type” [red, printed]; “Staatl. Museum für / Tierkunde Dresden”; MTD.

Figure 6. 

Brachyxystus subsignatus, paralectotype (MTD): A, B. Body dorsal and lateral view; C, D. Head dorsal and lateral view; E. Labels.

Polydrusus (Chaerodrys) setifrons kashmirensis. Holotypus ♀ (Fig. 7); “Kashmir / Rost 1905”; Holotypus / Polydr. setifrons / subsp. / kashmirensis m. [red label]; Polydrusus (Chaerodrys) setifrons / E. Voss det., 1956 / subsp. n. kashmirensis; “Coll. E. Voss / Eing. 3-75”; ZMH 839387.

Figure 7. 

Polydrusus setifrons kashmirensis syn. nov. of Brachyxystus subsignatus subsignatus, holotype: A, B. Body dorsal and lateral view; C. Labels. Photo credit: by Matthias Seidel (ZMH), CC-BY 4.0.

Eduard Voss correctly classified his taxon within the tribe Polydrusini but made an error regarding its genus and species. Upon noticing the similarity of his Kashmiri species with the Iberian Polydrusus setifrons, Voss did not consider comparing it with Faust’s Brachyxystus subsignatus. Consequently, he mistakenly described Brachyxystus subsignatus as Polydrusus setifrons kashmirensis.

Despite some convergent similarity of general appearance, Polydrusus setifrons and Brachyxystus subsignatus differ significantly in the structure of the antennae, epistoma, prementum, maxilla, and genitalia of both sexes. Polydrusus setifrons is distinguished by the following characters: anterior margin of the epistoma with a fringe of tiny setae; maxilla (mx) not extending beyond hypostoma (hy); prementum (pr) large and broad; mandibular scar large (mn-sc) (Fig. 8G); antennal scape thin and long, reaching midlength of occiput, as long as funicle and club combined (Fig. 8E); stalk (me-sk) of metendo­sternite short, furcal arms (me-fa) bifurcate; spermatheca C-shaped, ramus vestigial (Fig. 8D); ovipositor (Fig. 8B, C) with styli (sty); median lobe long, narrow, and tubular, as long as apodemes; endophallus finely armed, without coarse spicules (Fig. 8 A); and recumbent round scales have rows of papillae (Fig. 8H) between veins.

Figure 8. 

Polydrusus setifrons, general morphology: A. Aedeagus; B. Female genitalia; C. Ovipositor and lamina of sternite 8, lateral view; D. Spermatheca; E. Antenna; F. Metendosternite; G. Head ventral view; H. Scales of body vestiture. Abbreviations: co – collum; cr – cornu; hy – hypostoma; me-fa – furcal arms; me-sk – stalk of metendosternite; mn-sc – mandibular scar; mx – maxilla; no – nodulus; pr – prementum; sty – styli.

On the other hand, Brachyxystus subsignatus shows significant structural affinity in the head and genitalia of both sexes with Pachyrhinus, as thoroughly examined by Thompson (1977).

These two species also differ in host plant preferences. Unlike Brachyxystus subsignatus, which feeds on Himalayan conifers (Stebbing 1911, 1914), Polydrusus setifrons is strictly associated with Mediterranean oak forests and mixed pine-oak forests in the Iberian Peninsula. It is a known defoliator of oaks (Quercus suber and Q. ilex; Fagaceae) throughout southern Spain (Gallardo and Cárdenas 2017).

AZERBAIJAN • 1 ♀; “Lenkoran”; Leder (Reitter) leg.; ZIN. GEORGIA — Abkhazia • 1 specimen; Aguripsta Riv., mouth of Agura-Aresh Riv.; 43°28'19.23"N, 40°44'33.70"E; alt. 1383 m; 1 Jul. 2007; N. Yunakov leg.; deciduous forest; NYC • 4 specimens; Bagri-Yashta Mt. R., Anchkho Pass; 43°28'39.64"N, 40°42'28.49"E; alt. 2000 m; 2 Jul. 2007; N. Yunakov leg.; deciduous forest: Fagus, sweeping; NYC • 2 specimens; Bagri-Yashta Mt. R., trail from Avatkhara to Pyv; 43°29'38.94"N, 40°40'26.73"E; alt. 1500 m; 5 Jul. 2007; N. Yunakov leg.; NYC • 1 ♂, 1 ♀; Kodori River Gorge; 7 Jun. 1969; A. Cholokava leg.; ZIN • 2 ♀; Gentsvishi; 7 Aug. 1973; A. Cholokava leg.; ZIN • 2 ♂, 3 ♀; Ochamchira; 7 Aug. 1973; A. Cholokava leg.; ZIN • 1 specimen; 19.5 km N Sukhumi, near Tsumuri; 43°10'34"N, 41°02'55"E; alt. 500 m; 15 Jul. 2008; N. Yunakov leg.; deciduous forest; NYC • 1 ♂; Western Gumista Riv., mouth of Chedimi Riv.; 43°46.87"N, 41°00'11.40"E; alt. 270 m; 17 Jun. 2007; N. Yunakov leg.; deciduous forest: Castanea, Carpinus, Buxus; NYC • 1 ♀; Klych River Gorge; 18 Jun. 1973; A. Cholokava leg.; ZIN • 1 ♀; Western Gumista Riv., S part of Ashamtuara Range; 43°11'53.39"N, 41°01'21.98"E; alt. 800 m; 18 Jun. 2007; N. Yunakov leg.; deciduous forest; NYC • 1 ♂, 2 ♀; Western Gumista Riv., 1 km upstream of mouth of Gumiripsha Riv.; 43°14'45.80"N, 40°54'40.26"E; alt. 450 m; 20 Jun. 2007; N. Yunakov leg.; deciduous forest; NYC • 1 ♂; Otkhara; 24 Apr. 1955; V.N. Kurnakov leg.; ZIN. — Ajaria • 1 ♂, 1 ♀; Chakvi; 10 Apr. 1911; K.E. Demokidov leg.; ZIN • 1 ♀; Karapeti env.; alt. 2136 m; 10 Jul. 2013; S. Svetlov leg.; MSC • 2 ♀; Chakvi; 11 May 1913; K.E. Demokidov leg.; ZIN. — Kakheti • 1 ♀; Akhmeta; 9 Jul. 1961; A. Cholokava leg.; ZIN. — Samegrelo-Zemo Svaneti • 1 ♀; Poti; 24 May 1909; ZIN. IRAN — Mazandaran • 1 ♀; Noor; 9 Apr. 2024; Zahra Azizi leg; TMU. RUSSIA — Chechnya • 1 ♀; Itum-Kale, Assa River Valley; alt. 1200 m; 10–20 Jun. 1987; G.M. Abdurakhmanov leg.; ZIN. — Karachay-Cherkessia • 1 ♀; Teberda Nature Reserve, resort, Teberda River Valley; alt. 1300 m; 15 May 1965; K.B. Gorodkov leg.; ZIN • 1 ♂; Тебердинский аул [Teberdinsky Aul, 43.549°N, 41.802°E]; 19 Aug. 1897; Щукин [Shchukin leg.]; ZIN • 1 ♀; 10 km S of Teberda Health Resort; 21 Jun. 1976; D.R. Kasparian leg.; ZIN • 1 ♀; “Ca.[ucasus] b.[orealis] Teberda; Jun. [1]912; Roubal leg.”; ZIN • 1 ♂; Teberda; Aug. 1935; ZIN • 1 ♀ “Cauc.[asus] sept.[entrionalis] Teberda, Lake Mukhu; alt. 4000 ft; A. Zolotarew leg.; ZIN • 1 ♀; “Cauc.[asus] sent.[o] bor.[ealis], Teberda, Mukhu”; A. Zolotarew leg.; ZIN. — Krasnodar Territory • 2 ♀; Goryachy Klyuch, 27 May 1971, B.A. Korotyaev leg.; ZIN • 1 ♀; Goryachy Klyuch; 23 Apr. 1976; B.A. Korotyaev leg.; ZIN • 1 specimen; Krasnaya Polyana forestry, Mzymta River valley; 24 Jun. 1951; Berezovsky leg.; KUMN • 1 specimen; Krasnaya Polyana forestry, Mzymta River Valley; 26 Jun. 1951; Berezovsky leg.; KUMN • 1 ♂; Adler; Aug. [1912]; Lgocki leg.; ZIN • 2 ♀; “С. Кавказ, Умпырь” [= North Caucasus, Umpyrskiy, 43.8°N, 41°E]; Aug. 1899; ZIN — North Ossetia • 1 specimen; Tsei Gorge; alt. 1780 m; 10 Jul. 2013; Yu.E. Komarov leg.; IZC. — Stavropol Territory • 1 ♀; Kislovodsk; alt. 1250 m; 17 May 2009; D.R. Kasparian leg.; forest with Betula and Salix; ZIN. TURKEY — Bartin • 1 specimen; Ulus; 29 May 1980; N. Lodos leg.; Rosa; DEEU — Bolu • 3 specimens; Mengen; 26 May 1980; N. Lodos leg.; Alnus; DEEU — Sinop • 1 specimen; Sinop; 06 Jun. 1980; N. Lodos leg.; Fagus; DEEU.

Figure 9. 

Polydrusus rufulus: A. Body. Photo credit: by Maxim E. Smirnov, CC-BY 4.0; B. Occurrence map.

1 ♂; “Caucas[us] [orange printed label]”, “Polydrosus rufulus Hochh., Faust” [handwritten; ex coll. P. P. Semenov-Tian-Shansky]; ZIN • 1 ♀; “Caucas[us]” [handwritten]; ZIN • 1 ♂, 6 ♀; [green square], coll. Christoph; ZIN.

All attempts to trace type specimens of Polydrusus reitteri in MTD among Kirsch’s material were unsuccessful. The species was described from Mikwena at Rioni River, Georgia and compared with Polydrusus sparsus Gyllenhal, 1834, a species unknown from the Caucasus. Polydrusus reitteri has been mistakenly placed in the genus Myllocerus Schoenherr, 1823 by Ramamurthy and Ghai (1988), as no Myllocerus species is known from Georgia (Cholokava 2008). Instead, there is Polydrusus rufulus Hochhuth 1847, which has some rostrum features resembling those of Myllocerus. According to the original description, P. reitteri may well be a synonym of P. rufulus Hochhuth, 1847.

The male holotype and female paratype from the collection of Museum G. Frey have been examined in the Zoologische Staatssammlung München by Boris A. Korotyaev, both undoubtedly belong to P. rufulus.

This species is ranged through the Caucasus, northern part of Asia Minor to Alborz Mountains in Iran (Fig. 9B), where it inhabits floodland and mountain forests along large rivers. Russia: Krasnodar Territory (Schilsky 1910), Adygea (Korotyaev and Arzanov 2010), Chechnya, Dagestan, Ingushetia, Kabardino-Balkaria, North Ossetia (Ismailova 2007). Georgia (Schilsky 1910, Cholokava 2008), Azerbaijan: Lankaran (Schilsky 1910), the Asian part of Turkey (Lodos 1977; Lodos et al. 2003). Schilsky (1910) recorded P. rufulus from Adrianople (= Edirne) based on specimens collected by Max Korb but the further comprehensive weevil surveys in Turkey (Lodos 1977; Lodos et al. 2003) did not confirm this. On the other hand, N. Lodos recorded P. sparsus in western Turkey and the latter is also known from Greece. Thus, Schilsky’s record from Edirne is most likely based on the misidentification of P. sparsus. In Turkey (provinces of Bartin and Bolu) P. rufulus is probably sympatric with the closely related P. sparsus (Lodos et al. 2003). In 2024 P. rufulus was collected in Hyrcanian forests, Mazandaran Province of Iran (first country record); photographs of one specimen were received from Zahra Azizi (Environmental Science Department, Tarbiat Modares University, Noor, Iran) and examined by the first author.

TURKEY • Lectotype ♀, herein designated; “Asie min. / Brousse / Pic 1899 [printed label];viridimaculatus / Pic [handwritten]; Museum Paris [printed]; Lectotype Polydrusus picus var. viridimaculatus Pic / Yunakov des., 2012; MNHN • Paralectotype ♀, dissected; Brousse [handwritten]; Pol. picus var. (ex. Desbr.) [handwritten]; “Paralectotype Polydrusus picus var. viridimaculatus Pic / Yunakov des., 2012”; MNHN (Fig. 10A–D).

Figure 10. 

Polydrusus: A, B. Polydrusus viridimaculatus stat. nov., lectotype (MNHN), body dorsal and lateral view; C. Polydrusus viridimaculatus stat. nov., lectotype, head dorsal view; E. Polydrusus viridimaculatus stat. nov., male genitalia; F. Polydrusus viridimaculatus stat. nov., spermatheca; G. Polydrusus picus, male genitalia; H. Polydrusus picus, spermatheca. Abbreviations: Male genitalia: es – endophallic sclerite; lov – lateral ostial valves; Mst9-ca – caput of sternite 9; oss – ostial sclerite; sf1–sf3 – spiculate fields 1–3; Spermatheca: co – collum; cr – cornu; no – nodulus; ra – ramus.

TURKEY • 1 ♀; “Turkey, Murat Dagi Mt., SE Gedis” [39.0333°N, 29.4167°E]; 7 Jun. 2006; P. Białooki leg.; ZIN • 3 ♂, 3 ♀; “Amasia”; “Samml. K.F. Hartmann / Ankauf 1941.I.”; MTD. (Fig. 10E, F).

This taxon was briefly described as a variety of Polydrusus picus (Fabricius, 1792) from Turkey. It exhibits significant differences in external morphology, particularly in the structure of the male and female genitalia (Fig. 10E–H):

The median lobe apex is attenuate (evenly narrowed anteriorly in P. picus).

The lateral ostial valves (lov) are less sclerotized, with unclear margins (sclerotized, with distinct margins in P. picus).

The endophallic armature bears fields of enlarged and sparser spicules (sf1), and smaller and denser spicules (sf2) (armature consists of fields with only smaller and denser spicules in P. picus).

The endophallic sclerite (es) is small and lacks an additional spiculate field (sf3) (endophallic sclerite is larger with an additional spiculate field in P. picus).

The apodeme of male sternite 9 has a small caput (Mst9-ca) (large caput in P. picus).

The nodulus of the spermatheca (no) is not inflated and the cornu (cr) is attenuate (nodulus inflated and cornu rounded and shortened in P. picus).

These differences strongly support the promotion of Polydrusus viridimaculatus to the species level.

Pesarini (1975) overlooked P. viridimaculatus Pic, 1919 while describing P. scapularis, and compared his new species with Polydrusus (Poecilodrusus) elegans Reitter, 1887, P. (Poecilodrusus) viridicinctus Gyllenhal, 1834, and P. (Eurodrusus) cervinus (Linnaeus, 1758), placing it in the P. cervinus species-group. The paratype of Polydrusus scapularis in the ZIN collection was examined. External morphology and the structure of aedeagus and spermatheca of Polydrusus scapularis give evidence that it is a junior synonym of P. viridimaculatus.