South American Coccinellidae (Coleoptera): part X: A systematic revision of Thalassa Mulsant (Hyperaspidinae)

Abstract

The genus Thalassa Mulsant, 1850 is revised. Its five species are redescribed: T. pentaspilota (Chevrolat, 1853), T. flaviceps Mulsant, 1850, T. similaris Mulsant, 1850, T. montezumae Mulsant, 1850, and T. glauca (Mulsant, 1850). A new species is proposed, Thalassa korschefskyi sp.nov., from Colombia. The species are illustrated and a key to species is also provided. Lectotype of Thalassa reyi Mulsant, 1850 is here designated.<br>Coccinellidae (Coleoptera) da América do Sul. Parte X: Revisão sistemática de Thalassa Mulsant (Hyperaspidinae). O gênero Thalassa Mulsant, 1850 é revisado. Suas cinco espécies são redescritas: T. pentaspilota (Chevrolat, 1853), T. flaviceps Mulsant, 1850, T. similaris Mulsant, 1850, T. montezumae Mulsant, 1850 e T. glauca (Mulsant, 1850). Uma nova espécie é proposta, Thalassa korschefskyi sp. nov., da Colômbia. São fornecidas ilustrações e chave para as espécies. O lectótipo de Thalassa reyi Mulsant, 1850 é aqui designado

Ladybird beetles - recent immigrants to Florida (Insecta: Coleoptera: Coccinellidae)

“…Gordon (1985) recorded Thalassa montezumae from Texas and Arizona in the U.S. and Mexico. Milléo et al(2004) added Guatemala.Thalassa montezumae is strikingly colored and can be confused with no other Florida coccinellid. It is a dull, metallic blue with a yellow or red spot at about the middle of each elytron (Fig.…”

“…Gordon (1985) reported only one host for this ladybird, the soft scale Toumeyella mirabilis (Cockerell) (Hemiptera: Coccidae). Milléo et al (2004) did not report any host data for Thalassa montezumae, nor for any of the other five species recognized in the genus. The first Florida specimens were collected on a croton (Codiaeum variegatum (L.) Blume) (Euphorbiaceae) infested with an exotic soft scale, Phalacrococcus howertoni Hodges & Hodgson (croton scale;Hodges 2008), with which it is relatively commonly found (Catherine Mannion, in litt.).…”

New species and records of Menoscelis Mulsant (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae) from French Guiana

“…Korschefsky (1931) and Blackwelder (1945) considered Menoscelis as a subgenus of Thalassa, and listed M. insignis as an aberration of M. saginata; this opinion was followed by Duverger (1989) and Fürsch (1990a, b). Milléo et al (2004) revised Thalassa and considered the two genera as valid, based on the different shape of the anterior legs, as Mulsant first proposed. Gordon & Canepari (2008) revised the South American members of Hyperaspidini, redescribed Menoscelis, and described the male of M. saginata and the female of M. insignis.…”