A Morphological Analysis of the Subtribe Pegylina Lacroix, 1989 (Scarabaeidae: Melolonthinae: Melolonthini) Reconstitutes Its Generic Composition

Abstract

Phylogenetic analysis using six outgroup and 26 ingroup taxa and 18 external adult morphological characters resulted in a paraphyletic Pegylina as composed by Lacroix (1989). To maintain the Pegylina as a monophyletic subtribe, the genus Stenopegylis Arrow, 1943 is removed from the Pegylina and placed in the Melolonthini sensu lato, pending further cladistic analyses of the Afrotropical melolonthines. Following the analyses presented here, eight character areas (antennomere number, labrum form, protarsal claw shape, protibial spur, pronotum, mesosternum and mesosternal process, body shape and sexual dimorphism) are discussed with reference to differentiating Hypopholis Erichson, 1847 syn. nov. from Pegylis Erichson, 1847. Consequently, the former is synonymized with the latter, resulting in the following new combinations: Pegylis sommeri (Burmeister, 1855) comb. nov.; P. uelensis (Burgeon, 1946)

Virulence and survival of native entomopathogenic nematodes for the management of white grubs in South Africa

“…In most cases the larvae are the most damaging life stage, but adult beetles can also be important pests. Species that also cause damage as adults include Heteronychus licas, which feeds on shoots of sugarcane (Cackett, 1992), and Pegylis sommeri (previously known as Hypopholis sommeri), a defoliator of fruit and plantation trees (Carnegie, 1988, Govender, 2007, Harrison, 2014.…”

A taxonomic review of white grubs and leaf chafers (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae: Melolonthinae) recorded from forestry and agricultural crops in Sub-Saharan Africa

“…Later (Sweeney, 1967) added that ‘ Few published papers deal with the morphology and taxonomy of larval Scarabaeoidea in southern Africa, and the larvae of many species are undescribed’ . However, recent taxonomic work by Ahrens (2007 a , b ), Conlong & Mugalula (2003), Dittrich-Schröder et al (2009), Goble et al (2012) and Harrison (2004, 2009, 2014 a , b , this review) is a positive advancement in melolonthine research in the Region.…”

“…Harrison (2014 a ) provides a phylogeny for the Pegylina while Harrison (2014 b ) provides detailed coverage of the natural history, pest status, larval description, parasites and previous chemical control of South African Pegylis species. Lacroix (2008 c , d ) described new species of Pegylis and included all known species of Pegylis in his 2010 book.…”