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Rediscovery of Philopona vibex (Erichson, 1834) (Insecta: Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae: Galerucinae: Alticini) in Taiwan, with Notes on Its Biology
Habitus of adult <i>Philopona vibex</i>. 1. Female, from Taiwan, dorsal view, 2. Ditto, ventral view, 3. Female, color variation, from Japan, dorsal view, 4. Ditto, ventral view, color variation, 5. Female, color variation, from Japan, dorsal view, and 6. Female, color variation, from Japan, dorsal view.
Habitus of adult Philopona vibex. 1. Female, from Taiwan, dorsal view, 2. Ditto, ventral view, 3. Female, color variation, from Japan, dorsal view, 4. Ditto, ventral view, color variation, 5. Female, color variation, from Japan, dorsal view, and 6. Female, color variation, from Japan, dorsal view.

Author:Chi-Feng Lee* and Mei-Hua Tsou

Abstract:

    Flea beetle, Philopona vibex (Erichson, 1834), is widespread in Asia but largely unknown from Taiwan. The first and only record in Taiwan was cited by Chûjô (1936) based on one specimen collected by J. Sonan in 1918. There has been no record of taxonomic publication since then. Here we re-described the species based on specimens collected from China, Japan and Taiwan, including two specimens from Ilan by Hou-Jay Chen on May 17, 2009, and six specimens from Taipei by Su-Fang Yu and Mei-Hua Tsou in March of 2016. The life cycle of this species is briefly described based on the successful rearing of 50 adults from eggs. Diagnostic characters are illustrated, including antenna, penis, gonocoxae, abdominal ventrite VIII in both sexes, and abdominal ventrite V in female. Its rarity in Taiwan is discussed in the context of its biology.

Key words:Leaf beetles, Taxonomy, Hygrophila, Endophallic sclerites

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