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362 IGNAZIO SPARACIO
euphytus), Ratti, 1987 (sub P. euphytus) and finally nensis are found under stones, or walking, or (mal es
Arnone et al., 1995 (sub P. euphytus), actually refer only) flying during Spring 1nonths. Larvae are ri-
toP. euphytus lamantiai n. ssp. zophagous and found underground. Endemie to
North-Western Sicily, in strong rarefaction near Pa-
lermo where it has disappeared fro1n 1nany locali-
Pseudoapterogyna pellegrinensis (Brenske in ties in the last thirty years; very localized in the area
Ragusa, 1893) of Trapani.
COMPARATIVE NOTES. Compared toP. euphytus,
EXAMINED MATERIAL. Lectotypus male: Falde
P. pellegrinensis is bigger and wider (length 15-18
3. [Monte Pellegrino leg. E. Ragusa], E. Ragusa
mm), shiny and has a less convex dorsum. Diagno-
collection (CMC); paralectotypes, ide1n 8 1nales
sis: reddish-brown. Male: club/funicle = 0.52, prono-
and 3 females, without label, likely from the same
tum wider just before anterior half, with punctures
locality as above (see below) E. Ragusa collection
smaller, spaced and shallow, irregularly distributed,
(CMC); Palermo, Addaura, 17.I.l970-10.II.l970
thinner at the sides; sides less curved, slightly
(CVA); Monte Cuccio (Palermo), 4.IV.l970-
sinuated just before posterior angles, posterior
27.III.l971 (CVA); Cinisi (Palermo), 7.I.l973-
angles well-marked but not protruding. Elytra
ll.II.l973-7 and 19.III.l973 (CVA); Capaci
wrinkled, with irregular longitudinal striae, with
(Palenno), ll.II.l973 (CVA); Mazara del Vallo
hardly visible micro-retic-ulation and punctures big
(Trapani), 16.IV.l976, 9.1.1983, 15.II.l983,
and deep. Posterior tibiae distinctly keeled on the
2.IV.l983, 13.V.l983, 6.XII.l986, ll.IV.l987
dorsal surface. Ventrites shiny, the first three with
(CVA); Foce Fiume Belice (Trapani) 13.IV.l984
a longitudinal depression. Pygidium 1nuch wider at
(CVA). Cinisi (Palermo), ll.II.l975 (CAM); Mazara
base, coarsely wrinkled, micro-reticulated and with
del Vallo (Trapani), 6.II.l984 (CAM); Torretta (Pa-
punctures small and very dense; apical margin
lermo), 23.II.l977 (CAM). Capaci (Palermo)
9.1.1973, 8.11.1973, 6.III.l973, 27.1.1980 (CMR); slightly emarginate. Aedeagus with parameres
Carini (Palenno), 7.III.l973 (CMR); Cinisi (Pa- stouter, slightly elongate distally.
lermo) 19 .III.l973 (CMR); Castelluzzo litorale Female: fe1nales are wingless, with a more con-
(Trapani), l O.IV.20 11 (CMR); Capaci (Palermo), vex dorsu1n and elytra 1nore dilated backward; pos-
27.1.1980, 3.!1.1980, 17.II.l980 (CMA); Cinisi teri or tibiae distinctly keeled on the dorsal surface;
(Palenno), 2l.III.l986 (CMA); Palenno, Addaura, posterior tarsi little longer than posterior tibiae.
23.XII.l972, leg. A. Carapezza (CMA); Campo- REMARKS. In Sicily, P. euphytus was reported
bello di Mazara: Cave di Cusa (Trapani), 7 .IV.l985 for the first time by Rottemberg (1871: "Am Fuss
(CMA); Castelluzzo litorale (Trapani), 14.III.l999, des M. Pellegrino") and mentioned severa! times by
17 .II.2002, l O.IV.20 11 (CMA); Isole Egadi, Favi- Ragusa (1873; 1874; 1893).
gnana (Trapani), 30.IV.l969leg. B. Massa (CMA); Ragusa (1874), however, was not convinced of
Mazara del Vallo (Trapani), 9.1.1983, 30.IV.l983 the identity of this beetle "... il Barone di Rottem-
CMA). Palermo, To1n1naso Natale, 23.III.l978, l
berg ... lo crede il R. Euphytus Buq ... Quest'insetto
m (CIS); Capaci (Palermo), 17.II.1980, 4 m and 3
merita d'essere attentamente studiato ... ". ["Rot-
f; idem, 16.1.1983, l m 10.V.l991, l1n (CIS); Sfer-
temberg ... he believes it is R. euphytus Buq .... this
racavallo, La Conza, 18.1.1981, 2 f; idem 10.V.1991,
insect deserves to be carefully studi ed"].
l m (CIS); Mazara del Vallo (Trapani), l.II.l981, l
In his" Catalogo ragionato dei Coleotteri di Si-
m (CIS); Isola delle Femmine (Palermo), 25.II.1983,
cilia", Ragusa (1893) provided a long comment on
l 1n 10.V.l991, l m (CIS); Cinisi (Palermo),
P. euphytus in a footnote in which he translates a
25.II.l983, l m 10.V.1991, l m (CIS); Terrasini (Pa-
letter that h e received from Brenske ( to whom h e
lermo), 12. IV.l983, l m; idem, 24.IV.l993, l f;
had "comunicato tutte le specie di Rhizotrogus di
idem, 2.IV.2002, l f 10.V.l991, l m (CIS); Monte
Sicilia" ["sent ali the species of Rhizotrogus of
Cofano (Trapani), 14.IV.l991, l m (CIS).
Sicily"]). Brenske, after examining the bibliography
BIOLOGY AND DISTRIBUTION. A Mediterranean on P. euphytus available at that time, indicates that
maquis dweller, usually found in open disturbed the Sicilian populations of the species should be dis-
maquis, with stony grounds. Adults of P. pellegri- tinguished from those of NorthAfrica: "(l) Var. pel-
