Forum Entomologi Italiani

The genus Chrysodema is distributed in the Eastern Hemisphere. I have this superb specimen only. Unfortunately, the specimen was fresh hatched and killed in improper conditions (formalin) so any attempt to arrange legs and antennae, even after getting it soft again, was a failure.

It is labelled. Indonesia, Nias Island, 1938

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Ciao
Adrian

Very interesting specimen!
Typical Chrysodema robusta is quite different (see the type here), and I don't know this specie from Nias Is.
However, it is know for Malay Peninsula, Sumatra and Borneo, and Nias is very close to Sumatra. It's possible this is a quite differentiated population, or a new subspecies, or species. Or simply an individual variation!

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Maurizio Gigli
http://utenti.romascuola.net/bups
http://bup.xoom.it/

Hi Maurizio. I have seen that image too, I have to see more specimens, maybe it is other species I agree, it is what I got, or it may be just because it was a fresh specimen, like in this case viewtopic.php?f=73&t=26343&hilit=Latipalpis+plana I can make more suppositions but without a real proof they are not valuable. I wish to know more too.

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Ciao
Adrian

Yes Adrian. The first step would be to find other specimens of the same island, and check if they are with the same characters of yours. Unluckily, I don't have C. robusta. I have just seen another specimen, from Sumatra, and it seems very similar to the type.

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Maurizio Gigli
http://utenti.romascuola.net/bups
http://bup.xoom.it/

I think it is better to add a "cf" or a "?" in the title. Then to add at the "Buprestidae indeterminati" section if it cannot be clarified.

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Ciao
Adrian

Ok Adrian.

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Maurizio Gigli
http://utenti.romascuola.net/bups
http://bup.xoom.it/

Hi,

I think it is Chrysodema swierstrae.

It's true, Georgi! I was forgetting this well known species. It differs from C. robusta mostly for the transversal rides on the intercostal spaces, absent in robusta, and for elytral costae usually more elevated, just like this specimen.
And it is endemic of Nias Is. and few small surrounding islands!

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Maurizio Gigli
http://utenti.romascuola.net/bups
http://bup.xoom.it/

Thank you Georgi and Maurizio. At least it is new for the forum, or the exotic species don't count.

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Ciao
Adrian

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Maurizio Gigli
http://utenti.romascuola.net/bups
http://bup.xoom.it/