Forum Entomologi Italiani

This time, a short illustrated story about my encounter with Mallosia (Semnosia) galinae DANILEVSKY, 1990.

This interesting species until 2014 was considered to be endemic to Azerbaijan. During this expedition entomological to Georgia I found it on the new host plants: Prangos ferulacea.
This finding has been described in a publication (written in Polish language), which I attach to this topic.

Mallosia (Semnosia) galinae:
Georgia, Kakheti region, around Vashlovani Nature Reserve
08 V 2014 - 1 ex. (female)
Leg. A. Wozniak, det. A. Wozniak & J. Mazepa

Bellissimo insetto! In natura ancora più bello.

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

Hi Adam,
very nice beetle and place!! Congratulation. Are you sure that it is Semnosia galinae?
Ciao
Pierpaolo

Thank you very much, Colleagues!

Yes Pierpaolo, I'm sure about.
Determination is made based on the key of genus Mallosia, which is in the publication Danilevsky 1990.
One thing to disagree: prothorax with two galbrous calluses. I explain this in my publications (unfortunately: in Polish language).

Dear friend,
I know it. I have several specimens of S. galinae (paratypes as well) and all of them show this small callosities on the disk that are lacking on your specimen. Moreover the white elytral spots are smaller and not fused together. In my opinion, but only through a picture, it is a form of Semnosia scovtzi. Anyway the light ringed antenna is strange.
Have a nice evening.
Pierpaolo

Pierpaolo, yours note is very interesting! Really, M.galinae have other arrangement of toment. Following by key it will be M.galinae but....

Here showed female (Adam's M.galinae) have spots combined, wider, reached scutellum. For me it is very similar as S.mirabilis devexula Holzschuh, 1989 described as subspecies of M.scovitzi. It can be a next subspecies of M.mirabilis (or M.scovitzi) with ringed antennae or even ... n.sp. Only one specimen was catched.

I enclose comparision of females: M.scovitzi (1-3), n.ssp. (4), M.mirabilis devexula (5).

Dear friends!

I was taking into account the subspecies M. (S.) scovitzi.
However, all the features of the key (Danilevsky, 1990), except for one - two glabrous calluses - agree with the description M. (S) galinae.

For now, this location is known only 1 ex.
I think at the moment it is too early to describe a new species / subspecies.
You need to find more individuals, and then you will be able to tell you more.

Dear Adam,
in my opinion it can be a new subspecies of Semnosia scovitzi but, as you know, it is a group very hard with many local forms. It is necessary to study more specimens from many places in Georgia and Turkey before to describe it.
From that area Semnosia scovitzi devexula (known from Hakkari region) probably is a good species and according its black or very dark color is more close to Semnosia mirabilis than scovitzi.
Ciao
Pierpaolo

I understand your position, Pierpaolo.
However, I remain in his own mind.
According to me, looking at the antennae, eltyral modification, and all the other features (in addition to the features on the pronotum), given current scientific knowledge and the key to determining the species of the genus Mallosia, it is M. (S.) galinae.

Everyone has the right to have its own opinion. I respect them all. Nevertheless, mine is similar to Pierpaolo. Cheers!

My dear Pierpaolo.
M. (S.) galinea I mark it on the basis of the key contained in the publication "New taxa of the genus Mallosia (Coleoptera, Cerambycidae) from Transcaucasia" Danilevsky 1990.
You mention a possible subspecies Semnosia scovitzi.
You can explain to me on what basis?
Can you tell me from which publications you have used and what features you looked?

Dear Adam,
my answer was based on the large series of different Semnosia in my collection and my experience. As you know all this group must be study deeply because many mistakes exist and probably several new animals must be described. No good paper can be used. The only keys are the keys made by Pic at the beginning of last century.
Ciao
Pierpaolo

That's what I thought, my dear Pierpaolo.
In my my publications of M. (S.) galinae primarli I looked at the available knowledge accumulated in scientific publications.
I know this subject (and other subject, too) is very much to do. However, given the current state of knowledge, my opinion is just that.

Der Adam,
you are right. Anyway your Semnosia isn't exactly galinae, better it is not galinae.....
Have a nice day.
Pierpaolo

Okay Pierpaolo.
Thank you for your opinion.
In the future I will try to find more specimens. Maybe when I do, this subject will be even more interesting!