Notes on the Carpophilus Stephens (Coleoptera: Nitidulidae) of Australia, with a new species from Victoria 

Abstract

A new species of the genus Carpophilus Stephens is described from Australia. This species is currently placed in the subgenus Myothorax Murray, although the group is in need of formal revision. A diagnosis is given to distinguish the new species from all other species of Myothorax in Australia. Additionally, a discussion of type material from Carpophilus described by MacLeay is added with formal lectotype designations for Carpophilus aterrimus MacLeay and Carpophilus pilipennis MacLeay. Taxonomic notes are also given for Carpophilus aterrimus MacLeay, while Carpophilus planatus Murray is removed from synonymy and treated as a valid taxon.

The spread of Carpophilus truncatus is on the razor's edge between an outbreak and a pest invasion

“…The parameres of our samples resembled more those of C. jarijari 30 , even if remarkable similarities with parameres of C. truncatus description, draws, and PA’s collection samples 22 , 23 , 30 , 41 , 44 , 47 were noticed. Furthermore, the shape of parameres was found to be slightly variable among samples, in fact at least one specimen out of 15 examined showed parameres smaller and not regularly restricted up to the apex.…”

“…Australian specimens were temporarily named Carpophilus near dimidiatus 29 and were successively described as the new species C. jarijari 30 , while other authors concluded that those individuals belong to C. truncatus 31 . Carpophilus jarijari is morphologically very close to C. truncatus and according to its description, it is distinguished by the particular shape of the parameres 30 . However, we have highlighted that the parameres exhibit a degree of variability that is not considered in any key, and the perception of their shape is strongly affected by the methodology with which this character is evaluated.…”

“…2 d). Morphology of study specimens was then compared with that of Carpophilus truncatus (Murray) 28 , 35 , 44 , 46 sub “ C. dimidiatus ” 47 , Carpophilus jarijari Powell and Hamilton 30 , Carpophilus pilosellus Motschulsky 23 , 40 , 45 , Carpophilus floridanus Fall (synonym of C. pilosellus sensu Gillogly) 36 , 41 , and Carpophilus halli Dobson (synonym of C. pilosellus sensu Connell) 22 , 32 , 37 , 43 .

Figure 2 Ventral view of Carpophilus truncatus .

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“…In some cases, very different sequences are associated with the same taxon, creating confusion and possible misidentification. Myothorax species are particularly challenging in this respect and clearly need a revision 30 .…”

“…Carpophilus beetles mostly attack ripe and ripening fruit, but also stone fruits, cereals and dried fruit, sometimes causing serious damage to crops also by transmitting yeasts and bacterial pathogens 23,27 . Recently, there have been two reports of unprecedented massive damage by Carpophilus on stored walnuts in Argentina 28 and almonds in Australia [29][30][31] .Our first attempt to identify the Carpophilus species most frequently recorded during our samplings was not fully resolutive 21 , due to the uncertain taxonomy of the genus 32,33 . Some species of the C. dimidiatus complex (within the Myothorax subgenus) are, in fact, very difficult to distinguish by morphology alone 24 .…”