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Title: THE NEW WORLD GENUS CYCLONEDA CROTCH (COLEOPTERA: COCCINELLIDAE): HISTORICAL REVIEW, NEW DIAGNOSIS, NEW GENERIC AND SPECIFIC SYNONYMS, AND ANIMPROVED KEY TO NORTH AMERICAN SPECIES.

Author
item Vandenberg, Natalia

Submitted to: Proceedings of the Entomological Society of Washington
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 3/19/2001
Publication Date: N/A
Citation: N/A

Interpretive Summary: Lady beetles (family Coccinellidae) are important predators of crop and garden pests. In order to utilize the full predatory potential of these beneficial species, we need to know the proper species names and classification so that pertinent literature can be accessed on their diverse feeding habits, distributions, and seasonality. Cycloneda is an aphid-feeding genus of lady beetles, widely distributed in North, Central and South America. Historically, the species composition and morphological attributes of the genus have been poorly defined. The present contribution corrects many of the existing nomenclatoral problems by identifying synonyms, redefining generic limits and providing an improved key to the North American species. This work will aid agriculturalists, biological control practitioners, and ecologists in identifying and better understanding the Cycloneda species they encounter.

Technical Abstract: Taxonomic, nomenclatoral, and comparative morphological studies of Cycloneda Crotch are reviewed. The genus is diagnosed and compared to both related and superficially similar taxa. Pseudadonia Timberlake is recognized as a junior synonym (SYN. NOV.). The species composition of the fauna is delineated, but the need to re-examine species limits and nomenclatoral priorities is stressed. New synonyms are proposed for two species of Cycloneda occurring in North America: Coccinella krikkeni Iablokoff-Khnzorian, reported from India, and Cycloneda atra Casey (of unknown origin) are placed as junior synonyms of Cycloneda munda (Say); Cycloneda hondurasica Casey (Honduras) and Coccinella reflexa Germain (Chile) are placed as junior synonyms of Cycloneda sanguinea (Linnaeus). Adalia galapagoensis Van Dyke is transferred to the genus Cycloneda (Cycloneda galapagoensis, COMB. NOV.) and identified as a close relative of fCycloneda sanguinea. Cycloneda sanguinea caymana Chapin is elevated to full species status (Cycloneda caymana, STATUS NOV.). A new key to species of North American Cycloneda is provided.