Skip to main content Skip to main navigation menu Skip to site footer
Type: Article
Published: 2023-04-05
Page range: 191-216
Abstract views: 469
PDF downloaded: 34

Review of Melolontha Fabricius, 1775 (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae: Melolonthinae) from India with the description of two new species

Zoological Survey of India; M–Block; New Alipore; Kolkata–700053; West Bengal; India.
120 rue Gabriel Péri; F–28000 Chartres; France.
Zoological Survey of India; M–Block; New Alipore; Kolkata–700053; West Bengal; India.
Zoological Survey of India; M–Block; New Alipore; Kolkata–700053; West Bengal; India.
Zoological Survey of India; M–Block; New Alipore; Kolkata–700053; West Bengal; India.
Zoological Survey of India; M–Block; New Alipore; Kolkata–700053; West Bengal; India.
Coleoptera Taxonomy new species chafers Oriental region Palearctic region

Abstract

The genus Melolontha Fabricius, 1775 (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae: Melolonthinae) from India is reviewed. Two new species, Melolontha arunachalensis Gupta, Keith, Bhunia, Das, Ghosh & Chandra, new species and Melolontha lachungensis Gupta, Keith, Bhunia, Das, Ghosh & Chandra, new species are described. Melolontha chinensis Guérin-Méneville, 1838 is reported for the first time from India. Taxonomic notes on the identification of previously known species of Melolontha from India are provided, together with a key to the species (males). 

 

References

  1. Ahrens, D., Zorn, C., Yubak Bhoj, G.C., Keller, S. & Nagel, P. (2007) Illustrated key to phytophagous scarabs of Nepal A guide to white grubs and chafers f the lower central regions (Coleoptera, Scarabaeidae). Opuscula Biogeographica Basiliensia, 5, 1–44. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ympev.2007.02.024 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ympev.2007.02.024
  2. Ancey, F. (1881) Descriptions des Coléoptères nouveaux. Le Naturaliste, 1, 412–413.
  3. Arrow, G.J. (1913a) Coleoptera IV : Lamellicornia. Records of the Indian Museum, 8, 191–196. https://doi.org/10.26515/rzsi/v8/i3/1913/163144 DOI: https://doi.org/10.26515/rzsi/v8/i3/1913/163144
  4. Arrow, G.J. (1913b) Notes on the Lamellicorn Coleoptera of Japan and descriptions of a few new species. Annals and Magazine of Natural History, Series 8, 12 (70), 394–408. https://doi.org/10.1080/00222931308693416 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/00222931308693416
  5. Arrow, G.J. (1921) Scarabaeidae. Melolonthinae, Rutelinae et Dynastinae. In: Babault, G. (Ed.), Mission dans les Provinces centrales de l’Inde et dans la région occidentale de l’Himalaya. s.n., Paris, pp. 1–16.
  6. Arrow, G.J. (1946) Entomological results from the Swedish Expedition 1934 to Burma and British India. Coleoptera: Melolonthidae. Collected by René Malaise. Arkiv för Zoologi A, 36 (9), 1–33.
  7. Balthasar, V. (1936) Entomologische Sammelergebnisse der Deutschen Hindukush-Expedition 1935 der Deutschen Forschungsgemeinschaft. Scarabaeidae: Sericinae, Melolonthinae, Rutelinae und Hopliinae. Arbeiten über Morphologische und Taxonomische Entomologie aus Berlin-Dahlem, 3, 202–208.
  8. Barlow, E. (1899) List of the Melolonthini contained in the collection of the Indian Museum. Indian Museum Notes, 4 (5), 234–273.
  9. Bates, H.W. (1891) Coleoptera from Kulu in N.W. India. The Entomologist, 24 (Supplement), 7–23.
  10. Bezděk, A. (2006) Scarabaeidae: Melolonthinae. In: Löbl, I. & Smetana, S. (Eds.), Catalogue of Palaearctic Coleoptera 3. Apollo Books, Stenstrup and Denmark, pp. 181–228.
  11. Bezděk, A. (2016) Melolonthini. In: Löbl, I. & Löbl, D. (Eds.), Catalogue of Palaearctic Coleoptera 3 Scarabaeoidea—Scirtoidea—Dascilloidea—Buprestoidea—Byrrhoidea. Revised and updated edition. Brill, Leiden and Boston, pp. 226–236.
  12. Bhat, O.K., Bhat, A.A. & Kaul, V.K. (2005) Faunistic studies of white grubs in Kashmir. Insect Environment, 11, 14–15.
  13. Blanchard, C.É. (1851) Ier Famille—Scarabaeidae. In: Milne-Edwards, H., Blanchard, C.É. & Lucas, H. (Eds.), Catalogue de la collection entomologique du Museum d’Histoire Naturelle de Paris. Classe des insectes. Ordre des coleopteres. I, Deuxieme livraison. Gide et Baudry, Paris, pp. 129–240.
  14. Blanchard, C.É. (1871) Remarques sur la faune de la principauté thibétaine du Mou-pin. Comptes Rendus Hebdomadaires des Seances de l’Academie des Sciences, 72, 807–813.
  15. Brenske, E. (1896a) Insectes du Bengale. (37e Mémoire.) Melolonthidae. Annales de la Société Entomologique de Belgique, 40, 150–164.
  16. Brenske, E. (1896b) Neue Melolonthiden aus Africa und Asien. Stettiner Entomologische Zeitschrift, 57, 178–205. https://doi.org/10.1002/mmnd.48018960708 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1002/mmnd.48018960708
  17. Brenske, E. (1900) Contribution a ľétude de la faune de Sumatra (Côte ouest-Vice-résidence de Païnan) VIII Melolonthiden gesammelt von J-L Weyers. Memoires de la Société Entomologique de Belgique, 7, 141–155.
  18. Brenske, E. (1903) Drei neue Melolonthiden-Gattungen und -Arten vom Kuku-nor. Munchener Koleopterologische Zeitschrift, 1 [1902–1903], 333–335. https://doi.org/10.1002/mmnd.48019030216 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1002/mmnd.48019030216
  19. Bunalski, M. (2002) Melolonthidae (Coleoptera: Scarabaeoidea) of the Palaearctic and Oriental regions. I. Taxonomic remarks on some genera of Melolonthinae. Polskie Pismo Entomologiczne, 71 (4), 401–413.
  20. Burmeister, H.C.C. (1855) Handbuch der Entomologie. Vierter Band. Besondere Entomologie. Fortsetzung. Zweite Abtheilung. Coleoptera Lamellicornia Phyllophaga chaenochela. Berlin: Theod. Chr. Friedr, Enslin, x + 569 pp.
  21. Chandel, R.S., Pathania, M., Verma, K.S., Bhattacharya, B., Vashith, S. & Kumar, V. (2015) The ecology ad control of potato white grubs of India. Potato Research, 58, 147–164. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11540-015-9295-3 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11540-015-9295-3
  22. Chandra, K. (1986) Taxonomic studies on Pleurostict Scarabaeidae (Coleoptera) of North-West India. Ph.D. Thesis, Faculty of Science, Kurukshetra University, Kurukshetra, 251 pp.
  23. Chandra, K. (2005) Insecta: Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae. In: Director (Ed.), Fauna of Western Himalaya. Part 2. Himachal Pradesh. Zoological Survey of India, Kolkata, pp. 141–155.
  24. Chandra, K., Ahrens, A., Bhunia, D., Sreedevi, K. & Gupta, D. (2021) New species and records of Sericini from India (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae: Melolonthinae). Zootaxa, 4951 (3), 529–540. https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.4951.3.4 DOI: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.4951.3.4
  25. Chandra, K. & Gupta, D. (2012) Pleurostict scarabs (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae): new distributional records in Arunachal Pradesh (North-East India). Check List, 8 (5), 889–893. https://doi.org/10.15560/8.5.889 DOI: https://doi.org/10.15560/8.5.889
  26. Chandra, K., Gupta, D., Uniyal, V.P., Bharadwaj, M. & Sanyal, A.K. (2012) Studies on Scarabaeid Beetles (Coleoptera) of Govind Wildlife Sanctuary, Garhwal, Uttarakhand, India. Biological Forum-An International Journal, 4 (1), 49–55.
  27. Chandra, K. & Uniyal, V.P. (2007) On a collection of Pleurostict Scarabaeidae (Coleoptera) from Great Himalayan National Park, Himachal Pradesh. Zoos' Print Journal, 22 (9), 2821–2823. https://doi.org/10.11609/JoTT.ZPJ.1458.2821-3 DOI: https://doi.org/10.11609/JoTT.ZPJ.1458.2821-3
  28. Dalla Torre, K.W. von (1912) Scarabaeidae: Melolonthinae I. In: Junk, W. & Schenkling, S. (Eds.), Coleopterorum Catalogus. Pars 49. W. Junk, Berlin, pp. 1–290.
  29. Fabricius, J.C. (1775) Systema Entomologiae sistens Insectorum Classes, Ordines, Genera, Species adiectis Synonymis, Locis, Descriptionibus, Obsevationibus. Officina Libraria Kortii, Flensburgi et Lipsiae, xxxii + 832 pp. https://doi.org/10.5962/bhl.title.36510 DOI: https://doi.org/10.5962/bhl.title.36510
  30. Fairmaire, L. (1889) Coléopteres de l’intérieur de la Chine. (5e partie). Annales de la Société Entomologique de France, Series 6, 9, 5–84.
  31. Fairmaire, L. (1891) Descriptions de coléopteres des montagnes de Kashmir (Suite). Bulletin ou Comptes-Rendus des Seances de la Societe Entomologique de Belgique, 1891, LXXXVIII–CIII.
  32. Feroz, M., Tara, J.S., Azam, M. & Ramamurthy, V.V. (2015) Staphylinidae, Scarabaeidae, Dermestidae and Curculionidae (Insecta: Coleoptera) first record, from Kargil (Ladakh), J&K-India. Munis Entomology and Zoology, 10 (1), 172–182.
  33. Frey, G. (1975) Ergebnisse der Bhutan-Expedition 1972 der Naturhistorischen Museums in Basel Coleoptera: Fam. Scarabaeidae subf. Melolonthinae. Entomologica Basiliensia, 1, 223–241.
  34. Ghosh, J., Das, P., Ghosh, S.K., Bhunia, D., Kushwaha, R.K., Gupta, D. & Chandra, K. (2020) Insecta: Coleoptera. In: Director (ed.), Fauna of Haryana, State Fauna Series, 24 (1), 221–275.
  35. Guérin-Méneville, F.E. (1838) Insectes du voyage de la Favorite. Magasin de Zoologie, Classe IX. Insectes, 8 (1), 3 [1832–1838], 1–80, pls. 225–238.
  36. Hillert, O., Rößner, E., Navarro, J. & Urbano, J.M. (2019) Revision of the Melolontha papposa–complex from the Iberian Peninsula with description of three new species (Scarabaeidae: Melolonthinae: Melolonthini). Mitteilungen der Münchner Entomologischen Gesellschaft, 109, 5–33.
  37. Hope, F.W. (1831) Synopsis of the new species of Nepaul insects in the collection of Major–General Hardwicke. In: Gray, J.E. (Ed.), The Zoological Miscellany 1. Treuttel, Wuurtz & Co., London, pp. 21–32.
  38. Hope, F.W. (1845) On the entomology of China, with description of the new species sent to England by Dr. Cantor from Chusan and Canton. Transactions of the Entomological Society London, 4 [1845–1847], 4–17. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1365-2311.1845.tb01326.x DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1365-2311.1845.tb01326.x
  39. Krajčík, M. (2012) Checklist of the World Scarabaeoidea. Animma.x, Supplement 5, 1–278.
  40. Keith, D. (2008) Nouveaux Melolonthini du Sud-Est asiatique (Coleoptera, Scarabaeoidea). Nouvelle Revue d’Entomologie, 24 (4), 335–349.
  41. Keith, D. & Saltin, J.P. (2012) Première contribution à la connaissance des Melolontha Fabricius, 1775 du Pakistan (Coleoptera, Scarabaeoidea, Melolonthidae). Revue de l’Association Roussillonaise d’Entomologie, 21 (1), 20–35.
  42. Kumar, J., Sharma, S.D. & Lal, R. (2007) Scarabaeid beetles of Kullu valley, Himachal Pradesh. Entomon, 32 (2), 103–110.
  43. Kumar, J., Sharma, S.D., Lal, R. & Deor, B.S. (2005) White grubs damaging maise and paddy crops in Kullu and Mandi districts of Himachal Pradesh. Pest Management and Economic Zoology, 13 (1), 15–20.
  44. Kumar, R., Ahad, I., Rehman, S.A. & Dorjey, S. (2018) Impact of weather parameters on population dynamics of soil borne insect pests infesting oats (Avena sativa L.) in North Kashmir. Journal of Entomology and Zoology Studies, 6 (3), 533–537.
  45. Lal, M. & Sharma, P.K. (2017) Species composition and abundance of white grubs (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae) in agricultural ecosystem of district Dehradun (Uttarakhand), India. Journal of Environment and Bio-sciences, 31 (2), 301–305.
  46. Li, C.-L. & Yang, P.-S. (2003) Notes on the Oriental Melolontha (Coleoptera, Scarabaeidae, Melolonthinae). Special Bulletin of Japan Society of Coleopterology, 6, 217–225.
  47. Li, C.-L., Yang, P.-S. & Wang, C.-C. (2010) Revision of the Melolontha guttigera group with a key and an annotated checklist of the East and South-East Asian Melolontha groups. Annals of the Entomological Society of America, 103 (3), 341–359. https://doi.org/10.1603/AN09088 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1603/AN09088
  48. Medvedev, S.I. (1951) Fauna USSR: Coleoptera. 10 No. 1. Lamellicornia (Scarabaeidae), subfam. Melolonthinae. Part 1. Izdatelstvo Akademii Nauk SSSR, Moskva, Leningrad, 514 pp. [in Russian]
  49. Mittal, I.C. (1981) Scarabaeids of Haryana and surrounding areas. Bulletin of Entomology, 22, 35–40.
  50. Mittal, I.C. (2000) Survey of Scarabaeid (Coleoptera) fauna of Himachal Pradesh (India). Journal of Entomological Research, 24 (3), 259–269.
  51. Moser, J. (1913) Beitrag zur kenntnis der Melolonthiden. (Col.). Deutsche Entomologische Zeitschrift, 1913, 271–297.
  52. Nonfried, A.F. (1892) Verzeichniss der seit 1871 neu beschriebenen Glaphyriden, Melolonthiden und Euchiriden. Berliner entomologische Zeitschrift, 37 (3), 249–290. https://doi.org/10.1002/mmnd.18920370302 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1002/mmnd.18920370302
  53. Pathania, M., Chandel, R.S., Verma, K.S. & Mehta, P.K. (2015a) Diversity and population dynamics of phytophagous scarabaeid beetles (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae) in different landscapes of Himachal Pradesh, India. Arthropods, 4 (2), 46–68.
  54. Pathania, M., Chandel, R.S., Verma, K.S. & Mehta, P.K. (2015b) Studies on the preliminary ecology of invasive phytophagous Indian Scarabaeidae of North Western Himalaya. Science, Technology and Arts Research Journal, 4 (2), 127–138. https://doi.org/10.4314/star.v4i2.16 DOI: https://doi.org/10.4314/star.v4i2.16
  55. Rana, A., Chandel, R.S. & Verma, K.S. (2022a) Morphological description and identification of Melolontha cuprescens, Melolontha furcicauda and Melolontha indica (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae): serious root feeding and defoliating pests in India. Phytoparasitica, 50, 281–305. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12600-021-00961-5 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12600-021-00961-5
  56. Rana, A., Chandel, R.S., Sharma, K.D., Chandel, S.S. & Verma, K.S. (2022b) Phylogenetic analysis of Melolontha and Polyphylla beetles (Scarabaeidae: Coleoptera) from north-western Himalaya, India. Phytoparasitica, 50, 71–82. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12600-021-00945-5 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12600-021-00945-5
  57. Reitter, E. (1902) Bestimmungs-Tabelle der Melolonthidae aus der europäischen fauna und angrenzenden ländern, enthaltend die gruppen der Pachydemini, Sericini und Melolonthini. Verhandlungen des Naturforschenden Vereins in Brünn, XL [1901], 93–303.
  58. Rössner, E. & Hillert, O. (2020) Revision der gattung Melolontha Fabricius, 1775 für die ostmediterrane Region und die angrenzenden Gebiete bis zum Iran (Insecta: Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae: Melolonthinae: Melolonthini). Vernate, 39, 213–299.
  59. Roy, S., Muraleedharan, N. & Pujari, D. (2014) Acatalogue of arthropod pests and their natural enemies in the tea ecosystem of India. Two and a Bud, 61 (1 & 2), 11–39.
  60. Sabatinelli, G. (1992) Catalogue of the Scarabaeoidea Melolonthidae from Himalaya and North India: Macrodactylini, Hopliini, Diplotaxini, Melolonthini and Sericini (Coleoptera). Memorie della Società Entomologica Italiana, 71 (2), 593–636.
  61. Sabatinelli, G. & Migliaccio, E. (1982) Scarabaeidae floricole raccolti nel Nepal orientale con descrizione di due nuove specie. Bollettino della Società Entomologica Italiana, 114 (4–7), 103–112.
  62. Schoolmeesters, P. (2023) World Scarabaeidae Database, Catalogue of Life Checklist (Version 2023–01–03). Available from: https://doi.org/10.48580/dfqz–38g (accessed 12 February 2023)
  63. Semenov, A.P. (1890) Diagnoses Coleopterorum novorun ex Asia Centrali et Orientali. II. Horae Societatis Entomologicae Rossicae, 24 [1989–1890], 193–226. https://doi.org/10.1086/275085 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1086/275085
  64. Sharp, D. (1876) Descriptions of some new species of Scarabaeidae from tropical Asia and Malaysia. Coleopterologische Hefte, 15, 65–90.
  65. Singh, V. & Banyal, H.S. (2013) Insect fauna of Khajjiar Lake of Chamba district, Himachal Pradesh, India. Pakistan Journal of Zoology, 45 (4), 1053–1061.
  66. Sood, P., Mehta, P.K., Chandel, R.S. & Chandel, Y.S. (2009) Population dynamics of whitegrubs in the offseason pea ecosystem and their management under temperate region of North–Western Himalaya. Journal of Insect Science, 22 (4), 370–376.
  67. Sreedevi, K., Tyagi, S. & Sharma, V. (2017) Species diversity of white grubs (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae) in the sub-Himalayan and northern plains of India. Current Science, 113 (2), 322–329. https://doi.org/10.18520/cs/v113/i02/322-329 DOI: https://doi.org/10.18520/cs/v113/i02/322-329
  68. Sushil, S.N., Mohan, M., Selvakumar, G. & Bhatt, J.C. (2006) Relative abundance and host preference of white grubs (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae) in Kumaon hills of Indian Himalayas. Indian Journal of Agriculture Science, 76, 338–339.
  69. Zhang, Y.W. (1988) Scarabaeidae. In: Huang, F.S., Wang, P.Y., Yin, W.Y., Yu, P.Y., Lee, T.S., Yang, C.K. & Wang, X.J. (Eds.), Insects of Mt. Namjagbarwa region of Xizang. Beijing Science Press, Beijing, pp. 227–248. [in Chinese with English translation]