Revision of the genus Menippus Clark in Australia (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae: Galerucinae)
Contents
Abstract
The genus Menippus is revised for Australia, with six species, three of which are new: M. cynicus Clark, M. darcyisp. nov., M. ewanisp. nov., M. fugitivus (Lea), M. sufisp. nov. and M. yulensis (Jacoby) comb. nov. (from Diorhabda Weise). Menippus yulensis was described from New Guinea. This species and M. darcyi were formerly confused in Australia with M. fugitivus, which is now considered endemic to Lord Howe Island. The species formerly considered M. fugitivus and protected under the Threatened Species Conservation Act, New South Wales, is now named M. darcyi. A key is provided for the Australian species of Menippus and a lectotype designated for M. yulensis. The composition of Menippus is discussed and three non-Australian species are transferred to this genus: M. inconspicua (Jacoby) comb. nov. (from Diorhabda Weise); M. laterimaculata (Jacoby) comb. nov.; and M. marginipennis (Jacoby) comb. nov. (from Galerucella Crotch). A revised checklist of Menippus species is given. The recorded foodplants of Menippus are species of Celtis (Ulmaceae).