Taxonomic revision and biogeography of the Tamarix-feeding Diorhabda elongata (Brulle, 1832) species group (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae: Galerucinae: Galerucini) and analysis of their potential in biological control of Tamarisk

Abstract

The primarily Palearctic Diorhabda elongata species group is established for five Tamarix-feeding sibling species (tamarisk beetles): D. elongata (Brullé, 1832), D. carinata (Faldermann, 1837), D. sublineata (Lucas, 1849) P4EVISED STATUS, D. carinulata (Desbrochers, 1870), and D. meridionalis Berti & Rapilly, 1973 NEW STATUS. Diorhabda koltzei ab. basicornis Laboissière, 1935 and D. e. deserticola Chen, 1961 are synonymized under D. carinulata NEW SYNONYMY. Illustrated keys utilize genitalia, including male endophallic sclerites and female vaginal palpi and internal sternite VIII. Distribution, comparative biogeography, biology, and potential in biological control of Tamarix in North America are reviewed. Diorhabda elongata is circummediterranean, favoring Mediterranean and temperate forests of Italy to western Turkey. Diorhabda carinata resides in warm temperate grasslands, deserts, and forests of southern Ukraine south to Iraq and east to western China. Diorhabda sublineata occupies Mediterranean woodlands from France to North Africa and subtropical deserts east to Iraq. Diorhabda carinulata primarily inhabits cold temperate deserts of Mongolia and China west to Russia and south to montane grasslands and warm deserts in southern Iran. Diorhabda meridionalis primarily occupies maritime subtropical deserts of southern Pakistan and Iran to Syria. Northern climatypes of D. carinulata are effective in Tamarix biological control, especially in the Great Basin desert. Diorhabda elongata is probably best suited to Mediterranean woodlands of northern California. Northern climatypes of D. carinata may be best suited for central U.S. grasslands. Diorhabda sublineata, D. meridionalis, and southern climatypes of D. carinata and D. carinulata may each be uniquely suited to areas of the southwestern U.S. © 2009 Magnolia Press.