Lophorrhina garnieri, a new fruit chafer species from north-eastern Uganda (Coleoptera, Scarabaeidae, Cetoniinae)

Abstract

A new species of Lophorrhina Westwood, 1842, L. garnieri sp. nov., was recently discovered in the Labwor Hills range of north-eastern Uganda and is here described. It differs substantially from its closest relative, L. pentachordia (Klug, 1835), particularly at the level of male clypeus but also in the aedeagal parameres, which show an expanded apical surface with lateral projections. In the male of the new species, the clypeus exhibits a smaller apical horn and a narrow and elongate frontal horn, which actually takes the shape of a tapering ridge, rather than a true laminar horn, as is the case in the male L. pentachordia. Other major differences between the two species are manifested in the much more extensive light-yellow ornamentation that characterises the dorsal habitus of L. garnieri in comparison to L. prentachordia and the less protruding and angulate, rather than round, mesometasternal process exhibited by the new species. The female of L. garnieri remains unfortunately unknown. It is likely that the new species represents an isolated population that has remained separated from its relatives through events related to the formation of the East African Great Rift System and for a period long enough to result in speciation. The distribution of the species could potentially include partially connected ranges in western Kenya and South Sudan. In the process of investigating the relationship between this new species and its closest relative, it has also emerged that little information is currently available on the distribution range and biology/ecology of L. pentachordia. A comprehensive data record on its distribution range and period of activity is, therefore, provided here, along with basic information on its habitat preferences, adult diet and response to trapping methods.