Christian Mille

A review of the genus Kanakia Distant, 1892 (Insecta: Hemiptera, Cicadoidea, Cicadidae) from New Caledonia.

Among New Caledonian cicada taxa, the endemic genus Kanakia Distant, 1892 appears as the most spectacular one, especially because of the large size of its species (length up to 50 mm for males). Recent new specimen collections helped to clarify the taxonomy of this spectacular genus. According to morphological characteristics, we were able to redefine and to split the present genus into three distinct genera: Kanakia Distant, 1892, Pseudokanakia Delorme gen. nov. and Panialna Delorme gen. nov. These two new genera are monotypic and have been respectively established from revision of Kanakia flavoannulata (Distant 1920) and Kanakia parva Boulard 1991. Also, the type species, Kanakia typica Distant, 1892, appears to be a complex of cryptic species. New acoustic and morphological observations allowed us to redefine K. typica and to describe four new species in this complex: Kanakia paniensis Delorme sp. nov., Kanakia rana Delorme sp. nov., Kanakia salesnii Delorme sp. nov. and Kanakia fuscocosta Delorme sp. nov. Kanakia gigas Boulard 1988 is also briefly discussed and the female is described. An identification key of the Kanakia species and allied genera is also provided.

Checklist of the scale insects (Hemiptera: Sternorrhyncha: Coccomorpha) of New Caledonia

ABSTRACT We provide an up-to-date catalogue of the Coccomorpha Rübsaamen, 1899 of New Caledonia based on studies of collected and curated specimens and on the literature. One hundred and eighteen species (118) in ten families have been recorded to date, in 70 genera. Five of the genera (7.2%) are endemic, belonging to Asterolecaniidae Berlese, 1898 (Oacoccus Williams, 2007), Eriococcidae Cockerell, 1899 (Chazeauana Matile-Ferrero, 1988, Choneochiton Hodgson, 2014) and Monophlebidae Maskell, 1880 (Insulococcus Bhatti, 1991, Tessarobelus Montrouzier, 1864). Twenty-nine (29) species are endemic to New Caledonia, giving a rate of endemism of 24.6%. Most of the species are apparently human-assisted introductions. We provide here first records from New Caledonia for ten (10) species: Aulacaspis rosarum Borchsenius, 1858; Chrysomphalus pinnulifer (Maskell, 1891); Diaspis echinocacti (Bouché, 1833); Fiorinia phantasma (Cockerell & Robinson, 1915); Labidaspis myersi Green, 1929; Palmicultor browni (Williams, 1960); Poliaspoides formosana (Takahashi, 1930); Pseudococcus gilbertensis Beardsley, 1966; Pseudococcus orchidicola Takahashi, 1939 and Rhizoecus cacticans (Hambleton, 1946). Despite two introduction attempts for the biological control of weedy cactus, Hypogeococcus festerianus (Lizer y Trelles, 1942) is still considered absent from New Caledonia. Literature records of five species are shown to be erroneous: Dactylopius tomentosus (Lamarck, 1801); Dysmicoccus cocotis (Maskell, 1890); Lindingaspis buxtoni (Laing, 1927); Nipaecoccus filamentosus (Cockerell, 1893) and Clavaspis herculeana (Cockerell & Hadden, in Doane & Hadden, 1909), which are therefore considered absent from New Caledonia.

Pactola kuscheli sp. nov. (Coleoptera: Curculionidae), a potential cause for the decline of the threatened New Caledonian conifer, Agathis montana de Laubenfels, 1969 (Araucariaceae)

Agathis montana is a conifer endemic to New Caledonia and one of the most threatened (Critically Endangered) plant species of this area. The exact causes of its decline are still unknown. The authors describe the characteristics of A. montana, the history and methodology of population monitoring, and possible factors causing the decline and habitat degradation. In 2014, some twigs showing symptoms suggesting attack by wood‐boring insects were collected. From these, imagines of an unknown weevil species belonging to the genus Pactola Pascoe (Eugnomini) were reared. The new species is described as Pactola kuscheli Mazur sp. nov. Colour photographs of the dorsal habitus, line drawings of taxonomically relevant structures and a key to all New Caledonian species of Pactola are provided. The biology of P. kuscheli Mazur sp. nov. is described and its role as a key threatening process of A. montana is discussed.

Description of a new genus and two new species of high frequency cicada from New Caledonia (Insecta: Hemiptera, Cicadoidea, Cicadidae)

The new genus Murmurillana Delorme gen. nov., is described within the tribe Cicadettini Buckton, 1889, designating Murmurillana inaudibilis Delorme sp. nov., as the type species. Murmurillana inaudibilis Delorme sp. nov. and Murmurillana paenetacita Delorme sp. nov. are described from New Caledonia. They are respectively found in mid altitude dense Niaouli shrub (Melaleuca quinquenervia, Myrtaceae) vegetation, mixed with dense fern cover (Pteridium sp., Dennstaedtiaceae) on the Massif of Aoupinié (800 m) and on foothills of the Mont Panié (570 m). Male calling songs of the two new species are described from field recordings. These calling songs exhibit unusually high dominant frequencies. A key to the species of Murmurillana Delorme gen. nov., is also provided.

Description of two new cicada species of the genus Poviliana Boulard (Insecta: Hemiptera, Cicadoidea, Cicadidae) from New Caledonia

Poviliana dayubiikii Delorme sp. nov. and Poviliana montrouzieri Delorme sp. nov. are described from New Caledonia. They are respectively found in mid altitude rain forest on Mont Panié (570 m) and Col des Roussettes (300 m). Male calling songs of the two new species are described from the field recordings. A key to the species of Poviliana is also provided.

Recent spread of the Sida Leafbeetle, Calligrapha pantherina Stål, 1859 (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae: Chrysomelinae) in New Caledonia

We report the recent arrival and subsequent spread of the Sida Leafbeetle, Calligrapha pantherina Stal, 1859, in the archipelago of New Caledonia. The species seems to have a rapid spread as it is now recorded all along the west coast and also have spread to the Loyalty Islands. The first specimen was caught in November 2012. This is a biocontrol agent which was introduced in the Pacific Region against invasive Malvaceae ( Sida spp.). This accidental arrival would help to control the alien weed, Sida acuta Burm. f., in New Caledonia. But this establishment raises some questions about potential threats on the two endemic New Caledonian Sida species. We also discuss this arrival and subsequent installation in the context of global change and biosecurity issues, particularly in such a biodiversity hotspot.

An annotated checklist of the Coccinellidae (Coleoptera) from New Caledonia

We present an updated checklist of the ladybird beetle fauna of New Caledonia. Fifty species have been tracked from literature and collections, but six should be removed from the list as they represent false records, invalid or unestablished species: Coccinella boletifera Fauvel, Harmonia conformis (Boisduval), Menochilus duodecimpunctatus (Fauvel), Micraspis lineola (Fabricius), Orcus australasiae Boisduval, and Curinus coeruleus (Mulsant). After our investigations, the current described ladybird beetle fauna totals 44 named species, belonging to 18 valid genera. The endemism rate is 47.7% (21 species), with one endemic subgenus, Scymnus (Caledonus). Based on comparisons of the coccinellid faunas of surrounding regions, the New Caledonian fauna has affinities with Australia and Papua New Guinea more than with the rest of the Pacific area. At least 19 species (43.2%) seem to have been introduced by human activities (either deliberately or accidentally).