P. Audisio et al., Identification of Meligethes matronalis and M-subaeneus based on morphometric and ecological characters (Coleoptera : Nitidulidae), EUR J ENTOM, 98(1), 2001, pp. 87-97
An analysis of morphometric and bionomic data las well as the genetic evide
nce discussed in a companion paper) clearly shows that Meligethes matronali
s Audisio & Spornraft, 1990 and M. subaeneus Sturm, 1845 (members of the Me
ligethes coracinus complex: Coleoptera, Nitidulidae, Meligethinae), recentl
y synonymised by Kirejtshuk (1997), are distinct species. The two species a
re also compared with the closely related M. coracinus Sturm, 1845. Meliget
hes matronalis is strictly associated with Hesperis matronalis L. (Brassica
ceae) in early Summer, whereas the larvae of the frequently syntopic M. sub
aeneus develop on Cardamine spp. (Brassicaceae) in Spring; M. coracinus is
a more polyphagous species, developing From early Spring to late Summer mos
tly on Brassica spp., Sinapis spp., Barbarea spp. and Sisymbrium spp. (Bras
sicaceae).