Matskási István (szerk.): A Magyar Természettudományi Múzeum évkönyve 93. (Budapest 2001)

Bálint, Zs. ; Benyamini, D.: Taxonomic notes, faunistics and species descriptions of the austral South American polyommatine lycaenid genus Pseudolucia (Lepidoptera: Lycaenidae): the chilensis and collina species-groups

Distribution - Chile: region Coquimbo (?); Argentina: province Mendoza. Lan>al host- Unknown. Material examined- See Appendix I. Genital dissection: No. 759 (female). Occurrence in Chile - The taxon was described from a single female collected on the eastern (Argentine) side of the Andes. A new, Chilean, specimen shows closely similar wing pattern and genital morphology and is therefore tentatively identified as P. shapiroi. This second known female was collected in Tongoy, central coast of Region Coquimbo, Chile on 4.1.1992, leg. P. MAZRY (coll. BENYAMINI). During numerous visits to the region, the junior author could not find additional adults of "P. shapiroi' at this locality. Only P. dubi was present. The type locality of P. shapiroi, in Valle de Las Lenas, Argentina was visited by the junior author between 17-19.12.1999. During these three days not a single P. shapiroi was observed; however, at 1900 m a few Montiopsis gilliesii and one M. cistiflora were found concentrated within a rather level 1 Ox 10m area. These suspected foodplants were searched carefully for eggs but none were found. The dominant plant here, large Adesmia bushes, are the home of an undescribed Pseudolucia species of the plumbea-group and the hairstreak (Eumaeini) Heoda nivea JOHNSON, MILLER et HERRERA, 1992. Obviously, both in Argentina and Chile P. shapiroi appears to be very rare. This circumstance might suggest either that P. shapiroi is actually rare aberration rather than a bona fide species, or, if a valid species, indeed very rare or even endangered. This matter deservers thorough study, however, because specimens identified as P. shapiroi are outstanding in their external appearance, so much so that the initial Argentine specimen was first misidentified as to its sex (BÁLINT, BENYAMINI and JOHNSON, in press). Further, specimens know to date seem to show a consistent morphology. Pseudolucia humbert BÁLINT et JOHNSON, 1995 (Figs 13-14) Pseudolucia humbert - BÁLINT & JOHNSON 1995a: 16, type locality: ARGENTINA: Prov. Salta, Rosario de la Frontéra, Los Banos (ZMUC holotype female, examined) Distribution - Argentina: province Salta. Larval host - Unknown. Material examined- No recent material is available.