Journal 
The genus Hypocassida Weise, 1893, a group of tortoise beetles (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae: Cassidinae), comprises five species known exclusively from the Palaearctic region, with most species occurring in the western part of the region (Borowiec and Świętojańska, 2002). Among them, Hypocassida subferruginea (Schrank, 1776) is the most widely distributed species, ranging from Morocco in the west to China and the Russian Far East in the east. Warchałowski (2010), in his treatment of Palaearctic Chrysomelidae, listed this species as occurring in Korea without providing specimen-based evidence. However, this record was excluded in the Catalogue of Palaearctic Coleoptera (Sekerka and Świętojańska, 2024).
Recently, specimens of H. subferruginea collected from Yeongjong Island, South Korea, in 2001 were discovered by the first author in the collection of the Mancheon Insect Museum. In addition, the third author documented both adults and larvae of this species and shared photographs through an online community of naturalists (Gonchungnara–Sikmoolnara, https://cafe.naver.com/lovessym).
In this study, we confirm the occurrence of H. subferruginea in Korea based on morphological examination and DNA barcoding. We also provide a key to the genera of tortoise beetles in Korea, along with information on host plants and ecological observations of this species.
Materials and Methods
Morphological characters were examined using a Leica S8APO stereomicroscope. Habitus photographs were taken using a Nikon D750 digital camera attached to the same microscope. Images were combined using Helicon Focus and digitally edited.
Genomic DNA was extracted from larval abdominal tissues preserved in 99% ethanol using the DNeasy Blood & Tissue Kit (QIAGEN, Germany). The mitochondrial COI region was amplified with the primers LCO1490 and HCO2198 using AccuPower® Multiplex PCR Premix Kit (BIONEER, Korea). PCR cycling conditions were 95°C for 2 min; 35 cycles of 94°C for 30 s, 52°C for 30 s, and 72°C for 30 s; and 72°C for 10 min.
Examined specimens are deposited in the Mancheon Insect Museum, Seoul, South Korea (MIM), and the Nakdonggang National Institute of Biological Resources (NNIBR).
Taxonomic Accounts
Family Chrysomelidae Latreille, 1802
Subfamily Cassidinae Gyllenhal, 1813
Genus HypocassidaWeise, 1893
Key to tortoise beetle genera in Korea (modified from Warchałowski, 2010)
-
1. Tarsal claws pectinate at base ······· Aspidomorpha Hope
- Tarsal claws not pectinate at base ································ 2
-
2. Underside of pronotum with longitudinal gutters shallow, shortened or absent ···················································· 3
- Underside of pronotum with two deep longitudinal gutters reaching hind margin ··················································· 4
-
3. Apical margin of elytron with a row of fine hairs on underside ····················································· Thlaspida Weise
- Apical margin of elytron without hairs on underside ····················································· Cassida Linnaeus
-
4. Antennae shorter, not or only slightly extending beyond basal margin of pronotum ············· Hypocassida Weise
- Antennae longer, distinctly extending beyond basal margin of pronotum (by 2–3 apical antennomeres) ····························································· Glyphocassis Spaeth
Hypocassida subferruginea (Schrank, 1776) (Figs. 1-2) 메꽃남생이잎벌레
Cassida subferrugineaSchrank, 1776: 62 (status of type unknown)
For the complete taxonomic history, see Borowiec and Świętojańska (2002).
Diagnosis.Hypocassida subferruginea can be distinguished from the closely related H. meridionalis (Suffrian, 1844) by having elytral basal teeth equal in size and a broader body (Fig. 1). In contrast, H. meridionalis possesses unequal basal teeth on the elytra (larger at the humeral region) and a more oblong body.
Material examined. South Korea: 2 exx., Incheon, Jung-gu, Yeongjong Island, 3.VI.2001, T.W. Kim (MIM); 2 exx., Gyeonggi-do, Hwaseong-si, Manse-gu, Seosin-myeon, Baelmi Beach, 37.135°N, 126.678°E, 23.X.2024, H.W. Cho (NNIBR); 3 exx., Gyeonggi-do, Ansan-si, Danwon-gu, Daebudo Island, 37.249°N, 126.561°E, 25.X.2024, H.W. Cho (NNIBR).
Molecular identification. The COI sequences generated in this study were deposited in GenBank under accession numbers PZ384772–PZ384775. The sequences obtained from four individuals were identical. BLAST searches showed 99.5–99.9% similarity to Hypocassida subferruginea sequences available in GenBank, with an E-value of 0, supporting the species identification.
Distribution. Trans-Palaearctic, extending from Morocco east to China and the Russian Far East; South Korea (new confirmed record).
Biology. Host plants of Hypocassida subferruginea have been recorded from the family Convolvulaceae, including Convolvulus arvensis L. and Calystegia sepium (L.) R. Br. (Borowiec and Świętojańska, 2002). In Korea, both adults and larvae were observed feeding on Calystegia soldanella (L.) Roem. & Schult. in coastal habitats at several localities, including Daebudo Island, Jangbongdo Island, and Gungpyeongni Beach, along the western coast (Fig. 2). Calystegia soldanella is a trailing coastal plant that grows widely on sandy ground and embankments along the seashore.
KSAE
