Aspidapion radiolus subsp. chalybeipenne

(Fig. 4)

WOLLASTON (1854) described this taxon, as a species, from Madeira, utilising a manuscript name of Schoenherr’s. Its status as a ‘subspecies’ is not entirely satisfactory, but has been accepted by most modern workers. It is very common and has been recorded from all the Canary islands. The usual host is Malva parviflora, but I have taken it at Guarozoca, Hierro, on Lavatera arborea (March 2001) and it has also occurred on L. acerifolia.

There are 2 males and 6 females in the main part of Wollaston’s BMNH collection, from La Palma, Tenerife and Gran Canaria. A specimen labelled ‘Type’ is in his Madeiran collection, along with 14 other examples, including four of his ‘var. β’ (WOLLASTON 1854). 4 males and 5 females are in the OUMNH series, from La Palma, El Hierro, Tenerife and Gran Canaria; there is also a substantial number in the OUMNH Madeiran collection.