New data on European Astragalus-feeding Bruchidius, with the description of a new species from Southern Italy (Coleoptera: Bruchidae: Bruchinae)

Bruchidius bernardi n. sp., a seed-beetle feeding in Astragalus depressus pods, is described from southern Italy. A new synonymy is proposed: Bruchidius myobromae (MOTSCHULSKY, 1874) (= Mylabris virgata var. scutulata BAUDI, 1890). The host plant of Bruchidius poecilus (GERMAR) in the same area is identified for the first time as Astragalus contortuplicatus. DNA of various related Bruchidius species from southern France and Italy was analysed in order to assess the phylogenetic relationships between them. Parsimony analysis of the partial 12S rRNA gene of eight species yielded a phylogenetic tree showing that B. bernardi and other Astragalus species belong to the Bruchidius astragali-group, whereas B. poecilus clusters with Bruchidius species feeding on various Trifolieae (Trifolium and Medicago). More comprehensive data are needed in order to establish the phylogeny of the group and related species.