1 20 Bulletin of Zoological Nomenclature 49(2) June 1 992 Case 2772 Chrysobothris Eschscholtz, 1829 and Dicerca Eschscholtz, 1829 (Insecta, Coleoptera): proposed conservation as the correct original spellings G.H. Nelson College of Osteopathic Medicine of the Pacific, 309 East College Plaza, Pomona, California 91 766-1889, U.S.A. Abstract. The purpose of this application is the conservation of the buprestid generic names Chrysobothris and Dicerca Eschscholtz, 1829. The names originally appeared as Chrysobotris and Dicerea, but those spellings have not been used. 1. The spellings Chrysobotris and Dicerea were published by Eschscholtz (1829, p. 9). Since the names appear only once, it is impossible to verify from the original paper that misspellings were involved. However, Dr. M.G. Volkovitsh (in litt.) reports that Dr. G. Ljubarskij has examined the original collection of Eschscholtz in the Zoological Museum of Moscow and the spellings Dicerca and Chrysobothris were used on the labels. 2. The spelling Chrysobothris (meaning 'gold pits') has been used by all authors from the time of Solier (1833, p. 310) to the present, except Westwood,([1838], p. 24) who used the original spelling Chrysobotris. 3. In the case of Dicerca, this spelling has been used by all authors from Faldermann (1835, p. 143), Spinola (1837, p. 102) and Mannerheim (1837, p. 53) to the present, except Westwood ([1838], p. 24) who used the spelling Diceraea; the Commission Secretariat has a list of 3 1 references. Leraut (1983, p. 6) drew attention to Eschscholtz's 'lapsus calami' in recording the genus name Dicerea, a name that makes no sense (the Greek roots dis = two and cercos = tail, by alluding to the elytral prolongations, make the correct spelling Dicerca). He pointed out that although most authors had used Dicerca 'Lacordaire, 1835' this is an unjustified emendation of Dicerea Eschscholtz and only the earlier name should be used, in accordance with the Code. He also suggested that the corresponding tribe should be dicereini and not dicercini as used at present. 4. Westwood ([1838], p. 24) designated Buprestis chrysostigma Linnaeus, 1758 (p. 409) as the type species of Chrysobothris (spelt Chrysobotris) Eschscholtz. 1 829, and Buprestis aenea Linnaeus, 1761 (p. 213) as the type species of Dicerca (spelt Diceraea) Eschscholtz, 1829. The type species designations in Westwood's Synopsis of the genera of British insects were accepted as valid in Opinion 71 (January 1922). The dates of publication of the work were set out in Direction 63 (June 1957). 5. Chrysobothris and Dicerca are the type genera of chrysobothrini Gory & Laporte. [1839] and dicercini ('Dicercites') Kerremans, 1893 (p. 107). In November 1991 an independent application for the conservation of the spelling of Dicerca was received from Herr Hans Miihle (Pfarrslrasse 10. D-8063 PfaffenhofenjGlonn. Germany). I
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