Cryptorhynchus obliquus Say, 1831

Anderson, Robert S., 1807, A Review of the Genus Cryptorhynchus Illiger 1807 in the United States and Canada (Curculionidae: Cryptorhynchinae), The Coleopterists Bulletin 62 (1), pp. 168-180 : 173-174

Cryptorhynchus obliquus Say , resurrected combination

( Figs. 5–6 , 13 , 17 , 23 )

Cryptorhynchus obliquus Say 1831:28 .

Cryptorhynchus umbrosus Boheman 1837:116 .

Eubulus obliquus ; Fiedler 1941:70; O’Brien and Wibmer 1984:295.

Natural history. Specimens from New Jersey were collected from burrows in the crowns of cultivated blueberries ( Ericaceae ). Anderson (1993, 2002) reported what now likely appears to be an incidental association with Myrica cerifera L.

Distribution. Fig. 23 . This species is found in the United States in AL, FL, GA, LA, MD, MS, NC, NJ, PA, SC, TN, VA (O’Brien & Wibmer 1982; specimens examined herein).

Diagnosis. Body length 7.0– 9.8 mm ( Figs. 5–6 ). Pronotum with small concentrations of black erect scales laterally and on midline just anterior to midlength, not appearing as distinct tufts. Femora each with 2 teeth of variable size, or teeth large and broadly conjoined at base; distal tooth larger. Elytra with concentrations of dark erect scales on intervals 3 and 5 near base and at about midlength. Male ventrite 5 ( Fig. 13 ) with deep median fovea; ventrite 1 longitudinally excavate medially, with small patch of sparse, erect long setae on either side of midline at apical margin. Aedeagus ( Fig. 17 ).

Taxonomic notes. Types of this species have been lost and in the interests of nomenclatural stability and some past confusion over the identity of this species (LeConte 1876:253), a neotype is designated herein from the LeConte collection. It is generally regarded that LeConte had an opportunity to compare his specimens with those of Say before the latter were lost. It is a male labeled with a pink circle (5 Middle States of Maryland, Delaware, New York, New Jersey and Pennsylvania), ‘‘2,521,’’ ‘‘ C. / obliquus /Say/ umbrosus /Boheman,’’ my identification label, and a red ‘‘Neotype’’ label. Say’s original description cites Louisiana as the type locality. LeConte (1876:252), in discussing the features of the species, makes clear reference to ventrite 5 having ‘‘a deep circular impression, probably sexual, and indicating the male.’’ Such an impression or fovea is present on all examined male specimens of C. obliquus . In his discussion of C. obliquus , he (LeConte 1876:253) questions whether C. umbrosus Boheman and C. obliquus are the same species but he subsequently defers to the statements of both Say and Boheman that the two are the same. Examination of the female type of C. umbrosus Boheman (SMNH) confirms these statements. In the LeConte collection (MCZC) there are two specimens of C. obliquus . The Horn collection has one specimen from ‘‘Ga’’ and two specimens of C. fuscatus .

There has been some confusion over the placement on this species as either Cryptorhynchus or Eubulus . Without comment, Fiedler (1941:70) transferred Cryptorhynchus obliquus to the genus Eubulus , a placement later followed by O’Brien and Wibmer (1984). Adult specimens possess a low supraocular carina (as in most Eubulus species ) but the elytral intervals are not carinate although tufts of erect setae give a more elevated appearance to the intervals (as is found in Cryptorhynchus fuscatus and C. tristis ). Male ventrite 5 is also modified in a manner consistent with the modifications in the males of Cryptorhynchus fuscatus and C. tristis . For these reasons the species is best regarded as placed in Cryptorhynchus .

Specimens of Cryptorhynchus woodruffi (Sleeper) cited in Bloem et al. (2002) are this species. I have examined specimens from this study sent to me by Charles W. O’Brien identified as C. woodruffi but they are C. obliquus .

Specimens examined. UNITED STATES: Middle States (pink label of LeConte), 2,521, C./obliquus/ Say /umbrosus/ Boheman (Neotype, MCZC). Ala-

bama. Mobile ( USNM) . Wadley ( USNM) . Florida. Crescent City ( USNM) . Dade County, Chekika State Recreation Area , 9.v.1990, R. Anderson, on Myrica cerifera L. ( CMNC) . Hernando County, Withlacoochee State Forest, Goat Road, 12.vi.1990, R. Morris ( CMNC) . Jefferson County, Monticello , 12.viii.2000, R. Mizell, bottomland hardwood ( CMNC) . Marion County, Ocala National Forest, Grassy Pond Campground , 30.iii.1986, T. M. Boyce ( CMNC) . Marion County, Ocala National Forest, Lake Dorr Recreation Area , 19.xi.1979, D. Williams ( CMNC) . Georgia. ‘‘ Ga’ ’ ( MCZC) . Camden County, Lake Cumberland Island ( USNM) . Maryland. Assateague Island ( USNM) . Mississippi. Meridian ( USNM) . New Jersey. Brown’s Hill ( USNM) . Chatsworth , blueberries ( USNM) . Upton , 15.viii.1955, in burrows in crowns of cultivated blueberries ( USNM) .

Pennsylvania. Indian Town Gap (USNM). South Carolina. Huntington Beach State Park (USNM). Tennessee. Burrville (USNM). Virginia. Alexandra County (USNM). Fairfax County, Great Falls (USNM). Nelson County (USNM). Fredericksburg (USNM). Oceana (USNM).

Figures

Figs. 1–6. Dorsal and lateral habitus of Cryptorhynchus species. Figs. 1–2) Cryptorhynchus fuscatus; Figs. 3–4) Cryptorhynchus helvus; Figs. 5–6) Cryptorhynchus obliquus. Scale bar 5 1 mm.

Figs. 11–15. Ventrite 5 of male Cryptorhynchus species. 11) Cryptorhynchus fuscatus; 12) Cryptorhynchus helvus; 13) Cryptorhynchus obliquus; 14) Cryptorhynchus lapathi; 15) Cryptorhynchus tristis. Scale bar 5 0.5 mm.

Figs. 16–20. Aedeagus of Cryptorhynchus species. 16) Cryptorhynchus fuscatus. Scale bar 5 0.8 mm; 17) Cryptorhynchus helvus. Scale bar 5 1.0 mm; 18) Cryptorhynchus obliquus. Scale bar 5 1.0 mm; 19) Cryptorhynchus lapathi. Scale bar 5 0.8 mm; 20) Cryptorhynchus tristis. Scale bar 5 0.8 mm.

Figs. 21–25. Maps of distribution of Cryptorhynchus species by state and province only.