Laemophloeus terminalis Casey

Thomas, Michael C., 2015, A review of New World Laemophloeus Dejean (Coleoptera: Laemophloeidae): 3. Nearctic species, Insecta Mundi 2015 (450), pp. 1-35 : 12-13

Laemophloeus terminalis Casey

Fig. 16, 47-50

Laemophloeus terminalis Casey, 1884: 82 ,83

Types: Casey (1884) noted he had a “...full series of this fine species before me from the cabinet of Dr. LeConte, also two specimens from Mr. Schwarz, all from Texas. In the USNM, I have examined four specimens of this species with the following label data: 1, “Tex”/“Casey bequest 1925”/“TYPE USNM 49153"/“ Laemophloeus terminalis Csy ” / “ LECTOTYPE Laemophloeus terminalis Casey, 1884: 82 ”; 1, “Tex”/“Casey bequest 1925”/“terminalis PARATYPE USNM 49153"; 1, “Columbus 7.6 Texas ” / “CollHubbard andSchwarz”/“ L. terminalis Casey. ” [folded]/“CoType No. 4655 U.S. N.M.”/“ Laemophloeus terminalis Casey ”; 1, “Columbus 6.7 Texas ”/“CollHubbard andSchwarz”/“ L. terminalis Casey. ” [folded]/ “CoType No. 4655 U.S. N.M.”. Casey (1884) did not designate a holotype. In the interests of nomenclatural stability, I designate the first listed specimen as lectotype.

Diagnosis. The combination of glabrous dorsal surface, testaceous coloration with darkly infuscate elytral margins forming a pale discal macula ( Fig. 16), simple scape ( Fig. 47 ) and curved antennomere XI ( Fig. 50 ) are diagnostic for this species. The male genitalia resemble those of L. suturalis , but are even broader ( Fig. 48 ). Length, 2.6mm - 4.1mm.

Distribution. Texas, east to Mississippi and north to Oklahoma.

Specimens examined. 175 from the following collections: BYUC, FSCA, TAMU, USNM.

USA: LOUISIANA: Baton Rouge Par.: Baton Rouge ; E. Baton Rouge; Calcasieu Par.: Sam Houston Jones State Park ; MISSISSIPPI: Sharkey Co.: Delta National Forest ; OKLAHOMA: Grady Co.: Tuttle ; TEXAS: Bexar Co.: Babcock Road and Scenic Loop nr. San Antonio ; Leon Valley ; San Antonio; Brazoria Co.: Stubblefield Lake , Sam Houston Nat. For .; Brazos Co.: College Station, Lick Creek Park ; College Station ; Leonard Road, 6mi. W Bryan ; Brown Co.: Lake Brownwood St. Pk .; Cameron Co.: 1.5mi. E. jct. FM1419 on Hwy. 4, E. of Brownsville ; 4 mi. ESE Brownsville ; 5mi. W Brownsville ; Brownsville ; Resaca de La Palm State Park ; Sabal Palm Grove; Erath Co.: Stephenville ; Fort Bend Co.: Brazos Bend St. Pk .; Hidalgo Co.: Bentsen-Rio Grande Valley State Park ; LRGVNWR; Santa Ana National Wildlife Refuge; Mission; Hill Co.: Lake Whitney State Park ; Karnes Co.: Ecleto Metz Roch ; Kerr Co: Kerrville ; Lee Co.: [county only]; Llano Co.: 19 mi. NW Llano ; Milam Co.: Fort Sullivan ; San Jacinto Co.: Big Creek Scenic Area ; San Patricio Co.: Welder Wildlife Refuge ; Starr Co.: Santa Margarita Ranch ; Tarrant Co.: Arlington ; Limestone Co.: Mexia ; [state label only].

Discussion. As noted above, this species is close to L. suturalis and L. insulatestudinorum , and it may be an extreme form of the former, although the consistent color pattern, elongate and curved antennomere XI, and very broad basal plates argue for its status as a separate species.

Figures

Figures 47-50. Laemophloeus terminalis. 47) Head and pronotum. 48) Aedeagus. 49) Parameres. 50) Antennal club.