Axina Kirby, 1818

Opitz, Weston, 2020, Taxonomic revision of the Western Hemisphere checkered beetle genus Axina Kirby (Coleoptera: Cleridae: Clerinae), Insecta Mundi 2020 (793), pp. 1-70 : 8-12

publication ID	https://doi.org/ 10.5281/zenodo.4564947
publication LSID	lsid:zoobank.org:pub:0B89F97A-AAA5-4CE2-9DA2-CC47EA03346D
DOI	https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.4586131
persistent identifier	https://treatment.plazi.org/id/A51487B3-C068-4B0E-FF01-4EC7FD7237B5
treatment provided by	Felipe
scientific name	Axina Kirby, 1818
status

Treatment

Genus Axina Kirby, 1818

Axina Kirby, 1818: 389 . Papp 1960: 80. Winkler 1961: 44. Ekis 1975: 19. Opitz 2010: 66; 2014: 3. See Corporaal (1950: 98) for more historical citations.

Type species. Axina analis Kirby, 1918: 392 . By original designation.

Diagnosis. Among the Western Hemisphere genera of Clerinae , Axina specimens are characterized by their serrate antennae ( Fig. 6 View Figures 5–6 ) and clavate prothoracic femur, two characteristics they share with members of the genus Priocera . However, Axina specimens show a securiform terminal maxillary palpomere ( Fig. 4 View Figures 3–4 ), whereas in Priocera specimens the terminal maxillary palpomere is digitiform.

Synapotypic characteristics. Phallic plate serrate and presence of spermatophoral gland.

Redescription. Size. Length 5.0–21.0 mm; width 1.2–5.0 mm. Form. Oblong rectangular, body shallow, about 4 times longer than broad. Vestiture. Dorsum profusely vested with short pubescence, antenna ( Fig. 10 View Figures 9–10 ) sparsely setose, anterodistal angle of antennomeres 4–11 profusely vested with microsensillae, elytra abundantly vested with short 2° setae, all setae emerge from minute punctures. Head. ( Fig. 1 View Figures 1–2 ) Cranium subquadrate, frons much narrower than width of eye, usually about as wide as length of antennal scape, cranium profusely indented with small setiferous punctures; gula ( Fig. 2 View Figures 1–2 ) large, trapezoidal, sutures converge, gula with two well-developed setose post-gular processes ( Fig. 2 View Figures 1–2 ); labrum very shallow, broadly incised distally, tormal processes directed posteriorly, confluent distally, epipharyngeal area very small; mandible, body stout, anterior dens subacute, medial and posterior dens moderately developed, penicillus well developed; maxilla ( Fig. 4 View Figures 3–4 ), laterolacinia present, terminal palpomere securiform; labium ( Fig. 5 View Figures 5–6 ), ligula deeply incised, ligular lobes spatulate, terminal palpomere securiform; eyes very large, coarsely facetted, ocular notch deep; antenna ( Fig. 6 View Figures 5–6 ) comprised of 11 antennomeres, serrate.

Thorax. Pronotum ( Fig. 9 View Figures 9–10 ) oblong, disc convex and finely punctate, with 2 tumescenses, latter variable in development, disc slightly concave behind tumescences, anterior transverse depression well developed, collar well developed, prointercoxal process expanded distally; pronotal projections ( Fig. 8 View Figures 7–8 ) short; elytral asetiferous punctures usually small and concentrated in elytral basal half, usually striate near elytral base and near sutural margin, epipleural fold prominent, gradually narrowed to elytral apex, elytral anterior margin not carinate; metathoracic wing, wedge cell closed; metendosternite ( Fig. 7 View Figures 7–8 ) with furcal lamina, furcal anterior plate large; legs, tibiae with well-developed carina, which is less prominent in metatibiae, prothoracic femora capitate, mesothoracic and metathoracic femora gradually increasing in diameter to femoral apex, tibial spur formula 0-1-1, tarsal sole formula 4-4-4, tarsal formula 5-5-5, unguis without basal denticle. Abdomen. Pygidium transverse/ scutiform; posterior margin of female pygidium sometimes trilobed; male sternite VI elongated, slightly concave at distal margin, distal margin of sternite V often widely emarginate in males; aedeagus well sclerotized, phallobase bilobed, lobe length varies, phallobasic struts usually conjoin at base of phallobasic apodeme, latter rarely present, when present connected to phallobasic struts, phallobasic rod absent; phallic plates narrow, most often serrate to various degree; spicular plates very narrow, spicular apodemes fused in posterior 4⁄5, intraspicular plate narrow/transverse; ovipositor shorter than abdomen, dorsal lamina trilobed, ventral lamina bilobed, laminal rod present. Alimentary canal. Stomodaeum short, proventriculus with 4 primary and 4 secondary lobes, ventral primary and ventrolateral secondary folds reduced; ventricular papillae well defined; 6 cryptonephridial Malpighian tubules; proctodaeum long in females, short in males. Mesodermal male internal reproductive organs. ( Fig. 15–18 View Figures 15–20 ) Three pairs of accessory glands, medial and lateral glands often broad and recurved, posterior gland very short; testis multifollicular. Mesodermal female internal reproductive organs. ( Fig. 19–20 View Figures 15–20 ) Spermathecal capsule slightly sclerotized; spermathecal gland attached to middle of spermathecal capsule; bursa copulatrix saccular.

Distribution. From Panama to Argentina.

Key to Species of Axina Kirby

The preparation of this key to species was very difficult because of the paucity of variation in external morphology of Axina species. Many of these nocturnal insects are associated with tree bark and thus have evolved similar bark-like patterns on the elytral disc. In the key that follows, I have used convenient characteristics often involving color characteristics. Whenever possible, the reader should follow up key couplet results with dissections of male genitalia, for reliable species identifications. It is also important that the reader consult the “Variation” section of the species descriptions to recognize exceptions to key couplet descriptions.

The types of two species, Axina cuneata Santos and Filho and A. undata (Spinola) , were not available for study. Thus, they are not included in the following key.

1. Elytral disc with fewer than 50 asetiferous punctures, punctures concentrated in elytral basal half proximal to sutural margin................................................................. 2

— Elytral disc with more than 50 asetiferous punctures, punctures usually extended posteriorly beyond elytral basal half..................................................................... 8

2(1). Prothorax dark castaneous................................................................ 3

— Prothorax testaceous..................................................................... 4

3(2). Each elytral middle with a broad obliquely positioned white fascia ( Peru, Brazil)............................................................... Axina schenklingi Opitz , new species ( Fig. 88 View Figures 86–89 )

— Elytral color pattern not as above; elytra with circular testaceous marking in basal ½ ( Brazil)............................................................ Axina bifasciata (Chevrolat) ( Fig. 84 View Figures 82–85 )

4(2). Elytral apical region dark brown or black.................................................... 5

— Elytral apical region testaceous............................................................ 6

5(4). Elytral basal ¼ black ( Bolivia)...................... Axina oligocheia Opitz , new species ( Fig. 86 View Figures 86–89 )

— Elytral basal ¼ mostly yellow ( French Guiana)............. Axina bella Opitz , new species ( Fig. 83 View Figures 82–85 )

6(4). Each elytron with two narrow light brown fasciae, one at middle and one in preapical region; elytral base testaceous ( Brazil, Paraguay)...................... Axina adelosa Opitz , new species ( Fig. 82 View Figures 82–85 )

— Each elytron with three dark brown markings................................................ 7

7(6). Elytral prepapical fascia rectangular ( Brazil)............. Axina parcepunctata Schenkling ( Fig. 87 View Figures 86–89 )

— Elytral prepapical fascia quadrate ( Brazil)............ Axina macilenta Opitz , new species ( Fig. 85 View Figures 82–85 )

8(1). Integument mostly dark brown; elytral color without sharply contrasting colors.................. 9

— Integument not mostly dark brown; elytral color with sharply contrasting colors................. 12

9(8). Cranium black......................................................................... 10

— Cranium not black...................................................................... 11

10(9). Elytral apex black; large species up to 21 mm ( Venezuela).. Axina brunnea Opitz , new species ( Fig. 76 View Figures 74–77 )

— Elytral apex testaceous; smaller species up to 11 mm ( Brazil)........ Axina longevittata Pic ( Fig. 77 View Figures 74–77 )

11(9). Elytral disc with two faintly expressed yellow oblong lines, one short basal near sutural margin and one spanning elytral length at lateral angular deflection ( Brazil)................................................................................... Axina atmis Opitz , new species ( Fig. 74 View Figures 74–77 )

— Elytral disc with faintly expressed brown fasciae ( Brazil)... Axina bahia Opitz , new species ( Fig. 75 View Figures 74–77 )

12(8). Elytral apex black....................................................................... 13

— Elytral apex testaceous................................................................... 18

13(12). Elytra broadly testaceous near middle..................................................... 14

— Elytra black near middle................................................................. 17

14(13). Elytral basal region flavotestaceous ( Bolivia).......................... Axina apicalis Pic ( Fig. 92 View Figures 90–93 )

— Elytral basal region black................................................................ 15

15(14). Metafemoral distal limit black ( Panama)................. Axina heveli Opitz , new species ( Fig. 96 View Figures 94–97 )

— Metafemoral distal ½ black............................................................... 16

16(15). Elytral apex subacuminate ( Bolivia).............. Axina acutipennis Opitz , new species ( Fig. 119 View Figures 118–121 )

— Elytral apex obtuse ( Bolivia, Brazil)........................ Axina nigrifrons Schenkling ( Fig. 111 View Figures 110–113 )

17(13). Pronotal collar and elytral basal 1/3 testaceous ( Brazil)................................................................................... Axina pallidioccabus Opitz , new species ( Fig. 102 View Figures 102–105 )

— Pronotal collar and elytral basal 1/3 black ( Bolivia).......... Axina equestris (Schenkling) ( Fig. 115 View Figures 114–117 )

18(12). Body predominantly or entirely flavotestaceous; if bicolorous humerus with black punctiform marking................................................................................... 19

— Body not predominantly flavotestaceous, elytra with variously positioned fascia................. 21

19(18). Elytra unicolorous, testaceous ( Bolivia)................. Axina ochra Opitz , new species ( Fig. 112 View Figures 110–113 )

— Elytra bicolorous....................................................................... 20

20(19). Preapical elytral black marking punctiform ( Bolivia, Brazil).... Axina munda Schenkling ( Fig. 100 View Figures 98–101 )

— Preapical elytral black marking oblong ( Bolivia).......... Axina vista Opitz , new species ( Fig. 110 View Figures 110–113 )

21(18). Abdomen bicolorous, visible sternites I–III dark, IV–VI yellow................................ 22

— Abdomen unicolorous................................................................... 26

22 (21). Base/middle of pronotum with short black streak that extends from pronotum collar to middle depres- sion............................................................................... 23

— Pronotum without black streak........................................................... 25

23(22). Metatibiae testaceous in distal limits ( Brazil).......................... Axina lateralis Pic ( Fig. 98 View Figures 98–101 )

— Metatibiae dark in distal limits............................................................ 24

24(23). Elytral preapical brown fascia narrow/angular ( Brazil)..... Axina villa Opitz , new species ( Fig. 109 View Figures 106–109 )

— Elytral preapical brown fascia broad/subquadrate ( Brazil).. Axina luzia Opitz , new species ( Fig. 99 View Figures 98–101 )

25(22). Metatibiae testaceous in distal limits ( Brazil)........................ Axina analis Kirby ( Fig. 113 View Figures 110–113 )

— Metatibiae dark in distal limits ( Argentina).............. Axina pollex Opitz , new species ( Fig. 105 View Figures 102–105 )

26(21). Middle of pronotum with dark streak...................................................... 27

— Middle of pronotum without black streak.................................................. 28

27(26). Black pronotum streak extends to pronotum anterior margin ( Brazil).......................................................................... Axina polycaula Opitz , new species ( Fig. 106 View Figures 106–109 )

— Black pronotum streak extends from pronotum base to pronotum medial depression ( Brazil)....................................................... Axina ordinis Opitz , new species ( Fig. 117 View Figures 114–117 )

28(26). Elytra with clearly defined dark fasciae..................................................... 29

— Elytral dark markings angular, more defused............................................... 39

29(28). Pronotum unicolorous, black or castaneous................................................ 30

— Pronotum bicolorous, black and castaneous................................................ 37

30(29). Pronotum black........................................................................ 31

— Pronotum castaneous................................................................... 34

31(30). Elytron with testaceous spot between broad black fasciae ( Brazil).................................................................................... Axina proxima (Chevrolat) ( Fig. 107 View Figures 106–109 )

— Elytral color pattern not as above......................................................... 32

32(31). Elytron mostly black, with two centrally located and conjoined testaceous maculae ( Bolivia and Peru)....................................................... Axina diversesignata Pic ( Fig. 78 View Figures 78–81 )

— Elytral color pattern not as above......................................................... 33

33(32). Elytron middle dark fascia traverses sutural margin ( Brazil)................................................................................... Axina latilinea Opitz , new species ( Fig. 90 View Figures 90–93 )

— Elytron middle dark fascia does not traverse sutural margin ( Brazil)............................................................................ Axina furcula Opitz , new species ( Fig. 121 View Figures 118–121 )

34(30). Cranium black ( Brazil, Argentina)........................ Axina sexmaculata Spinola ( Fig. 123 View Figures 122–124 )

— Cranium red-castaneous................................................................. 35

35(34). Midelytral black fascia traverses sutural margin ( Bolivia).............. Axina fortipes Pic ( Fig. 120 View Figures 118–121 )

— Midelytral black fascia does not traverse sutural margin...................................... 36

36(35). Midelytral fascia triangular, with posterior margin with indentations ( Brazil)............................................................................ Axina basalis Schenkling ( Fig. 89 View Figures 86–89 )

— Midelytral fascia more linear, posterior margin not indented ( Brazil, Argentina).................................................................... Axina spina Opitz , new species ( Fig. 124 View Figures 122–124 )

37(29). Cranium castaneous; elytral basal 3/4 with two spheroid yellow maculae ( Bolivia)............................................................. Axina phallospina Opitz , new species ( Fig. 91 View Figures 90–93 )

— Cranium black......................................................................... 38

38(37). Prothoracic femur unicolorous, testaceous ( Bolivia, Peru, Brazil)..... Axina fasciata Kirsch ( Fig. 95 View Figures 94–97 )

— Prothoracic femur bicolorous, black and testaceous ( Bolivia)................................................................................. Axina megaspina Opitz , new species ( Fig. 122 View Figures 122–124 )

39(28). Pronotum unicolorous, red-castaneous.................................................... 40

— Pronotum bicolorous, black and castaneous................................................ 41

40(39). Basal ½ of mostly yellow elytron disc with brown X-marking ( Brazil)............................................................................ Axina chiasta Opitz , new species ( Fig. 94 View Figures 94–97 )

— Elytron disc without X-marking, with angular brown fascia at middle ( Brazil)......................................................................... Axina rio Opitz , new species ( Fig. 108 View Figures 106–109 )

41(39). Elytral disc without transverse middle fascia................................................ 42

— Elytral disc with transverse, sometimes angular, middle fascia................................. 44

42(41). Basal 3/4of elytron disc with large yellow X-marking ( Brazil)...... Axina picta Schenkling ( Fig. 103 View Figures 102–105 )

— Elytral disc without X-marking........................................................... 43

43(42). Elytral disc with longitudinal brown and testaceous streaks ( Bolivia, Brazil)............................................................................. Axina plagiata Schenkling ( Fig. 81 View Figures 78–81 )

— Elytron mostly yellow, with brown asetiferous punctures randomly distributed throughout disc ( Brazil)............................................. Axina piperata Opitz , new species ( Fig. 104 View Figures 102–105 )

44(41). Basal ½ of mostly brown elytra disc with large yellow circular marking ( Brazil).................................................................... Axina centrimaculata Schenkling ( Fig. 93 View Figures 90–93 )

— Elytral disc without circular marking...................................................... 45

45(44). Elytral interstitial spaces minutely cribrate................................................. 46

— Elytral interstitial spaces smooth and very glossy............................................ 47

46(45). Elytral asetiferous punctures substriate, large specimens (up to 20 mm) ( Bolivia, Argentina)....................................................... Axina trinalis Opitz , new species ( Fig. 118 View Figures 118–121 )

— Elytral asetiferous punctures scattered throughout disc ( Brazil)................................................................................... Axina klisis Opitz , new species ( Fig. 97 View Figures 94–97 )

47(45). Pterothorax light castaneous to testaceous ( Brazil)....... Axina minas Opitz , new species ( Fig. 101 View Figures 98–101 )

— Pterothorax dark castaneous to black...................................................... 48

48(47). Width of frons wider than length of antennal pedicel........................................ 49

— Width of frons about as long as length of antennal pedicel.................................... 50

49(48). Elytral basal castaneous marking traverses entire basal margin ( Brazil)........................................................................ Axina lobispinula Opitz , new species ( Fig. 79 View Figures 78–81 )

— Elytral basal castaneous marking restricted to humeral angle ( Brazil)........................................................................ Axina orcastomata Opitz , new species ( Fig. 80 View Figures 78–81 )

50(48). Edge of phallic plate serrate ( Fig. 26 View Figures 25–28 ); female pygidial distal margin with stalked plate ( Fig. 60 View Figures 60–61 ) ( Brazil)............................................... Axina ignota Opitz , new species ( Fig. 116 View Figures 114–117 )

— Edge of phallic plate not serrate ( Fig. 45 View Figures 44–49 ); female pygidial posterior margin trilobed ( Fig. 58 View Figures 58–59 ) ( Brazil)..................................................... Axina conspicua Schenkling ( Fig. 114 View Figures 114–117 )

Descriptions of Axina Species

bahia species group

There are four species in this group whose members show a brown elytral disc. Geographically, the group is known from Colombia, Venezuela, and Brazil.