Acmaeodera natlovei Hansen, 2023

Hansen, Jason A., 2023, Acmaeodera (Coleoptera: Buprestidae): A new species of Acmaeodera Eschscholtz, 1829 from the southwestern United States, with three new synonymies, new state and host records, and a key to species occurring east of the Rocky Mountain states, Insecta Mundi 2023 (12), pp. 1-52 : 2-6

Acmaeodera natlovei Hansen , new species

( Fig. 1a–f )

Description. Holotype female: 7.0 mm long, 2.5 mm wide; ground color shiny black above and below; head and pronotum immaculate; elytra with narrow yellow vittae from umbone to subapex, vestiture above and below short and white with setae narrow and flattened in shape.

Head. Convex, weakly depressed at middle, front and vertex densely umbilicate-punctate, each puncture with a single white seta; clypeus depressed at base, densely punctate, triangularly emarginate medially; antennae reaching middle of pronotum, serrate from antennomere 5, 5–11 wider than long. Pronotum. Immaculate, about twice as wide as long, widest at middle, clothed with short white setae, sides arcuately rounded, carinate laterally at suture, disc finely punctate, laterally umbilicate-punctate, slight subbasal depression medially and two deeper depressions basolaterally, anterior margin bisinuate, slightly produced medially, posterior margin truncate. Elytra. Elytra with sides subparallel to middle then broadly rounded, tapering to conjointly rounded apices, disc marked with narrow yellow vittae from umbone to subapex, base as wide as posterior edge of pronotum, with deep scutellar depression; subbasal depression adjacent to elytral suture and posterior to umbone; striately punctured, strial punctures separated by less than their diameter on disc, third lateral stria split near basal third after 10 punctures; intervals with single row of fine punctures, each with a single white seta; second lateral interval much wider and inflated posterior to umbone, densely punctate with punctation somewhat confused; costal margin weakly serrate medially becoming stronger toward apex. Venter. Venter clothed in short, white, setae that are flattened in shape; proepisternum projecting less than the length of antennomere 2 past prosternum, punctures large, umbilicate; anterior edge of prosternum straight; prosternal process densely punctate, about two times as wide as diameter of procoxa; mesepisternum, metepisternum and metacoxae coarsely punctate; abdominal ventrites finely, densely punctate with recumbent setae; fifth abdominal ventrite more coarsely punctate apically, lacking raised carina; legs with femoral setae shorter than width of femur; tarsal claw with ungual tooth short and acute.

Materials examined. The holotype labeled “TX: Jeff Davis Co., Hwy 17 | 19.4 mi. south of Balmorhea | 30.7649, −103.7595 | Sweeping flwers, 14.v.2020 | JA Hansen & T. Hedlund || HOLOTYPE | Acmaeodera | natlovei | Hansen” [red rectangular label]. Holotype deposited at FMNH. ARIZONA, Gila Co., Tonto Creek., 6.vii.1977, unknown collector, (1♀) [ TAMU]; Sierra Ancha Mts., no date, D.K. Duncan, (3♂) [ WFBM]; Sierra Ancha Mts., Haigler Creek, 2.vi.1933, Parker, (1) [ WFBM]; Maricopa Co., Phoenix, no date, C. Palm, (1♀) [ WFBM]; Mohave Co., Hualapai Mt. Park, on Purshia sp. ( Rosaceae ), 30.vi.1966, R.L. Westcott, (4♀, 5♂) [ RLWE]; same locality, 30.vi.1966, E.J. Allen, (2♂, 1♀) [ WFBM]; same locality, on Fallugia sp. ( Rosaceae ), 18.vi.1985, W.F. Barr, (1♀) [ WFBM]; Yavapai Co., Prescott, 2 mi. west of Thumb Butte, on Robinia sp. ( Fabaceae ), 19.vi.1985, W.F. Barr, (2) [ WFBM]; Yarnell, elev. 4783’, on Erigeron divergens Torr. & A. Gray ( Asteraceae ), 1.vi.1966, J.H. Davidson, J.M. Davidson & M.A. Cazier, (1♀) [ WFBM]; Prescott National Forest, Big Bug Creek, 3 mi. west of Poland Jct., 30.v.1970, R.L. Westcott, (2♀, 1♂) [ RLWE]; 5.7 mi. south of Prescott, elev. 5280’, on Erigeron divergens , 7.vi.1966, J.M. Davidson & M.A. Cazier, (1♀) [ WFBM]; same data except on Purshia mexicana (D. Don) Henrickson , (1♀) [ RLWE]; Prescott, 18.vi.1976, D. Ahart, (1♂) [ TAMU]; NEW MEXICO, Chaves Co., 32.8655, −104.9852, 16.vi.2021, A.J. Schmitz, (9 ♀, 6♂) [ AJSC]; Eddy Co., 9.9 mi. southwest of Whites City, 3740’, 12.v.1989, T. Griswold, (1♀) [ RLWE]; 5–10 mi. south Carlsbad, 25–27.ix.1990, Androw & Brattain, (1) [ TCMC]; 10 mi. south of Carlsbad, ex dead Celtis sp. ( Ulmaceae ), em. 15.ix.1994, D.J. Heffern, (3♀) [ DJHC]; Valencia Co., Chaves City, 12 mi. west of Hope, beating cactus blossom, 11.vi.1983, F.M. Beer, (1) [ RLWE]; Paratypes, [yellow rectangular labels], TEXAS, Brewster Co., Big Bend N.P., Chisos Mts., Pine Canyon, 1.vii.1972, R.L. Westcott, (1♀) [ TAMU]; Big Bend N.P., Oak Springs, on thistle blossom, 24.vi.1971, G.H. Nelson, (2♀, 1♂) [ FSCA]; same data except 25.vi.1971, (1) [ FSCA]; same locality, pan trap, 18.vi.1999, S. Droege, (1♀) [ TAMU]; Big Bend N.P., north of Rosillos Mts., Buttrill Springs, 22.iii–8.iv.1991, Wharton & Whitefield, (1♀) [ TAMU]; Big Bend N.P., on flower, 22.v.2001, D.W. Sundberg, (1♀) [ FSCA]; 15 mi. west of Marathon, 26.vi.1994, J.E. Wappes, (1♂) [ TAMU]; Big Bend N.P., Chisos Mts., 29.iv.1974, G.V. Manley, (5) [ TAMU]; Big Bend N.P., Chisos Mts., 5.v.1974, G.V. Manley, (2♂) [ TAMU]; Big Bend N.P., Chisos Mts., Oak Canyon, Window Trail, on small white flower of Erigeron sp. , 12.iv.2010, R.L. Westcott, (2♀) [ RLWE]; same locality, elev. 4800’, 21.vi.1994, T.C. MacRae, (1) [ TCMC]; 20 mi. south of Alpine, 30.1212, −103.5807, 20.v.2021, J.A. Hansen, (1♂) [ JAHC]; Crockett Co., Ozona, 21.v.2009, S.G. Wellso, (1♀) [ TAMU]; Culberson Co., Guadalupe Mts. N.P., ½ mi. northwest of Pine Springs, on flower of Fallugia paradoxa (D. Don) Endl. ex Torr. , 29.iv.1972, R.L. Westcott, (1♂) [ RLWE]; Jeff Davis Co., 19.4 mi. south of Balmorhea on Hwy. 17, 30.7649, −103.7595, sweeping flowers, 14.v.2020, J.A. Hansen & T.J. Hedlund (159) [ JAHC, TJHC, TAMU, FSCA]; Hwy. 17, 30.7648, −103.7393, sweeping roadside, 14.v.2020, J.A. Hansen, (8♀, 6♂) [ TAMU]; 7.4 mi. north of Ft. Davis on Hwy. 17, 308113, −103.7576, 18.v.2021, A.J. Schmitz, (2♂) [ AJSC]; Ft. Davis, Hwy. 17, 30.6489, −103.8398, 18.v.2021, A.J. Schmitz, (4♀) [ AJSC]; Ft. Davis, Hwy. 17, 30.6096, −103.8788, 18.v.2021, A.J. Schmitz, (4♀, 3♂) [ AJSC]; 4.7 mi. northeast of Ft. Davis, Hwy. 17, 30.6495, −103.8352, 3.vii.2021, A.J. Schmitz, (1♀) [ AJSC]; 25 mi. northeast Ft. Davis, on morning glory flowers, 30.v.1989, W.F. Barr, (2♀, 4♂) [ WFBM]; same locality, sweeping grass, 30.v.1989, W.F. Barr, (14♀, 6♂) [ WFBM]; no specific location, 12.v.2003, S.G. Wellso, (3♀, 3♂) [ TAMU]; Hwy. 118, 30.6045, −103.9038, dug from dead Juglans microcarpa Berl. ( Juglandaceae ) branch 3 inches in diameter, beetle dead, coll. 13.v.2020, J.A. Hansen, (1♀) [ JAHC]; ESPY Ranch, FM-1832, 30.8104, −103.9219, landed on white beat sheet, 14.v.2020, J.A. Hansen, (3♀, 4♂) [ JAHC]; 15.8 mi. northeast Ft. Davis, Hwy. 17, 30.76483, −103.759348, elev. 4200’, on flower Verbena sp. ( Verbenaceae ), 28.iv.2021, T.C. MacRae, (1) [ TCMC]; same data except swept from roadside vegetation, (1) [ TCMC]; Davis Mts., Limpia Canyon, 17–20.vi.1961, R.L. Westcott, (4♀, 7♂) [ TAMU, RLWE]; Davis Mountains State Park, Limpia Canyon Primitive Area, elev. 5050’, ex small dead branch Celtis laevigata Willd. var. reticulata (Torr.) L.D. Benson coll. 17.v.1994, em. v.1996, T.C. MacRae, (1♀) [ TCMC]; same data except, ex dead branch Celtis laevigata var. reticulata coll. 24.x.2001, em. 1–14.vi.2003, (1♀) [ TCMC]; Hwy. 118, Lawrence E Wood Picnic Area, 30.706182, −104.104849, on Ratibida columnifera (Nutt.) Wooton & Standl. ( Asteraceae ), 2.vii.2017, J.A. Back, (1) [ JABIC]; Ft. Davis, 27–29.viii.1962, H.R. Burke, (1) [ TAMU]; 4 mi. southeast of Ft. Davis, Hwy. 118, 13.vi.1968, G.H. & D.E. Nelson, (1♀) [ FSCA]; Ft. Davis, Hwy. 118, Caldwell Ranch Gate, 30.7422, −104.1396, 13.v.2020, J.A. Hansen, (2♂) [ JAHC]; 21 mi. south of Kent, 12.vi.1983, collector unknown, (1♀) [ FSCA]; Pecos Co., 29 mi. south of Ft. Stockton, on Ratibida columnifera , 24.v.1980, R.L. Westcott, (1♂) [ RLWE]; Ft. Stockton, 28 mi. southwest on US-385, 13.v.2003, S.G. Wellso, (1♀) [ TAMU]; same locality, 5.vi.1992, E.G. Riley, (1♂) [ TAMU]; Ft. Stockton, 6.iv.1993, S.G. Wellso, (1) [ TAMU]; Reeves Co., Toyahvale, 0.4 mi. south of FM-3078 on Hwy. 17, elev. 3347′, 30.9371, −103.7917, 28.iv.2021, swept from roadside vegetation, T.C. MacRae, (1) [ TCMC]; same data except 24.v.2022, on flower Machaeranthera pinnatifida (Hook.) Shinners ( Asteraceae ), (1) [ TCMC]; Sutton Co., Sonora, 13.v.2009, S.G. Wellso, (3) [ TAMU]; no specific location, 12.v.2009, S.G. Wellso, (1♂) [ TAMU].

Variation. Shape of the clypeus varies from triangularly emarginate to sinuate but never broadly emarginate. Pronotal shape can be widest at middle to widest just behind middle in some specimens. Yellow elytral markings vary from narrow vittae extending from umbone to subapex, as seen in the holotype ( Fig. 1a ), to broken vittae appearing as a posthumeral C-shaped maculation and two converging, oblique maculations on the apical third of the elytra. In some specimens these are broken up further (see Appendix 1, Fig. 23 ). Specimens are subcylindrical to more robust. A series of 200 specimens revealed one with the costal edge of the elytra entire; all other specimens had the costal edge serrate as described for the holotype.

Sexual dimorphism. In males the ungual tooth of the protarsal claw is at least half as long as the outer claw with the tip distinctly truncate ( Fig. 1e ). Females can be separated from males by the short, acute ungual tooth of the protarsal claw ( Fig. 1f ). Females range in size from 5–7 mm long, 1.9–2.8 mm wide and males 5–6.5 mm long, 1.5–2.1 mm wide. On average, females are larger than males. The female genitalia are typical of the Acmaeodera tubulus species group (e.g., A. natlovei , A. neoneglecta Fisher, 1949 , A. neglecta Fall, 1899 , A. opuntiae Knull, 1966 , A. tubulus [Fabricius, 1801]).

Distribution. Arizona, New Mexico, Texas.

Biology. Celtis laevigata var. reticulata Torr. and Juglans microcarpa Berl. are the only confirmed larval plant hosts of A. natlovei . A large series was collected in Jeff Davis Co., Texas (30.7649, −103.7595) where neither of these two hosts were apparent, leading the author to believe the larval host range is likely broader than currently known. Adults on Robinia sp. , also on flowers of C irsium Mill. ( Asteraceae ), Convolvulus equitans Benth. ( Convolvulaceae ), Diospyros texana Scheele ( Ebenaceae ), Erigeron divergens , Fallugia paradoxa , Lygodesmia texana (Torr. & A. Gray) Greene ( Asteraceae ), Machaeranthera pinnatifida , Opuntia sp. ( Cactaceae ), Purshia mexicana and P. stansburiana (Torr.) Henrickson , Ratibida columnifera and Verbena sp. Adults alighted on a white beat sheet laid on the ground, along with individuals of Acmaeodera gillespiensis Knull, 1941 and Acmaeodera quadrivittatoides Nelson and Westcott, 1995 .

Peak flight of A. natlovei occurs May and June, with museum specimens dated as early as April, and a solitary specimen collected in late August from Ft. Davis, Texas. The latter likely represents an extreme end of the species natural flight period.

Etymology. The specific epithet is in honor of the African American cowboy, Nat Love. He was born into slavery but eventually made his mark as a free man in the southwestern United States herding cattle. In the latter half of the 19th century, he traveled much of the land between Arizona and Texas on horseback and eventually authored an autobiography of his many adventures.

Remarks. Acmaeodera natlovei has been confused in collections with Acmaeodera conoidea Fall, 1899 for decades because the two sometimes share similar elytral markings and robustness, but A. natlovei is easily separated from that species by having the clypeus triangularly emarginate medially and by the split of the third lateral stria more or less at the basal third. In contrast, the clypeus of A. conoidea is very broadly emarginate and the third lateral stria is split near the umbone after only a few punctures. Acmaeodera natlovei can also be separated from Acmaeodera neglecta and A. opuntiae , the latter two having the third lateral stria split near the umbone as in A. conoidea . Based on the split of the third lateral stria and more bulbous medial lobe of the aedeagus ( Fig. 2a–e ), A. natlovei is most closely related to A. tubulus and A. neoneglecta . It can be distinguished by being larger in size on average, usually more robust, and most easily by the characteristic elytral markings and darker color, which differ from those typically seen in either of the former two species. Acmaeodera tubulus can sometimes be robust but has distinct spots (usually eight), whereas A. natlovei has elytral spots consolidated into vittae or has vittae broken into 3–4 larger yellow spots. Acmaeodera neoneglecta can be separated from A. natlovei by its more bronzed luster and when vittae are present in the former, they are extremely irregular or wider than seen in specimens of the latter. Based on examination of over 1,000 Texas specimens, geographical differences between the three species are as follows: A. tubulus occurs throughout the eastern and midwestern United States to central Texas, A. neoneglecta is restricted to central Texas south into Mexico, and A. natlovei occurs in west Texas, New Mexico, and Arizona. In Arizona, A. natlovei may be confused with Acmaeodera cazieri Knull, 1960 and Acmaeodera ligulata Cazier, 1940 , to both of which it can bear a superficial resemblance. Acmaeodera cazieri differs by being larger, more robust, having the prosternum much more convex, elytral vittae never broken and abdominal ventrites 1–4 transversely reticulate between punctures laterally. Acmaeodera ligulata can be separated readily by its coarsely punctate pronotum and more cylindrical shape.

Synonyms

Figures

Figure 1. Acmaeodera natlovei new species. a) Holotype, dorsal view. b) Holotype, ventral view. c) Holotype, lateral view. d) Holotype, clypeus. e) Paratype protarsal claw ♂. f) Paratype protarsal claw ♀.

Figure 2. Male genitalia, Acmaeodera tubulus species group. a) A. natlovei new species. b) A. neoneglecta. c) A. tubulus. d) A. neglecta. e) A. opuntiae.

Figure 23. Acmaeodera natlovei, new species.