Caribbomerus decoratus (Zayas)

Lingafelter, Steven W., 2011, New records of Caribbomerus from Hispaniola and Dominica with redescription of C. elongatus (Fisher) and a key to species of the genus in the West Indies (Coleoptera, Cerambycidae, Cerambycinae, Graciliini), ZooKeys 85, pp. 27-39 : 33

Caribbomerus decoratus (Zayas) Figs 5e6Table 1

Diagnosis.

This species is recognized by the densely, coarsely punctate pronotum with a distinct (and sometimes paler), mostly impunctate median longitudinal callus surrounded by less distinct and mostly punctate peripheral calli (one on either side). Caribbomerus decoratus (Zayas) is very similar to Caribbomerus picturatus (Napp and Martins) which is known only from Jamaica. In both species, the elytra have a vague, pale macula at the middle near the suture and have the elytral apices impunctate and pale. The leg color of Caribbomerus decoratus ranges from uniformly pale yellow to reddish-brown with the clavate portions of the femora darker than the rest of the legs (in Caribbomerus picturatus (Napp and Martins) the legs are uniformly pale yellow and much paler than the dorsum). Caribbomerus picturatus also can be distinguished from Caribbomerus decoratus by the heavy surface sculpture and contiguous punctation of the frons, vertex, and antennal tubercles. In Caribbomerus decoratus , the punctures are sparse and not contiguous.

Discussion.

This species was described by Zayas (1975) from Cuba. His description of the pronotum and exposed terminal tergites, among many other features, suggests that the photograph of this species is mislabeled in Nearns et al. (2006). In that paper, figure 5a should be Caribbomerus exiguus (Zayas) and figure 5b should be Caribbomerus decoratus (Zayas) (E. Nearns, pers. comm). This species, previously known only from Cuba ( Zayas 1975; Monné and Bezark 2010), is now documented for the Dominican Republic (new island & country record).

Specimens.

Dominican Republic: Prov. Barahona, nr Filipinas, Larimar Mine 26 June - 7 July 1992, Skillman, Skelley, Woodruff, blacklight (FSPC, donated to USNM); Dominican Republic: Barahona, vic. Filipinas, 1700', May 5-6 1985, E. Giesbert, coll (EFGC [FSCA]); Dominican Republic: Barahona, 2 km E. Payaso, 460 m, mv + bl, 13 July 1996, R. Turnbow (RHTC); Dominican Republic: Pedernales, Sierra Baoruco, 19 May 1992, R. Turnbow (RHTC).