Neocompsa bravo, Heffern & Botero & Santos-Silva, 2020

Heffern, Daniel, Botero, Juan Pablo & Santos-Silva, Antonio, 2020, A new species of Neocompsa (Neoibidionini), and a new species and new combinations in Tillomorphini (Cerambycidae, Cerambycinae), Zootaxa 4748 (2), pp. 334-350 : 335-337

Neocompsa bravo sp. nov.

( Figs. 1–6, 13 )

Description. Male ( Figs. 1–5, 13 ). Integument mostly dark brown; palpi reddish brown; basal antennomeres reddish brown, and remaining antennomeres gradually orange toward distal segments, except dark brown dorsal carina on antennomeres III–VII (gradually lighter toward VII), and brownish apex of antennomeres VII–XI. Elytra dark reddish-brown posteriorly; with two large, light yellowish-brown maculae, one on basal half, another on posterior half, not oblique, smaller than anterior one. Femoral peduncle reddish brown; femoral club mostly dark brown basally, dark reddish-brown with irregular dark brown areas on remaining surface. Tibiae reddish brown except dark brown carinae. Tarsi reddish brown.

Head. Frons finely, densely rugose-punctate except smooth central area close to clypeus; with minute sparse yellowish pubescence (more silver depending on light intensity), absent on smooth area. Antennal tubercles gradually elevated toward posterior area, then abruptly inclined (apex of this area blunt); anterior area finely, densely, confluently punctate, gradually finer toward posterior area; with sparse yellowish pubescence (more silver depending on light intensity). Vertex minutely, abundantly punctate with somewhat coarse punctures interspersed, especially laterally; with minute nearly golden pubescence not obscuring integument (more silver depending on light intensity), with a few long, erect yellowish-brown setae laterally. Area behind upper eye lobes minutely, abundantly punctate, with fine punctures interspersed; with nearly golden pubescence not obscuring integument (more silver depending on light intensity), with a few long, erect yellowish-brown setae interspersed. Median groove distinct from clypeus to area between upper eye lobes. Area behind lower eye lobes tumid, minutely, abundantly punctate, with moderately coarse punctures interspersed close to eye, striate punctate close to prothorax; with golden pubescence not obscuring integument, with long, erect yellowish-brown setae interspersed on tumid area (erect setae more abundant toward ventral surface), almost glabrous on area close to prothorax. Genae finely, abundantly, partially confluently punctate except smooth apex; with golden pubescence not obscuring integument (more silver depending on light intensity), except glabrous apex. Gulamentum smooth, glabrous posteriorly; transversely striate, with fine punctures interspersed, and sparse golden pubescence with long, erect yellowish-brown setae interspersed on wide anterior area (pubescence slightly more abundantly laterally). Postclypeus with golden pubescence not obscuring integument on wide central area (more silver depending on light intensity), glabrous laterally; with on long, erect yellowish seta on each side of pubescent area. Labrum nearly glabrous close to anteclypeus, with long, erect, moderately abundant yellowish-brown setae anteriorly. Distance between upper eye lobes 0.64 times length of scape (0.36 times distance between outer margins of eyes); in frontal view, distance between lower eye lobes 0.92 times length of scape (0.52 times distance between outer margins of eyes). Antennae 2.1 times elytral length (only holotype measured), reaching elytral apex at base of antennomere IX. Scape minutely, densely punctate, with fine, sparse punctures interspersed, except smooth apex; with short, sparse golden pubescence, and long, erect, sparse yellowish setae. Antennomeres with minute, golden pubescence not obscuring integument (more silver depending on light intensity); antennomeres III–IV with long, erect yellowish setae, distinctly more abundant ventrally; antennomeres V–VI with long, erect, sparse setae ventrally, and a sparse similar setae on apex of dorsal surface; antennomeres VII–X with long, erect yellowish setae on apex; antennomeres distinctly slender from III to XI; antennomeres III–VII dorsally carinate. Antennal formula (ratio) based on antennomere III: scape = 0.50; pedicel = 0.16; IV = 0.48; V = 0.78; VI = 0.84; VII = 0.88; VIII = 0.76; IX = 0.68; X = 0.60; XI = 0.70.

Thorax. Prothorax 1.7 times longer than maximum width; anterior and posterior constrictions well-marked. Pronotum with five slightly elevated tubercles, one on each side before middle, almost conical, one centrally, carina-shaped, from before middle to posterior third, another on each side close to posterior constriction, wider and more gibbosity-shaped than anterolateral ones; minutely, densely punctate, with fine punctures interspersed, except smooth central tubercle; with golden pubescence not obscuring integument (more silver depending on light intensity), with long, erect, yellowish setae interspersed. Sides of prothorax with sculpturing, pubescence and erect setae as on pronotum, except anterior area with transverse striate-punctate sculpturing, and sparser pubescence (this area widened toward prosternum). Prosternum minutely, abundantly punctate, with nearly golden pubescence not obscuring integument on posterior half, transversely striate, nearly glabrous on anterior half. Narrowest area of prosternal process about 0.13 times width of procoxal cavity. Ventral surface of meso- and metathorax with golden pubescence not obscuring integument (more silver depending on light intensity), except glabrous metasternal discrimen; metaventrite with long, erect, sparse yellowish setae. Scutellum with yellowish pubescence (more grayish depending on light intensity), distinctly denser posteriorly. Elytra. Parallel-sided in anterior 4/5, rounded narrowed in posterior fifth; apex obliquely truncate, with outer angle blunt; coarsely, moderately abundantly punctate on basal half, punctures gradually finer, sparser on posterior half; with yellowish-white pubescence not obscuring integument (more grayish-white depending on light intensity), with long, erect yellowish-brown setae interspersed. Legs. Femora with yellowish-white pubescence not obscuring integument, with long, erect yellowish setae interspersed. Tibiae with yellowish-white pubescence, denser, bristly ventrally and laterally on posterior 2/ 3 in protibiae, and posterior third in meso- and metatibiae, with long, erect, yellowish setae interspersed (distinctly longer dorsally). Metatarsomere I about as long as II–III together.

Abdomen. Ventrites with yellowish-white pubescence not obscuring integument, absent on apex of ventrites I–IV, with long, erect, sparse yellowish setae interspersed. Apex of ventrite V rounded.

Female ( Fig. 6 ). Differs from male by shorter antennae, 1.6 times elytral length, reaching elytral apex at apex of antennomere X, and basal antennomeres proportionally narrower.

Variation. Anteclypeus and labrum reddish brown; pubescence on frons and antennal tubercles slightly denser and nearly golden; punctures on sides of vertex distinctly coarse; area between antennal tubercles somewhat striate-punctate; area of vertex close to prothoracic margin with fine, transverse, abundant small carinae; genae with a few short, erect golden setae; scape dark reddish brown; basal antennomeres orange, and remaining antennomeres gradually pale yellow toward distal segments, except brownish apex of each segment; pronotum with coarse punctures interspersed; pubescence on prosternum restricted to posterior third; pubescence of scutellum sparse; elytral pubescence nearly golden; light yellowish brown posterior macula of elytra with size similar to that on anterior half; femoral club entirely dark brown or with only apex dark reddish brown; apex of tibiae dark brown.

Dimensions in mm (holotype male/ paratypes male/ paratypes female). Total length, 12.80/8.20–9.55/9.40– 11.65; prothoracic length, 2.95/2.00–2.20/2.15–2.65; anterior prothoracic width, 1.65/1.10–1.20/1.30–1.55; posterior prothoracic width, 1.65/1.10–1.20/1.30–1.55; maximum prothoracic width, 1.80/1.20–1.30/1.45–1.75; humeral width, 2.30/1.55–1.80/1.95–2.35; elytral length, 7.60/5.40–6.00/5.90–7.75.

Type Material. Holotype male from the UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, Texas: Hidalgo Co., Santa Ana NWR, 30.VIII–20.IX.2009, UV light, 26.062200ºN, 98.149162ºW, mature bottom for., Heffern & Raber col. ( TAMU, formerly DHCO) . Paratypes—UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, Texas: Hidalgo Co. , LRGV NWR, McManus unit, 26.05380ºN, 98.04987ºW, 1 female, 18.IX.2008, J. King & E. Riley col. ( TAMU); 2 males, 19.IX.2008, J. King & E. Riley col. ( TAMU, MZSP); 3 females, 21.IX–03.X.2009, J. King. & E. Riley col. (2- TAMU, 1- MZSP) ; Hidalgo Co. , LRGV NWR, Gabrielson Unit, 26.13475ºN, 98.31997ºW, 1 female, 18.IX.2008, E.G. Riley col. ( TAMU); 1 female, 19.IX.2009, E. Riley, B. Raber & D. Heffern col. ( DHCO); 4 miles ESE of Brownsville, 1 male, 20.IX.1997, W.F. Chamberlaim col. ( TAMU) ; Hidalgo Co. , Santa Ana NWR (s10), trailhead nr. HQ, 26.08068ºN, 98.13632ºW, 1 female, 12–13.IX.2009, M. Quinn & E. Riley col. ( TAMU); 1 female, Santa Ana NWR, 15.IX.2008, E. Riley, B. Raber & D. Heffern col. ( RMBC) ; Cameron Co. , 9–10 miles W Boca Chica, 1 male, 21.X.1978, J.E. Wappes col. ( ACMT); Cameron Co. , 4 mi N Laguna Vista ; 1 female, emerged 23.X.1998 from dead Prosopis , wood date: X.1997; R. Androw & R. M. Brattain col. ( RAAC); 1 male, same data as holotype ( BRCO) ; Hidalgo Co. , Santa Ana NWR, 1 female, 20.IX–11.X.2009, UV light trap, 20.075981ºN, 98.138471ºW, upland forest, B. Raber & D. Heffern col. ( BRCO).

Etymology. The epithet of this new species refers to the Spanish name of the Rio Grande: Río Bravo del Norte. The name “ bravo ” is used as a noun in apposition.

Remarks. Neocompsa bravo sp. nov. can be included in the alternative of couplet “30” from Martins (1970) (translated; modified):

30(29). Outer angle of elytral apex with narrow, long spine, curved toward inward; prosternum pubescent only close to procoxal cavities, smooth, very shining on remaining surface; anterior light elytral macula slightly tumid, nearly glabrous. Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua, Costa Rica.............................................. N. spinosa Martins, 1970

- Elytral apex transversely truncate and unarmed; prosternal pubescence present until basal third; anterior light elytral macula pubescent........................................................................................30’

30’(30). Antennae in male reaching elytral apex about apex of antennomere VIII ( Fig. 10 ); basal antennomeres not distinctly widened ( Fig. 14 ); see also photograph of the holotype at Bezark 2019a); metafemora in male reaching elytral apex ( Fig. 10 ); posterior elytral light macula oblique in both sexes ( Fig. 10 ). Mexico (Sinaloa, San Luis Potosí)................................................................................................ N. macroscina Martins, 1970

- Antennae in male reaching elytral apex at base of antennomere IX ( Fig. 1 ); basal antennomeres distinctly widened ( Fig. 13 ); metafemora in male not reaching elytral apex ( Fig. 1 ); posterior elytral light macula not oblique in both sexes ( Figs. 1, 6 ). USA (Texas)......................................................................... N. bravo sp. nov.

Neocompsa bravo differs from N. quadriplagiata (LeConte, 1873) (see photograph of the holotype, as well as its synonyms at Bezark 2019a) by the antennae in male distinctly shorter (longer in N. quadriplagiata male), antennomere IV proportionally shorter (longer in N. quadriplagiata ), and elytral apex truncate (rounded in N. quadriplagiata ). The holotype of Ibidion pubescens Casey, 1924 , currently under synonymy of N. quadriplagiata , is from Brownsville, the same place of one of the paratypes of the new species. However, the antennae are distinctly shorter (“about one-half longer than the body” in male of I. pubescens ), basal antennomeres proportionally wider in male (slender in I. pubescens ), antennomere IV at most, half length of III (longer than half of III in I. pubescens ), prothorax proportionally longer, and elytral apex truncate (“narrowly rounded” in I. pubescens ). Neocompsa bravo differs from N. intricata Martins, 1970 ( Figs. 7–9, 12 ), by the shorter antennae in male (longer in N. intricata ), antennomere IV proportionally shorter (longer in N. intricata ), and elytral apex truncate and not projected at outer angle (outer angle projected in N. intricata ). It differs from N. agnosta Martins, 1970 (see photograph of the holotype at Bezark 2019a), by the basal antennomeres proportionally wider, and antennomere IV proportionally shorter. Neocompsa bravo differs from N. wappesi Giesbert, 1998 (see photograph at Bezark 2019a) by the antennae in male distinctly shorter and antennomere IV also distinctly shorter (both longer in male of N. wappesi ). It differs from N. ventricosa (Bates, 1885) (see photographs at Bezark 2019a) by the elytral apex truncate (spiniform in N. ventricosa ); from N. giesberti Martins & Napp, 1986 (see photographs at Bezark 2019a), by the antennae shorter in both sexes (longer in N. giesberti ); and from N. obscura Martins, 2009 ( Fig. 11 ), by the antenna and antennomere IV in male distinctly shorter (both longer in N. obscura ), and elytra light maculae entirely pubescent (partially pubescent in N. obscura ).

Neocompsa bravo n. sp. is uncommonly collected, but it has been known from southern Texas for a long time. A great deal of confusion has existed on what it should be called. We believe it has been previously listed as N. intricata Martins, 1970 by Hovore et. al. (1987), Neocompsa alacris (Bates, 1885) by Linsley (1963), Linsley and Martin (1933) and Schaeffer (1903, 1908) ( Compsa textilis var. alacris in Linsley and Martin (1933) ; Compsa alacris in Linsley (1963) ; Ibidion textile var. alacre in Schaeffer’s works), and Neocompsa textilis (Thomson, 1865) by Schaeffer (1905, 1908) (as Ibidion textile ). Hovore et. al. (1987). recorded a specimen of N. intricata from Welder Wildlife Refuge in San Patricio County Texas. We did not examine this specimen or any of those reported by Schaeffer (1903, 1905, 1908), Linsley (1963) or Linsley and Martin (1933). Santos-Silva et. al. (2018) excluded N. intricata from the North American fauna which resulted in efforts by these authors to identify the incorrectly identified Neocompsa from southern Texas.

Figures

FIGURES 1–14. 1–5, 13) Neocompsa bravo, holotype male: 1) Dorsal habitus; 2) Ventral habitus; 3) Lateral habitus; 4) Elytral apex; 5) Head, frontal view; 13) Antennomeres III–IV. 6) Neocompsa bravo, paratype female, dorsal habitus. 7, 8, 12) Neocompsa intricata, paratype male: 7) Dorsal habitus; 8) Elytral apex; 12) Antennomeres III–IV. 9) Neocompsa intricata, dorsal habitus, male from Mexico. 10, 14) Neocompsa macroscina, male from Mexico (Jalisco): 10) Dorsal habitus; 14)Antennomeres III–IV. 11) Neocompsa obscura, holotype male, dorsal habitus.