Thysanoes texanus Blackman, 1943

Fig. 8 E

Thysanoes texanus Blackman 1943: 352

Thysanoes vachelliae Blackman 1943: 353: synonymy Wood 1973: 186

Thysanoes retamae Blackman 1943: 354: synonymy Wood 1973: 186

Thysanoes mexicanus Wood 1956: 234 new synonymy

Blackman (1943) described three species of Thysanoes from legume trees in southeastern Texas which mostly varied with respect to width of interstrial scales on the elytra. Wood (1956) described T. mexicanus based on characters of the female frons. Since that time new records of both species have been reported with overlapping distributions. I have had the opportunity to examine types of all species and conclude that only a single species is represented. Some of these would not key out correctly in Wood’s (1982) key which emphasizes characters of the female frons in early couplets.

New Records: Mexico: Nuevo León *: Apodaca, [25.7667 N, 100.2 W], 2-II-1986, UV light, Cardoz G., O. (CEAM,1); Cola de Caballo, [25.3853 N, 100.1617 W], 7-VII-1986, Cardoz G., O. (CEAM, 1); Valle Alto, [25.5736 N, 100.2569 W], 8-VIII-1985, Cardoz G., O. (CEAM, 1); United States: Texas: Cameron Co.: Sabal Palm Grove, [25.8525 N, 97.4175 W], 28-VII-1978, reared from Leucaena pulverulenta ( Fabaceae)*, Turnbow, R.H. (RHTC, 1); Hidalgo Co.: Bentsen-Rio Grande St. Pk., [26.1994 N, 98.4108 W], 25-III-1977, Celtis lindheimeri ( Cannabaceae)*, Turnbow, R.H. (FSCA, 3); Travis Co.: Austin, 30.2507 N, 97.6998 W, 23-XII-020 Sideroxylon lanuginosa ( Sapotaceae)*, Atkinson, T.H. (UTIC, 10).

Biology and Habits: All previously reported hosts have been legumes. Hosts reported here in the Cannabaceae and Sapotaceae broaden the host range significantly.

Distribution: This species is found at low and intermediate elevations from southeastern Texas to the Yucatan Peninsula along both coasts of Mexico. It is primarily found in dry tropical forests or xeric woodland, as well as in more humid coastal regions in disturbed and agricultural settings.