Pennasolis californica (Van Dyke)

Opitz, Weston, 2008, Classification, natural history, and evolution of Epiphloeinae (Coleoptera: Cleridae). Part VII. The genera Hapsidopteris Opitz, Iontoclerus Opitz, Katamyurus Opitz, Megatrachys Opitz, Opitzia Nemésio, Pennasolis Opitz, new genus, Pericales Opitz, new genus, Pteroferus Opitz, new genus, and Turbophloeus Opitz, new genus, Zootaxa 1754, pp. 1-40 : 29

Pennasolis californica (Van Dyke)

Figure 94a; map 1.

Phyllobaenus californicus Van Dyke, 1923: 47 . Holotype: ♀. Type locality: Yosemite Val Cal V 18 1921 (CASC). (Specimen point mounted, gender label affixed to paper point; locality label; Van Dyke Collection label; Alice Riedy collector label, Type label; CASC repository label-type number 3330; Holotype label; identification label; plastic vial with abdomen and ovipositor).

Diagnosis: The most convenient characteristic that distinguished the members of this species from those of P. merkeli (Horn) is the absence of profusely distributed white 2º setae on the elytral disc. The absence of the phallobasic rod is also diagnostic for the male members of this species.

Description: Length 6.0 mm; width 2.0 mm. Form: Oblong short-rectangulate. Integument: Dark brown, except macula on frons and tibiae and tarsi dark brown, and elytral disc with w few pale setae. Head: Eyes not particularly large, moderately convex; vertex between eyes broad. Thorax: Side margins with slightly developed tubercles, anterior transverse depression not very prominent, disc not smoothly sculptured, with elevated and depressed regions, punctations coarse, but not easily discernable; elytral side margins parallel to posterior three-fourths, then gradually rounded to apex, side margins minutely serrate in posterior fourth, disc with several ridges, punctations small and profusely distributed. Abdomen: Aedeagus (fig. 94a) with very short phallobasic apodeme; phallobasic rod present, phallic plates broad, apex in form of oblong knob.

Variation: Length 4.0– 5.5 mm; width 1.5–1.8 mm. There is variation in the number of white 2º setae on the elytral disc.

Natural history: Specimens were collected in May, June, and September, one on Juniperus occidentalis 1183 –1220 m.

Distribution (map 1): In addition to the holotype, I have examined six specimens from: USA: California: Shasta Co., 17-IX-1942, on Juniper occidentalis , D. D. Leon: Yosemite National Park, 1-VI-1928, 1183- 1220 m, E. O. Essig. Arizona: Coconino Co., Flagstaff, 5-V-1979, R. Baranowski. Specimens are deposited in EMEC, FSCA, UNSM, and WOPC.