Priocera stictica GORHAM , 1882

Opitz, Weston, 2021, Taxonomic revision of the West ern Hemisphere checkered beetle genus Priocera KIRBY (Coleoptera, Cleridae, Clerinae), Linzer biologische Beiträge 52 (2), pp. 1145-1255 : 1197-1199

Priocera stictica GORHAM, 1882 ( Figs 73 , 93 , 164 )

Priocera stictica GORHAM, 1882: 140 .

HOLOTYPE: Gender not known. Type locality:V.de Chiriqui, 2-3000 ft. Champion ( Panamá) ( BMNH).

PARATYPES: 15 specimens, 10 are deposited in BMNH. México: Estado de Oaxaca, Oaxaca, Hoege, no other information available ( BMNH, 1). Guatemala: Departamento de Alta Vera Paz, Telemán, Champion, no other information available ( BMNH, 2); San Juan, Champion ( BMNH, 1); Departamento de Chimaltenango, Calderas, 1,200 ft., Champion, no other information available ( BMNH, 2); Departamento de Quezaltenango, Cerro Zunil, 4,000 ft., Champion, no other information available ( BMNH, 1); Departamento de Sololá, Panajachel, 5,000 ft., Champion, no other information available ( BMNH, 1). Nicaragua: Departamento de Chontales, Chontales, T. Belt, no other information available ( BMNH, 1). Panamá: Provincia de Chiriquí, Volcán de Chiriquí, 25-4,000 ft., Champion, no other information available ( BMNH, 1; AMNH, 1, SDEI, 2); idem, 3-4,000 ft., Champion, no other information available ( AMNH, 1; MNHN, 1). A paratype from Calderas represents the new species Priocera championi OPITZ nov.sp. and 2 from Pantaleon ( Guatemala) represent Priocera brunnea OPITZ nov.sp. CORPORAAL 1950: 100.

A d d i t i o n a l m a t e r i a l e x a m i n e d ( Fig. 93 ): In addition to the holotype, I examined 377 specimens from: México: Estado de Veracruz, 9.5 W Orizaba, 7-VII-1962, J. M. Campbell; 7 miles E Papantla , 25-VI-1962, J. M. Campbell ; 3 miles N Nautla , 27-VI-1962, J. M. Campbell ; Los Tuxtlas Biological station , UNAM, 19-V- 1983, 250 feet, C. & L. O’Brien & G. Marshall ; Rio Metlero Canyon, NW Fortin de las Flores , 10-VII-1974, J. A. Chemsak, E. & J. Linsley, & J. Powell ; 15 km N Catemaco , 26-IV-1991, 1,000 m, H. A. Hespenheide ; La Perla de San Martin , 10-13-IV-1993, 3,000 feet, E. Giesbert ; Estado de Tamaulipas, Gomes Farias, Rancho del Cielo , 21-22-III-1987, 1,400 m, P. W. Novarik, R. W. Jones ; Estado de Hidalgo , 24 miles NE Rancho Viejo, 22-VI-1962, J. M. Campbell ; Estado de Oaxaca, Matias Romero , 13- VIII- 1980, E. Giesbert ; 3 km S Temescal , 25-31-VII-1976, E. Giesbert ; highway 131, at San Juan Lachao, 23-VI- 2015, J. Rifkind ; Sierra Mixe , 2-7 km N, 2-VII-2018, 900- 1,283 m, J. Rifkind, L. A. Martinez ; Santiago Lachiguiri; 15 km N San Marcos Zacatepec , 26-VI-2015, 4,946 feet, beating vines, J. Rifkind ; Estado de Nayarit , 4 km NE San Blas, 5-7-X-1976, E. Giesbert ; Estado de San Luis Potosi, Loa Abrita area , highway 30, 2-VI-1982, J. E. Wappes ; Estado de Sinaloa , 5 miles N Mazatlan, 18-VII-1972, G. H. Nelson ; 8 miles W Palmito , 24-VI-1961, R. A. Scheibner ; Mazatlan , 22-VII-1924, M. Cazier, W. Gertsch, Bratds ; Estado de Jalisco, Estación Biologica Chamela , 1- VIII- 1994, R. L. Wescott ; 3 km SW Las Palmas , 24-VII-1990, W. F. Barr ; Estado de Puebla , 8 miles NE Teziutlan, highway 129, 11-VI-1983, C. & L.O’Brien & G. B. Marshall ; Estado de Chiapas , 17 km W Tuxtla Gutierez, 27-VI-8-VII-1986, E. Giesbert ; vicinity El Aguacero, 19-24- VI-2016, J. Rifkind & E. Martinez ; 20 km N Ocozocuatla, Parque La Laguna Belgica, 20-VI-1991, beating in montane rain forest, E. Barchet. Guatemala: Departamento de Sacatepéquez, Antigua , 20-VI-1973, Ginter Ekis ; Departamento de Alta Verapaz, Trece Agua , 26-IV-?, Barber & Schwartz ; Senahú, collection date not noted, Champion ; Chacoj, collection date not noted, Champion ; Departamento de El Quinché, Chichicastenago, 7-VIII-1947, 6,000 feet, C. & P. Vaurie. EL Salvador: 12-VII-1959, J. Bechyne. Belize: Distrito de Cayo , San Ignacio, San Ignacio Hotel, 26-V-1992, J. Rifkind, P. Gum. Honduras: Departamento de Intibucá , N of Jesus de Otoro, 15-VII-1977, O’Brien ; Departamento de Cortés , 4-8 km SW El Mochito, 7-VII-1996, F. Hovore ; Departamento El Paraiso, 35 km W Danli, 28-V-1995, R. Turnbow ; Departamento de Francisco Morazan, Zamorano , 27-V-2002, R. Turnbow ; Departamento La Paz, Reserva Biologica Guajiguiro , 20-VI-2001, 2,170 m, B. Ratcliffe, M. L. Jameson, R. Cave ; Departamento de Olancho, Parque National La Muralla, 10-VI-2003, R. Turnbow. Departamento de Atlantica , Tela , Lancetilla Botanical Gardens , 28-V-1993, M. C. Thomas. Nicaragua: Departamento de Matagalpa , Selva Negra , 14-VI-2018, R. Turnbow ; idem, 20-V-2006, Weston Opitz ; idem, 16-22- IV-2002, 1,280 m, beating tree branches, bushes cloud forest edge, Weston & Galena Opitz ; idem, 16-17-VI-2007, S. Lingafelter ; Departamento de Granada, Volcán Mombacho, Finca San Joaquin, 21-VI-1998, Malaise trap, J. M. Maes.Costa Rica: Provincia de Alajuela , Brasilia , 4-VII- 2005, F. T. Hovore ; Provincia de Guanacaste, Volcá Miravalles, La Fortuna , Sector Cabro Muco , 26-VI-2001, J. & A. Rifkind, P. Gum, T. Lopez ; Estación Pitilla , 9 km S Santa Cecilia,?- IV- 1992, 700 m, collector not noted ; Estación Mariza, W side of Volcán Orosi ,?-?-1988, Malaise, 600 m, collector not noted ; Estación Las Pailas, Parque Nacional Rincón de la Vieja, 16-30-VI- 1994, 800 m, Malaise, D. G. Garcia ; Estación Cacao, W side of Volcán Cacao , 21-29-V-1992, 1,400 m, collector not noted ; Playa Tamarindo, Hotel El Jardin del Edén , 3-VI-1994, J. Rifkind, P. Gum ; SW side Volcán Cacao ,?-?-1988-1989, 1,000 -1,400 m, Malaise, collector not noted ; Volcán de Miravalles, Geothermal Area , 3-VII-1991, forest edge, J. T. Doyen ; 3 km SE Rio Naranjo , 17-19- VII-1993, F. D. Parker ; idem, 23-27-VII-1993, F. D. Parker ; idem, 29-31-VII-1993, F. D. Parker ; idem, 4-6- VIII- 1993, F. D. Parker ; Provincia de Cartago , Turrialba, collector not noted ; La Suiza de Turrialba ,?-?-1923, Pablo Schild ; Turrialba , 13-14-I-1989, F. Hovore ; CATIE, 9-14-VI-1988, E. Giesbert; Turrialba ,?- VII- 1925, 800 m, A. Heyne ; Provincia de San José, Escazu , 1,400 m, 28- VI-1996, J. Rifkind ; San Jose, 6-VII-1924, F. Nevermann ; idem, 30-V-1923, F. Nevermann ; San José, University of Costa Rica, Athletic Field , 26 & 28-V-1995, J. Rifkind ; 5 km SW Escazú , 14-V- 1995, 1,200 m, J. Rifkind, H. Lezama ; Provincia de Puntarenas, vicinity Las Alturas, 26-VI-1996, F. T. Hovore ; Osa Peninsula, near Rincon , 28-VII-1991, F. Hovore ; Monteverde , 26-V-3-VI-1984, E. Riley, D. Rider, D. LeDouxe ; San Luis de Monteverde , 1-V-25-VI-1958, collector not noted ; San Luis Valley , 1-VII-1989, F. Hovore ; Monteverde , 1-3- VIII- 1989, F. Hovore ; Pension Quetzal , 22- 24-VII-1985, F. T. Hovore ; idem, 17-20-VII-1991, 1,400 m, F. Hovore ; Estación Biológica, Las Cruces, 6 km S. San Vito , 17-7-IV-2003, E. G. Riley ; Las Alturas Field Station , 20 km N San Vito de Hava, 8-10-V-1991, 1,400 m, DeVries ; 1 km W Santa Elena , 11-VI-1986, F. T. Hovore ; Parque Nacional Corcovado ,?- V-1993, G. Fonseca ; Bosque Eterno de los Niños, 12-XI-1996, C. W. & L. B. O’Brien. Panamá: Provincia de Chiriquí, Continental Divide Trail , 3-4-VII-1997, Morris & Wappes ; N Santa Clara, 25-V-1977, H. Stockwell ; Parque Nacional Amistad , 28-V-2013, beating plants along mountain ridge, N. Franz, S. Flynn, Y. Aguirre ; Alto Lino, near Boquete , 15-V-1978, O’Briens & Marshall ; Las Lagunas, 25-V-1973, G. Ekis ; idem, 12-V-1973, G. Ekis ; Volcán de Chiriquí, collection date not noted, 3,000 -4,000 feet, Champion ; Bugaba, 800-1,500 feet, Champion ; David, collection date not noted, Champion ; Tolé, collection date not noted, Champion ; San Félix, collection date not noted, Champion ; Hartman’s Finca , 5-VII-1997, R. Turnbow ; Reserva La Fortuna, Finca la Suiza , 24-29-V-1993, E. G. Riley ; El Hornito, 14-18-V-1996, 4,200 feet, Wappes, Huether, & Morris ; David, collection date not noted, Champion ; Provincia de Colón, 2 km S Sabanitas , 4-15-VII- 1999, 120 m, Malaise trap, A. Gillogly & J. Woolley ; Provincia de Panamá, Las Cumbres, 20-21-X-1982, Henk Wolda ; Old Gamboa Road , 25-VI-1994, F. Andrews & A. Gilbert ; Clayton Conservatory , 31-VI-1976, E. G. Riley ; 10 k Canita , 29-VI-1997, Wappes & Huether ; Cerro Azul , 3- VIII- 1990, F. Hovore ; Cerro Campana , 13-V-1978, 2,700 feet, L. & C. W. Obrien ; idem, 18-VI-1986, W. E. Clark ; idem, 5-IX- 1977, 820 m, H. T. Stockwell ; idem, 6-9- VIII- 1961, 3,000 feet, J. M. Campbell ; idem, 6-9- VIII- 1961, 3,000 feet, J. M. Campbell ; idem, 26-VI- 1977, H. A. Hespenheide ; idem, 18-19-V-1984, E. Giesbert ; idem, near Chica , 2-5-IV-1965, S. S. & W. D. Duckworth ; idem, 20-VII-1971, W. Bivin ; Cerro Azul, Jefe , 14-25-I-1993, F. Hovore ; El Llano Carti Road, at km 9, 18-V-1993, E. G. Riley ; Gamboa , 8-10- VIII- 1986, C. Riley Nelson ; 80 km E Chepo , 9-20-V-1981, J. E. Wappes ; Bayano, Maje Island , 26-30-1982, E. Giesbert ; 30 km W Ipeti , 27-31-1984, E. Giesbert ; Provincia Coclé, 6 km S El Valle , 20-V-1991, R. Turnbow ; 8 km S El Valle , 20-V-1991, R. Turnbow ; 4 km S El Valle , 2-VI-1981, E. Giesbert ; El Valle , 16-22-V- 1981, 2,000 feet, J. E. Wappes ; Altos de Pacora , 23-IV-1995, E. Giesbert ; Canal Zone, Cerro Campana , 13-V-1978, 1,700 feet, C. W. & L. B. O’Brien & Marshall ; Fort Gulick ,?- IV-1979, at lights, H. J. Harlan ; Clayton Observatory , 11-VI-1976, E. G. Riley ; Barro Colorado Island , 13-VI- 1977, H. A. Hespenheide ; Fort Kobbe, 6-VI-1976, E. G. Riley. Colombia: Departamento de Antioquia, Puerto Berrio , 5- VIII- 1938, collector not noted. Specimens are deposited in: ACMT, AMNH, ASUC, BMNH, CASC, CMNH, CNCI, CSUC, EMEC, EMUS, FMNH, FSCA, ISNB, JMLC, JNRC, MEMU, OXUM, RDCC, RFMC, RGCM, RHTC, SDEI, SMTD, TAMU, USNM, WFBM, WOPC, and ZMHB .

D i a g n o s i s: Specimens of this species are similar to those of Priocera costaricana WOLCOTT , from which they can only be distinguished by examination of the aedeagus. In P. stictica GORHAM , the phallic apex is not uncinate as is the case in P. costaricana .

R e d e s c r i p t i o n: Size: Length 9.0 mm; width 2.1 mm. Form: As in Fig. 164 . Head: Frons about as wide as length of antennal pedicel ( EW /FW 50/12). Thorax: Pronotum finely punctate, with 2 tumescenses ( PW /PL 110/155); elytra slightly concave at middle, disc sculptured with striate, asetiferous punctures that extend beyond basal 1/2, elytral apex rounded ( EL /EW 400/75); metathoracic femur capitate. Abdomen: Aedeagus as in Fig. 73.

V a r i a t i o n: Size: Length 5.8-8.0 mm; width 1.4-2.1 mm. The ground color varies from light brown to dark brown and the yellow variegations vary in their prominence. There is substantial variation in the appearance of the medial and postmedial yellow markings. Most often these markings are narrowly connected. They are most often disconnected in the more southern population samples.

N a t u r a l h i s t o r y: Specimens were collected throughout the year, at elevations that range from 120 to 2,170 m.

Figures

Figs 93. Approximate distribution of species as noted.

Figs 70-78. Aedeagus.Priocera quadrigibbosa (70),P. quadrinotata (71), P.spinosa (72), P.stictica (73), P. strigicollis (74), P. strigilla (75), P. theresae (76), P. trinotata (77), P. uncinata (78).

Figs 164-167. Habitus. Priocera stictica (164), P. stockwelli nov.sp. (165), P. strigicollis (166), P. strigilla nov.sp. (167).