Chariessa dichroa (LeConte), 1860

Opitz, Weston, 2017, Classification, natural history, and evolution of the subfamily Peloniinae Opitz (Coleoptera: Cleroidea: Cleridae). Part VIII. Systematics of the checkered beetle genus Chariessa Perty, Insecta Mundi 2017 (574), pp. 1-42 : 11

Chariessa dichroa (LeConte), 1860 .

Figures 10, 11 , 27 , 54 , 58 , 67 .

Enoplium dichroum LeConte, 1860: 48 . Holotype.

Gender. Type locality: United States of America,

California, Sacramento (MCZC). Corporaal, 1950:

276. Opitz, 2014: 25.

Diagnosis. Specimens of this species are distin-

guished from those of the superficially similar

Chariessa elegans by body shape, shape of the

antennal capitulum, and coloration of the legs. In

C. dichroa specimens the body is oblong-slender,

the antennal capitulum is less-developed (compare

Fig. 7, 10 ), and the legs are black. In C. elegans

the body shape is oblong-suboval, the antennal

capitulum is well-developed, and the femora and

tibiae are red.

Redescription. Size: Length 11.0 mm; width 4.0 Figures 36-37. Morphological structures of Chariessa mm. Form: As in Fig. 54 . Color: Mouthparts pilosa . 36) Protarsus. 37) Protibia.

bicolorous, maxillary and labial palpomeres dark

brown, remainder red/yellow, mandibles and labrum brown; antennae and legs black; cranium, prothorax, pterothorax, and abdomen red/yellow; mesoscutellum red/yellow; elytra black, with a bluish luster. Head: Funicular antennomeres progressively shorter and wider towards capitulum, in males capitulum longer than combined length of funicular antennomeres, capitular antennomeres 9 and 10 with short collateral branch ( Fig. 10, 11 ), antennomere 11 oblong, subacuminate; cranium vested with long black setae, frons wider than width of eye (EW/FW 13/25); eyes small. Thorax: Pronotum ( Fig. 27 ) transverse (PW/PL 70/65), arch prominent, side margins with slight tubercle, disc vested with long black setae; elytral asetiferous punctation very small, profusely distributed throughout disc, latter densely vested with black setae (EL/EW 195/55); protibial anterior margin spinous. Abdomen: Pygidium transverse / scutiform; aedeagus ( Fig. 58 ) poorly sclerotized ventrally; phallobasic lobes poorly developed, slightly fimbriate, phallobasic rod bifid distally, phallobasic apodeme explanate at extremity; phallus with subapical sclerotization, phallic apex acuminate.

Variation. Size: Length 6.5-12.0 mm; width 2.8-4.5 mm.

Natural history. Specimens emerged from the wood of black oak [ Quercus kelloggii Newb. (Fagaceae) ], from the wood of blue oak [ Quercus douglasii Hook & Arn. (Fagaceae) ], and of the wood of the Oregon white oak [ Quercus garryana Douglas ex Hook. (Fagaseae) ]. A specimen was collected on a tree species of Libocedrus Endl. (Cupressaceae) . Some specimens were captured in a Malaise trap set in a small open meadow in oak woodland. These beetles were taken at altitudes ranging from 263 to 762 m.

Distribution ( Fig. 67 ). I examined 100 specimens from: UNITED STATES OF AMERICA: California; Monterey County, Arroyo Seco, 16-V-1958, on Quercus douglasii, E. G. Linsley ; Contra Costa

Figures

Figure 67. Geographical distribution of Chariessa species as noted.

Figures 1-18. Antennae of Chariessa spp. 1) Chariessa duponti (male). 2) C. duponti (female). 3) C. floridana (male). 4) C. floridana (female). 5) C. catalina (male). 6) C. catalina (female). 7) C. elegans (male). 8) C. elegans (female). 9) C. texana (male). 10) C. dichroa (male). 11) C. dichroa (female). 12) C. pilosa (male). 13) C. pilosa (female). 14) C. ramicornis (male). 15) C. ramicornis (female). 16) C. vestita (male). 17) C. vestita (female). 18) C. texana (female).

Figures 21-29. Pronota of Chariessa spp. 21) Chariessa catalina. 22) C. elegans. 23) C. ramicornis. 24) C. duponti. 25) C. floridana. 26) C. texana. 27) C. dichroa. 28) C. pilosa. 29) C. vestita.

Figures 53-56. Habitus of Chariessa spp. 53) Chariessa catalina. 54) C. dichroa. 55) C. duponti. 56) C. elegans.

Figures 57-62. Male genitalia and aedeagi. 57) Chariessa catalina. 58) C. dichroa. 59) C. duponti. 60) C. elegans. 61) C. floridana. 62) C. pilosa.