Rhoptobaris canescens LeConte, 1876

Prena, Jens, 2012, A Review of RhoptobarisLeConte (Coleoptera: Curculionidae: Baridinae) from North and Central America, The Coleopterists Bulletin 66 (3), pp. 233-244 : 239-240

Rhoptobaris canescens LeConte, 1876 ( Figs. 5, 6 , 14–16 )

Rhoptobaris canescens LeConte 1876: 287 . Lectotype: male, designated here, labeled “ Rhoptobaris / canescens/ Lec.”, “Type/ 5360” (MCZ, LeConte Collection). Paralectotypes: 3, 2 of them not located or not recognized; Colorado ( MCZ 1 , Horn Collection).

Diagnosis. Rhoptobaris canescens is similar to R. piercei , but on average larger and more slender, with a more conspicuous vestiture (2–3 rows of setae on each interstria), and less protruding sclerolepidia. Rhoptobaris cylindrifera and R. scolopax have a less curved rostrum and a longer seventh tergite in the female.

Redescription. As in the generic description above, with the following specific character states: Rostrum moderately and rather evenly curved, 1.00–1.05X (male) or 1.09–1.14X (female) longer than pronotum, ventrally usually without erect setae except near apex; funicle approximately as long as antennal club; elytral interstriae punctate, with 2–3 rows of whitish, decumbent setae; prosternum slightly tumescent in front of coxae and without median depression; tibia dorsally with appressed setae, ventrodistal spine distinct and projecting beyond distal setae; sclerolepidia slightly projecting, not peg-like; female with pygidium (tergite VII) slightly wider than long; body of aedeagus ca. 2.1X longer than wide; total body length 3.0– 4.2 mm, width 1.1–1.7 mm.

Distribution. This species occurs in the Great Plains and has been found sporadically at midelevations (ca. 1,500 m) further west. Specimens were seen from Arizona, Colorado, Kansas, Nebraska, Oklahoma, Oregon, Texas, and Utah.

Biology. Pierce wrote in his 1941 manuscript that he bred three specimens from pods of M. multiflora collected at Llano, Texas, 23 September 1908 (breeding record W 210, Hunter No. 1655). A fourth specimen, possibly the same species, was parasitized by B. nuperus . The above mentioned three specimens are in the USNM; however, they are labeled as being bred from pods of M. nuda .

Material Examined. USA: Arizona ( USNM 15), Colorado ( CMNC 1, CWOB 1, MCZ 2, TAMU 1, USNM 3), Kansas ( CWOB 2, MCZ 1, USNM 3), Nebraska ( TAMU 1), Oklahoma ( CMNC 2,

CWOB 1 ), Oregon ( CWOB 1 ), Texas ( CWOB 1 , MCZ 1 , USNM 4 ), Utah ( TAMU 1 , USNM 4 ). Total 45 specimens .

Figures

Figs. 5–10. Dorsal and lateral views of female Rhoptobaris species. 5, 6) R. canescens, Sedalia, Colorado;

Figs. 11–14. Tergites and abdominal ventrites of Rhoptobaris species. 11) Ventrites III–V, R. scolopax, male; 12) Ventrites III–V, R. scolopax, female; 13) Tergite VII, R. scolopax, female; 14) Tergite VII, S. canescens, female. Not to scale.

Fig. 15. Aedeagus of Rhoptobaris canescens, lateral view, with internal sac inverted. Scale bar = 0.25 mm.

Fig. 16. Female genital tract of Rhoptobaris canescens, lateral view.Abbreviations:bc – bursa copularis,cl – collum, cn – cornu, co – common oviduct, cx – coxites, n – nodulus, r – ramus, sd – spermathecal duct, sg – spermathecal gland, vg – vagina. Scale bar = 0.5 mm.