Eleodes (Melaneleodes) tricostatus (Say, 1823)

Johnston, M. Andrew, Fleming, David, Franz, Nico M. & Smith, Aaron D., 2015, Amphidorini Leconte (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae) of Arizona: Keys and Species Accounts, The Coleopterists Bulletin (mo 14) 69, pp. 27-54 : 51

Eleodes (Melaneleodes) tricostatus (Say, 1823)

( Fig. 4B )

Blaps tricostata Say, 1823

Diagnosis. Body elongate-ovate, covered in pale golden setae. Pronotum slightly transverse, lateral margins moderately arcuate and sinuate posteriorly, posterior margin completely flat, anterior margin broadly excavate, anterior angles produced. Elytral disc with three raised, slightly tuberculate ridges, disc fairly flat dorsally. Profemora unarmed. Probasitarsus thickened, with a pencil brush of dark spicules apically interrupting plantar surface. Prosternum declivous.

Distribution. Coconino, Navajo, and Apache Counties, Arizona. Extremely widespread east of the Rocky Mountains and west of the Mississippi River from Canada to Mexico.

Remarks. This widespread and distinctive species is very prominent in the Great Plains and touches into eastern Arizona.

Figures

Fig. 4. Eleodes species, dorsal habitus. A) E. armatus, male, B) E. tricostatus, C) E. suturalis, D) E. halli. Scale bars = 1 cm.