Argopistes rubicundus Blake

Blanco, Javier & Konstantinov, Alexander, 2013, Review of the New World species of the genus Argopistes Motschulsky (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae: Galerucinae: Alticini), Zootaxa 3626 (2), pp. 249-267 : 256-258

Argopistes rubicundus Blake

( Figs 20–26 )

rubicundus Blake 1934:53 (type locality: Cordoba, Vera Cruz, Mexico, type depository: USNM).

Habitus. Body rounded in dorsal view, strongly convex in lateral view ( Fig. 21 ), almost hemispherical, 3.21–3.36 mm long, 2.78–2.92 mm wide.

Color. Entirely dark reddish-brown, with no markings. Antennae and tarsi dark yellowish red ( Figs 20–22 ).

Head. Entirely concealed by apical margin of pronotum. Vertex moderately convex, shiny, indistinctly punctate. Antennal calli nearly trapezoidal. Antennal socket about same size as antennal calli. Interantennal space narrower than transverse diameter of antennal socket. Eyes large and oblong, inner margins adjoined to both antennal calli and antennal sockets creating slight emargination along inner margin. Frons generally flattened, separated from each gena by protuberant narrow ridge. Frontal ridge slightly raised extending from interantennal space and reaching clypeus. Genae slightly concave under eyes. Antennae filiform, extending slightly beyond elytral humeri, basal antennomere longest, third antennomere short and slender.

Thorax. Pronotum strongly convex, transverse, twice as broad as long at basal margin. Basal margin arcuate, slightly sinuate. Lateral margins narrowly explanate, strongly converging towards and extending slightly beyond apical margin. Dorsal surface finely and densely punctate. Scutellum small, triangular. Intercoxal prosternal process slightly depressed longitudinally, posterior margin slightly indented, concealing short mesosternum. Metasternum with median longitudinal line.

Elytra. Humeral calli present, but not well developed. Elytral surface densely punctate with confused, minute punctation. Epipleura not reaching apex of elytra.

Legs. Metafemur generally triangular with rounded corners; length about 2/3 length of abdomen; with groove along inner margin. Metatibia longitudinally slightly bowed in dorsal view; about same length as metatarsi combined; with shallow and flat groove at dorsal surface; apex with an emarginate sheath-like prolongation, creating two acutely pointed projections; large pointed spur arises from base of first metatarsomere, and extends between and beyond two acutely pointed projections. First metatarsomere attached to metatibia preapically; at least as long as following three metatarsomeres combined.

Genitalia. Female—Receptacle of spermatheca elongate, two times larger than pump; ventral and dorsal sides parallel. Pump narrow and elongated; situated almost perpendicular to longitudinal axis of receptacle ( Fig. 24 ). Vaginal palpi about as long as wide ( Fig. 25 ). Tignum long and narrow, reaching 3rd visible sternite, basal edge with curved row of setae ( Fig. 26 ). Male—Aedeagus ( Fig. 23 ) strongly arched in lateral view; widest at basal opening in ventral view, sides parallel and tapering at apex. Ventral side simple without ridges and grooves.

Comments: Argopistes rubicundus is the most unusual New World species. It can be easily separated from the rest of them by the following character states: body rounded in dorsal view and strongly convex in lateral view, almost hemispherical ( Figs 20, 21 ); aedeagus strongly arched in lateral view ( Fig. 23 ); spermathecal receptacle elongate, nearly parallel-sided ( Fig. 24 ).

Distribution: Mexico

Host plants: unknown

Material examined. Holotype: 1) Cordoba, VC, May 0.08 Mex. 2) Dr. A. Fenyes, Collection; 3) Type No 44797 U.S. N.M (USNM).

Paratypes: 1) Cordoba VC, Mex; 2) Dr. A. Fenyes Collection; 3) Paratype No, 44792, U.S. N.M. (3 USNM).

Figures

FIGURES 20 – 23. Argopistes rubicundus Blake. 20 dorsal habitus; 21 lateral habitus; 22 head, frontal view; 23 aedeagus, ventral, lateral and dorsal views.

FIGURES 24 – 26. Argopistes rubicundus Blake. 24 spermatheca; 25 vaginal palpi; 26 tignum.