Himatolabus pubescens (Say)

Young, Julia Janicki Daniel K., 2021, Survey of the Attelabidae of Wisconsin (Coleoptera: Curculionoidea), Insecta Mundi 2021 (891), pp. 1-61 : 7-9

Himatolabus pubescens (Say)

( Fig. 5–6 )

Diagnosis. Himatolabus pubescens can be recognized in general by its conspicuous pubescence that consists of abundant white and yellow setae. It can be distinguished from other species of Himatolabus by the pubescence that is irregularly distributed dorsally and by the lack of distinct postocular lobes.

Description. Length 4.0– 6.8 mm. Integument reddish brown. Vestiture consisting of abundant, white to pale yellow setae; on elytra setae abundant, short, recumbent and curved. Head slightly narrowed from base to eyes; median carina slightly elevated, longitudinal, extending from vertex to middle of eye; surface of head strongly punctured below median carina. Rostrum shorter than head, constricted at antennal insertion; broadly expanded apically, about 2.0× width of frons; lateral apical angles with a blunt tooth. Antennae inserted dorsolaterally at basal 1/3 of rostrum. Pronotum width 1.3× length, widest at base; strongly arcuate laterally, converging to recurved apex; disc convex, with distinct, round impressions on median lateral area, surface with large, dense, moderately deep punctures. Elytra as long as wide, width at base 1.3–1.4× pronotal width; apex broadly rounded; striae shallowly impressed, inconspicuous, with moderately large and moderately deeply impressed punctures; interstriae rugose, weakly elevated, with scattered, fine punctures.

Natural history. This species exhibits considerable variation over its range in terms of color, size and pubescence, and is the most widespread species of Himatolabus in North America ( Hamilton 1992). Adults have been recorded on hazelnut ( Corylus americana Walter ), speckled alder ( Alnus rugosa (DuRoi) Sprengel ), gray alder ( Alnus incana (Linnaeus) Moench ), oak ( Quercus spp. ), and common yarrow ( Achillea millefolium Linnaeus ). However, it is most commonly associated with oak. The thief weevil, Pterocolis ovatus , is documented to be a nidus-kleptoparasite of H. pubescens when they use oak as their host plant ( Hamilton 1992).

Phenology. In Wisconsin, adults have been collected from May to July.

Collection Methods. Twenty-five Wisconsin specimens were examined during this study from five counties. One specimen was swept from foliage in an oak-pine forest.

Distribution. United States. AZ, CO, CT, IA, IL, IN, KS, KY, MA, ME, MI, MN, MO, NE, NJ, NH, NM, NY, OH, PA, RI, TN, TX, VA, VT, WI. Canada. MB, NS, PQ, ON.

Wisconsin county records. This species has previously been recorded from Wisconsin ( O’Brien and Wibmer 1982, Downie and Arnett 1996). Dane, Dodge, Door, Jackson, Polk.

Figures

Figures 5–6. Himatolabus pubescens (Say). 5) Habitus, dorsal view. 6) Habitus, lateral view.