Phymatodes nitidus LeConte

Swift, Ian P. & Ray, Ann M., 2010, Nomenclatural changes in North American Phymatodes Mulsant (Coleoptera: Cerambycidae), Zootaxa 2448, pp. 35-52 : 46

Phymatodes nitidus LeConte

(Fig. 25)

Phymatodes nitidus LeConte, 1874:66 . Type locality: California, USA. MCZC

Phymatodes crucialis Casey, 1912:282 . Type locality: Santa Cruz Mountains, California, USA. USNM

Phymatodes elegans Casey, 1912:282 . Type locality: California, USA. USNM

Phymatodes exilis Casey, 1912:283 . Type locality: California, USA. USNM

Phymatodes collaris Casey, 1924:240 . Type locality: California, USA. USNM

Phymatodes mohavensis Linsley and Chemsak, 1963:210 . Type locality: Mojave, Kern County, California, USA. CASC NEW SYNONYMY

In describing P. m o h a v e n s i s, Linsley and Chemsak (1963) recognized what they believed to be a distinct form of P. nitidus utilizing the larval host Juniperus californica Carr. (Cupressaceae) from the Mojave Desert bioregion. However, in long series reared from the same host plant from the type locality and other adjacent desert edge locations, the color differences cited as diagnostic are not consistent, and in fact match the color variation found in P. nitidus from other areas which have been reared from various cupressaceous hosts as well (per. obs.). Phymatodes nitidus is commonly reared from J. californica in coastal locations along the Pacific Coast, thus, this host species is not unique to desert regions.

It appears that P. m o h a v e n s i s is found only along the desert edge, placing it within the range of P. nitidus . The pronotal punctation differences also cited by Linsley and Chemsak (1963) appear to be associated with the sexual dimorphism that are present throughout the genus, and are associated with pheromone gland pores in males ( Ray et al. 2006) (Figs. 36, 37), rather than species-level differences.

Phymatodes collaris Casey , previously listed as a synonym of P. decussatus in Linsley (1964) is in fact a junior synonym of P. nitidus , as noted in the above synonymy.

Specimens examined: 144, including the types of P. n i t i d u s and P. mohavensis