Chariessa duponti (Spinola)

Opitz, Weston, 2017, Classification, natural history, and evolution of the subfamily Peloniinae Opitz (Coleoptera: Cleroidea: Cleridae). Part VIII. Systematics of the checkered beetle genus Chariessa Perty, Insecta Mundi 2017 (574), pp. 1-42 : 13

Chariessa duponti (Spinola)

Figures 1, 2 , 24 , 55 , 59 , 69 .

Platynoptera duponti Spinola, 1844: 64 . Holotype.

Type locality: Mexico ( MRSN). New taxonomic

placement.

Diagnosis. In members of this species the elytra

are black, except for a broadened flavotestaceous

streak at the base of the epipleural margin. These

characteristics will distinguish the members of this

species from congeners.

Redescription. Size: Length 15.5 mm; width 6.6

mm. Form: As in Fig. 55 . Color: Mouthparts testa-

ceous, except mandibles and labrum dark brown;

antennae, legs, pterothorax, and abdomen dark

brown black; mesoscutellum black; elytra black,

except base of epipleural margin broadly

flavotestaceous. Head: Funicular antennomeres

progressively shorter and wider towards capitu-

lum, capitulum longer than combined length of

funicular antennomeres, funicular antennomeres

highly setose, capitular antennomeres 9 and 10

with short collateral branch ( Fig. 1, 2 ),

antennomere 11 oblong, anterior margin partially

shallowly concave; cranium densely vested with

dark setae, frons wider than width of eye (EW/FW

18/35); eyes small. Thorax: Pronotum ( Fig. 24 ) Figures 40-41. Morphological structures of Chariessa quadrate (PW/PL 105/105), arch not prominent, pilosa . 40) Head (ventral view). 41) Gular structure. side margins arcuate, disc profusely vested with

orange colored setae; elytra oblong/oval, flattened, epipleural margin deflexed, asetiferous punctation minute, profusely distributed throughout disc, disc densely vested with short black setae (EL/EW 380/ 90); protibial anterior margin spinous. Abdomen: Pygidium oblong / scutiform; aedeagus ( Fig. 59 ) poorly sclerotized dorsally and ventrally; phallobasic lobes slightly developed, fimbriate, phallobasic rod long and slender, phallobasic apodeme explanate at extremity; phallus with subapical sclerotization, phallic apex narrow/triangular.

+

Variation. Size: Length 13.5-19.0 mm; width 2.8-8.0 mm. The middle of the pronotal disc may or may not show a dark line.

Natural history. Specimens were collected during March, May, and July. The beetle taken in July was captured on a species of oak [ Quercus Linnaeus (Fagaceae) ], at 1646 m.

Distribution. I examined 5 specimens from: MEXICO: Tamaulipas; Rio Corona, 18 mi N. ciudad Victoria, 13-III-1982, J. E. Gillespie: Nuevo León; Chipinque Mesa, near Monterrey 22-VII-1963, 5400', on Quercus , H. & A. Howden; 17 mi W Linares, 11-V-1994, J. E. Wappes. Specimens are deposited in ACMT, CMNC, and WFBM.

Figures

Figure 69. Geographical distribution of Chariessa species as noted.

Figures 1-18. Antennae of Chariessa spp. 1) Chariessa duponti (male). 2) C. duponti (female). 3) C. floridana (male). 4) C. floridana (female). 5) C. catalina (male). 6) C. catalina (female). 7) C. elegans (male). 8) C. elegans (female). 9) C. texana (male). 10) C. dichroa (male). 11) C. dichroa (female). 12) C. pilosa (male). 13) C. pilosa (female). 14) C. ramicornis (male). 15) C. ramicornis (female). 16) C. vestita (male). 17) C. vestita (female). 18) C. texana (female).

Figures 21-29. Pronota of Chariessa spp. 21) Chariessa catalina. 22) C. elegans. 23) C. ramicornis. 24) C. duponti. 25) C. floridana. 26) C. texana. 27) C. dichroa. 28) C. pilosa. 29) C. vestita.

Figures 53-56. Habitus of Chariessa spp. 53) Chariessa catalina. 54) C. dichroa. 55) C. duponti. 56) C. elegans.

Figures 57-62. Male genitalia and aedeagi. 57) Chariessa catalina. 58) C. dichroa. 59) C. duponti. 60) C. elegans. 61) C. floridana. 62) C. pilosa.