Tragidion auripenne Casey

Swift, Ian & Ray, Ann M., 2008, A review of the genus Tragidion Audinet-Serville, 1834 (Coleoptera: Cerambycidae: Cerambycinae: Trachyderini), Zootaxa 1892, pp. 1-25 : 14-15

Tragidion auripenne Casey

( Figs 2 A–B, 7F)

Tragidion auripenne Casey, 1893: 586 ; Casey, 1912: 322; Casey, 1924: 264; Linsley, 1962:115; Hovore and Giesbert, 1976:352. Type locality: southwestern Utah, USA.

Material examined: six specimens, including one lectotype and two paralectotypes at USNM

Diagnosis. This species is most similar to T. densiventre Casey , with the five costae on each elytron and antennae annulated with orange. However, it can be differentiated from T. densiventre by the shape of the elytra, which is more parallel-sided; the narrower dark basal band of the elytra; less impressed elytral costae which do not curve inward toward the suture; the black integument of the head, legs and ventral surface, and the bright orange elytra. In T. densiventre males, the form of the elytra tapers toward the apex; the basal dark band of the elytra is broad; the costae are deeply impressed and curve inward toward the suture; the color of the elytra is more of an infuscated orange; the head, legs and ventral surface are red-brown.

The new lectotype designation herein for T. auripenne is to assign a single specimen of this species as the sole name-bearing taxon to stabilize future nomenclature. There are three specimens labeled as T. auripenne LeConte in the USNM, none of which are designated as a type. Therefore, a representative was selected, and a label stating “ LECTOTYPE Tragidion auripenne Casey Ian Swift, 2008 ” was affixed to that specimen.

Typical T. auripenne is apparently quite rare. Material matching the type consists only of six specimens. Most of these are from the Four Corners region of the southwestern USA.

Distribution ( Fig. 7 F). This species occurs throughout the Four Corners region of the southwestern USA on the Colorado Plateau in southern Utah and Colorado, northern Arizona and northwestern New Mexico. Based on specimen data, it occurs in various xeric habitats.

Ecology. Little is known of the ecology of this species. Most specimens have been taken on Fall-flowering asteraceous shrubs.

Figures

FIGURE 2. Dorsal habitus photos of Tragidion spp. A, Tragidion auripenne (male); B, T. auripenne (female); C, T. bicolor (male); D, T. bicolor (female); E, T. coquus (male); F, T. coquus (male).

FIGURE 7. Distribution map of Tragidion spp. A, Tragidion agave; B, T. gracilipes; C, T. annulatum; D, T. deceptum; E, T. densiventre; F, T. auripenne.