Eleodes (Caverneleodes) wheeleri Aalbu, Smith, and Triplehorn, 2012

Johnston, M. Andrew, Fleming, David, Franz, Nico M. & Smith, Aaron D., 2015, Amphidorini Leconte (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae) of Arizona: Keys and Species Accounts, The Coleopterists Bulletin (mo 14) 69, pp. 27-54 : 51

Eleodes (Caverneleodes) wheeleri Aalbu, Smith, and Triplehorn, 2012

( Fig. 11D )

Diagnosis. Body elongate. Pronotum subquadrate, minutely punctured, arcuate laterally, widest just before middle, narrowing posteriorly, anterior angles moderately produced, rounded. Elytra distinctly punctate-striate, punctures moderately large. Antennae long, at least 3 antennomeres extending beyond posterior margin of pronotum. Profemora never spined, moderately sinuate distally. All tarsi lined with strong, dark yellow spicules, plantar surface never interrupted. Prosternum with angular process extending posterior of procoxae, terminating in posteroventrally oriented spine.

Distribution. Tonto Natural Bridge, Gila County, Arizona.

Remarks. This species strongly resembles E. dissimilis l, with which it is sympatric, and can be separated from the latter by the longer antennae and male genitalia (see Aalbu et al. 2012). Eleodes wheeleri also resembles E. delicatus , but is not known to be sympatric with that species and can be distinguished from it by the produced anterior pronotal angles. Eleodes wheeleri is only known from in and around the caves at Tonto Natural Bridge State Park.

Figures

Fig. 11. Eleodes species, dorsal habitus. A) E. madrensis, female, B) E. hepburni, female, C) E. delicatus, female, D) E. wheeleri, female. Scale bars = 1 cm.