Trichodesma imperator ( Laporte de Castelnau 1838: 58 )

Schnepp, Kyle E., 2023, An illustrated type catalog of Trichodesma LeConte, 1861 (Coleoptera: Ptinidae) from Mexico, with description of a new species, Insecta Mundi 2023 (24), pp. 1-19 : 4

Trichodesma imperator ( Laporte de Castelnau 1838: 58)

This species has no type and the description does not allow for confident determination. Gorham (1883) comments on “ Hedobia imperator ” occurring in Salle’s collection and provides a figure. This specimen, in addition to others seen by Gorham, are not T. imperator as understood by Pic (1901) and Champion (1913). The species figured in Gorham (1883) was given a new name by Pic, T. gorhami , and was discussed by Champion as being undiagnosable. Laporte’s description is as follows: “ Anobium imperator . – Long. 3 lig. Larg. 1 ½ lig. Granuleux, brun, couvert d’un duvet blanc; corselet avec une strie longitudinale et présentant au milieu une forte élévation de couleur jaune; élytres couvertes de gros points enfoncés, brunes avec quelques lignes longitudinales; sur la base un trait sinueux au milieu et une large bande transversale en arriére formée d’un duvet blanc; dessous du corps noir et velu, ainsi que les pattes; antennes rougeâtres. Mexique. De la belle collection de M. Gory.” Additional research into the identity of this species is ongoing and a potential neotype may be designated with a revision of the Mexican fauna.