Chrysobothris californica LeConte, 1860

Westcott, Richard L., 2023, New host and distribution records plus additional notes for North American species of Chrysobothris Eschscholtz (Coleoptera: Buprestidae), with designation of a lectotype for Chrysobothris vulcanica LeConte, 1861, Insecta Mundi 2023 (967), pp. 1-10 : 3

Chrysobothris californica LeConte, 1860

Based on Barr (1971), Fisher (1942), and all except one specimen in my collection, this species ranges in length from 13.7–17.0 mm. The exception measures 8.87 mm; and on that factor alone, one cannot arrive at C. californica in Fisher’s (1942) key. Another complicating divergence for this specimen is that the prosternum bears a slightly developed median lobe, whereas the lobe is reported to be lacking in this species. Thus, in keys the specimen runs to Chrysobothris blanchardi Horn (a synonym of Chrysobothris rotundicollis Gory and Laporte ), which clearly it is not. Fortunately it is a male, and the foretibial dilation and, especially, the aedeagus match well for C. californica . Historically, that species has been confused with Chrysobothris vulcanica LeConte (q.v.).