Phymatodes amoenus (Say)

Swift, Ian P. & Ray, Ann M., 2010, Nomenclatural changes in North American Phymatodes Mulsant (Coleoptera: Cerambycidae), Zootaxa 2448, pp. 35-52 : 41

Phymatodes amoenus (Say)

(Figs 3, 4)

Say, 1824:413. Type locality: Arkansas River, USA. MCZC

This species closely resembles P. l e n g i, as well as P. blandus . Linsley (1964) lists the robust form; shorter, explanate elytra; robust tarsi; longer antennomere II; and orange abdomen as the primary differences separating it from P. lengi . Of these characters, however, only the abdominal coloration is distinctive. The pronotum of P. l e n g i is as wide as long, while that of P. amoenus is one and one-fourth times wider than long. Caution must be exercised, however, in comparing pronota among Phymatodes species as there is considerable sexual dimorphism in most species groups. Comparison between like sexes is necessary to adequately separate species. Other minor differences between these two species include the violet color and somewhat less punctate elytra of P. l e n g i, whereas in P. amoenus the elytra are blue and more rugosely punctate. Based on these minor differences, these species are regarded as valid.

Specimens examined: 189