Eustrophopsis ornatus (Van Dyke, 1928)

Pollock, Darren A., 2012, Review of the Eustrophinae (Coleoptera, Tetratomidae) of America north of Mexico, ZooKeys 188, pp. 1-153 : 24-27

Eustrophopsis ornatus (Van Dyke, 1928) Figures 10-11233547617376

Eustrophinus ornatus Van Dyke 1928: 251.-U.S.A., Arizona, Cochise Co., Chiricahua Mts., near Cave Creek; Leng and Mutchler 1933: 36; Poole and Gentili 1996: 299.

Eustrophopsis ornatus (Van Dyke).- Pollock 2008: 290.

Diagnosis.

Individuals of Eustrophopsis ornatus share the following diagnostic features: antennomeres 5-10 distinctly widened, in males flattened on one side and with elongate, accessory setae; most specimens with at least faint indication of light elytral markings (seen in their maximum extent in Fig. 10). This species is a putative close relative of Eustrophopsis crowdyi ; males of the two species can be separated on the elytral color. However, non-maculate, dark males of Eustrophopsis ornatus have elongate antennal sensilla, whereas males of Eustrophopsis crowdyi have short sensilla. As well, the prosternal process of Eustrophopsis crowdyi is relatively blunter and more rounded than that of Eustrophopsis ornatus . Finally, specimens of Eustrophopsis ornatus tend to have antennae with contrastingly colored antennomeres, while antennomeres of Eustrophopsis crowdyi are more or less similar in color.

Description.

TL 5.3-7.6 mm; GEW 2.3-3.3 mm. Body elongate oval, relatively narrow, moderately tapered posteriorly (Figures 10-11), moderately convex dorsally (Fig. 23); dorsal color various, some specimens uniformly dark, piceous to near black (Fig. 11); other specimens with very faint indications of light(er) elytral markings; some specimens (typical form) with distinct rufous elytral markings, along lateral margin and encroaching upon disc (Fig. 10); ventral surface in most specimens at least slightly lighter in color than dorsum; antennomeres 1-4 dark rufous; at least the distal half of antennomere 11 in most specimens distinctly contrasting in color, orange-red; eyes approximate dorsally (Fig. 35), either touching, or separated by a distance equal to 1-2 facet diameters; antennomeres 5-10 distinctly widened in both sexes, subquadrate, wider than long; antennomeres 5-11 of male with ventral sides flattened, with lon g, conspicuous “accessory” setae (sensilla) on ventral surface; last maxillary palpomere not widened distally, apex slightly oblique; prosternal process acute, narrowly rounded distally, not attaining posterior margin of procoxae; coarse elytral punctures forming striae; prothoracic episternal suture present, surface of proepisternum smooth, punctation not obscured by rugose macrosculpture; meso- and metatibiae with numerous, oblique ridges; male with small, ovate, setiferous pit on ventral edge of profemur; aedeagus (Fig. 61) with apical piece of tegmen longer than basal piece; struts on median lobe short, narrow, inner margins broadly U-shaped; sternite 9 basally V-shaped.

Distribution

(Figures 73, 76).The Nearctic distribution of this species is restricted to southernmost Arizona and New Mexico; the range also extends south into Mexico. It is perhaps more widespread in Mexico and Central America, with the U.S. localities representing the northern extent of its range. The 132 specimens are from the following jurisdictions: MEXICO: JALISCO, SONORA. UNITED STATES: ARIZONA: Cochise, Pima, Santa Cruz. NEW MEXICO: Luna. (Complete label data given in Appendix 1).

Types.

Eustrophinus ornatus Van Dyke. HOLOTYPE, sex unknown, labeled "Chiricahua Mts. Ariz 7000ft. June 21, 1927 / Cave Creek Cochise Co. / J.A. Kusche Collector / Van Dyke Collection / Holotype Eustrophinus ornatus Van Dyke / California Academy of Sciences Type No. 2581", in CASC.

Natural history.

Label data: under dead pine bark (AZ); WPB-baited Lindgren funnel trap (AZ); at UV light (AZ).

Notes.

Van Dyke described this species as “ornatus” due to the presence of distinctive, lighter colored markings on the dark elytra. In fact, of all specimens of Eustrophopsis ornatus examined for this study (other than the types), only very few specimens exhibited this “typical” coloration. Many specimens had only a very faint indication of the lighter coloration, while others were entirely dark. The remarkably modified male antennomeres of this species and Eustrophopsis crowdyi is an indication of their possible close relationship.