Anthonaeus agavensis (Crotch)

Cline, Andrew R. & Audisio, Paolo, 2010, Revision of the New World Short-Winged Flower Beetles (Coleoptera: Kateretidae). Part I. Generic Review and Revision of Anthonaeus Horn, 1879, The Coleopterists Bulletin 64 (3), pp. 173-186 : 179-182

Anthonaeus agavensis (Crotch)

Colastus agavensis Crotch 1874: 76 ; original description

Carpophilus agavensis (Crotch) ; generic combination by LeConte (1875)

Anthonaeus agavensis (Crotch) ; generic combination by Horn (1879)

Type Specimens Examined. Holotype ( MCZ). Cal ./ Anthonaeus ; agavensis; Crotch./ Type; 8313.

Other Specimens Examined.>700, including the following: (4) S. Cal./Ac. 5409, Coll Chase Palm; (5) CA: 14 mi. NW, Redlands: Yucca , May 31, 1961, G.H. Nelson, Coll./ Anthonaeus agavensis , 10015 (Crotch), G.H. Nelson, ’75; (4) CA: Orange Co., 9 mi E San Juan, Capistrano, April 26, 1969, E.E. Ball, Coll./ Anthonaeus agavensis (Crotch) , A. R. Cline 2003; (12) Baldwin Lk., VI-5-48, CA / D.J. & J.N., Knull Collrs.; (28) Santa Rosa M., V-27-46, CA /D.J. & J.N., Knull Collrs.; (4) Boulevard, CA, VI-12-51/D.J. & J.N., Knull Collrs.; (9) Jacumba, CA, VI-12-51/D.J. & J.N., Knull Collrs.; (10) Pinon Flat, Santa Rosa M., VII-1-41, CA; (2) 5 miles NW of Julian, Calif., IV-30-1985, W.F. Chamberlain; (4) M. Albright, Los Angeles Co., Cal.; (3) Big Tujunga, Can. L.A. Co. Cal./coll. Dwight Pierce, Yucca whipplei ; (1) G.P. Mackenzie, Little Rock, Calif., 6-18-44; (1) Ventura Co., Calif./ coll. Dwight Pierce, Yucca whipplei ; (1) Sonoma Co., CA; (1) III-11-1965, Orange Co., Calif., L. San Juan P.C. / R.J. Hamton, collr., III-11-1965; (1) Julian, San Diego Co. CA, 4-28-53; (10) L.A. Co. Calif., Tajunga Can., 4-24-1938 / Yucca whipplei, C.A. Fessenner ; (1) San Jacinto Mts., Calif., 2873; (1) Calif. L.A. CA, San Dimas Cyn, June 23 1968, E. Giesbert Coll.; (4) 2 mi W of Jacumba, San Diego Co., Calif., 2 April 1966, Richard S. Funk; (1) Onion Junction, S. Bernardino Co., CA, T 2N, R 6W, S26, V-15-79, coll. by H.L. Murray; (1) San Diego, VI- 1-29, Calif./Col. by H. Dorn/Pres. by E. Liljeblad/ Det. by (1939) H. R. Dodge/ Anthonaeus agavensis (Crotch) ; (1) San Diego, V-14-30, Calif./Col. by H. Dorn/Pres. by E. Liljeblad/ Anthonaeus agavensis (Crotch) /Det. by (1939) H. R. Dodge; (1) 10 mi N Redlands, San Bernardino Mts., VI-5-1954, Calif., G.H. Nelson/ 3500 elev./ on yucca/10015/N.M. Downie Colln., 1992, Acc. Z-18, 343, Field Museum; (1) Cal., Santa Barbara Co., La Purisima Mission, 3-30-53, H. Hacker Coll./10022 Schuh ’71/N.M. Downie Colln., 1992, Acc. Z-18, 343, Field Museum; (1) San Bernadino Co., CAL, May/3670; (2) G.P. Mackenzie, Little Rock, Calif., 6-18-44/10015/N.M. Downie Colln., 1992, Acc. Z-18, 343, Field Museum/ Anthonaeus agavensis (Crotch) ; (2) CNHM, 1955, Carl Brancsik Colln., ex Eduard Knirsch/ Anthonaeus agavensis (Crotch) , det. A. Kirejtshuk 1999; (8) S. Diego Co., CALIF., Cardiff-by-Sea, Apr. 21–26 1967, D. Davis, 50′/from flowers Yucca whipplei ; (3) Los Ang. Co., CAL.; (2) Cal.; (4) Cal./ Collection C. V. Riley; (1) Cal./Coll Hubbard & Schwarz; (1) Cal./3032/Collection Belfrage; (8) Los Angeles Co., CAL./Coquillet Collection; (1) Calif., San Diego Co., 2 mi S Rincon Springs, 27 March 1971, R. Turnbow/ Anthonaeus agavensis (Crotch) , det. Connell ’79; (1) Tecate, Califa, March 1966, R. Duke Coll./yucca 66-6868/ Anthonaeus agavensis (Crotch) , det. Connell ’66/Compared with Paratype Colastus agavensis Crotch MCZ 8313 type is a ♀ conspecific 1-39-69 WAC; (4) San Diego Calif., 4-12-49, E.P. VanDuzee/ Anthonaeus agavensis (Crotch) , 10015, det. L. R. Gillogly; (16) 2 mi. E Lyons Vy., San Diego Co., Calif., III-26-61/ Yucca whipplei / J. Powell Collector; (6) Calif., Kern Co., Frazier Park, 2 mi W., VII-20-63/ Yucca whipplei /J. Powell Collector; (3) Alpine, 5 mi E. San Diego Co., Calif., III-31-61/ Yucca whipplei /.L. Langston Collector; (2) Descanso Rgr. Sta., San Diego Co., Calif., III-31-61/ Cercocarpus sp. / R.L. Langston Collector; (14) Calif., S. Berdo. Co., Highland, 8 mi NE, IV-14-65/. Doyen Collector; (2) Mt. Palomar, San Diego Co., Calif., VI-28-63/ Yucca whipplei ; (23) Calif., S.L.O. Co., La Panza Cpg., IV-25-64/ Yucca whipplei /J. Powell Collector; (2) Calif: S. Berdo. Co., City Cr. NE. of Highland, IV-16-65/ Yucca whipplei / R.L. Langston Collector; (9) L.A. Co., Calif., VII-20-63/ San Fernando 7 mi NW Cal/ Yucca whipplei /J. Powell Collector; (40) CA: San Diego Co., III-IV-1974, Yucca whipplei, J. Powell ; (1) Buckman Spgs., 5-18-27/ 10015; (1) Little Sycamore Cyn., Ventura Co., 500′, Calif., IV-24-66/ Yucca whipplei /J. Powell Collector; (2) Crystal Lake, Los Angeles Co., Calif., VI-29- 50/ CJ. Weinman Collector/B. Adelson Collection; (2) Los Prietos, Sta. Barb. Co. Calif., VI-23-65/ R. W. Gear Collector; (2) Los Prietos, Sta. Barb. Co. Calif., VI-23-65/E. M. Omi Collector; (2) Cardiff, San Diego Co., Calif, 3-22-67/ Yucca whipplei /J. Powell Collector; (2) 3 mi. N Refugio Beach, Calif., Sta.Barb. Co., June 21, 1965 / Yucca whipplei /J. Powell Collector; (1) Quatal Canyon, NW corner Ventura Co., Calif., V-9-59/ Yucca whipplei /J. Powell Collector; (1) Tanbark Flat, Los Angeles Co., Calif., VI-25-50/ T. R. Haig Collector; (26) 2 mi. NE. Lakeside, San Diego Co., Calif., III-29-61/ Yucca whipplei /J. Powell Collector; (3) Calif: S. D. Co., 5 mi. SE. Julian, VI- 11-65, J. T. Doyen; (5) Calif., 3 mi. W. Amboy, San Bernardino Co., IV-6-1966, J. Doyen; (3) Calif: Riv. Co., Whitewater CYN., IV-11-65/ Yucca whipplei / G. Buckingham Collector; (1) R. R. Cyn., 5 mi. E. Elsinore, Riv. Co. Calif., IV-13-65/J. Powell Collector; (1) East Highlands, San Bernardino Co. Calif., IV-26-62/ Yucca /F. R. Cole Collector; (1) Calif: Riv. Co., 5 mi., SE. Valle Vista, IV-12-63/ Yucca whipplei / J. Powell Collector; (4) Tujunga, VII-1-40, Calif., J. Schwartz/J.W. Green Collection; (11) Cajon Pass, S Bern Co., Cal, V-24-41/Van Dyke Collection; (13) Borego Desert, Calif., II-9-1941 / Yucca /L. R. Gillogly Collector/L. R. Gillogly Collection; (1) San Diego Co., CAL., IV-8-1925 /F.E. Blaisedell Collector/Blaisedell Collection; (21) San Diego Co., CAL., IV-8-1925 / Van Dyke Collection; (4) Lebec Cal, Alt. 4000 ft., V-13-1928 /JO Martin Collector; (4) Calif: S. Berdo. Co., Highland, 8 mi. NE., IV-14-65/J. Doyen Collector; (2) Calif: S. Berdo. Co., Highland, 8 mi. NE., IV-14-65/ Yucca whipplei /J. Doyen Collector; (1) R. R. Cyn., 4 mi E. Elsinore, Riv. Co., Calif., IV- 14-65/ Yucca whipplei /J. Powell Collector; (2) 2 mi E Lyons Vy., San Diego Co., Calif., III-26-61/ Yucca whipplei /J. Powell Collector; (2) San Diego Co., Cal., 4-27-1965 / Yucca whipplei / R.D. Handcock J.L. Johnson Collector; (3) S. Bndino Cal./05-13/A. Fenyes Collection; (2) Cajon Pass, S Bern Co., Cal., V-19-37/Coll. & Pres. by E. Guedet; (10) Descanso Cal., San Diego Co., Apr. 25 1920 /EPVanDuzee Collector; (6) Capistrano Calif., III-16-41/ Yucca /L. R. Gillogly Collector/L. R. Gillogly Collection; (1) San Diego Co., Cal./F. E. Blaisedell Collector/Blaisedell Collection; (1) San Diego, CAL./F. E. Blaisedell Collector; (1) L.A. Co. Cal./Van Dyke Collection/3670; (4) POWAY, CAL /F E. Collector/Blaisedell Collection; (2) Fairfax Cal, V-9-20/EPVanDuzee; (6) S′ Bernardino Mts., Cal., 3000′, V-5-52, Bryant Lot 40–41; (2) S′ Bernardino Mts., Cal., 3000′, V-5-52, Bryant Lot 40–41/on large stemmed yucca; (3) Hurkey Cr. P. C., S. Jacinto Mts., Calif., VI-21-60/ E.L. Sleeper Collr.; (1) Hurkey Cr. P. C., S. Jacinto Mts., Calif., V-21-60/E.L. Sleeper Collr.; (2) Calif: S L. O. Co., LaPanza Cng., IV-25-64/Collr: J. Doyen; (1) Tujunga, Calif., IV-30-44/ Yucca /L. R. Gillogly Collector/L. R. Gillogly Collection; (2) Vista, Calif., VII-31-40 / Yucca /L. R. Gillogly Collection; (1) Vista Cal., V-28-40/ Yucca /L. R. Gillogly Collector/L. R. Gillogly Collection; (1) Alpine, San Diego Co., CAL., IV-9-1925 /Van Dyke Collection; (1) Los Angeles Cal./Van Dyke Collection; (1) Los Ang. Co. Cal./Wickham/A. FENYES Collection; (1) Los Angeles Cal./L. R. Gillogly Collection; (1) Pinon Flat, Calif., San Jacinto Mts., 23-IV-1950 /C. D. MacNeill Collector; (1) CAL: Riverside Co., Pinon Flat, IV-20-1962 /C. MacNeill, D. Rentz & R. Brown Collectors; (1) Calif: Riv. Co., Whitewater Cyn., IV-11-65/ Yucca whipplei /G. Buckingham Collector; (1) Fallbrook, Calif., III-6-1941 /yucca blossom, L. R. Gillogly/L. R. Gillogly Collection; (1) Calif: S. Berdo. Co., City Cr., NE. of Highland, IV-16-65/ Yucca whipplei / R.L. Langston Collector; (1) Calif: Riv. Co., Radec, 1 mi N., IV-12-65/ Yucca schidigera / J. Powell; (1) Calif., Orange Co., San Juan Hot Springs, IV-30-67/D. R. Caruthers Coll. (37) USA: California: San Diego Co.; Cleveland National Forest; Hauser Canyon; 32°40′23″N, 116°34′04″W; 26-III-2002, yucca flowers; W.D.Shepard & C.B. Barr. (1) 2 mi. NE Lakeside; San Diego Co., Calif.; III-29-61/ Yucca whipplei /J. Powell; Collector. (1) California; Hwy. 138; San Bernardino Co./Pinon Hills; (Desert Sprs)/G.H. Nelson; 27-IV-1986 /Flr.; Malacathrix glabrata (14 larvae, pupae and adults) nr. Jacumba, San Diego Co., Cailf.; IV-14-1985, ex: Yucca whipplei blossoms; coll. T.N. Seeno, Det. I.E. Savage. (1) 5 mi. S Gorman, Los Angeles Co.; Calif., IV-1-1971; ex: Yucca brevifolia ; det. L. R. Gillogly, 1#780b. (15 adults and larvae) S. Bdo. Co., CA, VI-20-1975; ex: yucca; coll: E.L. Paddock. (2) G.F. Mackenzie; Little Rock; Calif. 6-18-44. (1) Pac Sl; En Ag. (63) USA: CA: San Bernardino Co.; 4 km SE Wrightwood, Lone Pine; Cnyon, 34°19.03′N / 117°34.93′W, elev. 5388′; 21–28-MAY-2005, A. R. Cline; Ex. Yucca whipplei . (8) USA: CA: San Bernardino Co.; 10.5 km SE Wrightwood, Swarthout; Canyon Rd., 34°17.911′N; 117°30.51′W, elev. 3643′, 24-MAY-2005; A. R. Cline, Ex. Yucca whipplei . (2) California; San Bernardino Co.; 20-VI-1975, E.L. Paddock; Yucca sp. flowers. (3) USA: CA: Los Angeles Co.; 9 km SE Wrightwood, Lone; Pine Canyon; 34°18.17′N; 117°31.81′W, elev. 4127′; 21– 28-MAY-2005, A. R. Cline; Ex. Yucca whipplei . (1) USA: CA: Los Angeles Co.; 3 km NW Wrightwood, 1 mi. N on Ball Flat Rd., 34°23′06′N; 117°41′19″W, elev. 7300′; 27-MAY-2005, A. R. Cline & S.D. Gaimari; Ex. Sweeping/beating. (1) USA: CA: San Bernardino Co.; 9 km SE Wrightwood, Lone Pine; Canyon, 34°18.17′N; 117°31.81′W, elev. 4127′; 21– 28-MAY-2005, A. R. Cline; Ex. Yucca whipplei . (1) Tujungo, Cal.; VII-15-1990; E.K. Wearing. (4) CAL, 4 mi. E. Poway, San Diego Co.; 29-MAR-1972 / Yucca whipplei /J.S. Heppner collr. (2) Capistrano, Calif., III-16-1941. (1) Onion Junction, San Bernardino Co., CA; T 2N, R 6W, S26; V-15-1979. (4) 2 mi. W Jucumba, San Diego Co., Calif; 2-Apr-1966; Richard S. Funk. (6) Alpine, Calif.; San Diego Co.; III-27-1968 /S.M. Hogue collr./ R.L. Penrose collr. (1) Los Angeles Co.; Pinyon Hills Calif.; VI-17- 1975, R. Aalbu. (1) California, San Bernardino Co.; Hwy. 138/Pinyon Hills (Desert Sprs.)/G.H. Nelson; 27-IV-1986 / Flr. Malacothrix glabrata . (15) USA: CA: San Bernardino Co.; 4 km SE Wrightwood, Lon Pine; Canyon, 34°19.03′N; 117°34.93′W, elev. 5388′; 21–28-MAY-2005, A. R. Cline; Ex. flower of Ceanothus sp. (30) Calif. San Diego Co.; 1.3 mi. W Jacumba; 14-April-1983; ex. Yucca whipplei ; coll: T.N.Seeno. (3) Coyote Wells, Calif.; Imperial Co.; III-22-1970 /A.J. Gilbert colr. (2) 10 mi. E. San Juan Capistrano; Orange Co., Calif.; IV-11-1970 /ex: yucca/ A.J. Gilbert collr. (1) Claremont; Los Angeles Co., Calif.; 4-29-1961, 220; Fred G. Andrews. (1) Portola; Plumas Co., Calif.; 12 June 1962, 327; Fred G. Andrews. (2) San Bernardino; San Bernardino Co.; Cal. IV-24-1970 /yucca blooms/collr. E. A. Kane. (3) CA: San Bernardino Co.; 5 mi. E Mentone; Power house 3000′; V-11-1978, K. Cooper. (5) Calif.; San Diego Co.; Jacumba; III-6-1983 /ex. Agave buds/coll: Ray Gil. (22) San Bernardino; San Bernardino Co.; Cal. VI-19-1975 / ex. yucca/Drake and; Paddock; collectors. (3) “San Diego Co/Calif. 5-18-27, “Buckman Spgs”, W.S. Wright/Collection. (1) unlabeled. (1) “591”.

Diagnosis. See diagnosis for new species below.

Adult Redescription. Length 3.8–4.2 mm, width 1.8–2.0 mm. Body color reddish or orangebrown, elytra sometimes lighter than rest of body. Head broadly triangular (W:L = 1.8:1); punctures circular, interspaces granular to rugose and ∼ 1–2 puncture diameters apart. Antennae moderately elongate, as long as length of head and half of pronotum combined; club oblong; club ∼ 0.4 length of segments 1–8 combined; terminal antennomere with apical half conical and acuminate. Mentum moderately punctate, punctures similar to those on head, interspaces shining, smooth to alutaceous and separated by 0.25–0.50 puncture diameter, each puncture giving rise to a short stiff golden seta. Submentum and gula less densely punctate than mentum, interspaces smooth and shining, punctures separated by ∼ 1 puncture diameter.

Pronotum moderately transverse (W:L = 1.7:1.0), widest near middle, flattened or somewhat concave in lateral view. Anterior angles distinct, rounded, obtuse. Posterior angles indistinct, broadly rounded. Lateral and posterior margins narrowly explanate, lateral margins broadly arcuate to posterior margin. Anterior margin medially concave. Posterior margin straight to slightly concave medially. Pronotal punctures similar in size and shape to those on head, interspaces granular to alutaceous, moderately shining, punctures separated by ∼ 1 puncture diameter. Prosternum relatively elongate, ∼ 1.6× longer than prosternal process. Apex of prosternal process truncate in ventral view. Prosternal punctures similar to those on mentum, interspaces mostly smooth, transverse reticulations present anteriorly, punctures widely separated by>2 puncture diameters. Mesonotum with punctures similarly shaped and spaced as those on pronotum. Mesosternum flattened, at same level as metaventrite, evenly concave posteriorly for reception of metaventrite; punctures faintly impressed, similar to those on prosternum, separated by 1–2 puncture diameters. Metaventrite transverse (W:L = 2.3:1.0); metasternal discrimen incomplete in anterior 0.33; posterior margin notched for reception of first visible abdominal ventrite; punctures faintly impressed, similar to those on mesosternum, widely separated by>2 puncture diameter, surface sculpturing alutaceous to granular. Elytral punctures similar to those on pronotum, deeply impressed, interspaces smooth to finely alutaceous, shining, punctures separated by ∼ 1 puncture diameter. Visible abdominal ventrite 1 projecting between metacoxae with broadly rounded apex. Visible abdominal ventrites 2–3 equal in length, both slightly shorter than ventrite 1. Ventrite 4 elongate, length subequal to ventrites 1–3 combined. Hypopygidium with posterior margin evenly convex, apex densely punctate. Pygidium with posterior margin evenly convex, apex densely punctate.

Protibiae greatly expanded in apical half; apical half of lateral margin and entire apical margin with blunt short pegs present. Meso- and metatibiae similarly shaped and armored, but pegs longer and more numerous.

Male genitalia well sclerotized. Sexual dimorphism apparent in males, which possess a deeply concave posterior margin of pygidium and exposed “anal sclerite”. Tegmen with parameres broadly rounded apically ( Fig. 8E ). Abdominal sternite 8, i.e. spiculum gastrale, with anterior angles ( Fig. 8C ). Median lobe of aedeagus in lateral view with shallow apical notch ( Fig. 8A ). Female genitalia moderately sclerotized. Gonocoxites moderately long, not fused or adjacent along entire inner margin; tapered basally and apically; two primary setae present along apicolateral margin; apical styli small with three primary setae present. Spermatheca circular, ducts approximating each other ( Fig. 9C ).

Etymology. Specific epithet was derived from the generic name of the purported host plant.

Distribution. Label data and previously published records indicate the presence of A. agavensis in the following California counties: Los Angeles, Riverside, San Bernardino, Orange, San Diego, Imperial, Plumas, Santa Barbara, Ventura, Sonoma, Kern, San Luis Obispo, and Marin.

Notes. Adult phenology, according to the specimens examined (> 700 specimens representing>110 separate collecting events over the past 90 years), indicates activity from February to July, with most activity in April ( Fig. 6 ). This phenology is consistent throughout the range of the species, and is likely dependent on the local flowering incidence of the Hesperoyucca host plants.

Larval Description. Gross morphology is given in the generic description above. Overall, pubescence fine and short, integument with scale-like microsculpture. Head with moderately elongate macrosetae present; 2 setae present on frontoclypeal region, 2 present on frons posterior to frontoclypeal pair; 3 setae present medially on epicranial (i.e. parietal) plate and 1 laterally on epicranial (parietal) plate. Head with rugose areas along medial anterior surface, becoming smooth along lateral and posterior surfaces. Prothoracic terga with rugose areas along anterior and lateral margins; macrosetae more elongate laterally than medially. Meso- and metathoracic terga with macrosetae more diffusedly dispersed. Setal pattern on abdominal tergite 5 consisting of 3 macrosetae along lateral margin latero-posteriorly directed, all other macrosetae directed medio-laterad ( Fig. 5C ). Abdominal segments 9 and 10 with setae appearing band-like around both terga and sterna ( Fig. 5D ); segment 10 with elongate setae present along lateral margins, and most shorter macrosetae oriented in a medial or posterior direction ( Fig. 5E ). Abdominal segment 10 with apex broadly, evenly rounded.

Figures

Fig. 8. Male genitalia.Lateral view of median lobe of aedeagus of A) Anthonaeus agavensis and B) Anthonaeus bajaensis. Ventral view of spiculum gastrale, i.e. abdominal ventrite 8 of C) A. agavensis and D) A. bajaensis. Ventral view of tegmen of E) A. agavensis and F) A. bajaensis.

Fig. 9. Female genitalia. Ventral view of ovipositor of A) Anthonaeus agavensis and B) Anthonaeus bajaensis, C) Ventral view of spermatheca of A. agavensis.

Fig. 6. Phenological occurrence of Anthonaeus agavensis throughout its range in California, as derived from>110 unique collecting events representing>700 specimens over the past 90 years.

Fig. 5. Larval features of Anthonaeus agavensis 3rd instar. A) Ventral view of head, B) Ventral view of right mandible, C) Dorsal view of left-hand portion of abdominal tergite 5, D) Lateral view of abdominal segments 9-10, E) Dorsal view of abdominal tergite 9.