Pachybrachis varicolor Suffrian, 1852

Barney, Robert J., 2023, Redescriptions of the Pachybrachis Chevrolat (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae: Cryptocephalinae) of Arizona, Including New Synonymies, State Records, Plant Associations, and Descriptions of New Species: The Robust Species, The Coleopterists Bulletin 77 (3), pp. 439-459 : 452-454

12. Pachybrachis varicolor Suffrian, 1852 ( Fig. 7 )

Pachybrachys varicolor Suffrian 1852: 153 . Fall 1915: 435 (taxonomy).

Pachybrachis varicolor : Riley et al. 2003: 164 (catalog).

Type. Suffrian (1852) described P. varicolor based upon a female specimen from Mexico. Though not types, Fall (1915) referenced a series collected during July in Williams , Arizona by Barber and Schwarz. Two (1♂ 1♀) of the series are in Fall’s collection and three (2♂♂ 1♀) in USNM. Fall’s male, labeled “Williams [printed] / 24.7 [hand-inked, white paper] Ar // Barber& / SchwarzColl [printed, white paper] // H. C. FALL / COLLECTION [printed, white paper] // [circular blue disc signifying dissection by RJB] // Pachybrachys / varicolor Suffrian / R. J. Barney 2023 [printed, red paper]”, was examined, dissected, and photographed ( Fig. 7 ) .

Redescription. Male. Very large, yellow with black punctation and maculae ( Fig. 7 ); L = 4.00– 4.85 mm (mean = 4.34 mm, n = 10); W = 2.02– 2.55 mm (mean = 2.19 mm, n = 10); L/W = 1.79–2.06 (mean = 1.98, n = 10). Head: Slightly wider than thoracic apex, HW = 1.33–1.51 mm (mean = 1.41 mm, n = 10); eyes moderately separated without ocular lines, IOD = 0.33–0.49 mm (mean = 0.40 mm, n = 10); IOD/HW = 0.24–0.34 (mean = 0.28, n = 10); face yellow, moderately punctate, with brown median line descending from vertex to middle of eyes, appearing triangular; antenna progressing from yellow to brown, not reaching elytral declivity. Pronotum: Yellow, moderately punctate, less so at margins, with feeble and obscure M-shaped black maculae; PL = 1.12–1.55 mm (mean = 1.24 mm, n = 10); PW = 1.74–2.17 mm (mean = 1.96 mm, n = 10); PL/PW = 0.61–0.65 (mean = 0.64, n = 10). Elytra: Yellow with extensive black maculae, punctation confused. Pygidium: Yellow with black median line. Venter: Black. Legs: Yellow, front claws of male not enlarged. Genitalia: Median lobe in en-face view widest at base, with large OS, then narrows somewhat to extensive broad POS ending in squared-off T; medial lobe in lateral view with inflated base to wide, tubular lobe with setae on side of squared T. Eight males from Arizona and New Mexico were dissected.

Female. As in male, except L = 4.82–6.38 mm (mean = 5.96 mm, n = 8); W = 2.51–3.33 mm (mean = 3.03 mm, n = 8); L/W = 1.92–2.05 (mean = 1.96, n = 8); HW = 1.76–2.05 mm (mean = 1.90 mm, n = 8); IOD = 0.48–0.70 mm (mean = 0.65 mm, n = 8); IOD/HW = 0.29–0.39 (mean = 0.34, n = 8).

Remarks. Pachybrachis varicolor is one of the largest species of Pachybrachis in USA, most likely closely related to P. nobilis . Both species have been collected on Pinus .

Distribution. Riley et al. (2003) reported P. varicolor from Arizona, Colorado, New Mexico, and Mexico.

Biological Notes. Several specimens in Arizona were collected from Pinus ponderosa .

Specimens Examined. Lectotype, paralectotypes plus 21 specimens. USA: ARIZONA: Apache Co., Strayhorse Campground, 28.vii.1976, ex Pinus sp. , F. Hovore [1♂, FSCA]; Coconino Co. , Williams , 23.vii, Barber and Schwarz [2♂♂ 1♀, Fall 1915 Rev., USNM]; Sitgreaves National Forest , Chevelon , 24.vii.1969, ex Pinus ponderosa, D. T. Jennings [3♂♂ 4♀♀, USNM]; Graham Co. , Pinaleño Mts. , Hospital Flat, Rt. 366, 32.6663°N 109.8740°W, 9,026 ft., 16.vii.2012, R. J. Barney and S. M. Clark [1♂ 1♀, RJBC]; Greenlee Co. , Hannagan Meadow, 28.9 km SW Alpine, 33°38′10″N 109°19′38″W, 4.viii.2001, ex Pinus ponderosa, R. A. Androw [4♂♂ 3♀♀, BYUC]. NEW MEXICO: San Miguel Co. , Las Vegas [1♂, RJBC] .

Figures

Fig. 7. Pachybrachis varicolor, Williams, Arizona. A) Dorsal habitus, B) Lateral habitus, C) Face, D) Pygidium, E) Median lobe of aedeagus, lateral view, F) Median lobe of aedeagus, en-face view.