Tragidion carinatum Thomson

Swift, Ian & Ray, Ann M., 2008, A review of the genus Tragidion Audinet-Serville, 1834 (Coleoptera: Cerambycidae: Cerambycinae: Trachyderini), Zootaxa 1892, pp. 1-25 : 15-16

Tragidion carinatum Thomson

(fig. 6C)

Tragidion carinatum Thomson, 1860:204 ; Bates, 1885:324. Type locality: Mexico.

Material examined: a 35 mm color slide of the type from the MNHN, in addition to the two specimens listed below.

Diagnosis. This species was described from a single female specimen from Mexico. The male is undescribed, which confounds proper identification of this species. For a discussion of the relationships between this species and T. deceptum , see the diagnosis section of T. deceptum species account.

Discussion. Two specimens, one from “ 6 mi S of Zapotitlan, Puebla, Mexico, 5500’, X-6-1975 (J. Powell, J.A. Chemsak, colls.)” (EMEC) and another simply labeled as “Mex” with no collector or date (EMEC), represent either a potentially undescribed species, or possibly the male of T. carinatum . Neither of these species were collected in association with a female of T. carinatum , and we feel it is ill-advised to describe these specimens in the absence of more data. Given this taxonomic uncertainty, a brief characterization of this population from southern Mexico is presented here in anticipation of more material being collected from this region in the future.

Description. Similar in overall appearance to T. deceptum , but differing in the following aspects: ventral surface and head densely clothed in long, black pubescence, with bright metallic blue reflections; only antennomeres 4–6 annulated in orange, the remaining antennomeres (3 and 7–11) entirely black, pubescence of antennae with bright metallic blue reflections; large overall size (28–31 mm); deeply impressed elytral costae, which terminate at the apex or nearly so; black basal elytral marking with long, black, erect hairs with bright metallic blue reflections; metatarsi sinuate in lateral view, densely clothed in erect pubescence with bright metallic blue reflections, becoming more dense apically; strongly produced bilobed prosternal process, with each lobe broadly rounded and projecting sublaterally.

Diagnosis. The male of Tragidion deceptum differs from the specimens described above in the following manner: ventral surface and head moderately clothed in short black pubescence without metallic reflections; antennomeres 3–11 entirely annulated in orange; elytral costae moderately impressed, terminating % to apex; black basal elytral marking lacking long erect hairs with metallic blue reflections; metatarsi straight, not sinuate in lateral view, moderately clothed in short, black, erect pubescence without metallic reflections; prosternal process not produced, not bilobed, at most, weakly emarginate.

Distribution ( Fig. 6 C). Mexico.

Ecology. The ecology of this species is entirely unknown.

Figures

FIGURE 6. Distribution map of Tragidion spp. A, Tragidion armatum; B, T. bicolor; C, T. carinatum; D, T. coquus; E, T. dichromaticum.