Agrilus coxalis auroguttatus Schaeffer 1905 : 149, 2009

Hespenheide, Henry A. & Bellamy, Charles L., 2009, New species, taxonomic notes, and records for Agrilus Curtis (Coleoptera: Buprestidae) of México and the United States, Zootaxa 2084, pp. 50-68 : 66

Agrilus coxalis auroguttatus Schaeffer 1905: 149 , New Status

Hespenheide (1979) synonymized Agrilus auroguttatus Schaeffer , described from Arizona, with A. coxalis Waterhouse from southern México (Vercruz, Chiapas) and Guatemala. The decision was based on their extensive morphological similarity, despite differences in the size of spots of setae on the elytra and small differences in the prehumeral carinae on the pronotum, and despite the apparent disjunction in distribution. The Arizona form of the species has recently been found in southern California ( Westcott 2005) and more recently in abundance, apparently causing or at least associated with extensive mortality of oaks (Coleman & Seybold, in press). Because the northern population is recognizably distinct and is apparently separated from the southern population, and because there is now an economic need to refer to the northern population, I propose that Agrilus auroguttatus be considered a distinct subspecies.

Specimens examined. Arizona: Cochise Co., Carr Cyn., 6500’, 20.6– 21.07.2005, F.T. Hovore, at bait (CHAH), Santa Cruz Co.,Upper Madera Cyn.,18.06–18.07, 19.07– 19.08.2003, F.T. Hovore, I.P. Swift (CHAH).