Scolytinae

Atkinson, Thomas H., 2024, New species, new synonymy, taxonomic notes and new records of bark and ambrosia beetles from the southwestern United States and northern Mexico (Coleoptera: Curculionidae: Platypodinae and Scolytinae), Zootaxa 5424 (2), pp. 151-175 : 166-173

Scolytinae

Cactopinus desertus Bright, 1967 . ( Fig. 8 C ). This species has been reported from inland southern California to the tip of Baja California and mainland Sonora. A new record from Arizona indicates that the range of the beetle coincides with that of its host, Bursera microphylla , which falls completely within the range of the Sonoran Desert. There are numerous isolated populations of the host in southern Arizona (purple shading, Fig. 8 C ) so one would expect a wider distribution. United States: Arizona *: Yuma Co.: I-8 near Telegraph Pass, [32.6594 N, 114.3192 W], 4-IV-2002, Bursera microphylla , dead branch, Warner, W.B. (ASUT, 20; TAMU, 20; UAIC, 9; UTIC, 2; WBWC, 20).

Carphobius arizonicus Blackman, 1943 . ( Fig. 8 D ). This species breeds in junipers near the Mexican border in the U.S. as far south as the state of Mexico on the foothills above the Chihuahuan Desert and in adjacent canyons. It apparently breeds in any species of juniper within its range. México: Coahuila *: Cuahtemoc, 25.2877 N, 100.9296 W, 2382 m, 5-V-2015, Juniperus flaccida, Atkinson, T.H. ( ASUT, 4; CEAM, 8; TAMU, 8; UAIC, 4; UTIC, 13) .

Carphoborus pinicolens Wood, 1954 . ( Fig. 8 E ). This species is widely distributed in the western United States in pines in drier forests, especially pinyon pines. It has been found in higher elevations in northern Baja California and will likely be found further into northern Mexico. The new record from Oklahoma reported here is from a pinyon-dominated forest in the extreme western part of the state. United States: Oklahoma *: Cimmaron Co.: Wheeless, 7.7 airmiles NW, 27.6376 N, 98.8409 W, 5-V-2021, Pinus cembroides, Atkinson, T.H. ( UTIC, 7) .

Chramesus subopacus Schaeffer, 1908 . ( Fig. 8 F ). Blackman (1938: 541) described Chramesus canus from

2 females and 1 male from Tallulah, Louisiana. The holotype is female, despite the fact that the major diagnostic features in this genus are in the male frons. Wood’s synonymy with C. subopacus (1971: 143) is correct. The type locality for C. canus in NE Louisiana is a geographic outlier. The specimens reported as C. s ubopacus from Florida ( Wood 1982: 334) in Wood’s collection and in TAMU are C. chapuisii . All other collections of Chramesus from Celtis spp. in eastern Texas, Louisiana and Florida are C. chapuisii . Other collections of C. subopacus are from south central Texas and southeastern Arizona to Honduras where it breeds in various species of Celtis at lower elevations. México: Nuevo León *: General Teran, [25.2584 N, 99.6816 W], 7-VII-1985, Celtis pallida, Cardoz G., O. (CEAM, 2); Valle Alto, [25.5736 N, 100.2569 W], 3-III-1986, Celtis pallida, Cardoz G., O. (CEAM, 1); Chiapas *: 15 km S jct. 190 on hwy 53 [on label as hwy 35], [16.6151 N, 93.4312 W], 3-C-1986, Wappes, J.E. (FSCA, 1).

Chramesus chapuisii LeConte, 1876 . ( Fig. 9 A ). Wood (1982: 334) cited a series collected with label data “Alachua Co., 15-IX-1976, Celtis laevigata, T.H. Atkinson ” as C. subopacus . Other specimens from that collection are C. chapuisii (currently in TAMU collection). The specimens that he retained in his collection have also been reexamined (currently in the USNM) and are C. chapuisii LeConte. Chramesus chapuisii is widely distributed from central and eastern Texas north to Illinois and also occurs in moist forests above 1,000 m and in mixed temperate broadleaf forests in the Sierra Madre Oriental in northeastern Mexico.

Cnesinus electinus Wood, 1967 . ( Fig. 9 B ). This species is found in moist environments at intermediate elevations in Central and southern Mexico. All collections from known hosts are from Lauraceae . The localities in Nuevo Leon correspond to the northernmost extensions of this type of Neotropical plant community in Mexico where it is restricted to moist canyons. México: Nuevo León *: Linares, 21 km SE, [24.7342 N, 99.3965 W], 7- VII-1985, Rodriguez, J.A. (CEAM, 1); Allende, [25.2833 N, 100.0167 W], 26-IX-1985, Cardoz G., O., Persea americana (CEAM, 5).

Cnesinus setulosus Blandford, 1896 . ( Fig. 9 C ). This species is widely distributed in tropical and subtropical communities throughout Mexico as far south as Panama. Unlike the previous species it is found in a wider variety of habitats including dry forest. México: Nuevo León *: General Terán, [25.2584 N, 99.6816 W], 7-VII-1985, Pithecellobium flexicaule, Cardoz G., O. (CEAM, 4); Allende, [25.2833 N, 100.0167 W], 8-VIII-1985, Fabaceae, Cardoz G., O. (CEAM, 2).

Corthylus flagellifer Blandford 1904 . ( Fig. 9D ). This species is found in moist temperate woodlands from Mexico to Panama, generally above 1,000 m. The record from Nuevo León is likely from the northernmost part of its range as that forest type is restricted to moist canyons at that latitude. México: Nuevo León *: Cerro Chipinque, [25.582 N, 100.419 W], 4-IV-1986, UV light, Cardoz G., O. ( CEAM, 1); Hidalgo *: Cerro Boludo, 23 km SW Tamazunchale, [21.2000 N, 98.9056 W], 4-VI-1987, Turnbow, R.H. ( RHTC, 1); Cd. Mexico *: Jardín Botánico, campus UNAM, [19.3190 N, 99.1934 W], 13-IX-1968 ( CNIN, 3); Honduras *: El Paraíso: Cerro Montserrat, Yuscaran, [13.9432 N, 86.8538 W], 26-XI-1993, Ortega, R. ( EAPZ, 1) .

Dendroterus striatus (LeConte, 1868) . ( Fig. 9 E ).This species has been reported from inland southern California to the tip of Baja California and mainland Sonora. A new record from Arizona indicates that the range of the beetle coincides with that of its host, Bursera microphylla , which falls completely within the range of the Sonoran Desert. There are numerous isolated populations of the host in southern Arizona (purple shading, Fig. 9 E ) so one would expect a wider distribution. United States: Arizona *: Yuma Co.: I-8 near Telegraph Pass, [32.6594 N, 114.3192 W], 4-IV-2002, Bursera microphylla , dead branch, Warner, W.B. (UTIC, 6; WBWC, 7).

Gnathotrichus perniciosus Wood, 1967 . ( Fig. 9 F ). This species is frequently found in pines in the ranges Mexico and Central America from Chihuahua in the northwest and from Nuevo León in the northeast. México: Nuevo León *: Iturbide, [24.725 N, 99.906 W], 12-XII-1982, Pinus pseudostrobus, Cantu, C. ( CEAM, 4) .

Hylastes mexicanus Wood, 1967 . ( Fig. 10 A ). This species is found in pines in northwestern, northeastern, and central Mexico and Arizona. México: Tamaulipas *: Est. Biol. Canindo, near San José, [23.0521 N, 99.2318 W], 1400 m, 7-VII-1993, UV light, Riley, E.G.; Quinn, M.A. ( TAMU, 1); Jalisco *: Cd. Guzmán, [19,7094 N, 103.4610 W], 16-II-1988, Campos B., R. & Cibrian T., D. ( TAMU, 1); same except 23-II-1988 ( TAMU, 1); same except 3- I-1988 ( TAMU, 1) .

Hypothenemus woodi Bright, 2019 (= Trischidias minutissima Wood ). ( Fig. 10 B ). This tiny species was described and previously known from southern Florida. The records from southern Texas show that it has a much broader distribution. Because of its small size it is likely that this species has been overlooked. United States: Texas *: Cameron Co.: Sabal Palm Grove, 25.848 N, 97.4188 W, 2-II-2009, 3-III-2009, flight intercept trap, at ground, King, J.; Riley, E.G. ( TAMU, 1); same but 4-IV-2009, Lindgren funnel trap ( TAMU, 2); same but 3-III-2009 ( TAMU, 1) .

Ips pilifrons utahensis Wood, 1960 . ( Fig. 10 C ). This is another large range extension of Nearctic species associated with spruce found in the narrowly endemic Picea engelmanni mexicana . Other species from the same area include Polygraphus convexifrons Wood and Dryocoetes autographus (Ratzeburg) in spruce, and Trypophloeus populi (Hopkins) in trembling aspen ( Atkinson & Equihua 1985, 1988; Equihua & Burgos 1993). México *: Coahuila: Co.: Mesa de las Tablas, [25.2333 N, 100.4167 W], 6-VI-1987, Picea mexicana, Cibrián T., D. (USNM, 8).

Loganius confinis Wood, 1961 . ( Fig. 10 D ).Although seldom collected, the range of species appears to coincide with that of its host, Sebastiana biocularis , in the Sonoran Desert. United States *: Arizona: Pima Co.: Little Ajo Mtns., Scenic Loop, 32.3411 N, 112.8602 W, 555 m, 11-XI-2015, Sebastiania bilocularis, Atkinson, T.H. (ASUT, 4; BMNH, 8; CEAM, 6; FSCA, 7; UAIC, 6; UTIC, 9).

Loganius fastigius Wood, 1961 . ( Fig. 10 E ). This species is found in xeric shrub communities from southern Arizona and Nuevo León to Oaxaca. It apparently breeds in several different species of Euphorbiaceae given that Sebastiana biocularis does not occur in eastern and southern Mexico. Mexico: Nuevo León *: Valle Alto, [25.5736 N, 100.2569 W], 26-II-1986, Caroz G., O. (CEAM, 3; TAMU, 4). United States *: Arizona: Pima Co.: Little Ajo Mtns., Scenic Loop, 32.3411 N, 112.8602 W, 555 m, 11-XI-2015, Sebastiania bilocularis, Atkinson, T.H. (CEAM 5; TAMU, 4; UAIC, 4; UTIC, 8).

Micracis ovata Wood, 1956 . ( Fig. 10 F ). All records to date are from a narrow region of mesic montane forest on coastal-facing slopes of Veracruz and Tamaulipas. México: Tamaulipas *: San José, [22.411 N, 99.056 W], 1400 m, UV light, Riley, E.G.; Quinn, M.A. ( TAMU, 4) .

Monarthrum huachucae Wood, 1959 . ( Fig. 11 A ). This species was described from Arizona was previously known only from there and adjacent areas in Sonora. It appears to be a sister taxon to Monarthrum scutellare (LeConte) from California and the west coast. It was recently reported from Durango (Fernandez G. et al. 2023): the specimen shown in Fig. 7 as Monarthrum dentigerum is a male of M. huachucae while the specimen shown in Fig. 9 as M. huachucae is a female of M. quercicolens Wood. United States: New Mexico *: Grant Co.: Pinos Altos, [32.8639 N, 108.222 W], 6-VI-1973, UV light, McCleve, S. (UAIC, 1); Mexico: Nuevo León *: Iturbide, [24.7250 N, 99.9060 W], 18-I-1985, Gonzales, J., Quercus cupreata (CEAM, 5).

Phloeosinus arizonicus Blackman, 1942 . ( Fig. 11 B ). This species has previously been reported from southern and central Arizona. The following record from Saltillo represents a significant range expansion. The beetles were collected in small trees of a planted species of Hesperocyparis growing off range on the southern side of the urban area. Suitable hosts occur naturally in the nearby mountains at around 1,000 m above the city. Collection localities for the very similar species, Phloeosinus tacubayae Hopkins , are also shown in Fig. 11 B for comparison. Cervantes et al. (2022) showed that P. tacubayae is likely to be more widely distributed, especially in the Sierra Madre Occidental. México *: Coahuila: Saltillo, 25.3451 N, 101.0289 W, 1952 m, 5-V-2015, Hesperocyparis arizonicus, Atkinson, T.H. (UAIC, 10; ASUT, 10; CEAM, 10; TAMU, 10; UTIC, 18).

Phloeotribus texanus Schaeffer, 1908 . Fig. (11 C). This species breeds in species of Celtis across the southern U.S. from Central Texas to South Carolina. It has also been collected from northern and central Mexico. It is likely to be found over a much wider area in Mexico given that Celtis iguanaea , a known host, is a common component of lowland dry tropical and moist evergreen tropical forests in much of Mexico. The new records from Arizona likely mark the northernmost part of its range which also corresponds with the distribution of its hosts. United States: Arizona *: Cochise Co.: Guadelupe Canyon, [31.3441 N, 109.0641 W], 4-IV-1977, Celtis sp. , McCleve, S. (UAIC, 4); Gila Co.: Pinal Mtns., [33.2822 N, 110.8206 W], 3-III-1937, Celtis sp. (UAIC, 2); Pima Co.: Helvetia, 6 mi E, [31.8578 N, 110.7881 W], 7-VII-1999, Skelley, P.E.; Thomas, M.C.; Skillman, F. (FSCA, 1).

Pityophthorus acutus Blackman, 1928 . Fig. (11 D). This pine-breeding species has been widely collected in the interior ranges of the southwestern U.S. and into northwestern Mexico. It is probably more widely distributed in Mexico. United States: Texas *: Jeff Davis Co.: Davis Mtns. Preserve, 30.6966 N, 104.125 W, 1833 m, 8-VIII-2017, Pinus ponderosa, Atkinson, T.H. ( UTIC, 20) .

Pityophthorus mexicanus Blackman, 1928 . ( Fig. 11E ).This species was described from Parthenium argentatum ( Asteraceae ), the guayule plant, a woody shrub found in the Chihuahuan Desert. This plant produces latex which has been examined as a replacement for natural rubber. Records from pines in central Mexico, questioned by Bright (1981), certainly do not belong to this species. The label data associated with a paratype putatively from Chapala, Jalisco, from “rubber tree” is also unlikely. United States *: Texas: Bakersfield, 30.8931 N, 102.322 W, 809 m, 8-VIII-2018, Parthenium argentatum, Atkinson, T.H. (CEAM, 4; TAMU, 4; UTIC, 13); same except 7-VII-2017 (UTIC, 1).

Pityophthorus quercinus Wood, 1967 . ( Fig. 11 F ). Bright (1981) treated Pityophthorus quercinus Wood with P. guatemalensis Blandford and reported it from trans Pecos Texas. The synonymy was not followed by Wood (1982) or Wood & Bright (1992). I have seen valid material of both nominal species which are distinguishable, with P. guatemalensis restricted to Central America. These species breed in oaks. This synonymy should be revisited should sufficient new material be found in southern Mexico. The following new record from western Texas fits P. quercinus . United States: Texas: Brewster Co.: Laguna Meadows Trail, Big Bend NP, 29.2547 N, 103.3064 W, 1676-1737 m, 7-VII-2002, Riley, E.G.; Riley, M. (TAMU, 2).

Pityotrichus barbatus (Blackman, 1928) . ( Fig. 12 A ). This unusual species was previously known from Arizona , New Mexico and western Texas where it breeds in dry woodlands. Most collections have been from species of pinyons. Its presence in Mexico is not surprising and is likely much more extensive. México *: Nuevo León: Cerro Chipinque, [25.582 N, 100.419 W], 5-V-1986, Cardoz G., O. ( UTIC, 1); Valle Alto, [25.5736 N, 100.2569 W], 9-IV-1986, Cardoz G., O. ( UTIC, 1) .

Pseudothysanoes frondicolens Wood, 1972 . ( Fig. 12 B ). This species occurs in dried leaves of trunk-forming species of Yucca in Arizona and southern California. It has been collected less often that P. yuccae , generally at higher elevations in xeric woodlands. México *: Coahuila: Cuahtemoc, 10 km W, 25.2494 N, 100.9217 W, 2,351 m, 5-V-2015, Yucca carnerosana , dry leaves in skirt, Atkinson, T.H. (ASUT, 4; CEAM, 6; TAMU, 6; UAIC, 6; UTIC, 14). United States: Arizona: Middlemarch Road, NE of Tombstone, 31.7360 N, 110.0802 W, 1,323 m, 25- IX-2015; Yucca baccata *, dry leaves in skirt, Atkinson, T.H. (BMNH, 8; UTIC, 19).

Pseudothysanoes turnbowi Wood, 1977 . This species is only known from the Rio Grande area of southeastern Texas. It likely occurs over a much wider area, at least in southern Texas and northeastern Mexico. The following are the first host records. United States: Texas: Hidalgo Co.: Bentsen-Rio Grande St. Pk., [26.1994 N, 98.4108 W], 3-III-1977, Celtis lindheimeri, Turnbow, R.H. (RHTC, 1); Mercedes, [26.1494 N, 97.9133 W], 8-VIII-1988, Fraxinus sp. , DeCell, M.A. (TAMU; 6); Cameron Co.: Sabal Palm Grove Ref, 28.8513 N, 97.4186 W, 10-X-2008, 1-I-2009, Ulmus crassifolia , emerged from collected branches, Riley, E.G. (TAMU, 37; UTIC, 4).

Pycnarthrum hispidum (Ferrari, 1867) . ( Fig. 12 C ).This species is widely distributed in the northern Neotropics and peninsular Florida where it breeds in a variety of native and ornamental species of Ficus ( Moraceae ). There are no native species of Ficus in Texas and ornamental species are very limited in distribution due to lack of cold hardiness. Two recent records from central Texas are from cultivated fig, F. carica .. The records from the lower Rio Grande valley are also likely to come from cultivated figs. The central Texas records suggest that P. hispidum may also occur in other states along the Gulf Coast where temperatures permit fig cultivation. A clearly identifiable photograph was posted from Sugarland, Texas (Fort Bend Co., just west of Houston) from cultivated fig (https:// bugguide.net/node/view/1765964/bgimage). United States: Texas *: Hidalgo Co.: McAllen, [26.2031 N, 98.2297 W], 5-V-1962, Ficus sp. , Flowers, L.M. (TAMU, 14); Cameron Co.: Sabal Palm Grove, 25.848 N, 97.4188 W, 4-IV–5-V-2009, flight intercept trap at ground, King, J.; Riley, E.G. (TAMU, 1); Travis Co.: Austin, 30.2507 N, 97.6998 W, 8-VIII-2020, Ficus carica, Atkinson, T.H. (UTIC, 2).

Pygmaeoborus cubensis Bright, 2019 . ( Fig. 12 D ). This species, recently described from Cuba , is a tiny species, easily confused at first glance with a species of Hypothenemus . Atkinson & Flechtmann (2022) showed that it is widely distributed as far as southern Brazil and has likely been overlooked. The records from southern Texas suggest that it will be found in Mexico and Central America as well. United States: Texas *: Cameron Co.: Laguna Atascosa, 26.2238 N, 97.3545 W, 3-III–4-IV-2009, flight intercept trap, dense coastal brush, King, J.; Riley, E.G. ( TAMU, 1); Sabal Palm Grove, 25.848 N, 97.4188 W, 4-IV–5-V-2009, flight intercept trap, ground, King, J.; Riley, E.G. ( TAMU, 1) .

Xyleborinus saxesenii (Ratzeburg, 1837) . ( Fig. 12 E ). This Eurasian species has been introduced in all continents except Antarctica and is widely distributed in temperate and subtropical areas of the world ( Wood & Bright 1992). Despite extensive collecting over decades there are very few records from Mexico. It has not been reported from Central America, but is present in temperate South America (southern Brazil, Paraguay, Uruguay, Argentina and Chile). Bright (2019) listed the species, but noted that no records were known from the Caribbean. It is possible that the rich fauna of xyleborine and corthyline ambrosia beetles in the Neotropics has limited its spread in tropical regions. The few Mexican records suggest that it is limited to higher elevations, possibly in disturbed or agricultural areas. Wood (1982) reported it from the state of Hidalgo with no further detail and northern Baja California. I have identified specimens from photographs in cultivated apple in the state of Chihuahua. México: Nuevo León *: Cerro Chipinque, [25.582 N, 100.419 W], 4-IV-1986, UV light, Cardoz G., O. (CEAM, 1); Valle Alto, [25.5736 N, 100.2569 W], 4-IV-1986, UV light, Cardoz G., O. (CEAM, 1).

Xyleborus planicollis Zimmermann, 1868 . ( Fig. 12F ). This species is widely distributed in eastern North America in mixed hardwood-conifer forests. United States: Texas *: Bastrop Co.: McDade, NW, 30.3256 N, 97.192 W, 10-X-2013, alpha-scents 4 vane trap with ethanol, Atkinson, T.H. ( UTIC, 2) .

Figures

FIGURE 7. Hylocurus schwarzi. Male holotype (USNMENT01356336): (A) Dorsal, (B) Lateral, (C) Frontal, (D) Posterior. Female: (E) Dorsal, (F) Lateral, (G) Frontal, (H) Posterior. Specimen data: A–D, Texas, Victoria, [28.8574 N, 97.0281 W], 27- III-1902, E.A. Schwarz (USNM); E–H, Texas, Brazos Co., College Station, 30.5885 N, 96.2537 W, 17-III-2003, E.G. Riley (TAMU). All photographs by the author.

FIGURE 8. Distribution maps. Newly reported records are represented by stars, previously reported records by solid circles. (A) Thysanoes texanus, (B) Oxoplatypus quadridentatus, (C) Cactopinus desertus, (D) Carphobius arizonicus, (E) Carphoborus pinicolens, (F) Chramesus subopacus.

FIGURE 9. Distribution maps. Newly reported records are represented by stars, previously reported records by solid circles. (A) Chramesus chapuisii, (B) Cnesinus electinus, (C) Cnesinus setulosus, (D) Corthylus flagellifer, (E) Dendroterus striatus, (F) Gnathotrichus perniciosus.

FIGURE 10. Distribution maps. Newly reported records are represented by stars, previously reported records by solid circles. (A) Hylastes mexicanus, (B) Hypothenemus woodi, (C) Ips pilifrons utahensis, (D) Loganius confinis, (E) Loganius fastigius, (F) Micracis ovata.

FIGURE 11. Distribution maps. Newly reported records are represented by stars, previously reported records by solid circles. (A) Monarthrun huachucae, (B) Phloeosinus arizonicus, P. tachubayae, (C) Phloeotribus texanus, (D) Pityophthorus acutus: (E) Pityophthorus mexicanus, (F) Pityophthorus quercinus, P. guatemalensis.

FIGURE 12. Distribution maps. Newly reported records are represented by stars, previously reported records by solid circles. (A) Pityotrichus barbatus, (B) Pseudothysanoes frondicolens, (C) Pycnarthrum hispidum, (D) Pygmaeoborus cubensis, (E) Xyleborinus saxesenii, (F) Xyleborus planicollis.