Amplioluperus, Viswajyothi & Clark, 2022

Viswajyothi, Keezhpattillam & Clark, Shawn M., 2022, New World genera of Galerucinae Latreille, 1802 (tribes Galerucini Latreille, 1802, Metacyclini Chapuis, 1875, and Luperini Gistel, 1848): an annotated list and identification key (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae), European Journal of Taxonomy 842, pp. 1-102 : 28

Genus Amplioluperus gen. nov.

urn:lsid:zoobank.org:act:E1537450-57C4-4683-84EE-2F679D6242DD

Type species

Luperus maculicollis LeConte, 1884 , by present designation.

Diagnosis

In this genus, the antennae extend to near the middle of the elytra, the third antennomere is less than twice as long as the second, the base of the pronotum is margined by a fine bead, and tibial spurs are present on at least the hind legs. The aedeagus is symmetrical, and the aedeagal orifice lacks a sclerotized covering. Males lack the extraordinary modifications found in some other genera of Scelidites (greatly swollen antennomeres, large apicolateral fovea on the elytra, large apical extension to the metatibia, unusually enlarged tarsi on the middle or hind legs, abdominal appendages). See the following key for additional diagnostic characters.

Etymology

The genus name Amplioluperus , refers to the large size of the type species, in comparison to beetles in related genera. It should be treated as a male noun.

Remarks

Amplioluperus gen. nov. includes three named species, all of which are here transferred from the genus Pseudoluperus : Amplioluperus maculicollis (LeConte, 1884) [originally named in Luperus Geoffroy, 1762 ] comb. nov., A. cyanellus (Horn, 1895) [originally named in Scelolyperus Crotch, 1874 ] comb. nov., and A. histrio (Horn, 1895) [originally named in Luperodes Motschulsky, 1858 ] comb. nov. Further investigation will likely prove that the pale form of “ Pseudoluperus cyanellus ” from Arizona is an undescribed species. True A. cyanellus is a darkly colored species occurring in the Baja California peninsula. This new genus is known only from the southwestern United States and northwestern Mexico (including the Baja California peninsula). See Fig. 120 for a habitus illustration.

It is noteworthy that Scelolyperus cyanellus Horn, 1895 (here transferred to Amplioluperus gen. nov.) is a homonym of Luperus cyanellus LeConte, 1865 (currently placed in Scelolyperus ). However, no replacement name is needed (ICZN article 59.2).

Figures

Figs 118–126. Dorsal views. 118. Monoaster fulgidus (Wilcox, 1965) comb. nov. 119. Mexiluperus sp. 120. Amplioluperus maculicollis (LeConte, 1884) comb. nov. 121. Monoaster linus (Wilcox, 1965) comb. nov. 122. Cornuventer tuberculatus (Blake, 1942) comb. nov. 123. Pseudoluperus longulus (LeConte, 1857). 124. Triarius lividus (LeConte, 1884). 125. Keitheatus blakeae (White, 1944). 126. Metacoryna fulvicollis Jacoby, 1888.