Dipropus simplex (LeConte)

Johnson, Paul J., 2016, Five new species of Dipropus Germar (Coleoptera: Elateridae) from west-central North America, and a lectotype designation for Elater soleatus Say, Insecta Mundi 2016 (523), pp. 1-27 : 18-19

Dipropus simplex (LeConte)

Dicrepidius simplex LeConte 1853: 462, 1858: 35 ; Lacordaire 1857: 171; Candèze 1859: 151 Ischiodontus simplex of LeConte 1861: 168, 1863: 46, 1866: 46; Horn 1885: 50; Candèze 1891: 61; Gemminger and Harold 1869: 1516; Crotch 1873: 70; Austin 1880: 28 (catalog number only, synonym of

I. soleatus ); Schwarz 1906: 77; Leng 1920: 174; Schenkling 1925: 91; Blackwelder 1944: 300 Dipropus simplex of Arnett 1962: 505 (by indication)

Diagnosis. Length of male 9.1–10.9 mm, width 2.6–3.2 mm. Body castaneous to piceocastaneous; legs concolorous to body; antennae infuscate. Ocular index 55–59. Antenna long, reaching to anterior margin of first abdominal ventrite; antennomere 8 reaching apex of hind angle, antennomeres 2–3, 7, 11 length ratio 1.0:3.4, 3.8, 7.2.

Pronotum trapezoidal, 1.1–1.2x wider than long. Metatarsomere length ratio 1.00:0.42:0.21:0.16:0.68.

Aedeagus with basal piece 0.54 of total length, paramere 0.43 of total length, paramere apex 0.37 of paramere length.

Female as for male, except body form slightly robust; antenna long, reaching metafemoral notch of elytra, antennomere 2–3, 7, 11 length ratio 1.0:2.4, 2.5, 4.5; metatarsomere length ratio 1.00:0.57:0.29:0.24:0.95.

Specimens Examined. Holotype, male: “Tex. / I. simplex Lec. / soleatus 9 / Type 2426” ( MCZ). TEXAS, [Bastrop Co.] Bastrop St. Pk., nr. Bastrop , 9.vi.1976, E.R. Hoebeke (1, UTIC); Bexar Co. , 22 mi. NW San Antonio, Scenic Oaks , at light, 19.ix.2014, Kyle E. Schnepp (5, KESC). Brown Co. , Camp Bowie Nat. Gd., Brownwood , 6.6 mi SE, 24.iii.2008 - 29.iv.2008, J.C. Abbott (1, UTIC); 24.vi.2008 - 04.ix.2008 (1, UTIC); [Brazoria Co.,] W. Columbia, 4 mi. S., 11-15.vii.[19]76 (1, UTIC). Brazos Co. , College Station , 31.viii.1996, E.G. Riley, UV (2, TAMU); Riley Estate , 30°58849°N, 96°25366°W, 12.vi.2008, E. Riley, UV (1, TAMU); 30°35’18”N, 96°15’12”W, 10.viii.2005, E. Riley, UV (1, TAMU); 16.viii.2005 (1, TAMU); same, vii.2003 (2, TAMU). Brooks Co. , 8 mi. S. Falfurrias, 12.ix.1987, coll. E.G. Riley (2, TAMU). Cameron Co. , Lennox Southmost Preserve, at light, 24.ix.2014, Kyle E. Schnepp (2, KESC). [Dimmit Co.] Catarina, 12 mi. E, 22-25.vi.[19]76 / night (3, UTIC). Hidalgo Co., Bentson-Rio Grande Valley St. Pk. 17-18.v.1979, E.G. Riley (2, TAMU); El Rancho Cima Scout Ranch, Iron Wheel Mesa, UV light, 29.9535°N, 98.1684°W, 24-29.vi.2007, E.G. Riley (5, TAMU); Santa Ana NWR (site 3), Wildlife Drive, 13.ix.2009, 26.07526°N, 98.13880°W, M. Quinn & E. Riley – 1084 (1, TAMU); near Bentsen RGVSP, 22.ix.2014, at light, Kyle E. Schnepp (1, KESC). Live Oak Co. , 6 mi. south of George West , 20.ix.2014, at light, Kyle E. Schnepp (8, KESC). Runnels Co. , Rowena, Brown Estate, Victor Street, 30.vii.2004, N. Brown, porch light (1, TAMU). San Patricio Co. , Welder Wildlife Foundation, Sinton, 12.5 km NE @ Hwy 77, N28.113, W97.418, 1-3.vii.2002, J.C. Abbott #1033 & Field class (1, UTIC). Travis Co. , Austin, Brackenridge Field Lab., 2.vi.1998, J.E. Gillaspy (1, UTIC); 170 m, 3-9.vii.1990, M. Kish, malaise trap (1, UTIC); 550 ft., 27.ix.1983, Scott E. Lacy (1, UTIC); 22.ix.2000, J.E. Gillaspy collector (1, UTIC); 3.x.2000, BL trap, J.E. Gillaspy, coll. (2, UTIC); 30°17’03”N, 97°46’42”W, 16.vii.1998, BL trap, J.E. Gillaspy collector (1, UTIC); 24.vi.1999 (6, UTIC); 23.vii.1999 (1, UTIC); 11.x.1999 (1, UTIC); Camp Mabry Nat. Guard, Austin, 16.vi-8.vii.2004, J.C. Abbott (1, UTIC). Val Verde Co. , Devils R. @ Dolan Falls , 13.3 mi W of Loma Alta, 18-22.vi.2001, J.C. Abbott #760 & Field Ent. class (1, UTIC); N29.88531 , W100.99407 , 12.vi-16.vi.2000, J.C. Abbott #703 & Field Ent. class (2, UTIC). Walker Co. , Huntsville State Park , Huntsville, 7.1 mi. S., 5-6.vii.2000, J.C. Abbott #711 & Field class (1, UTIC). LOUISIANA, St. Landry Par [ish], Sunset, black light trap, 18.vi.1981, coll. E.G. Riley (1, TAMU).

Notes. Described from Texas, D. simplex (LeConte) is a name that was commonly applied historically to specimens collected across the southwestern United States and northwestern Mexico. The type is in the Museum of Comparative Zoology, Harvard University, and was examined. Dipropus simplex is found from eastern Missouri to southern Michigan to Delaware, and south to Florida and Tamaulipas. Specimens previously attributed to D. simplex from the study region are here referred to D. sonora (see above). Horn (1885) reported his examination of the collection of J. L. LeConte and found a specimen arrangement in the latter’s cabinet that suggested that D. simplex may be a synonym of D. soleatus , but this was a misinterpretation.