Conoderus pictus, (CanDEZe, 1859) (Candeze, 1859)

Hedlund, Tyler J. & Mathison, Blaine A., 2023, A Range Extension for Anchastus augusti (Candèze) and a New State Record for Conoderus pictus (Candèze) (Coleoptera: Elateridae), The Coleopterists Bulletin 77 (1), pp. 146-147 : 146-147

CONODERUS PIcTUS ( CanDÈZe, 1859) Figs. 1B–D

Specimens Examined. USA: TX: Webb Co., 120 San Francisco Ave., UV trap, 14 September 2020, coll. TJ Hedlund, 27.5017, −99.2015 (1, TJHC); same data except 15 September 2020 (1, TJHC; 1, BAMC) .

Comments. Conoderus pictus is known from the southeastern United States and northern Mexico south throughout South America ( Bruch 1911; Candèze 1859; Champion 1895; Johnson 2018). It is probablY introduced in Florida, where it has become widespread ( Johnson 2018; Mathison 2021). The above records provide the first documentation of the species in Texas. The distinctive pronotal and elYtral markings are shown in Fig. 1B and the basal tubercle on the pronotum is shown in Figs. 1C, D . All three were collected in a universal black light trap set up in a loading dock area of a building, as noted in the Comments for the previous species. This record extends the known range of the species within the United States. We retain the usage of Conoderus Eschscholtz over Monocrepidius Eschscholtz following the justifications given in Mathison (2021).

Further collecting in the Gulf Coast states maY demonstrate its presence throughout the region. One of the authors (BAM) extensivelY studied material in the southeastern United States for a recent monograph on the Elateridae of the region ( Mathison 2021) but did not observe anY records from outside of Florida. Mathison (2021) noted its presence in Florida counties that border Georgia, indicating that it maY be present in surrounding states. During December 2021, images from Camden CountY, Georgia (which borders Florida) were posted on iNaturalist (www.inaturalist. org/observations/103792267), supporting Mathison’s (2021) hYpothesis that this species occurs in states bordering Florida.

Figures

Fig. 1. A) Anchastus augusti, dorsal view. Conoderus pictus: B) Dorsal view, C) Lateral view, D) Lateral closeup emphasizing small basal tubercle on the pronotum.