Apodrosus argentatus Wolcott 1924: 130

Girón, Jennifer C. & Franz, Nico M., 2010, Revision, phylogeny and historical biogeography of the genus Apodrosus Marshall, 1922 (Coleoptera: Curculionidae: Entiminae), Insect Systematics & Evolution 41, pp. 339-414 : 372-377

Apodrosus argentatus Wolcott 1924: 130

( Fig. 11 )

= Apodrusus argentatus (in Wolcott 1924: 130 – error)

Diagnosis

Apodrosus argentatus is characterized by the combination of large and flattened eyes, an indistinct nasal plate, an evenly distributed vestiture composed mainly of whitish (or silvery) to light brown and black, iridescent (greenish to pinkish) scales forming a spotty pattern in the mid region of elytra, and a complete separation of elytral striae IX and X along their entire length. This species may be differentiated from A. eximius by its large and flattened eyes, a parallel-sided (as opposed to constricted) rostrum, and the spottily patterned scale coverage in the mid region of the elytra. It furthermore differs from A. mammuthus by its smaller size, shorter and wider (as opposed to elongate) head, and the lack of a pair of denticled pads on the endophallus positioned apicad of the midpoint of the aedeagus.

Specimens examined

“DOM. REP., Independencia, Postrer Rio, Hwy 48, 8-29-1997, C. W. O’Brien” (CWOB: 4 ♂); “DOM. REP., Independencia, 8 Km W. Duverge, 8-29-1997, P. W. Kovarik” (CWOB: 1 ♂); “D. R., Independencia, Lake Enriquillo National Park, La Azufrada, 4 km east of La Descubierta; -20 m, N 18°33′45.9″ W 71°41′53.1″/ Jun 11/2008 (RD 11-1), Leg. N. Franz, J. Girón, A. Mazo, S. Navarro” (UPRM: 3 ♂, 2 ♀);“REPUBLICA DOMINICANA, Bar., 6 Km NW. Fundación, 1 September 1983, W. E. Clark” (CWOB: 8 ♂, 6 ♀); “REPUBLICA DOMINICANA, Barahona, 11 Km SW. Paraiso, 4 September 1983, W. E. Clark” (CWOB: 2 ♂, 1 ♀); “DOM. REP., S. R., 9 Km E. Stgo. Rodriguez, May 28, 1978, C. W. & L. B. O’Brien & Marshall” (CWOB: 35 ♂, including 1 dissected, 22 ♀, including 1 dissected); “DOM. REP., S. R., 12 Km E. Stgo. Rodriguez, May 28, 1978, C. W. & L. B. O’Brien & Marshall” (CWOB: 10 ♂, including 1 dissected, 8 ♀); “DOM. REP., S. R., 14 Km E. Stgo. Rodriguez, May 28, 1978, C. W. & L. B. O’Brien & Marshall” (CWOB: 7 ♂, 4 ♀); “DOM. REP., Stgo., 6 Km NE. Jose de Bisono, May 28, 1978, C. W. & L. B. O’Brien & Marshall” (CWOB: 30 ♂, 21 ♀); “DOMINICAN REPUBLIC, Monte Cristi Prov., 5.3 Km N Villa Elisa, 26 May 1992, R. Turnbow” (CMNC: 1 ♀; RHTC: 1♂, 1♀); “DOMINICAN REPUBLIC, Monte Cristi, 4.8 Km N Villa Elisa, mv+bl, 31 May 1994, R. Turnbow” (RHTC: 1♀);“DOMINICAN REPUBLIC, Monte Cristi, 5 Km N Villa Elisa, 31 May 1994, R. Turnbow” (RHTC: 1♂, 2♀);“DOMINICAN REPUBLIC, Monte Cristi, 4.8 Km N Villa Elisa, 2 June 1994, R. Turnbow” (RHTC: 1♂); “DOMINICAN REPUBLIC, Monte Cristi, 5 Km N Villa Elisa, 3June 1994, R. Turnbow” (RHTC: 1♂); “DOM. REP., S. J., 28 Km SE. San Juan, August 6 1979, C. W. O’Brien” (CWOB: 9 ♂, including 1 dissected, 6 ♀, including 1 dissected); “DOM. REP., S. J., 16 Km SE. San Juan, August 8 1979, C. W. O’Brien” (CWOB: 3 ♂, 3 ♀); “DOM. REP., S. J., 28 Km SE. San Juan, August 8 1979, C. W. O’Brien” (CWOB: 3 ♂, including 1 dissected, 3 ♀); “DOM. REP., Pto. Plata, 6 Km W. Puerto Plata, V-28- 1978, C. W. & L. B. O’Brien & Marshall” (CWOB: 1 ♀); “DOM. REP., Azua, 20 Km E. Azua, August 6 1979, G. B. Marshall” (CWOB: 9 ♂, 10 ♀); “DOM. REP., Azua, 20 Km E. Azua, August 6 1979, L. B. O’Brien” (CWOB: 1 ♀); “DOMINICAN REP., Bani, 4 Nov 1973, J. & S. Klapperich” (CWOB: 2 ♀); “DOMINICAN REP., Bani, 2-III-1974, J. & S. Klapperich” (CWOB: 1 ♂); “D. R., Ázua, El Número, Rd. Baní to Ázua, Km 21, dry forest (middle of trail), 190 m, N 18°22′8.6″, W 70°30′41.8″/ Jun 07 2008, (RD 7-2), Leg. N. Franz, J. Girón, A. Mazo, S. Navarro, G. de los Santos” (UPRM: 10 ♂, including 1 dissected; 4 ♀, including 1 dissected); “Faro de Cabo Rojo, P. R., IV-20-1929/ Coll: S. T. Danforth” (UPRM: 2 ♀); “Faro de Cabo Rojo, P. R., 22 Aug 1936, Coll: J. A. Ramos” (UPRM: 1 ♂);“Faro de Cabo Rojo, P. R., June-12-1943, Coll: J. A. Ramos” (UPRM: 1 ♂); “PUERTO RICO, Cabo Rojo, light house, 4-I- 1988, N. Virkki” (CWOB: 4 ♂); “PUERTO RICO, Cabo Rojo, Faro de Cabo Rojo, 140 m, N 17°56′3″, W 67°11′30″, Beating plants, Dec 9-2008, Leg. J. Girón, A. Mazo” (UPRM: 7 ♂, 4 ♀); “PUERTO RICO, Cabo Rojo, Faro de Cabo Rojo, 140 m, N 17°56′3″, W 67°11′30″, Beating plants, Dec 9-2008, Leg. J. Girón, A. Mazo” (UPRM: 7 ♂, 4 ♀); “Mayaguez, P. R., I-1936, Coll: J. A. Ramos” (UPRM: 1 ♂); “Puerto Rico (USA), Bosque Estatal Susúa, nr. Quebrada Peces, 180 m, N 18°03.99′, W 66°54.50′/ on vegetation at night, leg. N. Franz, J. Girón & C. Castellanos, IX-29- 2007” (UPRM: 6 ♂, 4 ♀); “Puerto Rico, Lajas, Llanos, Laguna Cartagena, National Wildlife Refuge/ Feb 03-2008, Leg. J. Cardona, N. Fanz, J. Girón, A. Mazo (UPRM: 20 ♂, 16 ♀); “Puerto Rico, La Parguera, 18-VI-1969, W. C. Gagné” (CWOB: 1 ♀); “La Parguera, P. R., July 28, 1969, H. & A. Howden” (CMNC: 28 ♂, 31 ♀; FSCA: 2 ♂, 1 ♀); “Puerto Rico (USA), Lajas, La Parguera, Rte. 324 Km 6.3, 25 m, N 17°58.50′, W 66°59.15′/ attracted to Hg/UV lights, leg. N. Franz & C. Molini, I-01-2007” (UPRM: 5 ♂, 7 ♀); “Lajas, P. R., 4 Sept 1948, Coll: Doittreau” (UPRM: 1 ♀); “Yauco, P. R., XI-1934, Coll: V. Biaggi” (UPRM: 1 ♂, 1 ♀); “Santa Rita, P. R., June 1914, E. G. Smyth, coll. Ac. No. -1” (CWOB: 2 ♂); “Insular Forest Guanica, P. R., July- 193-, Coll: F. Mora ” (UPRM: 1 ♂); “Guánica Insular Forest, P.R., Nov 6, 1953/J. Maldonado Capriles Coll.” (UPRM: 1 ♀); “PUERTO RICO, Guanica Forest, II-20-1969, night, L. & C. W. O’Brien” (UPRM: 1 ♂); “Guanica Forest, P. R., VII 25-26, 1969, H. & A. Howden” (CMNC: 14 ♂, 19 ♀; FSCA: 1 ♂); “Guanica Forest, P. R., VII 27, 1969, H. & A. Howden” (CMNC: 24 ♂, 20 ♀); “Guanica Forest, P. R., VII 29, 1969, H. & A. Howden” (CMNC: 4 ♂, 5 ♀); “PUERTO RICO, Guanica For., Hwy 333 nr Playa Tamarindo, 27-V-1986, E. G. Riley & D. A. Rider” (CWOB: 1 ♂, 1 ♀); “PUERTO RICO, Guanica Forest, Hwy 334 at Ranger Sta., 28-V-1986, E. G. Riley & D. A. Rider” (CWOB: 6 ♂, 3 ♀); “USA, Puerto Rico, Bosque Seco de Guánica, Sendero Ballena, 30 m, N 17°57′31″, W 66°51′43″/ Beating at night, leg. N. M. Franz & N. J. Martinez, V-23-2006” (UPRM: 11 ♂, including 2 dissected; 11 ♀); “Puerto Rico (USA), Bosque Seco Guánica, N 17°57.31′, W 66°51.43′/ 30 m, at UV light trap, leg. N. Franz, V-23-2006” (UPRM: 4 ♂, 1♀); “USA, Puerto Rico, Bosque Seco Guánica, Sendero Ballena, 65 m, N 17°57′45″, W 66°51′45″/ Beating plants, leg. N. Franz & J. Metcalf, VII-20-2006” (UPRM: 29 ♂, including 4 dissected, 16 ♀); “USA, Puerto Rico, Bosque Seco Guánica, Sendero Ballena, 40 m, N 17°57′37″, W 66°51′44″/ Night collecting (UV light), leg. Castellanos, Franz, Velázquez, Tamaris, Yussef, IX-22- 2006” (UPRM: 29 ♂, including 1 dissected, 16 ♀); “Puerto Rico (USA), Bosque Seco Guánica, Sendero Ballenas, 45 m, N 17°57.64′, W 66°51.74′/ beating plants at night, leg. J. López & N. Franz, VI-18-2007” (UPRM: 11 ♂, 19 ♀); “USA, Puerto Rico, Bosque Seco Guánica, Sendero Ballenas, 80 m, N 17°57′72″, W 66°51′86″/ beating plants at night, leg. N. Franz & J. Girón, IX-01-2007” (UPRM: 2 ♂, dissected, 6 ♀); “PUERTO RICO, Rte. 333, near Pta. Vaquero, 20-VI-1969/ Pygmy Thorn Scrub Forest, W. C. Gagné” (CWOB: 1 ♂, 2 ♀); “PUERTO RICO, Peñuelas Mountains, 9-I-1986, N. Virkki” (CWOB: 3 ♀); “PUERTO RICO, Playa de Ponce, 16-III-1987, N. Virkki” (CWOB: 1 ♂, 2 ♀); “Caja de Muertos, P. R., March 22-23, 1935, Coll: V. Biaggi Jr.” (UPRM: 1 ♀); “P. R. Acc No. 49-89, Juana Diaz, P. R., Fortune Agr. Exp. Sta., Ex: Pepper plant, June 9 1989, H Ruiz” (CWOB: 1 ♂, 1 ♀); “Puerto Rico, Carite State Forest, Route 184, Km 17.8, Charco Azul, 600 m, N 18°05′28″, W 66°02′02″, beating/sweeping plants/Berlesse, leg. N. franz, A. Mazo, L. Vásquez, S. Yuseff, X-03- 2009” (UPRM: 15 ♂, 13 ♀); “Vieques, P. R., 27-Dec-1935, Coll: S. T. Danforth/ in stomach of Elaenia martinica riisi ” (UPRM: 1 ♂); “Puerto Rico (USA), Vieques, Cerro/ Playa Caracas, 5 m, beating/sweeping plants/ N 18°06.67′, W 65°24.77′, leg. N. Franz & J. Girón, XI-17-2007” (UPRM: 2 ♀); “North Coast, St. Croix, V. I., June 1942, O. García” (UPRM: 1 ♀).

Redescription

Body length 3–5 mm; in dorsal view ( Fig. 11A ) 2-times greatest width which is at midpoint of elytra; dorsal outline in lateral view subplane to slightly convex. Integument surface smooth; vestiture uniformly composed of white to light brown and black, iridescent (greenish to pinkish) scales, with recurvate, decumbent, brown setae. Eyes ( Fig. 11B ) 1.5-times longer than wide, slightly projected, 0.5-times width and 0.7- times length of head in lateral view, separated from anterior margin of prothorax by 0.3-times greatest diameter of eye; line of anterior margin of eyes flat; shortest distance between eyes (in dorsal view) 0.3-times greatest width of pronotum; median furrow ( Fig. 11B ) linear, deep, extending from anterior margin of eyes beyond their posterior margin, though not reaching anterior margin of pronotum. Rostrum ( Fig. 11B ) 1.1- times longer than wide; median dorsal region slightly produced; epistome apically with 3–4 setae situated on each side, extending posteriorly as a longitudinal narrow keel to midpoint of rostrum; nasal plate not defined. Length of rostrum in lateral view 1.1- times its basal width; antennal insertion approximately at midpoint of rostrum; scrobe curved downwards by 45°, directed posteriorly at end, extending to anterior third of eye, separated from it by 1.3-times width of scrobe. Mandibles with 2 lateral setae, pharyngeal process 0.9-times length of mandible. Maxillae with cardo 4-times longer than its greatest width; stipes with 2 long lateral setae; galeo-lacinial complex mesally extending to midpoint of maxillary palpomere II, with 6–8 tongue-like apically narrowed setae at apex, a basal tuft of narrower and shorter setae, 3 lacinial teeth, and a tuft of long fine setae at base of lacinia; maxillary palpomeres similar in length, I and II with 2 mesal long lateral setae. Labium with prementum slightly longer than wide, with external surface sculptured. Antennae light brown; antennal scape extending to posterior margin of eye; funicular antennomere I 1.3-times longer than II; antennal club 0.8-times length of funicle, 3-times longer than wide. Pronotum ( Fig. 11A ) subquadrate, slightly wider than long, greatest width at apical third; dorsal surface shallowly puncturate, each puncture with a curved, spatulate, brown seta; posterior margin slightly bisinuate, 1.2-times wider than anterior margin; prothorax in lateral view with dorsal outline 1.4-times length of ventral outline; scutellum subcircular, covered with scales. Mesosternum ( Fig. 11D ) 0.8-times length of prosternum. Metasternum with lateral portions posteriorly produced (in lateral profile gradually ascending towards posterior fourth, thereafter descending roundly, posterior face covered with scales); distance between posterior margin of mesocoxae and anterior margin of metacoxae 0.8-times length of prosternum. Metendosternite with furcal arms 1.5-times longer than stalk, positioned at nearly 120° in relation to horizontal axis; ventral margin of stalk 2.7-times its dorsal width. Legs with profemora 1.2-times length of pronotum; tibiae with fine, long setae along ventral margin; claws subparallel. Elytra in dorsal view ( Fig. 11A ) 1.8-times their greatest width which is 1.4-times wider than pronotum; anterior margins slightly sinuate; humeral region 1.5-times width of posterior margin of pronotum; apex roundly truncate; in lateral view ( Fig. 11C ) with dorsal outline subplane to slightly convex; posterior declivity distinct, rounded; striae IX and X completely separated along their entire length; intervals completely covered with oval scales forming a pattern of alternating darker and lighter areas (each with ±20 scales) in mid region; interval X slightly produced at second sixth; with recurvate, spatulate, brown setae. Wings 1.8-times length of elytra, 3.5-times longer than wide; costal margin slightly emarginate along basal half; apex rounded, slightly narrower than base; cubital margin slightly rounded; alar venation well developed, 3A intersecting with 2A; 4A as a dark though not sclerotized stripe; anal area with margin slightly emarginate. Venter ( Fig. 11D ) with long, erect, setiform scales, apically truncate; ♂: IV 1.5-times longer than V and VI jointly, 1.1-times length of VII, VII with anterior margin 2-times wider than its length, posterior margin widely rounded; ♀: IV 1.8-times longer than V and VI jointly, 1.7-times length of VII, VII with anterior margin 2.5-times wider than its length, posterior margin slightly narrowed mesally.

Terminalia. Male with tergum VII 2.1-times wider than its mesal length, mesal area 1.5-times wider than a strigulate stripe, with scarce setae; anterior margin with mesal area roundly projected, posterior margin emarginate. Tergum VIII 1.7-times wider than its mesal length; anterior margin slightly emarginate; surface with an anteapical, concave, rounded fold; posterior margin widely rounded. Sternum VIII with spiculum relictum forming a forked process with base 3-times longer than wide and as long as each arm, arms darker for the most part. Spiculum gastrale with apodeme 1.1-times longer than aedeagus, each furcal arm sclerotized, subtriangular to oval, with parallel inner margins, corners rounded. Tegmen with tegminal apodeme 0.7-times length of aedeagus; tegminal plate posteriorly slightly projected as a central triangle, roundly pointed. Aedeagus in dorsal view ( Fig. 11E ) 4.2-times longer than its greatest width, slightly narrowed basad of midpoint; apex set off, mesally widely projected, apically roundly truncate, with a dark margin continuously and broadly rounded; mesal region of apex with longitudinal sculptured stripes; apex of lateral margins roundly angulated. Endophallus with a pair of lateral, longitudinal, opposed plates positioned near apex; with an elongate, rhomboidal, median sclerite, positioned apicad of midpoint of aedeagus; with a pair of dark opposed, sickle-shaped sclerites positioned basad of midpoint, between these with a pair of lighter, smaller sclerites; and with 2 lateral rows of 3–6 stepwise alternating triangular teeth. Aedeagus in lateral view ( Fig. 11F ) 10-times longer than its greatest width. Aedeagal apodemes 0.8-times length of aedeagus.

Female. With tergum VII 1.3-times wider than its mesal length, posterior margin rounded. Tergum VIII nearly trapezoidal, 1.4-times wider than long. Sternum VIII with semicircular lamina, occupying posterior one fifth. Coxites+styli nearly as long as lamina of sternum VIII, stylus 2.6-times longer than its greatest width, with 3-4 apical, long setae. Genital chamber 0.8-times length of sternum VIII. Spermatheca ( Fig. 11G ) 1.5-times longer than wide, Y-shaped; cornu slightly shorter than greatest width of spermatheca; ramus apically truncate; collum apically narrowed; surface striate at flexion point of cornu and collum, scale-like at external apex of collum.

Variation

Th e examined specimens vary mainly in color pattern, often having three unaligned dark spots at or apicad of midpoint of elytra on intervals III, V and VII.

Natural history

Apodrosus argentatus has the widest distributional range among all species of the genus, occurring primarily in lower-elevation (-13 m to 280 m) and dry forest habitats in the northern and southwestern regions of the Dominican Republic (new record), southwestern Puerto Rico, Vieques Island (new record), and St. Croix (new record) ( Fig. 19B ). Turnbow and Thomas (2008: 30) have reported this species from Andros Island (Forfar Field Station, Maidenhair Coppice and Stafford Creek), however these specimens correspond to A. empherefasciatus ; therefore the previous (2008) record must be now be considered an error (emended record, misidentification). Conversely, previous report of A. argentatus occurring on Mona Island (e.g., Wolcott 1941, 1948; Ramos 1946; Franz et al. 2009) must now be regarded as erroneous (emended record, misidentification), since the species in question is the closely related A. mammuthus . The adults of A. argentatus have been reported feeding on Dalbergia ecastophyllum Taub. (Fabaceae) and Guaicum sanctum Linnaeus (Zygophyllaceae) (Wolcott 1924), although the actual host range is assumed to be much wider (pers. obs.). Martorell (1976) lists the following additional putative host plant species of A. argentatus : Cassia polyphylla Jacq. (Fabaceae) , Colubrina elliptica (Sw.) Briz. & W.L. Stern (Rhamnaceae) , Conocarpus erectus Linnaeus (Combretaceae) , Gossypium barbadense Linnaeus (Malvaceae) , Guaiacum officinale Linnaeus (Zygophyllaceae) and Tamarindus indica Linnaeus (Fabaceae) .

Figures

Fig. 11. Apodrosus argentatus. (A) habitus, dorsal view; (B) head, frontal view; (C) habitus, lateral view; (D) habitus, ventral view; (E) and (F) aedeagus in dorsal and lateral view, respectively; (G) spermatheca. This figure is published in colour in the online version of this journal, which can be accessed via http:// www.brill/ise

Fig. 19. Occurrences of Puerto Rican Apodrosus species: (A) A. epipolevatus and A. wolcotti; (B) A. argentatus which is also present on the islands of Hispaniola, Vieques and St. Croix (see Fig. 18).