Acromis spinifex (Linneaus 1763)

Chaboo, Caroline S., 2001, Revision And Phylogenetic Analysis Of Acromis Chevrolat (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae: Cassidinae: Stolaini), The Coleopterists Bulletin 55 (1), pp. 75-102 : 89-95

Acromis spinifex (Linneaus 1763)

Figs. 4–5, 8, 14–17, 20, 24–34

Acromis spinifex Chevrolat 1837:394 [catalog; attributed to Fabricius]; Boheman 1854:96 [synonym of S. spinifex ; description of variety a]; Boheman 1856:86 [synonym of S. spinifex ]; Maulik 1916:581 [characters]; Blackwelder 1946:743 [catalog]; Hinton 1981:304 [figure]; Windsor and Choe 1994:112 [natural history]; Borowiec 1996:121 [distribution]; Borowiec 1998:169 [distribution]; Borowiec 1999:83 [catalog].

Acromis nebulosa (Boheman) Buzzi 1980:61–67 [immature stages]; Windsor and Choe 1994:112 [natural history].

Acromis perforata Chevrolat 1837:394 [variety of A. spinifex , attributed to Fabricius].

Cassida angustata Linneaus 1767:578 [description; habitat as ‘‘India’’]; Olivier 1790:390 [description]; Olivier 1808:933 [description]: Boheman 1854:97 [synonym of S. spinifex ]; Boheman 1856:86 [synonym of S. spinifex ]; Spaeth 1914:52 [synonym of S. spinifex ]; Bruch 1914:370 [synonym of S. spinifex ]; Blackwelder 1946:743 [synonym of A. spinifex ]; Borowiec 1999:83 [synonym of A. spinifex ].

Cassida cerastes Voet 1806 [nomen nudum]: Boheman 1854:96 [synonym of S. spinifex ]; Boheman 1856:86 [synonym of S. spinifex ]; Bruch 1914: 370 [synonym of S. spinifex ].

Cassida perforata Pallas 1772:390 [description]; Pallas 1777:3 [description]; Fabricius 1777:219 [attributed to Pallas; description]; Fabricius 1781:111 [description]; Gmelin 1787:1638 [description]; Olivier 1790:386 [description]; Fabricius 1792:301 [description]; Lichtenstein 1795:66 [catalog]; Herbst 1799:343 [description]; Fabricius 1801:402 [synonym of C. spinifex ]; Olivier 1808:932 [description]; Chevrolat 1837:394 [variety of A. spinifex ]; Hope 1839:96 [new genus; attributed to Fabricius]; Hope 1840:160 [classified in Mesomphalidae]; Boheman 1854:96 [synonym of S. spinifex ; description of variety b]; Boheman 1856:86 [synonym of S. spinifex ]; Bruch 1914:370 [synonym of S. spinifex ]; Blackwelder 1946:743 [synonym of A. spinifex ]; Borowiec 1999:83 [synonym of A. spinifex ].

Cassida spinifex Linnaeus 1763:392 [original description]; Linnaeus 1767:576 [description]; Gemel 1787:1638 [description]; Herbst 1799:327 [description]; Olivier 1790:387 [description]; Fabricius 1801:402 [description]; Klug 1829:15 [list]; Hope 1839:96 [new genus]; Guérin­Méneville 1844: 288 [list]; Boheman 1854:96 [synonym of S. spinifex ]; Boheman 1856: 85 [synonym of S. spinifex ]; Spaeth 1914:52 [synonym of S. spinifex ]; Bruch 1914:370 [synonym of S. spinifex ]; Hincks 1950:506 [valid date; synonym of Acromis ]; Borowiec 1999:83 (synonym of A. spinifex ].

Selenis cerastes Voet : Gemminger and Harold 1876:3642 [nomen nudum]; Borowiec 1999:83 [nomen nudum].

Selenis nebulosa Boheman 1854:99 [original description]; Boheman 1856:86 [catalog]; Guérin 1853:109 [description]; Boheman 1854:99 [description]; Spaeth 1914:51 [catalog]; Maulik 1916:581 [synonym of S. spinifex ]; Blackwelder 1946:743 [checklist]; Buzzi 1980:63–67 [immature stages]; Borowiec 1999:83 [synonym of A. spinifex ].

Selenis spinifex Hope 1839: 96 [description]; Boheman 1850: plate 4 [illustrations]; Chapuis 1875:401 [characters]; Guérin 1953:109 [description]; Spaeth 1914:52 [catalog]; Bruch 1914:370 [distribution]; Borowiec 1999:83 [synonym of A. spinifex ].

Hincks (1952) published the corrections of Franz Spaeth indicating that Cassida spinifex Fabricius = Cassida spinifex Linnaeus , and Cassida perforata Pallas = Cassida perforata Fabricius , but the correct authorship was not indicated.

Diagnosis. The lack of the acuminate elytral posterior apex distinguishes this species from A. venosa . These two species possess a distinctive ridge posterior to the scutellum near the elytral suture. Body color is mottled rust brown dorsally, reddish brown ventrally, with gold­brown tarsal pads. Body color has been used to separate the species from A. venosa , but this is an unreliable feature as the color variation is broad and individuals with dark­red body color are close to A. venosa .

Description. Adult. Male length 10.9–12.7 mm, width 8.7–10.8 mm; female length

9.7–11.4 mm, width 8.3–11.6 mm.

Head: clypeus shape hemispherical. Thorax. Prosternal collar well­defined, posterior grooves developed; medial depression present; surface irregularly ridged, sparsely punctate and setose. Metepisternum with shallow punctation in posterior region. Elytra: humeral ridge extending from elytral margins along humeral angles and tapered near disc margins; posterior apex rounded or slightly produced. Male genitalia: no apparent variation. Female genitalia: no apparent variation. Spermatheca ( Fig. 20 ): appendix with distal margin concave, proximal margin evenly curved; receptacle flask­shaped, base developed, duct perpendicular to long axis of receptacle; duct, proximal section with approximately seven coils.

Larva ( Figs. 25–34 ). Final instar: length 4.8–6.6 mm; width at greatest diameter 3.7– 4.4 mm, (n = 10). Color yellowish, with head and legs light brown, abdominal scoli black with clear tips. Shape ovate, widest across abdominal segment one, dorso­ventrally compressed, slightly curved ventrad. Head ( Fig. 30 ): hidden in dorsal view; surface with sparse tuberculate setae and dense asperities, foveate medially. Coronal suture present, extending from clypeus across vertex to back of head. Stemmata six, paired, laterally positioned; pairs decreasing in size ventrally. Antenna with two ring­like sections, set in membrane. Clypeus triangular, longer than wide. Labrum ( Fig. 31 ) hemispherical, distally emarginate; exterior surface with four spiny processes; distal margin with six subapical spiny processes arranged symmetrically in a row on both sides of medial emargination. Mandible ( Fig. 32 ) palmate, mesal margin four dendate, with third tooth largest. Maxilla ( Fig. 33 ) with cardo longer than stipes, with few bristles; palpus two­segmented, segment 2 with conical sensory papilla; mala undifferentiated, with apical bristles. Labium ( Fig. 34 ) with palpus one­segmented; basal plate fused, ring­like; ligula inconspicuous; hypopharynx an asperate lobe, supported by paired hypopharyngeal rods. Thorax: pronotum overlapping head, with paired scoli on latero­posterior angle; mesonotum without lateral scoli; metanotum with very short scoli on latero­posterior angle. Legs ( Fig. 27 ) four­segmented, with sparse setation; tarsungulus curved. Abdomen: ten­segmented; segments 1–8 with paired lateral scoli; segments 9–10 telescoped into ventral anal process; 1–7 with paired annulate spiracles in dorsal lateral lines. Lateral scoli ( Fig. 28 ) slightly curved, posteriorly directed; surface with tuberculate bristles; base micro­asperate. Paired caudal furca ( Fig. 29 ) short, simple, unbranched, pointed at apex, without spiny processes or bristles; surface micro­asperate; basal plate not distinctly sclerotized. Fecal shield: present, mass simple and rounded, larval skins absent.

Egg ( Fig. 24 ). Length 1.4–1.6 mm; greatest diameter 0.7–0.8 mm (n = 10). Oblong, white, with single tanned micropyle. Mass of 15 eggs, glued together as in mass of A. sparsa , with peduncle consisting of three eggs glued along their lengths, and attached to ventral midrib of apical leaf.

Type Material. Lectotype and one paralectotype designated by Borowiec (1999). Lectotype locality: Boliv [ia]. Deposited in the Naturhistorika Rikmuseet, Stockholm, Sweden .

Distribution. Previously published localities for this species include: Cayenne [French Guiana] (Dejean 1837; Gemminger and Harold 1876), Misiones, Alto Parana [ Argentina] ( Bruch 1914), Ecuador ( Borowiec 1998) and Guadeloupe ( Blackwelder 1946). Specimens in this study have been collected in Argentina, Brazil, Guyana, French Guiana, Paraguay, Peru, Surinam, and Trinidad (West Indies).

Material Examined. Lectotype and one paralectotype, and 572 specimens with the following label data:

ARGENTINA: Misiones (5, MACN) ; Misiones , X.1927 (1, MACN) ; Misiones , coll. C. Bruch (1, MACN) ; Misiones , Chacó (1, MACN) ; Misiones , de Iguazu Cataratas, XI.1884 (3, MACN) ; Misiones, Cataratas del Iguazu , 5– 9.XI.1970, coll. C. Porter & L. Stange (1, IMLA) ; Misiones , V.1936, coll. RA (3, CAS) ; Misiones , 1947, coll. Heritier (1, USNM) ; Misiones, San Ignacio , colls B. & W. Bade (3, MACN) ; Misiones, Dep. Concep, Sta. Maria , XI.1946, coll. M. J. Viana (1, MACN) ; Misiones, Dep. Concep., Sta. Maria , XI.1958, coll. M. J. Viana (9, FSCA) ; Misiones, Dep. Concep, Sta. Maria , XI.1962 coll. M. J. Viana (3 MACN) ; Misiones, Dep. Concep. Sta. Maria , I.1964, coll. M. J. Viana (2, MACN) ; Misiones, Pto . Bembera, X.1953, coll. M. J. Viana (4, MACN) ; Misiones, P. Puray , IV.1951, coll. Rivas (1, MACN) ; Misiones , I.1896, coll. C. Bruch (1, MACN) ; Misiones, San Ignacio , B. & W. Bade (12, MACN) ; El Dorado, Misiones , III.1968, coll. M. Galiano (3, MACN) ; Misiones, Puerto Rico , XII.1943, coll. M. J. Viana (1, MACN) ; Misiones, Loreto , X.1931, coll. Bosq (2, USNM) ; Misiones, Garupa , 15.VII.1985 (12, EGRC) ; RA Misiones, Iguazu , 30.I­13.II.1945, coll. Hayward, Willink & Golbach (1, IMLA) ; Misiones, San Ignacio , V.1948, coll. F. Monros (5, IMLA) ; Pto . Casao, I.1964, coll. M. J. Viana (1, MACN) ; Peia Formosa, R.11 93 km NE of Capital City, 25.III.1975 (1, USNM) ;

BOLIVIA: (1, MACN) ; Buena Vista (1, CMNH) ; Bolivia: Rurenaque , Beni, 14.VII.1957, coll. Kuschel (2, USNM) ; Puerto Pailas , Santa Cruz, 16.II.1968, coll. Monros (4, MACN) ; Villa Tunari, Chapare , Cochabamba, 500 m, 5– 9.I.1958, coll. Monros & Wygodzinsky (1, MACN) ; Chapare, Yungas , I.1949, coll. Williner (2, MACN) ; Villa Tunari, Rio Chapare , XI.1967, coll. W. Wey­ rauch (2, MACN) ; Dpto. Santa Cruz: Buena Vista , 1922, coll. R. C. Roberts (1, USNM) ; R. Japacani , coll. J. Steinbach (1, CMNH) ;

BRAZIL: (3, BMNH; 3, FMNH; 1, NHRS; 1, USNM; 9, MNHUB; 3, CUIC); coll. Warrington (2, USNM) ; 1905, coll. Baly (1, BMNH); Chapada (11, CMNH) ; Rio de Jan , F. Sahib (1, NHRS) ; Bahia, Dohrn (1, NHRS) ; Espirito Santo (8, MNHUB) ; Espirito Santo, Santa Leopoldina (1, MNHUB) ; Obidos , coll. M. Klages (1, CMNH) : Sao Paulo, coll. Hammar (2, CUIC) ; St. Catarina (1, MNHUB) ; Mato Grosso, coll. Rohde (7, MNHUB) ; Bahia, coll. Frey (1, MNHUB) ; Bahia (3, BMNH) ; Para (5, BMNH; 1, CMNH; 1, MNHUB); Corumba´, II (3, CUIC; 3, USNM; CMNH); Corumba´, III (1, USNM) ; Sao Paulo, 1960, coll. J. Lake (1, MACN) ; Sao Paulo, M. das Cruses, I.1940, colls. M. Carrera (1, MACN) ; Sao Paulo (2, FMNH; 4, MNHUB) ; Sao Paulo, XII.1935, coll. S. Vincente (1, AMNH) ; State Sao Paulo (1, FMNH) ; Sao Paulo: Ilha Porcha , 15.X.1935, coll. J. Halik (1, USNM) ; Sao Paulo: Borba Rio Madeira, Est. Amazonas Parco , IV.1943, coll. Dr. Nick (2, USNM) ; Sao Paulo, coll. J. Lane (1, MACN) ; Campinas , Sao Paulo (1, MNHUB); Campinas , Sao Paulo, coll. A. Braatz (8, MNHUB) ; Campinas : 23.III.1939, coll. P. A. Berry (1, USNM) ; Campinas: Est. Goyaz , I.1938, coll. Dr. Nick (1, USNM) ; Espiri Santo (1, FMNH) ; Sao Paulo: Campos Jordão , XI.1941, coll. Hobek (1, USNM) ; Sao Paulo: S. Vincente, 14.III.1965, coll. Rivier (7, USNM) ;); Sao Paulo: S. Vincente, XI.1941, coll. Rivier (1, USNM) ; Sao Paulo: Bertioga , 7.XII.1960, coll. J. Halik (4, USNM) ; Minas Gerais: Lambary , 2.I.1927, coll. J. Balik (1, USNM) ; Minas Gerais: Lambary , X.1927, coll. J. Halik (1, USNM) ; Minas Gerais: Lambary , I.1927, coll. J. Balik (2, USNM) ; Sao Paulo: Loggdasbruzes Estado , XII.1940, coll. Dr. Nick (5, USNM) ; Sao Paulo: Loggdasbruzes Estado , I.1941, coll. Dr. Nick (2, USNM) ; Sao Paulo: Cantareira , 24 III, 1935, coll. J. Balik (2, USNM) ; Sao Paulo: S. Vicente, 14.III.1965, coll. Rivier (1, USNM) ; Mato Grosso: Porto Quebracho , I.1943, coll. Dr. Nick (1, USNM) ; Tiriós, Alto Paru´ , d’Oeste, PA, 1.II.1963, coll. Machado & Pereira (1, MACN) ; Goyaz , coll. Pereira Magalhaes (2, MACN) ; Est. Esp. Santo, XI.1920, coll. F. Hoffman (1, MACN) ; Iperanga , III.1961, coll. A. Prosen (25, MACN) ; Belem, Para´ , VI.1962, coll. M. Galiano (2, MACN) ; Porto Alegre, Guapore , XII.1954, coll. M. Alvarenga (1, MACN) ; Porto Velho, Guapore , XII.1954, coll. M. Alvarenga (1, MACN) ; Pouso Alegre, M. Gerais , IX.1962, coll. F. S. Pereira (1, MACN) ; E. Santo, Tirci (1, MACN) ; Mato Grosso, Guaycurus (3, MACN) ; Linhares , 5.XI.1965, coll. A. Maller (1, MACN) ; PA, Ulinga , 22.XII.1960, colls. J. B. Bechyné (1, MACN) ; Amazonas: Borba , XII.1943 (1, USNM) ; Amazonas (1, USNM) ; Sao Paulo, coll. A. A. Barbiellini (7, USNM) ; Minas Gerais: Organ Mt. , V.1935, coll. P. Sandig (2, USNM) ; Minas Gerais: Belo Horizonte ,. IV.1935, coll. D. M. Cochran (1, USNM) ; Parana: Foz do Iguacu , 19.VII.1961, coll. Krauss (1, USNM) ; Barneri , 6.II.1951, coll. J. P. Paulo (1, USNM) ; Minas Gerais: Vicosa , 11.I.1931, coll. E. J. Hambleton (1, USNM) ; Minas Gerais: Vicosa Bahia, coll. B. T. Snipes (1, USNM) ; Para: Oriximin, Obidos , Santarem , VIII.1984 (1, EGRC) ; Santarem , IV.1919 (8, CMNH) ; Santarem , V.1919 (7, CMNH) ; Santarem , VII.1919, (2, CMNH) ; Rio Janeiro , coll. Fry (4, BMNH) ; Santos , 22.XI.1912, coll. G. E. Bryant (1, BMNH) ; Santos , 2.III.1912, coll. G. E. Bryant (7, BMNH) ; Santos , Sao Paulo, coll. Fry (1, BMNH) ; Santa Catharina , coll. Fry (1, BMNH) ; Castro , Parana, 1919, coll. E. Dukenfield Jones (2, BMNH) ; Bahia (1, BMNH) ;

COLOMBIA: (3, MNHUB);

FRENCH GUIANA: Cayenne (4, NHRS; 3, MNHUB; 1, NHRS); Cayenne , 1905, coll. W. Schaus (13, USNM) : Cayenne, 1905, coll. Baly (1, BMNH) ; Cayenne, 1905, coll. Fry (3, BMNH) ; Cayenne, 2.IV.1975, coll. A. J. E. Harman (1, BMNH) ;

GUYANA: (1, USNM) ; Demerara , coll. Dr. Will (2, MNHUB) ; Blairmont Plantation , coll. H. E. Box (1, BMNH; 1, USNM) ; Blairmont Plantation , 4.VIII.1923, coll. H. E. Box (1, USNM) ; Blairmont Plantation , 18.IX.1923, coll. H. E. Box (1, USNM) ; Demerara , 1905, coll. Sharp (1, BMNH) ; Georgetown , X.1922, coll. M. D. Haviland (1, BMNH) ;

PARAGUAY: (2, BMNH; 1, MACN); P. Gladhorn, S. K. (5, MNHUB) : coll. Fiebrig (1, MNHUB); coll. C. Bruch (1, MACN); 22 II, coll. Fiebrig (1, MNHUB); Lambare , coll. Rohde (1, MNHUB) ; Montevideo (1, BMNH; 5, MNHUB); Sapucay, coll. W. T. Foster (66, USNM) ; Sapucay , III, coll. W. T. Foster (14, USNM) ; Colonia: Elisa , 11.XI.1940, coll. Podtiaquin (3, USNM) ; Puerto Pinasco , coll. Podtiaquin (2, USNM) ; Cororo´ , XI.1965, coll. G. Sa. Williner (1, MACN) ; Pt. Casaoo , III.1945, coll. J. Cranwell (2, MACN) ; Sa. Trinidad , X.1913 (1, MACN) ; Buena Vista , II 9, coll. D. Wees (1, MCZC) ; Horqueta , III.1932 (1, CAS) ; San Bernardino :, coll. K. Fiebrig (3, USNM) ; Dpto Paraguari: Ybycui, 25 km SE at Ybycui National Park , 12–24.IV.1980, coll. P. J. Spangler (4, USNM) ; Dpto. Amambay: Parq. Nac. Cerro Cora´ , 25.II.1981, coll. R. D. Cave (7, USNM) ; Itapua: 17 km N Hohenau , 2– 4.II.1983, coll. E. G. Riley (2, EGRC) ; Itapua: 10 km N Hohenau, 2.II.1983, coll. E. G. Riley; Cordillera: Inst. Agro. Nac., Caacupe´ , 17–20.I.1983, coll. E. G. Riley (1, EGRC) ; Pres. Hayes, Villa Hayes , 31.I.1983, coll. E. G. Riley (15, EGRC) ; Central: near Nemby , 11.I.1983, coll. E. G. Riley (2, EGRC) ; Caaguazu: 17 km E Juan E. O’Leary, 24.I.983, coll. E. G. Riley (2, EGRC) ; Parana : 45 km W Pto. Pres Stroessner, 28.I.1983, coll. E. G. Riley (1, EGRC) ; Parana : 5 km E Foz do Iguacu, 27.I.1983, coll. E. G. Riley (2, EGRC) ; Pres. Hayes , 2 km SW Villa Hayes, 6.II.1983, coll. E. G. Riley (1, EGRC) ; Caaguazu: 15 km W Campo­9, 29.I.1983, coll. E. G. Riley (1, EGRC) ; Alto Parana, 45 km W Pto Pres. Stroessner , 28.I.1983, coll. E. G. Riley (1, EGRC) ; Asuncion (1, CMNH) ; Asuncion (1, FMNH) ; Asuncion, IX.1922, coll. E. G. Kent (1, BMNH) ;

PERU: Chanchamayo , 21.XI.1947, coll. J. M. Schunke (1, CAS) ; M de Dios, Rio la Torre , 1–9.VII.1981 coll. D. Engelman (1, EGRC) ; Huanuco Dept., Cueva de las Lechuzas, S. of Tingo Maria , 28.IV.1987, coll. J. Ch. De Vela (2, EGRC) ;; Jauja Prov.: Satipo , I.1944, coll. P. Paprzycki (1, AMNH) ; Jauja Prov.: Satipo , VIII.1944, coll. P. Paprzycki (1, AMNH) ; Jauja Prov.: Satipo , X.1948, coll. A. Maller (1, AMNH) ; Jauja Prov.: Satipo , VI.1945, coll. P. Paprzycki (1, AMNH) ; Jauja Prov.: Satipo , IV.1946, coll. A. Maller (3, AMNH) ; Jauja Prov.: Satipo , XII.1943, coll. P. P. Paprzycki (1, AMNH) ; Tingo Maria, Huan , alt 2,200 ft, 30.X.1946, coll. J. C. Pallister (1, AMNH) ; Pucallpa , VI.1952, coll. P. Hocking (1, AMNH) ; Rio Santiago , 21.XI.1924 (1, AMNH) ;

SURINAM: coll. Dr. Will, (2, MNHUB); coll. B. t Lyon (1, NHRS); Paramaribo, Dr. J. L. Spikely (1, MACN); Paramaribo, 19.I.1958 , P. H. v. Doesburg Jr. (1, MACN); Kwaita , 4.VII.1936 , coll. D. C. Gjeiskes (1, MACN); Brownsburg , 19–21.VIII.1975 , coll. L. H. Rolston (1, EGRC); Sint Barbara Plan, R. Surinam , 2.IV.1927 (1, CUIC) ; Onjelik, Para R., 8.IV.1927 (1, CUIC);

TRINIDAD, WEST INDIES: 1925 (1, BMNH) ; III.1903, coll. G. E. Bryant (1, BMNH) ; Port of Spain, I.1913, coll. R. Thaxter (2, MACN; 7, MCZC);); 1898, coll. C. L. Clarke (1, BMNH) ; 1904, coll. F. Birch (1, BMNH); Maraval Valley , Port of Spain, I.1913, coll. R. Thaxter (2, MACN) ; vicinity Port of Spain (1, MACN) ; Port of Spain, 12.III.1933 (1, AMNH) ; Lalaja Rd. , 1.5 milestone, 28.VIII.1978, coll. M. J. W. Cock (2, BMNH) ; Curepe , 1979, coll .

K. Preston­Mafham (1, BMNH) ; 1904, coll. F. Birch (1, BMNH); Valencia , 11.VIII.1973, coll. T. E. Rogers (1, FSCA) ; North Shore , 14.V.1957, coll. B. J. Gerbera (1, FSCA) ; Matura , 1–15.VII.1962, coll. J. Maldonado (1, USNM) ; St. Augustine , IV.1953, coll. N. L. H. Krause (1, USNM) ; North Shore , 14.V.1957, coll. E. J. Gerberg, (2, FSCA) ; Maracas Valley , IV.1959 (4, EGRC) ; Morne Bleu , 2700 ̍, 25.VIII.1969, colls. H. & A. Howden (1, CMNC) ; 1 mi N of Maracas , 17.VIII.1969, colls. H. & A. Howden (1, CMNC) ; Arima Valley : 16.II.1951 (1, AMNH) ; Arima Valley : 20.IV.1951 (1, AMNH) ; Arima Valley : 3.III.1951 (1, AMNH) ; Arima Valley : 1950 (1, AMNH) ; Arima Valley: Simla , 5 mi N of Arima, 20.VIII.1969, colls. H. & A. Howden (3, CMNC) ; Morne Bleu , 14.X.1934, coll. E. J. H. Berwick (1, BMNH) ; Arima­Blanchisseuse Rd. , 6.6 km N Arima, 30.III.1987, el. 200 m, in ravine bottom, colls. Carter, Hoebeke, Liebherr (2, CUIC) ; St. George Co.: Arima, Asa Wright Nature Centre , 7.VII.1994, coll. C. Chaboo (1, CSCC) ; Nariva Co.: Cunapo Southern Rd., Bridge 1/11, 14.VII.1994, coll. C. Chaboo (1, CSCC) ;); St. George Co.: Arima, Asa Wright Nature Centre , 14.X.1999 coll. C. Chaboo (3, CSCC) ;

VENEZUELA: (1, MNHUB).

Variation. Dorsal color varies from yellow­brown to dark red, with the background color mottled, and with the slightly darker patterning varying in intensity. Some individuals have a flat yellow brown color, without this background pattern.

Remarks. Ipomoea Linnaeus (Convolvulaceae) , sweet potatoes ( I. batatas (Linnaeus) and other Convolvulaceae have been reported as host records (da Costa Lima 1955, 1968). Stiretrus smaragdatus Lepl. and S. decastigma Herr. ­ Schaff. ( Hemiptera : Pentatomidae ) are reported predators (da Costa Lima 1968).

The single egg mass I describe was taken from the midrib on the ventral surface of an apical leaf blade of an Ipomoea vine in Trinidad, West Indies. Egg masses vary in egg numbers; masses of 32 eggs ( Buzzi 1980) and 30 eggs ( Buzzi 1988) have been reported. More data is needed to compare egg mass size with the range of A. sparsa . Buzzi (1980) first described the larvae of this species and based on his discussion of female defense of grouped eggs, larvae and pupae, the larvae are gregarious. The ten larvae I collected and describe here were also collected together on an Ipomoea vine in Trinidad, West Indies. They are of similar size and characteristics and seem to be from the same egg mass. My redescription should be useful in providing more detailed illustrations, especially of the larval mouthparts.

Two specimens are deposited in the Linnaean Society Collection, London. One is labeled ‘‘ spinifex /7’’ and the second bears no labels. There is nothing to suggest if these were part of the original series. The Borowiec lectotype also bears a ‘‘type’’ label of Guerin.

Figures

Figs. 13–22. Acromis spp. 13) A. venosa, head, ventral view, scale bar = 0.5 mm. Figs. 14–17) A. spinifex, mouthparts, scale bar = 0.2 mm. 14) labrum; 15) mandible; 16) maxilla; 17) Labium; 18) A. sparsa, aedeagus, scale bar = 0.5 mm. Figs. 19–21) Spermatheca, scale bar = 0.25. 19) A. sparsa; 20) A. spinifex; 21) A. venosa. Fig. 22) A. venosa, wing, scale bar = 1 mm.

Figs. 25–29. Larva, A. spinifex. 25) Ventral view, scale bar = 1 mm; 26) dorsal view, scale bar = 1 mm. 27) proleg, scale bar = 0.25; 28) abdominal scolus 1, scale bar = 0.25 mm; 29) caudal furca, scale bar = 0.25 mm.

Figs. 30–34. A. spinifex, larval head. 30) head, ventral view, scale bar = 0.5 mm; 31) labrum, scale bar = 0.2 mm; 32) mandible, scale bar = 0.25 mm; 33) maxilla, scale bar = 0.25 mm; 34) labium, scale bar = 0.25 mm; asperities (boxed), same scale.

Figs. 23–24. Eggs, scale bar = 1 mm. 23) A. sparsa; 24) A. spinifex.