Saropogon albifrons Back, 1904

Figs 7, 26, 32

Saropogon albifrons Back, 1904: 29.

Saropogon semiustus Coquillett, 1904: 186, junior synonym. In part.

References.

Martin and Wilcox 1965: 383 (catalog); Wilcox 1966: 130 (key and redescription); Fisher and Wilcox 1997: 4 (catalog).

Diagnosis.

Legs reddish orange in both sexes; face, scutum, and anepisternum entirely with white pubescence with white macrosetae; antennae yellowish; ~ 30 macrosetae forming mystax; wings hyaline with a slightly darker tinge proximally; veins brownish at the base of the wing, darker apically; T2-5 postero-laterally with white pubescence in both sexes; scutellum with only two marginal bristles. Body length 9-14 mm; wing length 7-9 mm. Flight time April - June.

Easily confused with Saropogon semiustus, especially females; white face pubescence is the best distinguishing character in S. albifrons .

Distribution.

USA: Arizona, California; Mexico: Baja California.

Type material examined.

United States of America • 1 ♀, lectotype; Arizona, Mohave County, Bill Williams Fork; August; F. H. Snow; SEMC; SEMC1603972 • 1 ♀, paralectotype; same collection information as lectotype; SEMC; SEMC1603973.

Arizona material examined.

United States of America • 6 ♀; La Paz County, Parker, Osborn Well Road, 1.6 km E. of Route 95, white sand dunes; 34°07'N, 114°15'W; 150 m; 02 May 2008; T. Dikow, E. Fisher; USNM; USNMENT00870564, USNMENT00870565, USNMENT00870566, USNMENT00870567, USNMENT00870568, USNMENT00870569 • 1?; Maricopa County, Bush Highway; 33°32'N, 111°35'W; 415 m; 09 May 1968; R. N. Foster; ASUHIC; ASUHIC0139490 • 1 ♀; Maricopa County, Gila Bend; 32°56'N, 112°43'W; 224 m; F. H. Parker; USNM; USNMENT0119937 • 3♂, 1♀; Maricopa County; Gila River, 10 km S. Arlington; 33°13'N, 112°45'W; 200 m; 03 June 2010; F. D. Parker, M. E. Irwin; UAIC • 1 ♀; Maricopa County; Queen Creek; 33°15'N, 111°38'17"W; 425 m; 06 June 1964; G. D. Butler Jr.; UAIC • 1?; Yuma County; 8 mi. SE of Parker; 34°01'N, 114°01'W; 176 m; 07 May 1966; S. A. Gorodenski, J. M. Davidson, M. A. Cazier; ASUHIC; ASUHIC0139489 • 1?; Yuma County, Mohawk Pass; 32°43'N, 113°44'W; 24 April, 1966; J. H. Davidson, J. M. Davidson, M. A. Cazier; ASUHIC; ASUHIC0139488 .

Other material examined.

Suppl. material 1.

Comments.

Saropogon albifrons was not mentioned by Curran (1930, 1931), most likely because the species was not included in the Back (1909) identification key. [The authors are unsure as to why it was not included.] The co-types (syntypes) referenced in Back 1904 were deposited one in the Massachusetts Agricultural College collection and one at the University of Kansas collection (SEMC); however, both can be currently found at SEMC. The authors have designated the specimen in better condition to be the lectotype and the other the paralectotype. Information about them can be found here: https://biodiversity.ku.edu/node/1095/.