Key to Anelaphus of America north of Mexico

Linsley (1963) provided the most recent key to Anelaphus north of Mexico. In that work, 14 species were included, but those formerly in the genus Peranoplium (synonymized by Lingafelter 1998), Elaphidionoides (some of which were synonymized by Skiles 1985), and Gymnopsyra (synonymized herein) were not. Lingafelter (2007) provided a key to the 7 species of Anelaphus east of the Rocky Mountains but excluding western Texas. Martins (2005) and Nascimento (2018) provided the only other keys to Anelaphus, but those works were restricted to South American species. As a result of this study, there are now 22 species of Anelaphus known for America north of Mexico: A. albofasciatus (Linell), A. aspera (Knull), A. belkini Skiles, A. brevidens (Schaeffer), A. brummermannae Lingafelter, A. cinereus (Olivier), A. debilis (LeConte), A. dentatus Chemsak, A. inermis (Newman), A. inflaticollis Chemsak, A. magnipunctatus (Knull), A. moestus (LeConte), A. mutatum (Gahan), A. niveivestitus (Schaeffer), A. piceus (Chemsak), A. pumilus (Newman), A. simile (Schaeffer), A. spurcus (LeConte), A. subdepressum (Schaeffer), A. subinermis Linsley, A. submoestus Linsley, and A. villosus (Fabricius) . Size ranges and distributions are included to aid in identification, but this information should be used with caution since aberrant individuals exist in any population and known distributions change with time. For more detail on distribution and host plants, it is recommended to consult Monné and Nearns (2020), Tavakilian and Chevillotte (2020), or other primary references cited herein.

1. Elytral integument with contrasting pattern of dark costal lines or basal and apical maculae combined with light brown elsewhere (Fig. 10a). Known only from Florida in the U.S. 8–11 mm ....................................................................... Anelaphus cinereus (Olivier)

— Elytral integument of uniform light, dark, or reddish-brown coloration (although distinct and contrasting pubescent patches may be present) (Fig. 10 b-c)....................................... 2

2(1). Elytra without any obvious patches of light pubescence or contrasting integumental colors (Fig. 10b)..................................................................................... 16

— Elytra with white, ochre, or gray pubescence forming spots or fasciae (Fig. 10c).................. 3

3(2). Elytra with a straight transverse pubescent fascia at middle, sometimes extending posteriorly to occupy most of posterior half of elytra (Fig. 11). Distributed in southwestern U.S. to Texas. 9–15 mm ............................................................. Anelaphus albofasciatus (Linell)

— Elytra with pubescence not forming a straight transverse fascia at middle........................ 4

4(3). Elytra with numerous mostly uniformly sized and mostly evenly spaced patches of appressed pubescence. Pronotum with three elongate calli, one at middle bordered on each side by a crescent-shaped callus. Antennomeres 2+3 nearly the length of pronotum; third antennomere relatively narrow, only slightly wider than half width of scutellum (Fig. 12). Eastern U.S. to Texas. 8–11 mm ...................................................................... Anelaphus pumilus (Newman)

— Elytral pubescence more irregular, not forming uniformly sized, evenly spaced patches. Pronotal calli, if present, most often forming just at center and without elongate peripheral calli. Antennomeres 2+3 almost always shorter than pronotum; third antennomere more robust, greater than half width of scutellum........................................................................... 5

5(4). Elytra with very dense, erect setae present throughout, in addition to denser appressed setal patches (Fig. 13). Known only from Texas in the U.S. 9–15 mm ................ Anelaphus spurcus (LeConte)

— Erect setae, if present on elytra, sparsely distributed........................................... 6

6(5). Elytral markings with middle wavy pubescent fascia, sometimes broken and incomplete (rarely almost absent), extending nearly from lateral to sutural margin with denser pubescence sometimes present at apex. Elytra lacking other separate pubescent maculae or spots (Fig. 14a). Known only from Arizona in the U.S. 8–14 mm ........................... Anelaphus subdepressum (Schaeffer)

— Elytra with scattered pubescent patches throughout (sometimes coalescing into a vaguely defined transverse fascia) (Fig. 14b)................................................................. 7

7(6). Pronotum with middle callus and 4 smaller peripheral calli on disk. Elytral apices strongly bispinose (spines about length of scutellum) (Fig. 15). Known only from Florida in the U.S. 15–21 mm ................................................................ Anelaphus mutatum (Gahan)

— Pronotum without middle and peripheral calli in combination (if peripheral calli present, then elytral apices without spines). Elytral apices at most weakly bispinose (spines, if present, much shorter than scutellum)........................................................................... 8

8(7). Elytral apex weakly bispinose or bidentate (rarely truncate). Form narrow and elongate (both elytra together almost always ranging from 2.8–3.4 times longer than breadth at base) (Fig. 16 a–c, showing from left to right, respectively, variation of Maryland, central Texas, and west Texas forms). Widespread in the eastern half of U.S. to Texas. 10–18 mm ............ Anelaphus villosus (Fabricius)

— Elytral apex rounded externally to a dentiform or spinose suture or obliquely truncate (Fig. 17). Form usually more robust (elytra usually less than 2.8 times longer than breadth at base)............ 9

9(8). Dorsum with combination of ochre (primarily on pronotum), white, and or off-white pubescence (pri- marily on elytra) (Fig. 17 a–b)......................................................... 10

— Dorsum with one distinct color of pubescence............................................... 11

10(9). Elytral apex truncate or very weakly bidentate. Elytra with bright white appressed pubescent patches most concentrated at middle and apical region. (Fig. 17a). Basal sutural region of elytra without ochre pubescence. Known only from Texas. 9–13 mm ....... Anelaphus niveivestitus (Schaeffer)

— Elytralapicesroundedtospinosesuture.Elytrawithoff-whitepubescentpatchesscatteredthroughout(Fig. 17b).Basal sutural region of elytra with ochre pubescence.Known only from Texas in the U.S. 10–17mm ............................................................ Anelaphus debilis (LeConte)

11(9). Pronotum distinctly broader anteriorly than posteriorly, as broad as elytral base at widest point (Fig. 18a). Known only from California. 11–14 mm ................ Anelaphus inflaticollis Chemsak

— Pronotum not distinctly broader anteriorly than posteriorly and much narrower than elytral base (Fig. 18b)............................................................................... 12

12(11). Antennal tubercles strongly elevated and acute at apex, distinctly angled in between (Fig. 19a). Middle pronotal callus usually absent or indistinct (shorter than scutellum if present). Basal antennomeres usually with pronounced dorsal sulci on 3–5, at least. Last antennomere of males over 1.5 times length of penultimate and constricted strongly at apical third giving appearance of a twelfth segment. Pronotal punctation finer than that of elytral base. Known only from Texas in the U.S. 14–19 mm ...................................................... Anelaphus subinermis Linsley

— Antennal tubercles not or weakly elevated and rounded at apices, nearly flat in between from anterior view (Fig. 19b). Middle pronotal callus distinct (longer than scutellum and sometimes elongate and extending nearly the entire length of the pronotum) (Fig. 21 a–b). Basal antennomeres without pronounced sulci. Last antennomere not modified and less than 1.5 times length of penultimate. Pronotal punctation fine or coarse (Fig. 21)............................................. 13

13(12). Elytral apex rounded to suture which is, at most, dentiform and lacks spine (Fig. 20a)............ 14

— Elytral apex rounded or slightly truncate to suture which has distinct spine (Fig. 20b)............ 15

14(13). Pronotum with small, dense maculae of white or ochre pubescence on disk. Pronotal callus oval and less than one-third length of pronotum (Fig. 21a) (indistinct in some specimens). Distributed in southeastern U.S. to Texas. 10–19 mm ............................. Anelaphus inermis (Newman)

— Pronotum without distinct maculae. Pronotal callus linear and more than one-half length of pronotum (Fig. 21b). Distributed in southwestern U.S. to Texas ............ Anelaphus brevidens Schaeffer

15(13). Third antennomere attaining posterior fourth of pronotum, at most. Elytra with numerous longer, suberect setae in addition to appressed setae. Elytra with generally more robust form (Fig. 22a). Known only from Arizona. 14–19 mm ............................... Anelaphus dentatus Chemsak

— Third antennomere apex attaining posterior margin of pronotum. Elytra with very few and sparse suberect setae in addition to appressed setae. Elytra with generally more elongate form (Fig. 22b). Known only from western Texas (Davis Mountains). 12–17 mm .............. Anelaphus belkini Skiles

16(2). Each elytron with a few setae that coalesce into one or two inconspicuous patches at middle near lateral margin (note that this taxon will key out in two places due to its variability) (Fig. 23a) (note that a few nearly immaculate specimens of A. subdepressum have been seen and those will key here, too, but can be distinguished by slightly open procoxal cavities [closed in A. simile] and darker brown integument [lighter reddish-brown in A. simile]). Known only from Arizona in the U.S. 9–14 mm ........................................................... Anelaphus simile (Schaeffer)

— Each elytron without any such spots of pubescence (Fig. 23b)................................. 17

17(16). Proxocal cavities closed posteriorly by a strongly expanded intercoxal process (Fig. 24a).......... 18

— Procoxal cavities open behind (see green arrow, Fig. 24b); intercoxal process weakly to moderately expanded at apex.................................................................... 20

18(17). Elytra with short, white or off-white, recurved pubescence that is separated by 2–3 longitudinal integumental strips lined by longer erect golden setae (best visible from anterior view, but difficult to see in worn or greasy specimens) (Fig. 25c, e). Pronotum usually with a broad, impunctate, shining band at anterior margin, widest at middle, nearly two-thirds as thick as length of scutellum (Fig. 25a). Southwest U.S. to Texas and Utah. 9–13 mm .................... Anelaphus piceus (Chemsak)

— Elytra with pubescence mostly golden, ochre, off-white, or translucent, rather than white, and not separated by longitudinal strips (Fig. 25d, f). Pronotal impunctate band, if present, of uniform width and much narrower than half length of scutellum (Fig. 25b)................................... 19 19(18). Elytral pubescence mostly short, ochre or off-white, subappressed and recurved, but mixed with scattered, longer, suberect setae (Fig. 26a). Color usually light reddish-brown. Pronotum broadly rounded at sides or distinctly broader at anterior half than posterior, with punctation contiguous and unevenly alveolate (Fig. 26b). Metasternum on anterior and lateral margins with small, shallow, mostly contiguous punctures that are usually mostly concealed by moderately dense, appressed setae. Known only from Arizona in the U.S. 9–14 mm ............. Anelaphus simile (Schaeffer)

— Elytral pubescence mostly golden, suberect and not recurved and mixed with numerous longer, erect setae (Fig. 26c). Color usually dark brown. Pronotum nearly quadrate, not evenly rounded at sides, with ovoid-alveolate punctures mostly larger than those of elytra (Fig. 26d). Metasternum on anterior and lateral margins with relatively deep, small, and separate punctures that are mostly visible and not hidden from sparse setae. Known only from Arizona. 9–12 mm .................................................................. Anelaphus brummermannae Lingafelter, n. sp. 20(17). Intercoxal process barely expanded at apex (Fig. 27a), procoxal cavities widely open posteriorly. Mesal spine of third antennomere often shorter than width of base of fourth antennomere. Middle impunctate pronotal callus usually present (Fig. 27 c–d) and at least one-fourth length of pronotum.... 21

— Intercoxal process moderately expanded at apex (Fig. 27b), extending behind procoxal cavities, procoxal cavities moderately open posteriorly. Mesal spine of third antennomere longer than width of base of fourth antennomere. Pronotum usually lacking an impunctate callus at middle (Fig. 27e), but if present, shorter than length of 4 punctures............................................. 22

21(20). Tibiae, femora, and most antennomeres with only a few short, erect setae; those present are shorter than half the length of antennomere 4 (Fig. 28a). Pronotal pubescence moderately dense, partially obscuring many punctures (Fig. 27c). Pronotum strongly constricted posteriorly, much narrower at base than apex (Fig. 27c). Length of elytron approximately six times greater than width (Fig. 1b). Known only from southwestern Texas (Big Bend National Park). 9–11 mm ................................................................................ Anelaphus asperus (Knull)

— Tibiae, femora, and most antennomeres each with 2–4 very long setae (many about two-thirds the length of antennomere 4) extending in various directions from plane of antennomeres (Fig. 28b). Pronotal pubescence sparse and inconspicuous, not obscuring punctures (Fig. 27d). Pronotum only slightly narrower posteriorly than anteriorly, nearly evenly rounded at sides (Fig. 27d). Length of elytron much less than six times its width (Fig. 1k). Known from Arizona to southwestern Texas. 11–14 mm .................................................. Anelaphus magnipunctatus (Knull) 22(20). Pronotal pubescence moderate and conspicuous and punctures of differing size, much more closely spaced and mostly smaller than those of elytral base, more so in males (Fig. 29a). Widely distributed in eastern and southern U.S. to Arizona. 9–15 mm .............. Anelaphus moestus (LeConte)

— Pronotal pubescence very inconspicuous, nearly glabrous on disk and punctures mostly uniform in size and distribution, larger than those of elytral base (Fig. 29b). Known only from Arizona in the U.S. 9–15 mm ................................................. Anelaphus submoestus Linsley