Tarandocerus mexicanus (THOMSON), 1860

Opitz, Weston, 2015, Systematics of the checkered beetle subfamily Platynopterinae SPINOLA (Coleoptera Cleridae), Linzer biologische Beiträge 47 (2), pp. 1513-1572 : 1550-1551

Tarandocerus mexicanus (THOMSON), 1860

( Figs 84 , 137, 138 , 171 , 173 )

Platynoptera mexicana THOMSON, 1860: 65 .

Holotype ♀. Mexicum ( México) ( MNHN) . New combination.

GORHAM, 1883: 183 ( Platynoptera ). SCHENKLING, 1903: 103 ( Platynoptera ); 1906: 311 ( Platynoptera ). CORPORAAL, 1950: 273 ( Platynoptera ).

Diagnosis: Within Tarandocerus there are two species whose members have the pronotal disc densely covered with gold-colored setae. But, T. mexicanus specimens have the basal third of the elytral disc completely black, whereas in specimens of T. auratus the basal third of the disc is only infuscated.

Description: Size: Length 14.0 mm; width 6.0 mm. Form: As in Fig. 171 . Color: Cranium mostly black, upper frons with a slightly visible flavotestaceous streak; pronotum flavotestaceous, vested with gold-colored setae; elytra bicolored, anterior third and posterior third of disc mostly dark blue, with middle flavotestaceous fascia. Head: Basal antennomere of antennal capitulum ( Fig. 84 ) not longer than combined length of funicular antennomeres, antennomeres 9 and 10 with short collateral branch; antennal carina very prominent; EW/FW 20/30. Thorax: Pronotal anterior margin not projected at middle; side margin of disc slightly rounded at middle; PW/PL 90/95; elytra conspicuously flared; disc with 3 prominent discal carinae; EL/EW 370/120. Abdomen: Male pygidium slightly incised at distal margin; aedeagus as in Figs. 137, 138 ; tegmen slightly sclerotized.

Variations: Size: Length 12.0-14.0 mm; width 6.0-8.0 mm. Except for differences in body size these beetle are quite homogeneous.

Natural history: Specimens were collected during April, May, and June; one specimen at light and others at altitudes from 650 to 1829 m.

Distribution ( Fig. 173 ): In addition to the holotype I examined 6 specimens. México, Chiapas, 3.2 km N Ocosingo, 23-VI-1985, Dan Heffern ; Hidalgo, Molango, Otongo, 10-V-1980, light trap, 650 m, R. Terrόn. Guatemala, Baja Verapaz, Cubulco, Champion; Zacapa, nr. San Lorenzo, 13-IV-1990, 1220- 1829 m, J.E. Wappes. Honduras, Francisco Morazan, 23.8 km SSW Telanga, 3-VI-1993, R. Turnbow. Specimens are deposited in JEWC, JNRC, MNHN, WFBM, and WOPC

Figures

Figs 81-86: Antennae. (81) Platynoptera ochreata, female; (82) Artoadenus similus, male; (83) Tarandocerus auratus, male; (84) T. mexicanus, male; (85) T. testaceiceps, male; (86) Pilosirus versus, female.

Figs 133-144: Aedeagi (133-140), Pronota (141-142), and Female mesodermal female reproductive organs (143-144). (133) Artoadenus similus phallus; (134) A. similus tegmen; (135) Tarandocerus auratus phallus; (136) T. auratus tegmen; (137) T. mexicanus phallus; (138) T. mexicanus tegmen; (139) T. testaceiceps phallus; (140) T. testaceiceps tegmen; (141) Pilosirus amazonicus; (142) P. versus; (143) Ambonoides retinoides female internal reproductive organs; (144) A. retinoides bursal plate.

Figs 169-172: Habitus illustrations of (169) Tarandocerus auratus, holotype; 170) T. lycoides, lectotype; (171) T. mexicanus, holotype; (172) T. testaceiceps, lectotype.

Fig. 173: Geographic distribution of species as noted.