Acmaeodera neoneglecta Fisher, 1949

Hansen, Jason A., 2023, Acmaeodera (Coleoptera: Buprestidae): A new species of Acmaeodera Eschscholtz, 1829 from the southwestern United States, with three new synonymies, new state and host records, and a key to species occurring east of the Rocky Mountain states, Insecta Mundi 2023 (12), pp. 1-52 : 8-14

Acmaeodera neoneglecta Fisher, 1949

Acmaeodera neoneglecta Fisher 1949: 336 .

Acmaeodera bryanti Van Dyke 1953: 104 . New synonymy.

Acmaeodera thoracata Knull 1974: 143 . New synonymy.

The holotype of Acmaeodera bryanti Van Dyke, 1953 was examined and found to be an immaculate form of A. neoneglecta . The lack of yellow markings represents one extreme of the range of natural variation among specimens of A. neoneglecta . It is not unprecedented to find melanic specimens among other species in the genus ( Westcott and Barr 1998). Records of Acmaeodera bryanti and A. neoneglecta are completely sympatric from central to south Texas. No hosts have been recorded for A. bryanti , but that is likely due to how rarely the melanic form is encountered. Four undetermined specimens from Brazos Co. to Val Verde Co. in Texas, suspected to be A. bryanti , were examined. Two were entirely melanic except for a very small, faint, yellow mark near the elytral apex on one side. The other two had no yellow markings. In every aspect the four specimens were identical to A. neoneglecta except for reduced or lack of elytral markings and undoubtedly represent that species.

The holotype of Acmaeodera thoracata Knull, 1974 also appears to be synonymous with A. neoneglecta , by far the most common member of the Acmaeodera tubulus species group in south Texas, where the only known specimen of A. thoracata was collected ( Knull 1974). Examination of the holotype of A. thoracata revealed three unique morphological characters that separate it from other species in the group and which provide further insight into its rightful taxonomic placement. The novel characters in question are: elytron lacking serration laterally (notably missing from the original description), prothorax widest anterior to middle, and lack of punctation medially on the pronotal disc. Examination of variation within the Acmaeodera tubulus species group and other closely related species in the genus reveal these characters, while rare, are not unique to A. thoracata .

Lack of serration along the costal edge of the elytra was found to be a rare character state for A. natlovei and mirrored the character found in the A. thoracata holotype, suggesting it may be a developmental anomaly occurring within the Acmaeodera tubulus species group or possibly the genus in general.

While pronotal shape can be a useful character in separating some species within the genus, it can and does vary among conspecifics. For example, the pronotum of A. ligulata varies between being widest near the middle to just in front of middle as seen in A. thoracata ( Cazier 1940) . Many other species in the genus also have slight variations of pronotal shape among specimens which, on rare occasion, do not match their generally accepted morphology (personal observation). This would suggest there is some degree of plasticity during development when pronotal shape is determined. While no specimens of A. neoneglecta exhibiting the same lack of punctation medially on the pronotum were found, pronotal punctation does vary among species within the Acmaeodera tubulus species group from fine, distinct punctures to wider, shallower ones. The prothorax of the A. thoracata holotype is finely punctate, as is often seen in specimens of A. neoneglecta , but differs by the glabrous nature of the medial portion of the disc. This is apparently due to increased spacing of the punctures in a small area of the pronotum and can easily be explained as a developmental deformity, which is further supported by an additional character that is not mentioned in the description of the holotype or evident in Knull’s drawing of the specimen. The elytral base of the A. thoracata holotype is decidedly asymmetrical. On one side the base adjacent to the scutellar area juts upward in an unusual fashion. Conversely, the opposite elytron is deeply impressed adjacent to the umbone with the base less dramatically, but still unnaturally declivous. These distortions of the elytral base do not appear to be due to mechanical damage, leading the author to conclude that it is a developmental deformity. The deformity is of sufficient severity that it may have made lifting the elytra difficult, possibly interfering with normal flight. With no other specimens known, it is the opinion of the author that the suite of characters pointed to defining A. thoracata are not evidence of a unique speciation event but instead a combination of poor pupal development and normal variation within the species A. neoneglecta .

New Records

Acmaeodera gibbula LeConte, 1858 . TEXAS, Val Verde Co., Pecos River bridge & Hwy. 90, 29.7103, −101.3536, ex dead Vachellia rigidula (Benth.) Seigler & Ebinger ( Fabaceae ) coll. x.2022, em. 1−10.v.2023, J.A. Hansen, (3♀, 2♂) [JAHC], new larval host.

Acmaeodera immaculata Horn, 1878 . TEXAS (new state record), El Paso Co., 15 mi. east of El Paso, 25.v.1980, unknown collector, Det. R.L. Westcott [OSAC, RLWE]; Winkler Co., nr. Kermit, 2.5 mi. west of Hwy. 115 on FM874, 31.9444, −103.0110, elev. 2979′, on flower Oenothera sp. ( Onagraceae ), 6.vi.2018, T.C. MacRae & J.P. Huether, (6) [TCMC], new floral host. This species may be present in the Texas panhandle as well, where the known larval host, Krascheninnikovia lanata (Pursh) A. Meeuse & Smit. ( Chenopodiaceae ), occurs.

Acmaeodera maculifera Horn, 1894 . TEXAS, Brewster Co., Big Bend N.P., on flower Anisacanthus linearis (Hagen) Henrickson & Lott ( Acanthaceae ), 25.vi.1985, P.E. Scott, (1) [LSAM], new floral host.

Acmaeodera miliaris Horn, 1878 . NEW MEXICO, Eddy Co., Guadalupe Mts., Sitting Bull Falls, 5000′, 18.viii.1998, R.D. Worthington, (1) [TAMU]. TEXAS, Brewster Co., Big Bend N.P., on flower Anisacanthus linearis , 25.vi.1985, P.E. Scott, (1) [LSAM], new floral host; 7.5 mi. south of Alpine on Hwy. 118, on flowers Thelesperma megapotamicum (Spreng.) Kuntze ( Asteraceae ), 21.vi.2003, T.C. MacRae, (3) [TCMC], new floral host; Starr Co., Roma, Loma Blanca Rd., 26.6140, −99.0001, on flowers Helianthus annuus L. ( Asteraceae ), 30.iv.2023, J.A. Hansen, (3♀, 2♂) [JAHC], new floral host; Val Verde Co., Pecos River bridge & Hwy. 90, 29.7103, −101.3536, ex dead Vachellia rigidula coll. x.2022, em. 1−10.v.2023, J.A. Hansen, (1♂), new larval host [JAHC]. 11.6 mi. west of Comstock on Hwy. 90 at Pecos River, on flowers Thelesperma simplicifolium A. Gray , 25.vi.2003, T.C. MacRae, (2) [TCMC], new floral host; same data except on flowers Wedelia acapulcensis Kunth var. hispida (Kunth) Strother ( Asteraceae ), (1) [TCMC], new floral host. An earlier report of A. miliaris from New Mexico was thought to be a misidentification of A. rubronotata by the authors ( Fall and Cockerell 1907). Given the location of the specimen, in a mountainous area of southwestern New Mexico, I agree the specimen was most likely Acmaeodera rubronotata Laporte and Gory 1835 , which is common on roadside flowers north of Silver City, New Mexico (personal observation). Other records from Arizona, Colorado, and Utah ( Chamberlin 1926, Bellamy 2008) are also likely specimens of A. rubronotata and were not included in Nelson et al. (2008), undoubtedly for that reason. Before now the most westerly confirmed record of A. miliaris was from Ft. Davis, Texas ( Westcott 1979). The specimen above confirms the presence of A. miliaris in New Mexico, but only in the southeastern portion of the state.

Acmaeodera mixta LeConte, 1860 . ARKANSAS (new state record), Sevier Co., DeQueen Lake Wildlife Management Area, 25.v.2019, D.J. Heffern, (1) [TCMC]; NEW MEXICO, Bernalillo Co., Cibola National Forest, Capulin Picnic Ground, 35.2158, −106.4154, elev. 8899′, 3.vi.2018, beaten from living Robinia neomexicana A. Gray, T.C. MacRae & J.P. Huether , (3) [TCMC], new adult host; Chaves Co., 10.0 mi. west of Caprock on Hwy. 380, nr. Mescalero Sand Dunes, 33.4185, −103.8796, elev. 3974′, on flower Aphanostephus ramosissimus DC ( Asteraceae ), 5.vi.2018, T.C. MacRae & J.P. Huether, (1) [TCMC], new floral host; OKLAHOMA, Comanche Co., Medicine Park, Jack Laughter Park, 34.7243, −98.4937, elev. 1355′, on flower Gaillardia pulchella Foug. ( Asteraceae ), 10.vi.2019, T.C. MacRae & R. S. Thoma , (3) [TCMC], new floral host; Medicine Park Primitive Campground on West Lake Drive, 34.7245, −98.4990, elev. 1268′, on flowers G. pulchella & Thelesperma filifolium (Hook.) A. Gray (new floral host), T.C. MacRae & R. S. Thoma , 9.vi.2019, (12) [TCMC].

Acmaeodera neglecta Fall, 1899 . NEW MEXICO (new state record), Eddy Co., Klondike Gap Rd. and 412A, 32.131°N / 104.717°W, 5790′, ex Quercus gambelii Nutt. ( Fagaceae ) coll. 3.x.2014, em. vi.2015, D.J. Heffern & B. Raber, (2) [TAMU], new larval host; TEXAS, Val Verde Co., Gold Mine Canyon, 29.8022, −100.8344, on flowers Echinocereus enneacanthus Engelm. ( Cactaceae ), 19.v.2022, J.A. Hansen, (2♀) [JAHC], new floral host.

Acmaeodera neoneglecta Fisher, 1949 . OKLAHOMA, Comanche Co., Medicine Park Primitive Campground on West Lake Drive, 34.724457, −98.498971, elev. 1268′, on flower Coreopsis grandiflora Hogg ex Sweet ( Asteraceae ), 9.vi.2019, T.C. MacRae & R. S. Thoma , (3) [TCMC], new floral host; same data except on flower Thelesperma filifolium , (6) [TCMC], new floral host. Nelson et al. (2008) lists eight larval hosts for A. neoneglecta , six of them are in the plant family Fabaceae . However, they overlooked Baccharis neglecta Britton ( Asteraceae ) ( Boldt and Robbins 1987).

Acmaeodera obtusa Horn, 1878 . OKLAHOMA, Comanche Co., Medicine Park, Jack Laughter Park, 34.7243, −98.4937, elev. 1355′, on flower Gaillardia pulchella , 10.vi.2019, T.C. MacRae & R. S. Thoma , (1) [TCMC], new floral host; TEXAS, Winkler Co., nr. Kermit, 2.5 mi. west of Hwy. 115 on FM-874, 31.9444, −103.0110, elev. 2979′, on flower Baccharis sarothroides A. Gray ( Asteraceae ), 6.vi.2018, T.C. MacRae & J.P. Huether, (6) [TCMC], new floral host.

Acmaeodera opuntiae Knull, 1966 . TEXAS, Crane Co., Jct. 1053 & 1233, 10−26.v.1997, J.E. Wappes, (1) [TAMU]; Gonzales Co., Palmetto State Park, on Opuntia sp. flower, 28.iv.1988, C.B. Barr, (5) [LSAM, TCMC]; Real Co., Ranch Rd. 337 E., 29.7194, −99.6574, 18.iv.2020, J.A. Hansen, (2♂) [JAHC]; Starr Co., La Morita Rd., 26.5660, −98.8538, beaten from Prosopis glandulosa Torr. ( Fabaceae ), 1.iv.2023, J.A. Hansen, (15) [JAHC], new adult host; Same data except 14.iv.2023, J.A. Hansen, (6) [JAHC]; Beaten from same host, Sanchez Rd., 26.5921, −99.0022, 13.iv.2023, J.A. Hansen, (1) [JAHC]; Roma, Loma Blanca Rd., 26.6140, −99.0001, on flowers Helianthus annuus , 30.iv.2023, J.A. Hansen, (1♀, 1♂) [JAHC], new floral host; Uvalde Co., 28.iv.1982, R.L. Stone, (2) [LSAM, TCMC]; Val Verde Co., Pecos River and Hwy. 90, 29.7136, −101.3572, ex dead Vachellia rigidula coll. x.2022, em. Iv.2023, J.A. Hansen, (1♀, 1♂) [JAHC], new larval host; Val Verde Co., Devils River riparian site, 29.7985, −101.0008, pitfall trap along river, 7.iii–9.iv.2021, B. Raber & D. Heffern, (1) [DJHC]; Winkler Co., Monahans Sands, Route 874, 3–7 mi. east-northeast Jct. with Route 18, 6.vi.2018, J. Huether, (1) [JPHC]. Specimens that emerged from V. rigidula were confirmed using setal width, split of the third lateral elytral interspace, and examination of the male genitalia, as shown in Fig. 2a–e . Historically, Acmaeodera opuntiae has been thought to be restricted to southern Texas. While more common in areas of Starr and Hidalgo Co. the above records show A. opuntiae to have a much wider geographic range, extending into parts of west Texas. Previously the westernmost record was Zapata Co., Texas ( MacRae 2006). Its presence in west Texas suggests a wider larval host range than is currently known, since both Karwinskia humboldtiana (Schult.) Zucc. ( Rhamnaceae ) and V. rigidula do not occur in Crane or Winkler Co. ( USDA, NRCS 2023). The presence of individuals of A. opuntiae on P. glandulosa in two different Starr Co. locations, on different days, suggests adults were not merely resting on the plant. Adults may be feeding on the blooms; the plant may serve as a larval host, or both may occur. The association with mesquite merits further investigation since one of its known hosts, V. rigidula is in the same plant family.

Acmaeodera ornata (Fabricius, 1775) . TEXAS (new state record), Fannin Co., Fannin Lake , 33 ° 46′47″N, 96 ° 09′34″W, 29.iv.2004, E.Riley, (3) [ TAMU] ; Madison Co., 4 mi. east of Midway , 20.iv.2014, T.R. Clifton [ TAMU] ; ILLINOIS (new state record), Pope Co., [ Mt. Golcanda ]?, 28.iv.1992, J.K. Bouseman [ INHS] ; Union Co., Pine Hills Recreation Area , 3.v.1959, J.K. Bouseman, (2) [ INHS]. In Texas, this species appears to be restricted to the northeastern portion of the state .

Acmaeodera ornatoides Barr, 1972 . OKLAHOMA, Comanche Co., Medicine Park Primitive Campground on West Lake Drive, 34.724457, −98.498971, elev. 1268′, on flower Gaillardia pulchella , 9.vi.2019, T.C. MacRae & R. S. Thoma , (3) [TCMC], new floral host.

Acmaeodera princeps Kerremans, 1908 . Starr Co., La Morita Rd., 26.5660, −98.8538, feeding on flower Prosopis glandulosa , 1.iv.2023, J.A. Hansen, (1) [JAHC], new floral host.

Acmaeodera pulchella (Herbst, 1801) . OKLAHOMA, Le Flore Co., Ouachita National Forest, Ouachita Trail south of Winding Staircase Campground, 34.7093, −94.6831, elev. 2383′, on flower Krigia sp. ( Asteraceae ), 8.vi.2019, T.C. MacRae & R. S. Thoma , (1) [TCMC], new floral host.

Acmaeodera quadrivittatoides Nelson & Westcott, 1995 . TEXAS, Winkler Co., nr. Kermit, 2.5 mi. west of Hwy. 115 on FM-874, 31.9444, −103.0110, elev. 2979′, on flower Oenothera sp. , 6.vi.2018, T.C. MacRae & J.P. Huether, (1) [TCMC], new floral host.

Acmaeodera robigo Knull, 1954 . Texas, Edwards Co., 2 mi. northwest Camp Wood, 29.6826, −100.0277, on flower Pinaropappus roseus (Less.) Less. ( Asteraceae ), 14.iv.2018, K.W. Wright, (1) [TAMU], new floral host.

Acmaeodera tubulus (Fabricius, 1801) . Texas, Brazos Co., College Station, ex Quercus sinuata Walter var sinuata coll. 31.xii.1985, em. 25.iii.1986, S.G. Wellso & J.A. Jackman, (1) [TAMU], new larval host; Bryan, FM-1688 nr. Brazos River, ex Styphnolobium affine (Torr. & A. Gray) Walp. ( Fabaceae ) coll. 31.xii.1985, em. 2–9.iii.1986, J.A. Jackman & S.G. Wellso, (4) [TAMU], new larval host. COLORADO (new state record), Alamosa Co., Alamosa,

25.vi.1981, J. Glaser, (1) [CMNH, mislabeled?].

Key to species of Acmaeodera occurring east of the Rocky Mountain states

The following key includes the known fauna east of the Rocky Mountain states. Acmaeodera cuneata Fall, 1899 is omitted despite its inclusion in the Texas fauna by Nelson et al. (2008) and Bellamy (2008), which was done in error. Acmaeodera disjuncta Fall, 1899 was recently synonymized with Acmaeodera opacula LeConte, 1858 ( Hansen and Westcott 2023) and this taxonomic change is reflected in the key. Acmaeodera amplicollis LeConte, 1866 is included, despite not being listed from Texas in Nelson et al. (2008) and Bellamy (2008). It was likely excluded from the Texas fauna because the only Texas record of this species was collected in the Davis Mountains ( Westcott et al. 1979) with a suspect collection date of April 11 th, seemingly much too early for this Summer/Fall species. The label data indicate the specimen was caught in a light trap during a trip the collector made through the southwestern United States, of which Ft. Davis was only one of the stops made (Doug Yanega, University of California-Riverside, pers. comm.). Also significant is no other specimen from the Ft. Davis area (a popular destination for insect collectors) or Texas as a whole have come to light since that time, 58 years ago. The time of year and lack of additional Texas specimens makes it likely the specimen was collected at one of the other stops the collector made within the known geographic range of A. amplicollis and was simply mislabeled. It is still possible A. amplicollis occurs in far west El Paso Co., Texas in the vicinity of the Franklin Mountains, which have a similar habitat to the Organ Mountains in New Mexico, roughly 25 miles to the north, where A. amplicollis is known to occur. For this reason, A. amplicollis is included in the key and Appendix 1 despite the lack of a credible record from Texas.

Due to extreme variability of markings among specimens of many of the species included in this work, series plates of each species, which demonstrate the range of variation that exists among available specimens, are arranged in alphabetical order. The user is encouraged to freely consult the images as needed (Appendix 1). The separation of species in the Acmaeodera tubulus species group and the Acmaeodera pulchella species group (e.g., A. pulchella , A. mixta , A. immaculata ) uses generally accepted characters, which should successfully identify the majority of individuals. Even so, some specimens within these two complexes may be difficult to determine and require the attention of a specialist. In such cases, caution is advised. Both complexes present challenges that will likely require molecular investigation to resolve, especially in areas where populations of the closely related species in question overlap.

1. Pronotal disc cribrately punctate........................................................... 2

— Pronotal disc not cribrately punctate....................................................... 4

2(1). Venter with branched setae on proepisternum, femora and laterally on first three abdominal ventrites..................................................................... A. cribricollis Horn

— Venter without branched setae on proepisternum, femora and laterally on first three abdominal ventrites.................................................................................... 3

3(2). Pronotum uniformly convex, two basolateral depressions shallow (south Texas and Mexico)............................................................... A. tildenorum Nelson and Westcott

— Pronotum not uniformly convex, middle and two basolateral depressions deep (south Florida, Bahamas, and Cuba).................................................. A. marginenotata Chevrolat

4(1). Lateral elytral interval 2 or 3 prominent..................................................... 5

— Lateral elytral intervals not prominent...................................................... 8

5(4). Elytra with red markings on apical third.................................................... 6

— Elytra with only yellow markings on apical third............................................. 7

6(5). Costal margin of elytra flared nearly horizontal, second lateral interval less prominent than the third; pronotum reflexed, with yellow laterally.............................. A. paradisjuncta Knull

— Costal margin of elytra vertical, second lateral interval much more prominent than third; pronotum not reflexed, immaculate................................................... A. miliaris Horn

7(5). Elytra with irregular vittae and clothed with white setae, 4.5–7.5 mm ............. A. parkeri Cazier

— Elytra without vittae and clothed with dark setae, 7–10 mm .................. A. gillespiensis Knull

8(4). Dorsally clothed with long, white, recumbent setae, apex of setae contacting dorsum.............. 9

— Dorsally clothed with short or long setae of various colors, apex of setae freestanding, not contacting dorsum............................................................................ 10

9(8). Elytra with two red spots on apical third.................................... A. uvaldensis Knull

— Elytra without red spots on the apical third.................................. A. pinalorum Knull

10(8). Pronotum with orange spot laterally; elytra with seven orange spots arranged longitudinally in two rows, occasionally coalescing (south Florida, Brazil and Columbia)... A. xanthosticta Laporte and Gory

— Pronotum with yellow spot laterally or immaculate; elytra with yellow or red maculations........ 11

11(10). Femora with setae straight and flattened in shape, equal to or shorter than width of femur........ 12

— Femora with setae often sinuous or curved and not flattened in shape, usually longer than width of femur................................................................................... 20

12(11). Third lateral stria split near umbone or independent (0–5 punctures).......................... 13

— Third lateral stria split within basal third (≥6 punctures)..................................... 16

13(12). Each elytron with two yellow vittae (sometimes vittae faintly separated); pronotum with or without yellow spot laterally................................. A. quadrivittatoides Nelson and Westcott

— Each elytron with single yellow vitta, never with two; pronotum immaculate.................... 14

14(13) Robust, elytra with wide yellow vittae....................................... A. riograndei Nelson

— Cylindrical, elytra most often without vittae, occasionally with vittae or elytra mostly yellow...... 15

15(14). Elytra clothed with wide setae, 3.0– 5.5 mm (west to south Texas)................ A. opuntiae Knull

— Elytra clothed with narrow setae, 3.0– 7.5 mm (Arkansas, Missouri, Oklahoma, Texas excluding south)........................................................................ A. neglecta Fall

16(12). Elytra with red-orange vittae or mostly red-orange............................... A. robigo Knull

— Elytra with yellow markings only.......................................................... 17

17(16) Each elytron usually with 6–8 small yellow spots that occasionally coalesce, rarely reduced (eastern to midwestern U.S.)................................................. A. tubulus (Fabricius)

— Each elytron with vittae or larger irregular yellow markings or fewer and larger yellow spots...... 18

18(17). West Texas to Arizona ................................................. A. natlovei new species

— Central to south Texas ................................................................... 19

19(18). Body cylindrical; elytral markings extremely variable, sometimes with narrow irregular vittae, less com- monly wide vittae, rarely immaculate; pronotum black-bronze (central Texas to Mexico)........................................................................... A. neoneglecta Fisher

— Body more robust; elytra with wide yellow vittae; pronotum black (Known only from south Texas).......................................................................... A. starrae Knull

20(11). Elytra with yellow and red markings....................................................... 21

— Elytra with yellow markings only.......................................................... 29

21(20). Lateral edge of pronotum not visible throughout from above, not explanate..................... 22

— Lateral edge of pronotum visible throughout from above, strongly to weakly explanate........... 26

22(21). Elytra with large, solitary, mediolateral red spot, extending from costal margin to third lateral interval..................................................................... A. davidsoni Barr

— Elytra with yellow markings and smaller red spots laterally................................... 23

23(22). Elytra with small, scattered yellow maculations, sometimes forming narrow transverse bands............................................................... A. rubronotata Laporte and Gory

— Yellow elytral maculations consolidated into fewer large spots arranged longitudinally............ 24

24(23). Elytra usually with three to four red spots laterally, centered on the third lateral interspace and spaced more or less evenly from umbone to apical third; pronotum with sides gradually converging from base to apex, widest at base............................................ A. gibbula LeConte

— elytra with one to two red maculations restricted to apicolateral half of elytra; pronotum arcuately rounded from base to apex or subparallel on basal half, widest at middle.................... 25

25(24). Pronotum widest and subparallel on basal fourth, not inflated; elytra apicolateral red stripe almost always broken................................................................ A. recticollis Fall

— Pronotum widest at basal third, distinctly inflated; elytra with apicolateral red stripes almost always entire...................................................... A. tiquilia Westcott and Barr

26(21). Elytra with many small, scattered, yellow spots laterally, identical to the yellow markings dorsally; pronotum usually immaculate, sometimes with small, basolateral, yellow mark............................................................................... A. haemorrhoa LeConte

— Elytra with lateral, yellow stripe extending from base to about middle, sometimes interrupted midway, dorsum mostly immaculate or with a few larger yellow maculations; pronotum almost always with basolateral, short or elongate, yellow mark.............................................. 27

27(26). Robust; third lateral elytral interval more convex than the second and fourth at apical third; lateral stripe from base to about middle usually broken; apical bands both marked with red.................................................................................... A. opacula LeConte

— Not robust; third lateral elytral interval not more convex than second or fourth at apical third; lateral stripe from base to about middle usually not broken; one or both apical bands marked with red.. 28

28(27). Elytra with dorsal surface mostly immaculate, two transverse red bands on apical third coalescing to form a single, wide, transverse band ornamented with 0–3 black spots (south Arizona and south Texas to Central America)....................................... A. flavomarginata (Gray)

— Elytra with dorsal surface immaculate or not, one or both apical bands marked with red, broken by suture (Arizona, Colorado, New Mexico and west Texas).................... A. amabilis Horn

29(20). Umbone flanked by yellow stripes, typically joining by middle................................ 30

— Umbone not flanked by yellow stripes..................................................... 31

30(29). Pronotum reflexed, wider than elytral base.............................. A. amplicollis LeConte *

— Pronotum not reflexed, not wider than elytral base....................... A. scalaris Mannerheim

31(29). Pronotum golden green, very densely punctate throughout ( A. amplicollis sometimes has golden green pronotum)............................................................ A. auritincta Fall

— Pronotum not golden green, punctation variable............................................ 32

32(31). Elytra yellow with few to many dark spots and/or dark irregular markings, without transverse bands.. 33

— Elytra immaculate, with yellow spots, yellow irregular markings or transverse bands............. 38

33(32). Pronotum black..................................................... A. scalaris Mannerheim

— Pronotum brassy to bronze............................................................... 34

34(33). Pronotal margin explanate, constricted near base, hind angles produced......... A. maculifera Horn

— Pronotal margin not explanate or constricted near base, hind angles not produced............... 35

35(34). Pronotum moderately to deeply depressed basomedially, lateral depressions deep; in lateral view costal edge of elytra sharply bent upward posterior to metacoxa............... A. princeps Kerremans

— Pronotum lightly depressed or uniformly convex basomedially, lateral depressions not deep; in lateral view costal edge of elytra nearly straight posterior to metacoxa............................ 36

36(35). Pronotum deeply, coarsely punctate...................................... A. variegata LeConte

— Pronotum finely punctate................................................................ 37

37(36). Vestiture of head white; lateral margin of pronotum rounded under. On average smaller 4.7–8.5 mm. larval host: Krascheninnikovia lanata ................................... A. immaculata Horn

— Vestiture of head light brown to brown; lateral margin of pronotum not rounded under. On average larger 6.5–13 mm. larval hosts: Acacia sp. , Avicennia sp. , Celtis sp. , and Prosopis sp. ... A. mixta LeConte

38(32). Pronotum deep blue or with blue-green sheen.............................................. 39

— Pronotum bronzed or black.............................................................. 40

39(38). Pronotum immaculate and explanate, sides visible from above throughout... A. flavopicta Waterhouse

— Pronotum dark blue with yellow, basolateral spots, not explanate, sides not visible from above throughout..................................................................... A. obtusa Horn

40(38). Pronotum black........................................................................ 41

— Pronotum dark bronzed to brassy......................................................... 46

41(40). Pronotum moderately to deeply depressed basomedially..................................... 42

— Pronotum lightly depressed or uniformly convex basomedially................................ 44

42(41). Pronotum with large yellow spot basolaterally; elytra with four transverse bands...... A. macra Horn

— Pronotum immaculate or sometimes with a small yellow spot basolaterally; elytra with scattered yellow spots and/or irregular, thin, transverse bands........................................... 43

43(42). Posthumeral yellow spot attenuated, more or less straight; dorsum sometimes with blue reflections, (Oklahoma, Texas, New Mexico)........................................ A. ornatoides Barr

— Posthumeral yellow spot long and slightly curved; dorsum without blue reflections (eastern U.S.)....................................................................... A. ornata (Fabricius)

44(41). Pronotum with sides gradually converging from base to apex, widest at base; elytra with five yellow spots arranged longitudinally on the disc, three yellow spots on basal two-thirds, centered on the third lateral interspace, and three to four yellow spots along the costal edge........ A. delumbis Horn

— Pronotum not widest at base, elytra with transverse bands.................................... 45

45(44). Dorsum, deep shiny black; elytra with two short, yellow, transverse bands at middle, oblique band at apical third and a subapical dot (Texas)................................... A. wenzeli Van Dyke

— Dorsum, not shiny black; elytra usually with four transverse bands, sometimes confused (southeastern U.S.)................................................................ A. texana LeConte

46(40). Pronotum moderate to deeply depressed basomedially....................................... 47

— Pronotum lightly depressed or uniformly convex basomedially................................ 48

47(46). Pronotum coarsely punctate, not shiny; elytra often with four transverse bands broken at suture............................................................................ A. bowditchi Fall

— Pronotum less coarsely punctate, shiny; elytra with irregular transverse bands and yellow markings.......................................................................... A. consors Horn

48(46). Pronotum immaculate (rarely with very small yellow dot laterally).............. A. texana LeConte

— Pronotum with yellow spot laterally, never immaculate....................................... 49

49(48). Pronotum deeply, coarsely punctate...................................... A. variegata LeConte

— Pronotum shallowly, finely punctate....................................................... 50

50(49). Vestiture of head white; lateral margin of pronotum rounded under. On average smaller 4.7–9.0 mm, larval host: Krascheninnikovia lanata ................................... A. immaculata Horn

— Vestiture of head mostly light brown to brown; lateral margin of pronotum not rounded under. On average larger 6.5–13 mm ................................................................ 51

51(50). Elytral apex usually entirely black (occasionally with yellow spots), setae dark brown to black. (Eastern U.S. and Canada).................................................. A. pulchella (Herbst)

— Elytral apex black with two yellow spots (occasionally all black), setae light brown to brown. (Southwestern U.S.: Nebraska south to Texas and west to Utah and Arizona)............. A. mixta LeConte

*Likely to occur in far west Texas though no valid records currently exist from the state.

Figures

Figure 2. Male genitalia, Acmaeodera tubulus species group. a) A. natlovei new species. b) A. neoneglecta. c) A. tubulus. d) A. neglecta. e) A. opuntiae.