A new synonym of Acmaeodera opacula LeConte, 1858 (Coleoptera: Buprestidae) and lectotype designations for Acmaeodera amabilis Horn, 1878 and

Authors

Jason A. Hansen, USDA-APHIS-PPQ, Los Indios, TXFollow
Richard L. Westcott, Entomologist Emeritus, Plant Division Oregon Department of Agriculture Salem, OregonFollow

Document Type

Article

Date of this Version

4-28-2023

Citation

Hansen JA, Westcott RL. 2023. A new synonym of Acmaeodera opacula LeConte, 1858 (Coleoptera: Buprestidae) and lectotype designations for Acmaeodera amabilis Horn, 1878 and Acmaeodera disjuncta Fall, 1899. Insecta Mundi 0984: 1–4.

Comments

Published on April 28, 2023 by Center for Systematic Entomology, Inc. P.O. Box 141874 Gainesville, FL 32614-1874 USA http://centerforsystematicentomology.org/

This is an open access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons, Attribution Non-Commercial License

Abstract

Lectotypes are designated for Acmaeodera amabilis Horn, 1878 and Acmaeodera disjuncta Fall, 1899 (Coleoptera: Buprestidae). The defining characters of Acmaeodera opacula LeConte, 1858 are compared with those of A. disjuncta Fall, 1899, as well as habitat and host plant. Acmaeodera disjuncta is synonymized with A. opacula. The distinguishing characters of congeners whose general appearance at times can resemble A. opacula are discussed, and a new state record for Mexico is provided for A. opacula.

Acmaeodera Eschscholtz, 1829 is a large and taxonomically difficult genus. For example, there are over 300 spe­cies known from the United States and Mexico combined (Bellamy 2008) and many more await description, the large majority from Mexico. Here we provide taxonomic and nomenclatural clarification regarding Acmaeodera opacula LeConte, 1858 that resolves long-standing questions about the taxon, using morphology, plant prefer­ence, and distribution. Lectotypes are designated for Acmaeodera amabilis Horn, 1878 and Acmaeodera disjuncta Fall, 1899, two species with which A. opacula has historically been compared. Also, a new state record for Mexico is provided for A. opacula.