Laccophilus maculosus shermani Leech 1944

Laccophilus maculosus shermani Leech Laccophilus shermani Leech, 1944, pp. 4-6. Holotype: male; Bear Canyon, Santa Catalina Mountains, Pima County, Arizona; iv.2.38, E. C. Van Dyke, Canadian National Collection, Ottawa.
DIAGNOSIS. — L. m. shermani belongs to the irrorated species with sawlike ovipositors and metacoxal files. The venter is yellow to reddish-brown, and the elytral pattern is relatively uniformly irrorate except for maculae. L. mistecus aztecus, which occurs in central Mexico, has much the same color and pattern, but differs in aedeagus, its larger size (0.2 mm longer), and lack of female epipleural flange. L. fasciatus subspecies are smaller (see diagnosis for decipiens) and have black markings on the posterior half of the elytra. L. fuscipennis is evenly irrorate and characteristically has a flange, but lacks clear maculae on the elytra. It is about one millimeter shorter (average length, 4.5 mm). L. proximus is about the same length or even shorter than L. fuscipennis.
NOMENCLATURAL NOTES. — No synonymical confusion exists for this race. It was considered to be part of decipiens, until Leech recognized that the male aedeagus and coxal file were different. Mexican records other than Baja California undoubtedly refer to shermani.
VARIATION. — The mean length of males is about 5.8 mm and that of females is about 5.6 mm — about the same as for decipiens. The most southeastern sample (Puebla) has high mean values for all measurements, indicating that there could be a change in size in that peripheral population; but since there are only seven specimens of each sex available, it is not possible to give a conclusive answer. The nearest sample (Huasca, Hidalgo) gives values comparable to the rest of the race. The PW/EL ratio shows no geographical trend. In general, shermani presents much the same picture as decipiens and maculosus; i.e., widespread, outbreeding populations with little regional specialization within the race. The female epipleural flange is the most striking variable character in shermani, but the only obvious geographical relationship is that it decreases near the northern limit of the race. This decrease suggests influence from decipiens. — The range of L. m. shermani covers Arizona, New Mexico, west Texas, and the Mexican Plateau. It is limited on the northeast by the High Plains of New Mexico and on the northwest by the lower Colorado River Valley. In Mexico, it is almost entirely confined to the Central Plateau; but I have collected it once near Mazatlan. Numerous collections in the lowlands of Sonora have not produced any shermani, however. It occurs near Monterrey and Saltillo in the Sierra Madre Oriental, but not in the lowlands to the east. The range's southernmost extensions are in Puebla and Michoacan.
L. m. shermani is most commonly found in the PinonJuniper zone or lower Ponderosa zone of New Mexico, Arizona, and West Texas; but it does occur in the flats between mountains. It appears to have less ecological tolerance than decipiens. In Mexico, it is most frequently found in pine-oak associations or in the pools of streams not exceeding 8000 feet. UNITED STATES OF AMERICA. — ARIZONA. Cochise County. Chiracahua Mtns., N. Portal, 15,1?, viii. 13.52, H. B. Leech (CAS). Chiracahua Mtns., Herb Martyr L., 3 6 , 8 2, ix.5.61; Cave Canyon Ck., 2 $, 3 ?, ix.5.61, JRZ (NMSU). Douglas, 1 2, iii.15.33, W. W. Jones (BERK); 13 m. E., 1 2, vi.11.59, L. A. Stange (DAV); 6 m. E., 1 3 , 1 2, v.18.63, K. L. McWilliams (NMSU). Fairbanks, 2, iii.12.36, J. G. Needham (CNL). Huachucha Mtns., Sunnyside Cany., 1 £ , 2 2 , viii.4.52, Leech & Green (CAS). Huachucha City, 14 S, 8 2, ix.6.61, JRZ (NMSU). Palmerlee, 2, viii.—.— (USNM). Portal, SWRS, 5400 feet, 5 m. W., 1 2, iv.23.56, E. Ordway (AMNH); Portal, 2 2, vii.20.58, J. M. Marston (DAV); Portal, 5 m. W., 1 S , 1 2, viii. 17.58, J. M. Marston (DAV). St. David, 1 2, vii.17.45, G. E. Pickford (FM); 7 $ , 12 2, vii.25.61, JRZ (NMSU). Tombstone, 2 S, vii.7.44, G. E. Pickford (FM). Coconino County. Flagstaff, 7 m. S., 3 $ , 3 2, iv.7.66, J. Schuh (SCH). Grand Canyon, Supai, 3500 feet, 8 $, 20 2, viii.2-4.34, E. L. Bell; Phantom Ranch, 2500 feet, 1 $ , 4 2, vii.26.34, D. Rockerfeller (AMNH). Williams, 3, ii.6.— . Barber & Schwarz (USNM). Gila County. Carrizo Ck., 23 S, 31 2, vii. 20.63. PSB (CAS). Globe, Pinal Ck., 4, iv.25.53. A. & H. Dietrich (CNL); 2 2. v. 10-1 1.25, D. K. Duncan (CAS). Graham County. Galiuro Mtns., 1,
v.21.— , Hubbard & Schwarz (USNM). Geronimo, 2 9, iv.28.24, J. O. Martin (CAS). Graham Mtns., 9500 feet, Snow Flat, 5 $, 1 9, ix.13.52, B. Malkin (FM). Graham Mtns., Hwy. 666 at Marijilda Canyon, 2 <$, 8 9, viii.3.65, H. B. Leech (CAS). Safford, 10 m. S., 1 $, ii.2.36, O. Bryant (CAS). Greenlee County. Hardy, 1, Wickham (USNM). Maricopa County. Phoenix, 1 (USNM); 34 5, 24 9 (AMNH). Wickenburg, 5 m. E., Hassayampa R., 2 9, iv.2.66, J. Schuh (SCH). Mohave County. Peach Springs, 2, — . — .33; 1, viii.27. — , Wickham (USNM). Navajo County. Clay Springs, 35 5, 37 9, vii.21.63, PSB (CAS). Lakeside, 2, vi. 11.46, G. P. Mackenzie (CAS); 1 $,
3 9, viii.22.52, B. Malkin (FM). Pima County. Arivaca, Arivaca Ck., 1 9, vii.31.52, J. W. Greene (CAS). Lowell Rngr. Sta., 2700 feet, 5 &, 7 9, vii.6-20.16 (AMNH). San Fernando (now Sasabe), 3, viii.28.25, R. Budlong (USNM). SanXavier Mission, 1, D. K. Duncan (USNM — paratype). Tucson,
1 9, ix.-ll.24, A. A. Nichol (CAS); 1 <$, vi.1.33; 2 5.2 9, ix.— .33, O. Bryant (CAS); 1 5, 3 9, iii.18.46, J. W. Green (DAV); 3, Shoemaker (USNM); 1, xi.— .24; 1, xi.4.24, Frost; 1, xi.8.27, L. C. Bailey; 1, xi.8.34, K. Thomas; 1, v. 22.32 (ARI). Tucson, Santa Catalina Mtns., 4, xi.15.24; 1, x.21.24; 2, xii.4.24, A. A. Nichol (ARI). 1, ix.17.57, C. W. Nichol & O'Brien (ARI); 4, iv.5-18. — , Hubbard & Schwarz (USNM). Tucson, Santa Catalina Mtns., Bear Cany., 1 S, xi.15.24, A. A. Nichol; 3 5, 8 9, i.2.38, Van Dyke (CAS); 1, xi.4.34, L. P. Wehrle; 1, xi.5.35, H. H. Cole; 2, x. 16.43, J. Hendrickson (ARI); Tucson, Santa Catalina Mtns., Sabino Canyon, 1, iii.22.52, R. L. Catsitt (ARI); 1, I. W. Tilden (USNM — paratype). Tucson, Santa Catalina Mtns., Molina Basin, 1 9, vi. 11.58, MacNeil & MacNeil. Tucson, Santa Catalina Mtns., Lowell Rang. Sta., 8, vii.6-20.16 (USNM). County, 1 S, x.21.24, A. A. Nichol (BERK). Quitobaquito, O.P.C., Natl. Mon., 2, iv.25.53; 5, v.1.53, A. & H. Dietrich (CNL). Pinal County. Aravaipa Cn., near Mammoth, 1, v.21. 53, A. & H. Dietrich (CNL). Santa Cruz County. Atasco Mtn., 1, ix.26.53, G. D. Butler (ARI). Tumacacori, Sycamore Cn., 15,4 9, viii.3.52, H. B. Leech (CAS). Near Ruby, 1, xi.20.55, G. D. Butler & F. G. Werner (ARI). Madera Cn., 1 5, vii.3.63, V. L. Vesterby (DAV). Nogales, 1 5,
2 9, viii.19.06; ix.30.06, Blaisdell (CAS); 1 9, viii.19.06, F. W. Nunenmacher (FM). Pajarito Mtns., Pena Blanca, 33 5, 26 9, vii. 19. -viii.8.62, R. Arnett & E. Van Tassel (CUA) . Pena Blanca Lk., 2 5,3 9 , iv.4.66, J. Schuh (SCH) . Patagonia, 4 m. S., 1 5 , 3 9, iv.4.66, J. Schuh (SCH). Santa Rita Mtns., Box Can., 2 5, viii.29.52, B. Malkin (FM); Santa Rita Mtns., Florida Canyon,
4 5,19, ii.2.62; Santa Rita Mtns., 1, v.29.— , Hubbard & Schwarz (USNM). Tumacacori, Sycamore Cn., 2, vi.3.53, A. & H. Dietrich (CNL). Yavapai County. Bloody Basin, 1 9, vi.8.47, F. H. Parker (CAS). Castle Hot Springs, 1 5, iv.5.42 (AMNH). Minehaha, 1 (USNM); 1 9 (AMNH). Prescott, 3, viii. — .— (USNM);17 <5 , 26 9 , viii. — .— (AMNH). NEW MEXICO. Bernalillo County. Albuquerque, 2, C. V. Riley (USNM) ; 2, M. L. Linell (USNM); 1, vii. 2.—, Wickham (USNM); 1 $, 2 9; 1 8, 1 9, Wickham (AMNH); 3, vii. 7. 88 (ISU). Catron County. Alma, 15 m. N., 3 5, 5 9, vii. 16.63, R. D. Ohmart (NMSU). Datil, 8 m. S., 4 5, 4 9, vii. 17.63, R. D. Ohmart (NMSU). Quemado, 1 5, ix.1.41, O. Bryant (CAS); 16 5, 16 9, vii. 16.63, R. D. Ohmart (NMSU). Colfax County. Near Maxwell, 5 3, vii. 14.61, JRZ (NMSU). Raton, 1 3, iv.25.51, O. Bryant (CAS); 23 m. S.E., 2 3, vii.5.63, R. N. Gennaro (NMSU). Van Houten, 7000 feet, 5 3,5 9, vii.6.63, R. N. Gennaro (NMSU). Dona Ana County. Las Cruces, 1 3, vii.9.61, JRZ (NMSU); 1 3, vii.6.61, E. Staffeldt & JRZ (NMSU); 1 9, x.1.62, K. L. McWilliams (NMSU). Mesilla, 1 $, vii.6.61, JRZ (NMSU). Grant County. Silver City, 10 m. W., 33 3, 50 9, vii. 16.63, R. D. Ohmart (NMSU). Harding County. Gallegos, 41 m. N., 19, x.23.65, A. H. Smith & T. O. Boswell (NMSU). Hidalgo County. Animas, 12 m. S.E., H,2 9,K.L McWilliams (NMSU). Animas Mtns., Double Adobe Ranch (near Animas), 13,19, viii. 15.52; 6 3,4 9, vii. 3 1.65, H. B. Leech (CAS). Lincoln County. Alto (north of Ruidoso), 13 3, 12 9, vii. 27. 61, JRZ (NMSU). Angus, Rio Bonito, 13,4 9, viii. 7.65, H. B. Leech (CAS). Luna County. Deming, 15 m. N.W., Mimbres R., 9 3, 4 9, vii. 17.61, JRZ; Deming, 10 m. W., Hwy. 26, 1 9, iv.20.63, K. L. McWilliams; Hurley, 4 3, 1 9, vii. 17.61, JRZ; Lordsburg, 13 m. E., 19, K. L. McWilliams (NMSU). McKinley County. Ft. Wingate, 26 (USNM). Sandoval County. Cuba, 3 m. S.W., 5 3,7 9, vii. 11.63, R. D. Ohmart; Jemez, Jemez Ck., 1 9, iv.30.57, A. Smith (NMSU). Sierra County. Arrey, 7.5 m. W., 14 3, 4 9, iii.20.63, K. L. McWilliams (NMSU). Hillsboro, 4 m. E. (label says Pedra R. Gorge in Mimbres Mtns., but must mean Percha Ck.),
3 3, 1 9, viii.31.52, B. Malkin (FM); 1 3, iv.7.63; Hillsboro, 1 3, iv.7.63, JRZ (NMSU). Socorro County. Near Bingham, 13,3 9, vii.21.62, R. D. Ohmart (NMSU). Torrance County. Mountainair, 10 m. S., Abo State Mon., 1 9, viii.21.67, H. B. Leech (CAS). Valencia County. Bluewater, 1, 1933, Wickham (USNM). Fence L., 4 m. S., 3 9, vii.18.63, R. D. Ohmart (NMSU). TEXAS. Brewster County. Marathon, 4 m. S., 1 3, ix.5.52, B. Malkin (FM). Culberson County. Nickel Creek Sta., 2 m. E., 11 3 , 8 9, ix.2.52, B. Malkin;
1 3, ix.2.52, B. Malkin & V. Thatcher; 1 9, ix.9.52, B. Malkin (FM). El Paso County. Clint, 1 m. W., 11 3, 5 9, vii.19.61, JRZ (NMSU). Jeff Davis County. Davis Mtns., 1 (CNL); 1, vii. 16.41, B. E. White (CNL); 13,19, v.9.51; 2 3,19, x.11.49, O. Bryant (CAS); Davis Mtns., Limpia Can., 14 3, 12 9, iv.19.53, B. L. Adelson & M. Wasbauer (BERK); 11 3, 10 9, iv.19.53,
A. J. Adelson & M. Wasbauer (CAS); 1 3, ix.4-5.52; Davis, 13 m. S., Kent,
4 3, 1 9, ix.8.52; 1 3, ix.13.52, B. Malkin (FM). Davis Mtns., Elbow Can. Ck., 10 3, 9 9, x.27.61; Madera Can. Ck., 2 3, viii. 3. 61; Limpia Can. Ck., 3 3, 3 9, viii. 3.61, JRZ (NMSU). Ft. Davis, 1, vi. 10.14, C. Thompson (USNM);
2 3,3 9, viii. 3. 61 (NMSU).
MEXICO— AGUASCALIENTES. Aguascalientes, 1 m. N., 5 3 , 5 9 , vii.26.62, JRZ (NMSU). CHIHUAHUA. Chihuahua City, 1 3, Hoge (AMNH) (ex.
B. C. A. Coll.); Chihuahua, 43 m. N., 18 3 , 19 9, xii.8.62; Camargo, lm.N,
1 3, vii.25.62; Casas Grande, 5 m. E., 9 3 , 11 9, vii. 20.64; Colonia Juarez,
2 m. S.W., 11 3, 16 9, xii.20.64; Hidalgo de Parral, 2 m. S., 1 3, 2 9 vii.25.62; 10 m. S, 1 3,2 9, xii.9.62; JRZ (NMSU). Primavera, 5 3,4 9, vi.30.47, M. Cazier, R. Shrammel, W. Gertsch (AMNH). Santa Barbara, 63 m. W., 5500 feet, 1 3, vii.20.47, Gertsch (AMNH). Zaragosa, 13,19, vii.19.61,
JRZ (NMSU). COAHUILA. Ramos Arizpe, 5 3, 1 2, vii.7.63, JRZ (NMSU). DURANGO, 1, Wickham (USNM). Durango, 20 m. W., 4 3, 7 2, xii. 10.62, JRZ (NMSU). El Pino, 5 m. N., 1 $, 1 5, J. D. Lattin (BERK). LaZarca,
15 m. N., 15 3, 17 2, vii.25.62; Llano Grande, 10 m. E., 1 3, 1 2, xii.10.62; Nombre de Dios, 13,4 2, vii.26.62; San Juan Del Rio, 10 m. N., 2 $, 3 5, xii.9.62, JRZ (NMSU). GUANAJUATO. Irapuato, 5 m. S., 1 2, vii.27.62, JRZ (CAS) . HIDALGO. Near Huasca (San Miguel Regla), 3 3,12, vii. 10.63; Zimapan, 1 3, 2 2, vii.9.63, JRZ (NMSU). MICHOACAN. Insurgentes Morelos Pk., 1 2, vii.27.62, JRZ (NMSU). NUEVO LEON. Sta. Catarina, Huasteca Can., 3 3,4 2, vii.7.63, JRZ (NMSU). PUEBLA. Acatzingo, 2 $,
1 2, viii.28.62; Cuapiaxtla 5 3,6 2, viii.24.62, JRZ. San Martin Texmelucan, 13,12, viii.24.62, JRZ (NMSU). QUERETARO. San Juan Del Rio, 13,2 2, iii.27.63, JRZ (NMSU). SAN LUIS POTOSI. San Luis Potosi,
2 m. S., 1 3, 3 2, xi.21.48, H. B. Leech (CAS). Santa Maria del Rio, 2 3,
3 2, iii.26.63, JRZ (NMSU). SINALOA. Mazatlan, 7 m. S., 4 3, 4 2, xii.11.62, JRZ (NMSU). SONORA. Bavispe, 1 3, vii.26.63, JRZ (NMSU). ZACATECAS. Fresnillo, 61 m. S., 1 3, 1 2, vi.25.54, R. H. Brewer (CAS);
16 m. N.W., Rio Trujillo, 1 3, 1 2, vi.29.54 (CAS); 45 m. W., 7700 feet, 13, 2 2, vi.25.54, R. H. Brewer (CAS). Laguna Balderama, 8200 feet, vii.8.54, R. H. Brewer (CAS). Pinos, 10 m. S., 12, viii.1.59, Ray Bandar (CAS). Sombrerete, 10 m. W., 1 3, 4 2, vii. 1.54, R. H. Brewer (CAS).
Intergradation in Laccophilus maculosus
There are two intergrade zones in Laccophilus maculosus — one between maculosus and decipiens and the other between decipiens and shermani. Intergrades between maculosus and decipiens occur in a band from northeastern Colorado, through Nebraska and South Dakota, and into southern Manitoba. Figure 280 is an illustration of an intergrade elytral pattern from Colorado. Presumably, intergrades also occur in eastern Wyoming and western North Dakota; but they have not yet been recognized. It is not surprising that they have not been detected, however. Intergrades can be difficult to determine in many instances, and even large samples usually include only a few individuals that are intermediate for several characters. Most populations seem to be composed mainly of F-j's or backcrosses with one of the parental races.
Intergrades between decipiens and shermani occur in a narrow zone extending from north central New Mexico through northern Arizona to a single, indefinitely placed locality in eastern Riverside County in California. These intergrades could be verified only if the aedeagus was intermediate. The elytral patterns are too similar to show intergradation. The female epipleural flange should be helpful
shermoni maculos
crosshatched: females, stippled.
since an intergrade should have it situated in a position intermediate between those of decipiens and shermani. Only a few females from the intergrade zone have the flange; and, usually, the sample size is too small to collect one with a flange.
Both intergrade populations show chaotic mixing; thus, it seems that, in both cases, secondary hybridization has occurred. Within the zone, any one specimen may 1) show no sign of intermediacy, 2) show only a trace of mixture in perhaps but one character, or 3) be
intermediate in all characters (rarely). Elytral patterns or aedeagi provide the best evidence for intergradation, but the coxal files are also useful on occasion. A population from El Paso County, Colorado, which appears to be well within the range of decipiens, contained two specimens that had only 36 lines in the file; five others had counts in the middle forties, which is more typical of decipiens. Apparently, there is some gene flow from shermani influencing the population.
The narrowness of the zones is difficult to explain. Possible explanations are that there is incomplete gene flow between the races or that the ecological requirements of the races are sufficiently stringent to limit the intergrades to an intermediate environment. The latter appears true in the case of decipiens and maculosus, since they merge in the northern plains — beyond their usual habitats of ponds in coniferous or deciduous forests. If one assumes that the range of the two races has been expanding and that permanent populations are relatively scarce in the area of intergradation, then it might be expected that there would be considerable variation in the degree of hybridization in different populations.
This argument is less pertinent to decipiens and shermani, however. There is little or no apparent ecological difference on either side of the intergrade zone, but the zone appears extremely narrow — perhaps not over 100 miles wide. More analysis may show a wider zone than indicated in the present paper, but as yet there is no evidence of swamping. It is entirely possible that an equally correct argument could be presented for maintaining shermani as a separate species. L. m. maculosus X L. m. decipiens
CANADA. — MANITOBA. Aweme, 1, vi.4.03, N. Criddle (USNM); 1 8, 1 9, ix.1.28, E. C. (USNM). Husavick, 2 $ , 2 9, vii.8.— , J. B. Wallis (AMNH). Man., 1 9 (MCZ). Stony Mtn., 1 9 , v.28.—, J. B. Wallis (AMNH). Treesbank, 9 3,59, vii.25.— , J. B. Wallis (AMNH) . Winnipeg, 1 S , viii.27.27, P. J. Darlington, Jr. (MCZ); 1 $, iv. 23.25, L. H. Roberts (USNM).
UNITED STATES OF AMERICA. — COLORADO. Boulder County. Boulder, 1 9, ix.25.17, Hubbard; 1 9, viii. — .16, S. D. Pokling (AMNH). Larimer County. Ft. Collins, 1, x.15.47 (USNM); 1, x.8.51, Bryant; v.20.32; County, 1 $ (AMNH). NEBRASKA. Thomas County. Dismal River on Hwy. 83, 19, vii.15.67, H. B. Leech (CAS). SOUTH DAKOTA. Custer County. Custer St. Pk., 1 9, vi.20.55, W. A. Drew (MCHS). Pennington County. Badlands N. Mon., 1 9, viii.7.52, B. Malkin & V. Thatcher (FM). Wasta, 1 $, viii.7.52, B. Malkin (FM).
L. m. decipiens x L. m. shermani
UNITED STATES OF AMERICA. — ARIZONA. Navajo County. Little Colorado Riv., 8 6, 8 2, vii.23.63, PSB (CAS). CALIFORNIA. Riverside County. County, Sonorian (sic!) Region, Colorado R., 10 $, 4 9, F. E. Winters; 8 $ with shermani aedeagus, 1 $ with decipiens aedeagus and 1 $ an intergrade; all females, with epipleural expansion in shermani position. NEW MEXICO. Colfax County. Cimarron, 10 m. N., 2 $ , 8 9 , vii.15.65, A. H. Smith & T. O. Boswell (NMSU). Rio Arriba County. Canjilon, 3 m. W., 15,5 9, ix.25.65, A. H. Smith & T. O. Boswell (NMSU). El Rito, 18 $, 13 9, vi.23.65, JRZ, A. H. Smith, R. L. Smith; 9 $, 19 9, ix.25.65, A. H. Smith, T. O. Boswell (NMSU). Brazos, 1 9, viii.11.65, H. B. Leech (CAS). Ojo Caliente, 44 6, 27 9, vi.23.65, R. L. Smith, A. H. Smith, JRZ (NMSU). Parkview (11m. S., Chama), 8 5,9 9, vi.23.65, JRZ, A. H. Smith, R. L. Smith (NMSU). San Miguel County. Las Vegas, 21 m. S., 1 9, vii.16.65, A. H. Smith & T. O. Boswell (NMSU). Mosquero, 19 m. W., 3 $, 12 9, x.23.65, A. H. Smith (NMSU). Trujillo, 19 m. E., Trementina Ck., 4 5,6 9, A. H. Smith & T. O. Boswell (NMSU). This is a wide-ranging polytypic species with three readily distinguished subspecies. Each race was previously considered a separate species. Laccophilus jasciatus ( = apicalis Sharp ) was described by Aube in 1838 from material from the United States and Mexico. The only type still available is from Mexico. L. rufus was described by Melsheimer in 1846 from Pennsylvania and was long considered to be a synonym of L. fasciatus. L. terminalis is from Texas (Sharp 1882a). The nominate subspecies is a tropical one that extends south in South America and north to the Mexican Plateau. It intergrades with terminalis in the northeastern and northwestern coastal lowlands of Mexico. The latter occurs throughout the Mexican Plateau, the southwestern United States, and the Great Plains to South Dakota. It intergrades with rufus from Kansas (or Nebraska?) south to eastcentral Texas. L. /. rufus occurs throughout the eastern United States north of the Florida Peninsula.
L. f. terminalis noticeably differs from rufus only in elytral pattern and aedeagus. The former may be slightly larger, but neither shows any differences in size between the sexes. L. f. fasciatus dif
fers from terminalis, not only in elytral pattern and aedeagus, but also in quantitative characters. It is smaller, relatively wider, and has a difference average size for males over females.
Intergradation between rufus and terminalis has resulted from secondary contact at about the boundary of eastern acid pedalfer soils and western alkaline pedocals. One race is the geographical and ecological replacement of the other, and intergrades persist in an intermediate environment. The pattern of intergradation is complex between fasciatus and terminalis. Intergrade populations commonly occur in the coastal lowlands and lower mountains from Nayarit to southern Arizona and, more rarely, (perhaps due to insufficient collecting) in the northeastern Mexican coastal lowlands. In Jalisco, however, fasciatus and terminalis are sympatric. This situation is confusing, since there appears to be no barrier between them and intergrading populations in Nayarit.
DESCRIPTION. — Medium-sized (length 4.3 to 5.2 mm; width 2.3 to 2.8 mm), brown, irrorated species with more or less complete black fascia or blotch across the posterior half of elytra; metacoxal file present; prosternal process short; ovipositor sawlike. COLOR. Head: yellow above and beneath, sometimes with reddish-brown tint, especially between the eyes at the base of the pronotum; appendages pale yellow except mandibles which darken to brownishred toward tip. Pronotum: pale brownish-yellow with reddish tint. Elytra: brown to dark brown irrorations on a pale yellow or brownish-yellow background, intensifying and coalescing in the posterior half to form a transverse fascia or blotch that varies from merely suggested in terminalis to solid black from one side to the other in fasciatus (figs. 282, 288); anterior half with finger-like extensions irroration of variable intensity and completeness; apices pale or darkened; epipleura pale yellow in broad anterior half, but dark brown in constricted posterior half. Tergite VIII: basal half dark brown; distal half of the same color in the nominate race, but pale yellow or reddish-yellow in the other two races. Venter: varying from yellow to reddish-brown; usually darkest on lateral portions of metacoxal plates and posterior margins of abdominal sclerites; front and middle legs pale yellow; hind legs yellow basally and becoming more reddish-brown distally; oblique striations variable from yellow to reddish-brown. Genitalia: variable from yellow and light brownish-red to dark reddish-brown; oval plate and left paramere usually paler than other parts. ANATOMY. Microreticulation: weakly double on head, pronotum, and elytra; secondary mesh discernible, but individual cellules still apparent. Head: supraclypeal seam closely parallel to margin. Pronotum: WH/PW, 0.67 to 0.69; LP/PW, 0.41 to 0.42. Elytra: epipleural flange frequently present in females of the nominate race, but absent in the other females; truncation of the elytral apices slight. Venter: coxal file prominent in males, composed of about 20 to 30 lines; prosternal process with well-defined crest; lobes of postcoxal processes
rounded and laterally projecting well posterior to midline; last visible ventral abdominal segment rounded and similar in males and females; that of males slightly produced and with an asymmetrical curving ridge in middle; last segment of females weakly arched with posterior margin not noticeably produced. Legs: male proand mesotarsi enlarged in a dorsoventral plane; palettes easily distinguished at 20 power magnification; male fifth tarsal segments on both pair of legs twice as long as corresponding fourth; pro femoral setae (5 to 7) shorter and finer than mesofemoral ones (5 to 7). Genitalia: oval plate large and produced to acuminate tip with ventral crest curving to the right as it extends forward; an indefinite number of raised lines lying on either side of crest; aedeagus curved and narrowing toward apex; right paramere produced at apex; ovipositor with about 1 1 teeth on each ridge.