Callisthenes (Chrysostigma) ampliator (Bates 1891)

Calosoma ampliator Bates

Calosoma ampliatorBates, 1891:223. [Lectotype female, MEXICO, Durango, Villa Lerdo (Hoge) (BMNH), herein selected.]

DIAGNOSTIC COMBINATION.—Pronotum without basal seta at hind angle; venter black or piceous, no metallic reflections. Color and luster: black, venter black or dark brown, shiny. Form: size medium large, head and pronotum narrow relative to broadly inflated elytra; eyes large and prominent Structure: pronotum with sides markedly arcuate, small rounded hind angles, without basal setae; elytra serrate near humerus, with fine striatopunctate intemeurs, punctures connected by shallow scaly cross lines, intervals flat or slightly convex; middle tibia straight in male and female; male foretarsi with three dilated articles, each with spongy pubescence beneath. ABL = 21.0 to 27.0 mm; 8.5 to 11.0 mm (from Gidaspow, 1959).

GEOGRAPHICAL DISTRIBUTION.—Gidaspow (1959) indicates she saw specimens from Chiriquí, Panama; however, I could not locate these specimens, and I have seen no other records of this species from Central America. Otherwise the species has a known range extending from Chihuahua to Veracruz in Mexico.

NATURAL HISTORY.—Although unknown for sure, members of this species likely can be found near wet or damp areas with shrubby vegetation or small trees in the Chihuahuan Desert of Mexico; it is possible they will or have become adapted to the margins of cultivated lands as have other species in the genus.

MATERIAL EXAMINED.—Type (see above) and 11 specimens from Mexico.

Calosoma ampliator is a species of ground beetle in the subfamily of Carabinae. It was described by Henry Walter Bates in 1891.