Aneflomorpha subpubescens
Creators: name: Lingafelter, Steven W.
Publisher: name: Zenodo
Year: 2022
Subjects: Biodiversity
Taxonomy
Animalia
Arthropoda
Insecta
Coleoptera
Cerambycidae
Aneflomorpha
Aneflomorpha subpubescens

description: Aneflomorpha subpubescens (LeConte)
(Fig. 3a, 6t, 7t, 8r, 9q, 10t, 16g)
Elaphidion subpubescens LeConte 1862: 41.
Diagnosis. Length 15–20 mm, pronotum averages 1.20 times longer than wide, elytra together average 3.88 times longer than wide (Fig. 3a). Integument mostly rufous, with head and pronotum usually distinctly darker testaceous. Antennae not or weakly carinate on basal antennomeres (Fig. 9q). Spine of third antennomere very narrow, slightly longer than second antennomere and spine of fourth antennomere barely projecting from antennal plane, acute at apex (Fig. 9q). Pronotum with pronounced punctures unobscured by pubescence, without median callus (Fig. 6t). Elytral apices usually bispinose with apicolateral spine much broader and longer than sutural spine (Fig. 8r). Elytral pubescence very fine, translucent or pale golden, erect and suberect, without recumbent and recurved setae (Fig. 7t). Procoxal cavities open by more than the apical width of the prosternal process (Fig. 10t). Protibia slender, gradually widening apically with the dorsal margin straight and non-carinate (as in Fig. 11h).
Discussion. This species, the type of the genus, is distinctive due to its large, uniform pronotal punctures, light rufous coloration with elytra usually lighter in color than the head and pronotum, and erect setae on the dorsal surface, without recumbent setae. This is one of only two species of Aneflomorpha known from the eastern United States (Lingafelter 2007; Bezark 2022), the other being A. delongi (Fig. 1f). Only these two species, along with A. linsleyae (Fig. 7j) from the Chiricahua Mountains in Arizona, lack short, recumbent elytral pubescence. Aneflomorpha aculeata, which is sympatric with A. subpubescens along the western part of A. subpubescens range, especially in Texas and Oklahoma, is similar, but has recumbent pubescence mixed with erect and suberect setae (Fig. 7a). These four species are also similar in having light rufous coloration over most of the integument. Aneflomorpha subpubescens is easily distinguished by the darker testaceous head and pronotum compared to the remainder of the integument which is rufous. In addition, its relatively short, acute spine on antennomere three (Fig. 6q) distinguishes it from A. aculeata which typically has a longer spine. In specimens where the antennal and elytral apical spines are not pronounced, the finer pronotal punctation and typically ochraceous pubescence on the scutellum in A. aculeata distinguish it from A. subpubescens which has larger pronotal punctures and typically fine, white scutellar pubescence (Fig. 6t). In A. linsleyae, the spine of antennomere three is subacute or blunt, and relatively longer, and the antennae are distinctly carinate (Fig. 9i). In A. delongi (Fig. 9e), the spine of the third antennomere is blunt and nearly half the length of the fourth antennomere. In A. aculeata, the spines of the third antennomere and elytral apices are typically very pronounced, and the integument coloration is more uniform rufous (Fig. 1a), not darker on the head and pronotum as in most A. subpubescens.
Distribution and biology. This species is widespread through much of the eastern half of the United States (Linsley 1963; Lingafelter 2007). Linsley (1963) and Lingafelter (2007) recorded Quercus (especially Q. alba) and Castanea as larval hosts. Vlasak in Heffern et al. (2018) recorded larvae in saplings of Quercus ilicifolia Wangenh, Comptonia peregrina (L.) J. M. Coult., and Gaylussacia sp. in Burlington and Camden counties, New Jersey. These observations support Craighead (1950) and Linsley (1963) which state that A. subpubescens rarely develops in branches of mature trees and favors seedlings up to one inch in diameter.
Material examined. USA: Florida: Flagpond, 3 mi. S. Kenwood Beach, 24 June 1949, O. L. Cartwright (USNM); Georgia: Dawson Co., Dawsonville, 9 June 1988, F. W. Skillman, Jr., mv/uv light (FWSC); Virginia: Lancaster Co., Davis Millpond, Rt. 616, N. Lancaster, 15 June 2005, C. M. and O. S. Flint, Jr. (USNM); Fauquier Co., Beloir, Dieke, June 30, 1941, at light (USNM); Ohio: Shawnee Forest, 15 July 1985 (TAMU); Missouri: Callaway Co., Holts Summit, Camp Keown, June-July 1977, D. R. Gates (TAMU); Tennessee: Burrville, June 28, 1959, B. Benesh (USNM); Franklin Co., rest area along I-44, 21 June 2011, at light, Kyle E. Schnepp (KESC); Washington, DC: July 13, 1898, electric light, CE Burden Collection, acquired 1913 (USNM); South Carolina: Greenville Co., Greenville, 11–28 June 1977, R. S. Peigler (2, TAMU); Pickens Co., Clemson, J. R. Ables, June 1974 (2, TAMU); Kentucky: Madison Co., Forest on Horse Cove Road, 0.5 mi. E. SR 421, 37°34.30′N, 84°13.12′W, 16 June 2011, blacklight, E.G. Chapman and W. Wallin (2, ABRC, EGCCRC); Oklahoma: Latimer Co., SW of Red Oak, June 2002, UV light, K. Stephan (TAMU).
description: Published as part of Lingafelter, Steven W., 2022, Revision of Aneflomorpha Casey and Neaneflus Linsley (Coleoptera: Cerambycidae) of the United States with an illustrated key to species, pp. 1-59 in Insecta Mundi 2022 (954) on page 42, DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.7399054