Bulletin 441
December 1972

Alabama Agricultural Experiment Station

R. Dennis Rouse,
Director

Auburn University
Auburn, Alabama

Subfamily Cryptocephalinae

     Compact, subcylindrical to subglobose, minute to small sized beetles. Head inserted into the prothorax. Eyes emarginate. Antennae usually long, filiform, but also short, subserrate. Prothorax at base subequal in width to elytra, and closely joined to elytra.
     Perhaps more work should be done on redefining the tribes of the subfamily. For the present treatise, we have followed Arnett's classification (1).

Key to the Alabama Tribes of Cryptocephalinae

1. Prosternum longer than wide, claws usually simple..... 2
    Prosternum wider than long, claws usually appendiculate..... Tribe Monachini
2. Pronotum margined at base, basal edge even, not crenulate….. Tribe Pachybrachini
    Pronotum not margined at base, basal edge crenulate….. Tribe Cryptocephalini

Tribe Pachybrachini
Tribe Monachini
Tribe Cryptocephalini

TRIBE PACHYBRACHINI

Tribe Pachybrachini

     Subcylindrical beetles. Pronotum margined at base, basal edge not crenulate; anterior margin of prosternum sinuate at middle. Anterior femora usually incrassate.

Key to the Alabama Genera of Pachybrachini

1. Prosternum flat anteriorly, but posteriorly depressed along the lateral edges..... Griburius
    Prosternum sulcate, being shallowly depressed medially..... Pachybrachis

GENUS GRIBURIUS HALDEMAN

Griburius Haldeman, 1849, Jour. Acad. Nat. Sci. Philadelphia 1: 245.
Scolochrus Suffrian, 1852, Linn. Entomol. 7: 104.
     A revision of the eastern species of the genus is currently in progress by Geroge B. Vogt, United States Department of Agriculture.
     Only 1 species of Griburius has been recorded from Alabama.

Griburius scutellaris (Fabricius) (Fig. 21)

Cryptocephalus scutellaris Fabricius, 1801, Syst. Eleuth. 2: 54.
     Robust cylindrical, shining black. Lateral margins and occasionally medial and paired basal spots of prothorax yellowish orange. Scutellum and medial and apical elytral fascia yellow-orange. Length 4.7-6.3 mm. Width 3.0-3.6 mm.
     Alabama records: 12 specimans from Mobile2,3 County.
     Seasonal distribution: April 10-June 16.
     Remarks: Loding took 1 speciman at Spring Hill on Quercus sp. Three records were from the F. R. Mason collection (ANSP).

GENUS PACHYBRACHIS CHEVROLAT

Pachybrachis Chevrolat, 1837, in Dejean, Cat. Coleopt. ed. 2: 420.
Pachybrachys Redtenbacher, 1845, Gatt. deutsch. Käferfauna: 118.
Chloropachys Rey, 1883, Rev d' Entomol. II: 263.
Pachystylus Rey, 1883, Rev d' Entomol. II: 263.
     Small cylindrical beetles, prosternum sulcate; middle tibiae with terminal spur (except P. hepaticus).
     The genus is large, consisting of about 160 North American species. A revision involving biological studies of this difficult group would be very useful.

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TRIBE MONACHINI
Tribe Monachini

     Compact keg-like. Prosternum wider than long (at least those species in Alabama). Claws appendiculate; antennae short and subserrate. Only the genus Lexiphanes Gistl occurs in North America.

GENUS LEXIPHANES GISTL

Lexiphanes Gistl, 1848, Naturge. Thier.: 123. Type-species: Cryptocephalus saponatus Fabricius.
Monachus Chevrolat, 1837, in Dejean, Cat. Coleopt.: 425 (not Fleming, 1825; not Kaup, 1829).
Monachulus Leng, 1918, Jour. N. Y. Entomol. Soc. 26: 208.
     Compact, small beetles. Piceous, brownish black or blue, some species occasionally marked with red. Head hypognathous, hidden in prothorax; eyes emarginate; antennae subserrate. Pronotum strongly convex, marked with red in one species. Elytra striate, striae becoming more obscure apically. Tarsi usually appendiculate.
     A revision of the North American species of Lexiphanes has recently been completed (2).

Key to the Alabama Species of Lexiphanes

1. Interstrial space between marginal and submarginal striae convex along entire length of elytra.      Small species (length 1.58-2.25 mm.)….. 2
    Interstrial space between marginal and submarginal striae not convex for entire length of      elytra. Large species (length 2.16-3.08 mm.)….. L. saponatus
2. Last ventral abdominal segment with a fovea-females….. 3
    Last ventral abdominal segment uniformly convex without a fovea-males…..4
3. Last ventral abdominal segment with a callus on either side of the fovea; pronotum with no,      or very obscure punctures along basal line; 2.08-2.23 mm. long….. L. affinis
    Last ventral abdominal segment without a callus on either side of the fovea; pronotum with a      basal line of punctures; 1.91-2.25 mm. long….. L. seminulum
4. Last ventral abdominal segment and abdominal intercoxal process punctate; pronotum with      no, or very obscure, punctures along basal line; 1.75-2.08 mm. long….. L. affinis
    Last ventral abdominal segment impunctate; abdominal intercoxal process rugose; pronotum     with a basal line of punctures; 1.58-2.00 mm. long….. L. seminulum

Lexiphanes saponatus (Fabricius)

Cryptophalus saponatus Fabricius, 1801, Syst. Eleuth. 2, p. 55.
Monachus ater Haldeman 1849, Jour. Acad. Nat. Sci. Philadelphia, new series 1: 264.
Monachulus viridanus Fall, 1927, Canadian Entomol. 59: 139.
     Piceous black, brownish black, blue or violet. Head flat, smooth, rugose, or rugulose and occasionally punctate. Pronotum dull or shining, occasionally punctate basomedially. Elytra equally glossy or more shining than pronotum, with 10 rows or strial punctures (excluding marginal striae). Venter and legs also dark, of same color as rest of body. Length 2.2-3.1 mm. Width 1.5-2.0 mm.
     Alabama records: 65 specimens from Autauga1, Barbour3, Choctaw1, Clay3, Covington3, Dallas1, Houston1, Lee1, Lowndes1, Macon1, Marshall1, Mobile2, and Talladega1, and Tallapoosa1 counties.
     Seasonal distribution: June 3-October 20.
     Remarks: The county records appended by the superscript 3, in this case, are from Balsbaugh (2). In Alabama the species has been recorded from the following plants: Sambucus canadensis, Cephalanthus occidentalis, and Eupatorium purpureum.

Lexiphanes affinis (Haldeman)

Monachus affinis Haldeman, 1849, Jour. Acad. Nat. Sci. Philadelphia, new series 1: 264.
Monachus auritus Haldeman, 1849, Jour. Acad. Nat. Sci. Philadelphia, 25: 31.
     Piceous or black; head, antennae prothorax, and legs partly or entirely yellow-red. Shape similar to L. seminulum, but more robust, especially the pronotum. Elytra with deeply impressed submarginal striae and distinct punctures. Females with callus on either side of the fovea on 5th abdominal segment. Length 1.7-2.2 mm. Width 1.3-1.7 mm.
     Alabama records: 5 specimens from Choctaw1, Mobile3, and Winston1 counties.
     Seasonal distribution: June 27.
     Remarks: The Mobile County records are from Balsbaugh (2). It is unusual that a female of L. seminulum was taken along with the Winston County speciman of L. affinis, a male. These were swept simulateously from Oenothera sp.

Lexiphanes seminulum (Suffrian) (Fig. 23)

Monachus seminulum Suffrian, 1858, Linn. Entomol. 12: 344.
     Piceous, tarsi, first 3 antennal segments, clypeus, and labial palpi tawny. Pronotum less robust than L. affinis, dull and rugulose, with vague punctules and basal row of punctures. Elytra with deeply impressed submarginal striations and punctures. Length 1.6-2.3 mm. Width 1.2-1.5 mm.
     Alabama records: 2 specimens from Lee1 and Winston1 counties.
     Seasonal distribution: June 14-27.
     Remarks: The Lee County specimen was taken on Sambucus canadensis and the Winston County specimen was taken on Oenothera sp. with a female of L. affinis.
TRIBE CRYPTOCEPHALINI
Tribe Cryptocephalini

     Compact, robust to cylindrical small beetles. Head sunken into prothorax; eyes usually emarginate; antennae usually long, filiform. Pronotum not margined posteriorly; hind edge crenulate.

Key to the Alabama Genera of Cryptocephalini

1. Claws simple..... 2
    Claws appendiculate..... 3
2. Front edge of pronotum laterally sinuous or toothed..... Bassareus
    Front edge of pronotum laterally straight..... Cryptocephalus
3. Segments 6 to 11 of antennae widened..... Diachus
    Segments 7 to 11 of antennae widened..... Triachus

GENUS CRYPTOCEPHALUS MÜLLER

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GENUS BASSAREUS HALDEMAN

Bassareus Haldeman, 1849, Jour. Acad. Nat. Sci. Philadelphia 1 (4): 246.
     Small, compact species. Eyes emarginate, antannae long, filiform. Front edge of prothoracic flanks sinuous or toothed. Tarsal claws simple.
     This group probably does not deserve separate generic status. The only character distinguishing it, viz. the presence of sinuous or toothed anterior lateral edges of the prosternum, appears to be variable. Further study is warranted. The species, too, are difficult to recognize and a revision of the group would also be desirable.

Key to the Alabama Species of Bassareus

1. Anterior lateral edges of prosternum sinuate..... 2
    Anterior lateral edges of prosternum with an acute tooth..... B. brunnipes
2. Elytra each with 2 or more red or yellow spots..... 3
    Elytra vittae, or black with pale margins, or black with only paired apical spots..... B. literatus
3. Elytra black or mahogany, each with a small apical and a larger medial lateral red spot..... 4
    Elytra black or piceous, with more numerous pale yellow spots..... B. formosus
4. Pronotum uniformly deep red..... B. detritus
    Pronotum black or black with yellow spots..... B. mammifer

Bassareus brunipes (Olivier)

Cryptocephalus brunnipes Olivier, 1791, Encyc. Method., Insects Cir-Gyr VI. p. 618.
Cryptocephalus congestus Fabricius, 1798, Supp. Entomol. Syst. p. 107.
     Robust. Head red-brown, inner margins of eyes and genae yellow; shining but very faintly alutaceous. Pronotum dull, alutaceous, densely, shallowly punctate; red-brown with lateral corners, narrow apical margin and oblique spots yellow. Elytra black, each with 4 small basal, 2 medial, 2 subapical and single apical spots yellow. Anterior lateral edges of prosternum with acute tooth. Males having prosternum with medial lobe; their 1st ventral abdominal segment with processes at hind corners of intercoxal piece reaching posterior edge of 5th sternite. Length 4.7-5.4 mm. Width 2.8-3.5 mm.
     Alabama records: 37 specimens from Autauga1, Choctaw1, Coffee1, Jackson1, Lamar1, Lee1, Macon1, and Mobile2 counties.
     Seasonal distribution: April 10-August 15.
     Remarks: This species can be confused with Bassareus clathratus (Melsheimer), a smaller, more northern species, and with Bassareus formosus (Melsheimer). Single specimens have been swept from Alnus sp., Diospyos sp., and Cephalanthus occidentalis.

Bassareus detritus (Olivier)

Cryptocephalus detritus Olivier, 1808, Entomologie, VI, p. 814.
Cryptocephalus binominis Newman, 1841, The Entomol. 5: 78.
Cryptocephalus distinctus Haldeman, 1849, Jour. Acad. Nat. Sci. Philadelphia, new series 1:      255.
     Robust. Head slightly convex, entirely red, finely alutaceous. Pronotum shining, impunctate, red. Elytra with 2 transverse medial and 2 apical red spots. Anterior lateral edges of prosternum sinuous. Length 4.6 mm. Width 2.8 mm.
     Alabama records: 1 specimen from Tuscaloosa2,3 County.
     Seasonal distribution: June.
     Remarks: Loding (75) records H. H. Smith as the collector of the only known specimen. This specimen differs from LeConte's diagnosis of the species in having the pronotum shining and the head not marked with white. This species appears to be closely related to B. mammifer (Newman) and perhaps does not deserve specific rank.

Bassareus mammifer (Newman)

Cryptocephalus mammifer Newman, 1840, Mag. Nat. Hist. 4: 250.
     Robust. Head moderately convex; labrum tan; occiput, medial frontal area and frontal space between antennal bases black. Pronotum shining black with lateral comer spots, narrow apical edge, and 2 oblique basal spots yellow. Elytra dark mahogany (to black in specimens from other than Alabama) with 2 discal spots and 2 apical spots red. Length 4.6 mm. Width 2.8mm.
     Alabama records: 1 specimen from Mobile2 County.
     Remarks: Although Loding (75) recorded this species from "over state," only one specimen from Alabama was found in his collection. This was the varietal form known as pretiosus (Melsheimer), which has the discal red spots connecting to the basal margin through the 3rd, 5th, and 6th interstrial spaces, and a small red spot behind the scutellum.

Bassareus formosus (Melsheimer) *

Cryptocephalus formosus Melsheimer, 1847, Proc. Acad. Nat. Sci. Philadelphia 3: 173.
Cryptocephalus guttatus Haldeman, 1849, Jour. Acad. Nat. Sci. Philadelphia, new series 1: 247.
     Oblong. Head red-brown with yellow in emarginations of eyes and faintly on clypeus. Pronotum alutaceous, finely punctate, red-brown or black with calosity at posterior comers and 2 basal oblique yellow spots. Elytra brown or black, each with 3 basal, 2 medial, 2 subapical, and 1 apical yellow spots. Anterior lateral edges of prosternum sinuate. Males with medial prosternal lobe; caudal processes of intercoxal piece of 1st sternite short, not reaching posterior edge of 5th sternite, more closely approximate than those of B. brunnipes. Length 3.7-4.4 mm. Width 2.1-2.5 mm.
     Alabama records: 3 specimens from Blount2, DeKalb1, and Macon1 counties.
     Seasonal distribution: May 18-June 6.
     Remarks: Intermediates between this species and B. brunnipes have been seen. The character of the anterior lateral edges of the prosternum is variable, especially in two specimens of a series from Mississippi.

Bassareus literatus (Fabricius)

Cryptocephalus literatus Fabricius, 1801, Syst. Eleuth., 1. p. 50.
     Elongate. Head varying from completely yellow to completely black, clypeus sloping caudad from frons. Pronotum dull, alutaceous, completely orangish-red to nearly completely black, only small orangish-red marks along lateral margins and paired anterior and posterior lateral spots. Elytra deeply striate, interstrial spaces strongly convex, varying from completely black with orange yellow apexes to black with 3rd, 7th, and marginal interstrial spaces usually completely yellow, and 5th vaguely yellow at base. Anterior lateral edges of prosternum sinuate. Length 3.2-4.4 mm. Width 1.8-2.5 mm.
     Alabama records: 20 specimens from Baldwin1, Lee1, Marion1, and Mobile2,3 counties.
     Seasonal distribution: April 9-July 12.
     Remarks: This is the only vittate species of Bassareus in Alabama.
     Two specimens of this species, collected by Loding, were found in the F. R. Mason collection (ANSP).

GENUS DIACHUS LECONTE

Diachus LeConte, 1880, Trans. Amer. Entomol. Soc. 8: 196.
Fabricianus Weise, 1895, Dtsch. entomol. Z.: 58.
     Minute, oblong beetles. Antennal segments 6 through 11 explanate. Eyes at least partially emarginate. Tarsal claws appendiculate.
     This genus and the next, Triachus, are possibly more closely related to Lexiphanes than they are to Cryptocephalus and Bassareus. There are reasons for their removal from the Cryptocephalini and placement in either the Monachini or in their own tribe. A review of the species of Diachus would be valuable.

Key to the Alabama Species of Diachus

1. Scutellum obtusely triangular….. 2
    Scutellum acutely triangular; prothorax and legs usually yellow-orange; elytra metallic      green….. D. chlorizans
2. Elytra bronzed; pronotum orangish laterally, dark bronzed medially….. D. auratus
    Elytra and pronotum a dull yellow brown with a slight bronzed luster….. D. squalens

Diachus auratus (Fabricius) (Fig. 24)

Cryptocephalus auratus Fabricius, 1801, Syst. Eleuth. 2: 57.
Cryptocephalus aeneus Olivier, 1808, Entomol. . . . Coleopt. 6: 916.
Cryptocephalus chalconotus Mannerheim, 1843, Bull. Soc. Imp. Nat. Moscow 10: 312.
Cryptocephalus viridis Melsheimer, 1847, Proc. Acad. Nat. Sci. Philadelphia 3: 174.
     Oblong. Head yellow-orange bronzed, alutaceous, sparsely punctate; eyes slightly emarginate. Pronotum orange laterally becoming dark bronzed medially; alutaceous. Elytra alutaceous, striae becoming obsolete beyond middle; dark green bronze. Length 1.8-2.1 mm. Width 1.1-1.2 mm.
     Alabama records: 59 specimens from Clay1, DeKalb1, Houston1, Lee1, Marion1, Mobile2, and Winston1 counties.
     Seasonal distribution: April 8-September 17.
     Remarks: We have swept this species from Sambucus canadensis and Salix sp.

Diachus squalens (Suffrian) *

Cryptocephalus squalens Suffrian, 1852, Linn. Entomol. 6: 73.
     Oblong. Head with clypeus and labrum yellow, frons and occiput more orange; finely alutaceous; eyes slightly emarginate. Pronotum alutaceous, dull yellow-brown. Elytra shining, striae obsolete posteriorly; dull yellow-brown. Length 1.8 mm. Width 1.1 mm.
     Alabama records: 2 specimens from Houston1 and Mobile2 counties.
     Seasonal distribution: April 25.
     Remarks: The more recent specimen was captured in Chattahoochee State Park. Loding's specimen was among unidentified material in his collection.

Diachus chlorizans (Suffrian) *

Cryptocephalus chlorizans Suffrian, 1852, Linn. Entomol. 6: 76.
     Oblong. Head with genae, clypeus and frons yellow, occiput orange; very faintly alutaceous; eyes deeply emarginate. Pronotum impunctate, shining, yellow-orange, strongly convex. Elytra metallic blue-green, striae deeply impressed, lateral interstrial spaces convex. Length 1.8-2.1 mm. Width 0.9-1.1 mm.
     Alabama records: 40 specimens from Etowah2, Lee1, Madison1, Marion1, and Winston1 counties.
     Seasonal distribution: June 2-July 24.
     Remarks: The host plant is Rhus sp. Diachus luscus (Suffrian), which was recorded from Georgia (88). It is possibly difficult to distinguish from D. chlorizans. No determined specimens of D. luscus were seen.

GENUS TRIACHUS LECONTE

Triachus LeConte, 1880, Trans. Amer. Entomol. Soc.: 197.
     Minute, ovate beetles. Antennal segments 7 through 11 explanate. Eyes small, widely spaced, minutely emarginate. Tarsal claws appendiculate.

Key to the Alabama Species of Triachus

1. Piceous, antennae and tibiae paler with yellow….. T. atomus
    Completely testaceous yellow….. T.cerinus

Triachus atomus (Suffrian)

Cryptocephalus atomus Suffrian, 1853, Linn. Entomol. 7: 74.
     Ovate. Head sparsely punctate; frons and occiput piceous, clypeus dark yellow-brown; antennae dark yellow; eyes small, widely spaced, round, minutely emarginate. Pronotum piceous, shining, punctate-striate, strial lines not impressed. Legs and venter same color as elytra except tibiae yellow-brown. Length 1.4-1.6 mm. Width 0.8-0.9 mm.
     Alabama records: 4 specimens from Baldwin1 and Mobile2 counties.
     Seasonal distribution: March 31-April 19.

Triachus cerinus LeConte

Triachus cerinus LeConte, 1880, Trans. Amer. Entomol. Soc. 8: 197.
     Compact ovate. Head shining, impunctate, testaceous yellow; eyes small, round, widely spaced, and very minutely emarginate. Pronotum testaceous yellow, shining, usually impunctate. Elytra testaceous yellow, punctate-striate, punctures feebly impressed distally. Length 1.2-1.8 mm. Width 0.71.1 mm.
     Alabama records: 25 specimens from Baldwin1, Choctaw1, Houston1, Lee1, and Mobile2,3 counties.
     Seasonal distribution: May 2-August 10.
     Remarks: One specimen in Loding's collection, which may be T. vacuus LeConte, has faint pronotal punctures and darker basal and mid-elytral clouded markings. Specimens collected in Choctaw County also have faint elytral clouds. These variations at first were suspected to be intergrades with T. vacuus LeConte. We have since seen several specimens of T. vacuus from South Carolina in the collection of V. M. Kirk. These have the pronotum distinctly punctate and are probably specifically distinct.