Key to the Alabama Species and Subspecies of Pachybrachis

1. Front femora thickened, at least the middle tibiae with spurs….. 2
    Front femora not thickened, tibiae without spurs….. P. hepaticus
2. Elytra vittate….. 3
    Elytra not vittate….. 6
3. Punctation of elytra confused….. 4
    Punctation of elytra in nearly regular series….. 5
4. Pronotum dull, strongly alutaceous, closely punctate; the punctures of irregular shape; basal      margin medially black….. P. viduatus
    Pronotum more shining, sparsely punctate, the punctures round; basal margin medially      yellow….. P. bivittatus
5. Pronotum densely strigosely punctate….. P. othonus othonus
    Pronotum neither densely nor strigosely punctate….. P. litigiosus
6. Dorsum with black or dark brown markings, markings larger than punctures….. 7
    Dorsum entirely yellow, only punctures darker..... P. lodingi
7. Dorsum wholly or in great part black….. 8
    Dorsum yellow or brown with black or dark brown markings….. 17
8. Anterior tibiae without terminal spurs….. 9
    Anterior tibiae with spurs….. 10
9. Legs entirely black….. P. trinotatus
    Legs with yellow spots on femora….. P. pulvinatus
10. Dorsal pale areas generally broad and definite in outline….. 11
      Dorsal pale areas usually irregular, small and inconspicuous (except some P. luridus)….. 12
11. Elytra with broad, irregular or indented median red fascia, often interrupted at the suture; red        apical spot present….. P. subfasciatus
      Elytra with obscure narrow, interrupted subsutural vitta and external margins faintly        yellowish….. P. nigricornis
12. Front claws of male small; not larger than middle or hind claws….. 13
      Front claws of male enlarged, larger than middle or hind claws….. 15
13. Entirely black or nearly so, elytra never with numerous small yellow spots; eyes of male        separated by 3 times length of basal antennal segment….. 14
      Black, sometimes with few, but usually with numerous small yellow spots on the elytra;        eyes of male separated by twice the length of the basal antennal segment….. P. atomarius
14. Prothoracic punctation subequal in coarseness to those of elytra….. P. stygicus
      Prothoracic punctation distinctly finer than those of the elytra and more evenly        distributed….. P. carbonarius
15. Length of basal antennal segment twice its width; anterior tarsal claws of male about 1/2 or        more larger than hind claws….. 16
      Length of basal antennal segment 1 1/2 times its width; anterior tarsal claws of males about        1/4 larger than hind claws….. P. vestigialis
16. Eyes of male separated by fully twice the length of the basal antennal segment….. P.         confusus
       Eyes of male separated by a distance 1 1/2 or less times the length of the basal antennal         segment….. P. luridus
17. Eyes of the male separated by a distance equal to or greater than the length of the basal        antennal segment….. 18
      Eyes of the male separated by a distance less than the length of the basal antennal        segment….. P.      pectoralis
18. Eyes in the male separated by a distance not greater than the length of the basal 2 segments        of the antennae….. 19
      Eyes in the male separated by a distance greater than the length of the basal 2 segments of        the antennae….. 21
19. Elytral shield absent or inconspicuous; striae absent from elytral disc; disc closely,         confusedly punctate….. 20
       Elytral shield prominent, convex; striae prominent, except for small postscutellar area,         where punctures are somewhat confused; interstrial spaces convex….. P. tybeensis
20. Antennae elongate, slender, the 10th segment 4 to 5 times as long as wide….. P. luridus
      Antennae shorter, thicker, the 10th segment 2 to 3 times as long as wide….. P. femoratus
21. Anterior tarsal claws of male not appreciably enlarged….. 22
      Anterior tarsal claws of male about 1/2 or more larger than hind claws….. P. confusus
22. Size small (2.8-4.2 mm.), pronotal M not sharply defined, or if some what definite, then the        punctation not evenly distributed….. 23
     Size large (4.0-5.0 mm.), pronotum densely, evenly punctate; reddish orange with black M of       decided definition…... P. pulvinatus
23. Pronotal and elytral markings regular and sharply outlined….. 24
      Pronotal and elytral markings irregular, diffuse….. 25
24. Postscutellar maculation cordate….. P. tridens
      Postscutellar area variable, either the yellow ground color predominant or broadly covered       with black, not cordate….. P. m-nigrum
25. Nearly completely black with few to numerous, scattered, yellow or dirty yellow spots…..        26
      Black not the predominant ground color….. 27
26. Basal antennal joint bicolored, at least in the male….. P. atomarius
      Basal antennal joint black, or with at most the tip vaguely paler….. P. vestigialis
27. Ectal surface of basal antennal segment bicolored or entirely light brown or yellow….. 28
      Ectal surface of basal antennal segment entirely dark brown to black….. P. cephalicus
28. Frons without ocular lines….. 29
      Frons with ocular lines….. P. obsoletus
29. Elytral striae usually broken and irregular except toward the declivity….. 30
      Elytral striae especially even and continuous from base to apex….. P. luctuosus
30. Marginal interspace of elytra punctate nearly throughout its length….. P. spumarius
      Marginal interspace of elytra impunctate or nearly so….. P. varians

Pachybrachys lodingi Bowditch, 1909, Canadian Entomol. 41: 243.
     Robust, dirty yellow, slightly shining. Front yellow with dark brownish medial mark. Antennal bases dark brown; ocular lines short, contiguous to the eyes. Pronotum not closely punctate, punctures brownish black. Elytral punctures usually in strial rows. Pygidium and legs yellow; thoracic venter black, mesepimeron often yellow; abdominal sternites varying from entirely yellowish to nearly completely black. Length 2.5-3.3 mm. Width 1.4-1.9 mm.
     Alabama records: 15 specimens from Baldwin² and Mobile² counties.
     Seasonal distribution: May 4-July 24.
     Remarks: The Loding collection contains specimens which are probably paratypes. In addition to 8 identified specimens, Loding's collection also had 7 unidentified ones. Ambrosia was recorded as a host plant in Loding's catalogue (75); however, none of the specimens indicate this host record.

Pachybrachis pectoralis (Melsheimer)

Cryptocephalus pectoralis Melsheimer, 1847, Proc. Acad. Nat. Sci. Philadelphia 3: 171.
Pachybrachis sobrinus Haldeman, 1848, Jour, Acad. Nat. Sci. Philadelphia, new series 1: 262.
Pachybrachis oculatus Suffrian, 1852, Linn. Entomol. 7: 178. New synonymy.
Pachybrachys sticticus Blatchley, 1910, Coleopt. Ind., p. 1130. New synonymy.
     Narrow, dull yellow mottled with brown or black. Head yellow, occiput black varying to light brown connecting with a narrow frontal black or brown medial line; punctate, dark areas more closely so; frontal ocular lines distinct, indistinct or absent; eyes separated in male by 3/4 length of basal antennal segment. Pronotum yellow with 3 subbasal and 2 small discal dark spots, punctation closer in these areas. Elytra yellow with humeral and subapical lateral spots more prominent; rather distinct striae marked with brownish punctures, which are confusedly and more densely prominent behind scutellum. Pygidium black basally, apical 2/3 yellow with some faint brownish marks. Anterior tibiae with inner margin varying from noticeable sinuation to completely smooth edge. Length 2.5-3.3 mm. Width 1.2-1.6 mm.
     Alabama records: 14 specimens from Barbour¹, Madison^1,2,3, and Mobile² counties.
     Seasonal distribution: May 5-July 27.
     Remarks: This species includes the category P. sobrinus (Haldeman). We found that the two characters Fall used to separate these forms, i.e. the ocular lines and the sinuation of the anterior tibiae, are variable, and that intermediate degrees occur between the two extremes of these characters. The species has been swept from Quercus.

Pachybrachis femoratus (Olivier)

Cryptocephalus femoratus Olivier, 1808, Entomologie 6: 810.
Cryptocephalus sparsus Suffrian, 1841, Entomol. 5: 78.
Pachybrachys characteristicus Suffrian, 1852, Linn. Entomol. 7: 176. New synonymy.
     Dull yellow, varying to dull gray or whitish yellow, thickly mottled with black or brown punctures. Head yellow with occiput, median frontal vitta, and areas between antennal bases and upper lobes of eyes black and usually connected. Front strongly, closely punctate. Pronotum marked with black areas in which punctation is closer. Elytra confusedly punctate basomedially, short series of punctures elsewhere. Three indistinct black lateral spots, and a single, ill-defined, somewhat oblique, black subapical spot. Pygidium black basally, yellow apically, black edge projecting medially into yellow from basal area; also single lateral black areas which are either separate spots or continuous with basal area. Venter mostly black, abdominal sternites sometimes yellow laterally, especially the 5th. Legs yellow, femora and tibiae with black or brown median spots. Length 2.5-3.5 mm. Width 1.4-2.1 mm.
     Alabama records: 43 specimens from Baldwin¹, Etowah², and Mobile^2,3 counties.
     Seasonal distribution: March 29-July 12.
     Remarks: As Fall (51) indicated that a geographical gradation occurs between the northern, darker form (P. femoratus) and the lighter, southern form (P. characteristicus), he suggested that these two names are possibly synonyms. We, therefore, compared male genitalia of specimens in Loding's collection, which were determined by Fall. We concluded that the two forms are conspecific. Thus, P. characteristicus Suffrian is here placed as a new synonym of P. femoratus Olivier. Quercus nigra was the host plant for specimens taken in Baldwin County. Loding (75) and Fall (51) also recorded "oak" for both P. characteristicus and P. femoratus.
     One of the Mobile County records is a USNM specimen.

Pachybrachis subfasciatus LeConte

Pachybrachys subfasciatus LeConte, 1848, Ann. Lye. Nat. Hist. N. Y. 4: 173.
Pachybrachys biguttatus Suffrian, 1852, Linn. Entomol. 6: 176.
     Prothorax black with orange margins. Elytra black with orange fascia interrupted at middle, and orange apical spots. Length 3.2-4.2 mm. Width 1.8-2.3 mm.
     Alabama records: 7 specimens from DeKalb¹, Lee¹, Marion¹, and Mobile^2,3 counties.
     Remarks: Loding (75) listed this species as P. dilatatus Suffrian. According to Fall (51), however, the true P. dilatatus is a species occurring only on St. Catherine's Island, Georgia. Even though Fall compared the types of both P. dilatatus and P. subfasciatus, it is difficult to distinguish these species by his descriptions and diagnostic characters. Specimens collected by V. M. Kirk in South Carolina appear specifically distinct from P. subfasciatus and may be true P. dilatatus.

Pachybrachis tybeensis Fall

Pachybrachys tybeensis Fall, 1915, Trans. Amer. Entomol. Soc. 41: 388.
     Yellow with reddish brown punctures and indistinct markings. Head yellow, occiput brownish; frons slightly concave (in the female) and brownish, without ocular lines. Pronotum yellowish with reddish brown marks, these more closely punctate; distinctly narrowed anteriorly; side margins very slightly less punctate, smoother. Elytra confusedly punctate behind scutellum, punctation elsewhere arranged in short series, interstrial spaces rather convex; shield distinct. Pygidium red-brown basally, apical portion yellow. Venter red-brown, 5th abdominal segment yellow. Legs yellow with slightly darker marks around femora. Length 3.3 mm. Width 1.8 mm.
     Alabama records: 1 specimen from Lee¹ County.
     Seasonal distribution: June 11.
     Remarks: Additional material and study may indicate that this species is conspecific with P. confederatus Fall.

Pachybrachis atomarius (Melsheimer)

Cryptocephalus atomarius Melsheimer, 1847, Proc. Acad. Nat. Sci. Philadelphia 3: 170.
Pachybrachys infaustus Haldeman, 1849, Jour. Acad. Nat. Sci. Philadelphia, new series, 1: 262.
Pachybrachys atomus Bowditch, 1909, Canadian Entomol. 41: 319.
     Dark brown or black, irregularly mottled with yellow or dirty yellow; luster dull. Frons of males often yellow with inverted dark Y, branches of which arise from antennal bases. Eyes not prominent. Pronotum often with median anterior yellow vitta. Elytra dark brown with small dirty yellow spots. Pygidium entirely black. Length 2.5-3.2 mm. Width 1.4-1.6 mm.
     Alabama records: 11 specimens from Etowah², Marion^1,2, Mobile², and Winston² counties.
     Seasonal distribution: May 8-July.
     Remarks: Since Fall (51) pointed out that this species was difficult to distinguish from several others, the male genitalia of several specimens of this complex were compared. We concluded that it is distinct. Blatchley, according to Fall (51), reported that P. atomarius could be collected from "the foliage of the greater ragweed, wahoo and other plants."

Pachybrachis vestigialis Fall*

Pachybrachys vestigialis Fall, 1915, Trans. Amer. Entomol. Soc. 41: 415.
     Dark brown or black, irregularly mottled with yellow. Frons black with 2 usually small, but sometimes larger, yellow spots between eyes; occasionally 2 small yellow spots on the corners of clypeus. Pronotum black with occasional short anterior medial yellow vitta and less frequent obscure paired yellow discal spots. Elytra usually black with scattered yellow spots, median discal paired spots rather beady in appearance. Pygidium usually entirely black but with small oval yellow spots in some specimens. Length 2.8-3.0 mm. Width 1.5-1.6 mm.
     Alabama records: 7 specimens from DeKalb¹, Lee¹, Marion¹, and Shelby¹ counties.
     Seasonal distribution: April 24-September 18.
     Remarks: Comparisons of the aedeagi of this species and P. atomarius indicate that the 2 species are quite distinct, although Fall (51) indicated possible conspecificity when describing P. vestigialis.

Pachybrachis stygicus Fall

Pachybrachys stygicus Fall, 1915, Trans. Amer. Entomol. Soc. 41: 416.
     Black, occasionally with few very small yellow specks on elytra, lustre dull. Eyes distant, without ocular lines. Pronotum alutaceous, punctures about as coarse as elytral punctation. Basal margin of elytra faintly yellow in some specimens. Length 2.5-3.5 mm. Width 1.2-2.1 mm.
     Alabama records: 7 specimens from Chambers³, Etowah², Houston¹, Lee¹, and Winston¹ counties.
     Seasonal distribution: May 1-August 10.
     Remarks: Examination of aedeagi proved the distinctness of this species from the similar P. atomarius and P. vestigialis. No determined material was present in Loding's collection (the Chambers County record is in the USNM), but one undetermined specimen from Tumblin Gap was identified by us.

Pachybrachis cephalicus Fall

Pachybrachys cephalicus Fall, 1915, Trans. Amer. Entomol. Soc. 41: 418.
Pachybrachys dixianus Fall, 1915, Trans. Amer. Entomol. Soc. 41: 419. (var.). New synonymy.
Pachybrachys parvus Fall, 1915, Trans. Amer. Entomol. Soc. 41: 419 (var.). New synonymy.
     Robust, mottled dark brown and yellow, lustre dull. Frons closely punctate, yellow, with vertical medial line, small V arising from each antennal base, and vertex dark brown, varying to wider areas of brown which leave 2 yellow spots between eyes. Eyes prominent, extending beyond apical width of pronotum. Pronotal punctation dense, predominantly dark brown mottled with yellow. Elytra dull yellow with dense brownish punctures. Pygidium black with 2 oval yellowish spots and duller markings. Length 2.5-3.5 mm. Width 1.4-1.8 mm.
     Alabama records: 8 specimens from Etowah², Mobile², and Randolph³ counties.
     Seasonal distribution: May 10-June 8.
     Remarks: The species, as treated here, includes Fall's varietal forms dixianus and parvus (51). We did not treat these as subspecies because we could not correlate these geographically. However, comparison of the aedeagi of variety dixianus and P. cephalicus indicated that these 2 forms are indeed conspecific. Seven of the 8 specimens studied were probably "cotypes."
     It should be noted that the distribution of the species and its varieties as listed in the Loding catalogue (75) are in error. Mobile County is the type locality for the nominate form; it is not the type locality for varieties dixianus or parvus. No specimens from Loding's collection nor any reference by Fall (51) indicated that material existed from St. Clair County (75).
     The Randolph County record (51) is a single specimen in the USNM. No host plants have been recorded.

Pachybrachis spumarius Suffrian

Pachybrachys spumarius Suffrian, 1852, Linn. Entomol. 6: 179.
Pachybrachis roboris Fall, 1915, Trans. Amer. Entomol. Soc. 41: 420. New synonymy.
     Yellow with close, brown, rust or black punctures and spots. Head rusty or black, closely punctate, inner margins of upper eye lobes bordered with yellow; ocular lines absent. Pronotum strongly punctate, lateral margins varying from punctate to impunctate; rusty to black with some smooth yellow spots. Elytra densely confusedly punctate, either with 1 or 2 distinct, partially oblique discal costae, or smoother. Pygidium brown or black with 2 oval yellow subapical, and paired smaller lateral spots. Venter varying from brown to black, 5th abdominal segment greatly yellowish. Legs brown or black with apexes of femora yellow. Length 2.4-3.5 mm. Width 1.3-2.1 mm.
     Alabama records: 81 specimens from Baldwin², Coffee¹, Coosa¹, Etowah², Lee¹, Macon¹, Madison¹, Marion¹, Mobile^2,3, Walker¹, and Winston¹ counties.
     Seasonal distribution: May 24-September 17.
     Remarks: We are here proposing new synonymy: P. spumarius Suffrians (= P. roboris Fall). "Cotypes" of P. roboris in the Loding collection were not specifically different from 3 females, also of that collection, of P. spumarius. (The latter material had been compared with the Suffrian type by Bowditch as indicated by Bowditch's labels: "Pachybrachys spumarius Suff. typical, t. Bow,") The basic character which Fall used to distinguish P. roboris, viz. pronotal margins being entirely punctate, is variable and is not suitable for distinguishing this species.
     Cornus sp., Salix sp., and Alnus sp. are plants from which we have taken single specimens; these occurrences may be accidental. Fall (51) records Quercus bicolor and quotes Blatchley's records of Quercus sp., Hydrangea sp., and Ceanothus sp.

Pachybrachis luctuosus Suffrian

Pachybrachys luctuosus Suffrian, 1858, Linn. Entomol. 12: 401.
     Small, robust, somewhat resembling P. varians in shape. Head with distinctly outlined black markings on frons and occiput, black areas distinctly and closely punctate, yellow areas smoother. Eyes widely separated (nearly 3 times length of basal antennal segment). Pronotum yellow with wide, poorly defined black M, more strongly punctate on black areas. Elytra nearly regularly striate, striae black and deeply impressed; coloration yellow with rather widely confluent black spots. Pygidium black with yellow spots on lateral edges near abdomen. Legs yellow with black femoral bands and slightly darker tibial apexes. Length 2.8 mm. Width 1.6 mm.
     Alabama records: 1 specimen from Cleburne¹ County.
     Seasonal distribution: July 10.
     Remarks: Pinus virginiana is very likely the host plant. The field notes of the collector, M. E. Dakin, indicate that he was collecting Orthoptera from these trees on the day and at the place where this beetle was taken. Fall (51) recorded that E. A. Schwarz also listed Pinus as a host. From the description given by Fall (51), this specimen appears to be intermediate in color between P. carolinensis and P. luctuosus, perhaps approaching more closely the latter since it is rather dark. Perhaps, as Fall (51) indicated, the above two names are synonyms.

Pachybrachis varians Bowditch

Pachybrachys varians Bowditch, 1909, Canadian Entomol. 41: 321.
     Robust, yellow. Head, yellow, occiput, and upright frontal wedge, and a small band from antennal base to upper lobe of eye black, closely punctate. Eyes prominent, rather widely separated in male. Pronotum punctate, yellow with median Y and lateral subbasal spot black, varying in size. Elytra yellow, usually with 3 submarginal and sometimes with 3 small discal spots black. Pygidium yellow; base, median wedge, and apical margin black. Venter black, lateral margins of abdomen yellow. Legs yellow with darker area at base of anterior femora. Length 2.5-3.2 mm. Width 1.3-1.8 mm.
     Alabama records: 13 specimens from Lee¹ and Mobile^2,3 counties.
     Seasonal distribution: May 2-September 13.
     Remarks: Further study may reveal that P. quadrioculatus Fall (51), P. osceola Fall (51), P. varians Bowditch (32), and P. conformis Suffrian (92) are all synonyms, in which case P. conformis would take priority.
     No host plants have been recorded during this study, but Blatchley (31) recorded that in Florida this species occurs ". . . on natal grass and low herbage in dry soil."
     Specimens in Loding's collection from Mobile are probably paratypes.

Pachybrachis tridens (Melsheimer)*

Cryptocephalus tridens Melsheimer, 1847, Proc. Acad. Nat. Sci. Philadelphia 3: 172.
Pachybrachys mollis Haldeman, 1849, Jour. Acad. Nat. Sci. Philadelphia, new series 1: 263.
      Pronotum yellow with median Y and subbasal spots black. Elytra yellow, marked with black cordate subbasal spot joining discal spot, which in turn connects with apical-most of three lateral black spots; maculations rather sharply defined. Length 3.3 mm. Width 2.5 mm.
     Alabama records: 1 specimen from Madison¹ County.
     Seasonal distribution: July 27.

Pachybrachis obsoletus Suffrian

Pachybrachys obsoletus Suffrian, 1852, Linn. Entomol. 7: 200.
     Yellow, strongly marked with black, varying to nearly completely yellow with brown maculations. Head yellow with vertex black or brown, frons with or without median black vitta; strongly punctate. Pronotum yellow with black M varying to orange-yellow with 3 basal and 2 discal light brown spots; punctures usually somewhat larger than elytral punctation. Elytral maculation somewhat resembling that of P. tridens, but not nearly so sharply outlined: a subcordate spot behind scutellum, paired subapical spots, and 3 marginal spots on each elytron. Varies from strongly black to nearly completely yellow. Two large calli, about half as long as elytra, present from 2nd striae mesad. Pygidium black basally, with lateral edges of abdomen yellow. Legs yellow, femora sometimes with dark mid area. Length 2.3-3.5 mm. Width 1.2-1.9 mm.
     Alabama records: 15 specimens from Clay¹, Coffee¹, Dallas¹, Lee¹, and Marshall¹ counties.
     Seasonal distribution: June 25-July 27.
     Remarks: The Coffee County specimens were swept from Cornus florida and a Clay County specimen was taken from Salix sp. Alabama specimens are usually much lighter in color than ones from Pennsylvania, Illinois, and the District of Columbia. Four specimens from Alberta, Canada, (Loding collection) and 1 from Iowa (Auburn Entomological Museum), however, are lighter than the Alabama specimens. Male genitalia of specimens from Alberta, Pennsylvania, and Alabama were compared and all appeared to be conspecific. No males of the similar P. tridens were seen. P. obsoletus does, however, differ in the aedeagi from P. peccans Suffrian.

Pachybrachis bivittatus (Say)

Cryptocephalus bivittatus Say, 1824, Jour. Acad. Nat. Sci. Philadelphia 3: 440.
Pachybrachys viduatus Suffrian, 1852, Linn. Entomol. 7: 156.
Pachybrachys albescens Suffrian, 1858, Linn. Entomol. 12: 404.
     Dorsum yellow. Pronotal spot black (or occasionally red), M-shaped, or grading to completely dark discal area. Each elytron with black sutural vitta interrupted in middle and 3 black marginal spots. Venter black. Length 3.9-4.6 mm. Width 2.1-2.5 mm.
     Alabama records: 11 specimens from Lee¹, Tallapoosa¹, Walker¹, and Winston^2,3 counties.
     Seasonal distribution: May 12-August 13.
     Remarks: This species has been taken by beating Salix sp. One specimen was taken in a light trap.

Pachybrachis litigiosus Suffrian

Pachybrachys litigiosus Suffrian, 1852, Linn. Entomol. 7: 217.
     Pronotum black, finely alutaceous to feebly shining, sparsely punctate; 2 oblique basal spots, medial apical vitta, and lateral margins yellow. Elytra yellow; margins, common sutural, paired discal, and lateral vittae black; striae distinct and regular throughout. Humeri distally and tibiae proximally yellow. Venter black. Length 3.3-4.2 mm. Width 1.9-2.5 mm.
     Alabama records: 13 specimens from Baldwin², Cleburne¹, DeKalb¹, Lee¹, and Mobile^2,3 counties.
     Seasonal distribution: May 6-August 15.
     Remarks: Our specimens were compared with one in the Loding collection which Bowditch had compared with the type. Alnus sp. has been a recorded host plant.

Pachybrachis othonus othonus (Say)

Cryptocephalus othonus Say, 1825, Amer. Entomol. II. p. 28.
Pachybrachys marginaticollis Rand, 1838, Boston Jour. Nat. Hist. 2: 46.
     Pronotum black; anterior medial vitta extending 2/3 length of pronotum and margins yellow; densely strigosely punctate. Elytra yellow with sutural, paired discal, and submarginal vittae black; striae distinct. Length 3.3-4.0 mm. Width 2.0-2.5 mm.
     Alabama records: 8 specimens from Etowah², Mobile^2,3, Randolph³, and Winston¹ counties.
     Seasonal distribution: June 3-27.
     Remarks: The Mobile specimen (Loding collection) was compared with the type by Bowditch. Balsbaugh noted food plants to be Comptonica peregrina in Pennsylvania and Amorpha canescens in South Dakota. Wilcox (94) lists Fraxinus sp. and Ulmus sp. as hosts in Ohio. The Randolph County record is from Fall (51).

Pachybrachis nigricornis (Say) *

Cryptocephalus nigricornis Say, 1824, Jour. Acad. Nat. Sci. Philadelphia 3: 436.
     Black, pronotum and elytra margined with yellow or red-yellow. Head alutaceous, vertex sparsely, finely, punctate, frons more coarsely punctate; eyes of female separated by slightly more than their vertical length. Pronotum coarsely, densely punctate, the sides smooth. Elytra regularly striate with margins and interrupted subsutural and medial vittae red-yellow, vittae more pronounced apically. Pygidium and venter black. Legs black, femoral apexes yellow. Length 3.0-3.4 mm. Width 1.7-1.8 mm.
     Alabama records: 1 specimen from Cleburne¹ County.
     Seasonal distribution: May 3.
     Remarks: This specimen was taken on Senecio sp.

Pachybrachis carbonarius Haldeman

Pachybrachys carbonarius Haldeman, 1849, Jour. Acad. Nat. Sci. Philadelphia, new series 1: 260.
     Completely black, pronotum alutaceous and more finely, closely punctate than elytra. Basal elytral margin and apex in a few specimens rufous. Length 2.8-3.3 mm. Width 1.6-2.1 mm.
     Alabama records: 9 specimens from DeKalb¹, Lee¹, and Mobile^2,3 counties.
     Seasonal distribution: March 29-July 9.
     Remarks: In Alabama it has been obtained by sweeping Quercus sp.

Pachybrachis viduatus (Fabricius)

Cryptocephalus viduatus Fabricius, 1801, Syst. Eleuth. I, p. 49.
     Pronotum orange with large black M which contacts margin only midbasally; coarsely, closely punctate. Elytra yellow, sutural and lateral margins black; paired discal vittae and submarginal vittae black, the latter usually interrupted subapically; closely, confusedly punctate. Length 4.0-4.9 mm. Width 2.3-2.8 mm.
     Alabama records: 12 specimens from Mobile^2,3 County.
     Seasonal distribution: May 10-July 10.
     Remarks: Fall (51) noted that this species is closely related to P. pulvinatus and P. trinotatus. Comparison of male genitalia of these species confirms this.

Pachybrachis m-nigrum (Melsheimer)

Cryptocephalus m-nigrum Melsheimer, 1847, Proc. Acad. Nat. Sci. Philadelphia 3: 170.
Pachybrachys intricatus Suffrian, 1852, Linn. Entomol. 7: 180.
     Pronotum black (a black M) with medial apical and 2 basal spots, lateral and apical margins orange-yellow. Elytra orange-yellow, with black suture, 2 medial and 3 lateral spots, all of which are confluent to various degrees. Frons black with eye spots, clypeus yellow. Length 4.0-4.6 mm. Width 2.3-2.5 mm.
     Alabama records: 2 specimens from Lawrence¹ and Tuscaloosa² counties.
     Seasonal distribution: June 28.
     Remarks: the specimen in the Loding collection was among undetermined material.

Pachybrachis trinotatus (Melsheimer)

Cryptocephalus trinotatus Melsheimer, 1847, Proc. Acad. Nat. Sci. Philadelphia 3: 170.
     Black, pronotum with single medial apical and 2 basal spots, lateral and anterior margins reddish orange. Front with 2 small reddish orange spots between eyes. Length 4.9-5.6 mm. Width 2.8-3.2 mm.
     Alabama records: 2 specimens from Mobile County.
     Seasonal distribution: June 4.
     Remarks: Although Madison County was listed in the Loding catalogue, no specimens from there were found in his collection. The aedeagus was dissected for comparison with other species.

Pachybrachis pulvinatus Suffrian

Pachybrachys pulvinatus Suffrian, 1852, Linn Entomol. 7: 151.
     Black, pronotum much like P. trinotatus, i.e. with anterior medial and paired basal spots, lateral and anterior margins red-orange, basal margin partly orange and apical margin occasionally partly black. Elytra differ being black with basal, lateral discal, and apical orange spots of various size and poor definition. Frons usually with 2 orange spots near eyes. Length 3.7-4.9 mm. Width 2.1-2.5 mm.
     Alabama records: 6 specimens from Mobile^2,3 County.
     Seasonal distribution: April 11-August 17.
     Remarks: Since this species appears to be closely related to P. trinotatus, male genitalia of both species were compared. The results indicated they were distinct. One of the specimens in Loding's collection was compared with the Suffrian type by Bowditch.

Pachybrachis confusus Bowditch

Pachybrachys confusus Bowditch, 1909, Canadian Entomol. 41: 365.
Pachybrachys proximus Bowditch, 1909, Canadian Entomol. 41: 360 (name preoccupied).
     Dark brown or black, much resembling P. vestigialis Fall. Head usually with clypeus and 2 interocular spots yellow. Pronotum with yellow, nearly impunctate, anterior medial vitta, and often 2 basal, and occasionally 2 discal feeble yellow spots. Elytra black with yellow spots. Length 2.8-3.9 mm. Width 1.6-2.1 mm.
     Alabama records: 22 specimens from Coffee¹, Etowah², Lee¹, Madison¹, and Mobile² counties.
     Seasonal distribution: May 10-August 10.
     Remarks: Males of P. confusus differ from those of P. vestigialis by having the front tarsal claws strongly enlarged. In both sexes of P. confusus the pronotum is duller and not so black as in P. vestigialis. Both pronotal and elytral punctures are more deeply impressed in P. vestigialis. Loding failed to include this species for Alabama, although his collection contained 7 identified specimens, including a probable paratype from Mobile, labeled by Bowditch (32). In addition to these, 11 unidentified specimens were among his material.

Pachybrachis luridus (Fabricius)

Cryptocephalus luridus Fabricius, 1798, Supp. Entomol. Syst. p. 109.
Cryptocephalus femoratus Say, 1824, Jour. Acad. Nat. Sci. Philadelphia 3: 440.
Cryptocephalus aesculi Melsheimer, 1847, Proc. Acad. Nat. Sci. Philadelphia 3: 171.
Pachybrachys moerens Stål, 1857, öfv. Svenska Vet.-Akad. Förh. 14: 63.
Pachybrachys nigrinus Blatchley, 1910, Coleopt. Ind. p. 1130 (var.).
Pachybrachys festivus Fall, 1915, Trans. Amer. Entomol. Soc. 41: 469 (var.) .
     Pronotum with disc completely black, lateral margins red, or disc black with red medial vitta and subbasal spots, varying to completely red. Elytra completely black or with a few yellow specks, especially at apex. Length 3.0-4.4 mm. Width 1.8-2.5 mm.
     Alabama records: 41 specimens from Baldwin¹, Cleburne¹, DeKalb¹, Etowah², Lee¹, Madison¹, Mobile², and Winston¹ counties.
     Seasonal distribution: March 22-July 29.
     Remarks: This species has been swept from Quercus niger and Senecio sp. Male genitalia of 2 specimens were examined.

Pachybrachis hepaticus (Melsheimer)

Cryptocephalus hepaticus Melsheimer, 1847, Proc. Acad. Nat. Sci. Philadelphia 3: 171.
     Light brown to dark brown irregularly clouded with yellow, elytral apex usually yellowish. Eyes small, remote; anterior femora not enlarged. Length 2.3-2.8 mm. Width 1.4-1.8 mm.
     Alabama records: 10 specimens from Baldwin, Lee, and Mobile counties.
     Seasonal distribution: March 23-September 13.