Synonyms and other taxonomic changes
Ellychnia flavicollis (LeConte)
Orig. Comb: Photinus flavicollis LeConte 1868
Certainly not related to the species we currently place in Ellychnia in association with the nomen "Ellychnia corrusca", which Dejean named clear back in 1833. Who knows what he was looking at back then. The genus is pretty messed up taxonomically. E. flavicollis probably has affinity to the Mexican fauna, which we know very little about, but New World Vesta is a candidate at least. Vesta has an Old World complement too, so that genus is messed up also.--Joe Cicero's comment, 29.viii.2014
Explanation of Names
flavicollis = 'yellow-necked'
Identification
entirely yellow-red pronotum distinctive within the genus.
Range
Best known from the Organ Mts. in Dona Ana Co., NM to the northwest. --Joe Cicero's comment, 29.viii.2014
Remarks
Has fairly large lights for a diurnal species and they need to be photographed in the dark or otherwise measured to get some idea of how bright they are. Lights of male and female haven't been compared, mating behavior is unknown, larvae are unknown, flower or plant associations unknown... --Joe Cicero's comment, 29.viii.2014
Print References
LeConte, J.L. 1868. New Coleoptera collected on the survey for the extension of the Union Pacific railway, E.D. from Kansas to Fort Craig, New Mexico. Transactions of the American Entomological Society 2: 49-64.