Pachyschelus purpureus uvaldei Knull - Pachyschelus purpureus

I'm not qustioning the determination

I have 2 specimens just like this one that were determined by Gayle Nelson. I have been confused about them because George Vogt (1941) and Henry Hespenheide in his 2003 key to the US Pachyschelus state that this species has reddish-purple elytra. This and my 2 look more black like the more common P. laevigatus. Any ideas why?

… Joshua P. Basham, 18 June, 2009 - 3:02pm

Coloration question

Hespenheide's 2003 key is misleading, as Knull (1941) [is this what you meant instead of "George Vogt "1941)"?] describes the elytra as dark violaceous, not reddish-purple. In fact, I can find no other reference to the elytra being reddish-purple, either in print, among the images that have been posted online, or a specimen in my collection from Uvalde Co., Texas. That said, a bright blue phenoptype was recently reared from Acalypha, which I have examined and determined to be assignable to uvaldei. I have also found characters by which uvaldei differs from nominotypical purpureus that are sufficient to warrant resurrection of its original status as a separate species (manuscript in progress).

… Ted C. MacRae, 5 March, 2024 - 1:30pm

I'll send you an email about

I'll send you an email about this because I've noticed some differences and will email you about the specimens.

… Joshua P. Basham, 6 March, 2024 - 8:48am