beetle - Collops quadriguttatus

is this a valid name?

Can someone provide an authority or better yet an original description for the name Collops quadriguttatus? I'm having trouble finding one and am concerned it's just a variant of C. quardimaculatus.

… Ken-ichi Ueda, 16 August, 2017 - 1:48am

name

I suspect you're right Ken-ichi. I'm not sure where the name came from. I'm not finding evidence that it's a valid name.

I was about to move this to Collops quadrimaculatus, but I want to check the Essig specimens first (can do next week) to see if any look like this Collops. None of the ones in the guide now have black on the pronotum. I don't know if that matters.

If someone else wants to move this sooner that's fine by me. The genus is correct for sure!

… Joyce Gross, 16 August, 2017 - 11:46pm

Name

We don't have an update to date reference so far on the genus and there are many species "still undescribed" according to the page. It is definitely not quadrimaculatus which is eastern and with a plain red pronotum like histrio.

Using Marshall's key puts this beetle to blandus, histrionicus, or confluens.

… James Bailey, 16 August, 2017 - 11:54pm

visit to Essig

Here's my report after looking at Essig specimens:

- There are no specimens labelled Collops quadriguttatus

- Of the species listed above by James (blandus, histrionicus, and confluens), Essig only has confluens and I don't believe that's what I have. There are only 2 specimens, both from Texas. The pattern is different than on mine.

- My beetle above doesn't look like any of the other Collops specimens that are identified to species either.

- There are trays and trays of unidentified Collops. I glanced at them just long enough to see one that looks like mine -- but of course it doesn't have a species id so it's not too helpful!

… Joyce Gross, 25 August, 2017 - 9:23pm

Only quadrimaculatus listed

In Marshal and Leng et. al.

… James Bailey, 16 August, 2017 - 12:04pm

Moved tentatively per Dr Mayor's comment

Moved from Collops.

… v belov, 7 December, 2009 - 4:44pm

thanks Adriean...

..for the detailed information about this genus.

Also, when I saw your subject I realized I entered the wrong county and have fixed that -- Contra Costa is the neighboring county to the one I originally entered.

Moved from Soft-winged Flower Beetles.

… Joyce Gross, 28 July, 2007 - 2:24am

Melyridae? Beetle from Alameda County, California, USA.

This is a female Collops. The flattened shape is different from most Collops. The critical point for the ID is the number of antennal segments (apparently 10). There are really 11, but the second is reduced and hidden in the apex of the first antennal segment. This can be clearly seen in the second (dorsal view) image. For females, the somewhat triangular shape of the 2nd (really the 3rd) antennal segment is also a good clue. Based on the size (5-6mm), I would guess that it is Collops quadriguttatus Champion, or something close, but there is no way to be sure without seeing a male.

… Adriean Mayor, 26 July, 2007 - 10:57am

Right again:-)

This one looks like something in the genus Anthocomus.

… Eric R. Eaton, 7 November, 2005 - 3:09pm

Anthocomus

I couldn't find my beetle under Melyridae at Essig. Also there are no Anthocomus species at all at Essig.

Nearctica.com lists only two species:
Anthocomus longicollis Motschulsky 1859 (Charopus)
Anthocomus moerens LeConte 1859 (Charopus)

My beetle does look similar to other Anthocomus species that come up when doing a google images search... but as of right now I can't find photos anywhere of either of the N. American species.

… Joyce Gross, 18 November, 2005 - 4:07am