Identification
The most obvious difference between this and
A. terminalis is that the connexivum is hidden when viewed from above*. Because of this, the body shape is narrower than other
Acanthocephala species. From this page
University of Florida: "Dilation of posterior tibia narrowing distally but almost reaching distal end; pronotum granulate, at most weakly tuberculate, covered with dense coat of erect black hairs; connexivum hidden when viewed from above; body shape outline linear, narrow."
*the connexivum is the striped flange around the outer margin of the abdomen, visible on this image of A. terminalis, below.
However, in this photo at
Florida Nature, there is a distinct though narrow striped margin visible around the abdomen of this female
A. confraterna.
The other chief identifying characteristic, the flanges on the hind tibiae extending almost to the end, rather than two-thirds down only (as in A. terminalis), may be more reliable but may not be very clear depending on the angle of the photograph.
In short, distinction between these two species in areas where they are known to overlap is quite challenging.
Range
Alabama, Florida, Georgia and Texas.
