BioOne

Heffern, D., L.G. Bezark, R. Androw. 2018. Distributional records and remarks on Megaderus bifasciatus Dupont, 1836 (Coleoptera: Cerambycidae: Cerambycinae). The Pan-Pacific Entomologist, 94(3): 151-162.

Abstract

Distributional information is presented for Megaderus bifasciatus Dupont, 1836, a rare species of longhorned beetle in the cerambycid tribe Trachyderini. Valid occurrence records from Mexico and Central America are listed, and enigmatic historical records for the southwestern United States are examined to attempt to determine their veracity. An inventory of specimens found in museum collections is documented. The records for Texas and Arizona are examined, and the likelihood that the species is, or ever was, present in the United States is discussed.

INTRODUCTION

In September 2015, a photograph of a rare cerambycid beetle collected in the coastal city of Port Lavaca, Texas was sent to the authors. The species was determined to be a female Megaderus bifasciatus Dupont, 1836. It was observed resting on the outside wall of the Texas A&M University Extension Office in Port Lavaca by an employee. The employee captured the beetle and presented it to Stephen Biles, an extension agent for the university, who works in the same building (Stephen Biles, personal communication). After taking photographs, Mr. Biles preserved and deposited the specimen into the collection at Texas A&M University.

SUMMARY

We found nine specimens of M. bifasciatus without data, 62 specimens with only “Texas”, one specimen with only “Arizona,” and eight specimens from cities along the United States / Mexican border. There are four very old records from Texas (including 19th century literature) from locations not along the Mexican border. There is one record from Arizona (Baboquivari Mts.), which is about 20 miles north of the Mexican border.