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Species Ripiphorus rex

Ripiphorus rex (Champion) - Ripiphorus rex - female ''Wasp'' with bipectinate antennae and two flight wings, lateral - Ripiphorus rex - male Appears to be a bee mimic - Ripiphorus rex - female Delighted to encounter Ripiphorus rex again! - Ripiphorus rex - female Delighted to encounter Ripiphorus rex again! - Ripiphorus rex - female Beetle, lateral left mesotibia - Ripiphorus rex - male A sawfly? - Ripiphorus rex A sawfly? - Ripiphorus rex
Classification
Kingdom Animalia (Animals)
Phylum Arthropoda (Arthropods)
Subphylum Hexapoda (Hexapods)
Class Insecta (Insects)
Order Coleoptera (Beetles)
Suborder Polyphaga
No Taxon (Series Cucujiformia)
Superfamily Tenebrionoidea
Family Ripiphoridae (Wedge-shaped Beetles)
Subfamily Ripiphorinae
Genus Ripiphorus
Species rex (Ripiphorus rex)
Synonyms and other taxonomic changes
Ripiphorus rex (Champion)
Orig. Comb: Rhipidophorus rex Champion, 1891
Explanation of Names
rex = 'king'
Size
9-11 mm (1)
Identification
unique among Ripiphorus spp. in having a serrated outer edge of the mesotibia(1):

significant characters(2):
Deep and very oblique apical emargination of the first segment of the hind tarsi
Median carination of the dorsal segments of the abdomen
Densely hairy elongate projection on the inner side of the front coxae at apex:

Antennae pale yellow with darker tips in males, yellow to black in females. Legs pale yellow with dark joints.
Range
CA to w. TX, UT / n. Mexico(1)
Season
Apr-Jun (BG data)
Remarks
Not treated in(3) but said to occur in southern and central CA in(1)
See Also
May be synonymous with R. vierecki...see remarks on this forum.
Print References
Champion, G.C. (1891) Biologia Centrali-Americana: Insecta. Coleoptera. Heteromera (part). Vol. IV, Part 2, Pg. 360,Tab 16, Fig. 19, 19a
Works Cited
1.Field Guide to Beetles of California
Arthur V. Evans and James N. Hogue. 2006. University of California Press.
2.A review of the genus Macrosiagon in Mexico, with notes on Rhipiphorus (Coleoptera, Rhipiphoridae)
Patricia Vaurie. 1955. American Museum of Natural History.
3.The Rhipiphoridae of California (Coleptera)
Linsley E.G., MacSwain J.W. 1951. Bull. Calif. Insect Surv. 1: 79-88.