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Photo#79593
leaf beetle? - Melanophila consputa

leaf beetle? - Melanophila consputa
Size: 15 mm
This is a beetle sent to me from Wisconsin and I can't positively identify it. I think it is a leaf beetle would like some confirmation.

locality?
Do we know for certain that this was collected in Wisconsin, or was it just sent from someone who was in Wisconsin? Where is the collection locality? This is a mighty long way from the nearest location for this western(?)species.

Mike I was hoping that you co
Mike I was hoping that you could email me about this specimen.

 
any developments?
indeed, a legitimate concern about the provenance [if no hard evidence, suggest clearing the state field to avoid confusion]

Melanophila consputa LeConte
This is the buprestid beetle Melanophila consputa. These guys havepits on the mesosternum that actually detect fires. They are extremely atracted to forest fires and trees that have been recently burned. This species is very similar to M. notata. They can be separated by the amount of spots on the elytra. M. consputa generally has 10-12 spots and M. notata has 6-8. These two are the only two in the genus here in the US that have spots on the elytra.
Mike, I am very interested in buprestids and would love to exchange specimens if you are interested. Write when you have the time.
Info was from; Sloop, Kenneth D., A revision of the North American Buprestid Beetles Belonging to the Genus Melanophila (Coleoptera, Buprestidae)

Buprestid beetle.
This is actually a buprestid beetle. We have at least one expert on this group who should be able to give you a genus and maybe a species. I would guess genus Phaenops or Melanophila. Neat find!

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