Tecnophilus
Chaudoir, 1877
Tecnophilus is a of in the , established by Chaudoir in 1877. The genus contains two described : Tecnophilus croceicollis and Tecnophilus pilatei. It belongs to the subtribe Agrina within the tribe Lebiini, Lebiinae. The genus is rarely encountered in collections and field observations.
Pronunciation
How to pronounce Tecnophilus: //tɛkˈnɒfɪləs//
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Identification
Tecnophilus can be distinguished from other Agrina by the combination of their elongated body form and the distinctive coloration of the . Tecnophilus croceicollis is characterized by its yellowish-orange pronotal collar, which contrasts with the darker . Tecnophilus pilatei lacks this pronounced color contrast. Detailed examination of male is required for definitive species identification within the .
Distribution
Tecnophilus croceicollis occurs in the southwestern United States and northern Mexico. Tecnophilus pilatei has been recorded from Mexico.
Similar Taxa
- AgraBoth belong to the subtribe Agrina and share elongated body forms, but Agra typically exhibit more pronounced elytral sculpturing and different pronotal proportions.
- CalleidaAnother in Lebiini with similar general habitus, but Calleida usually display more metallic coloration and different antennal structure.
More Details
Taxonomic History
The was established by Maximilien Chaudoir in 1877 with Tecnophilus pilatei as the . Tecnophilus croceicollis was originally described in the genus Lebia by Menetries in 1843 and later transferred to Tecnophilus.
Collection Rarity
With only 22 observations recorded on iNaturalist as of the source date, Tecnophilus represents one of the less frequently documented of North , likely reflecting genuine rarity rather than identification challenges alone.