Lophalia
Casey, 1912
Species Guides
1Lophalia is a of longhorn beetles in the Cerambycidae, Cerambycinae, and tribe Trachyderini. The genus was established by Casey in 1912 and currently contains six described distributed in the Americas. Members of this genus are characterized by features typical of the Trachyderini tribe, including often robust bodies and frequently vivid coloration patterns. The genus has been documented through 258 iNaturalist observations, indicating moderate field recognition.
Pronunciation
How to pronounce Lophalia: /loʊˈfeɪliə/
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Identification
Lophalia can be distinguished from other Trachyderini by genitalic and external morphological features detailed in taxonomic revisions, though specific diagnostic characters require examination of and original descriptions. The genus is placed in the subtribe Trachyderina based on shared characteristics with related genera. Species-level identification relies on examination of elytral patterns, pronotal sculpturing, and antennal proportions, with several species originally described in other genera and later transferred to Lophalia.
Distribution
of Lophalia are distributed in the Americas, with records from Mexico and Central America. Lophalia cribricollis and Lophalia quadrivittata were originally described from Mexico (Bates, 1892). Lophalia cyanicollis, originally described as Callichroma cyanicollis by Dupont in 1838, has a broader distribution in the Neotropical region. The remaining species (L. auricomis, L. cavei, L. prolata) are more recently described and have more restricted known ranges based on type localities.
Similar Taxa
- TrachyderesBoth belong to the tribe Trachyderini and share robust body forms and often vivid coloration; Lophalia is distinguished by specific genitalic and external characters as detailed in taxonomic revisions by Chemsak and Linsley.
- CallichromaLophalia cyanicollis was originally described in this ; Callichroma are generally larger with more metallic coloration and different antennal proportions.
More Details
Taxonomic History
Lophalia was established by Casey in 1912 as a distinct within Cerambycidae. Several were transferred into this genus from other genera, including L. cribricollis and L. quadrivittata from the genus Eburia (Bates, 1892), and L. cyanicollis from Callichroma (Dupont, 1838). The genus has been revised by Chemsak and Linsley (1979, 1988) and Chemsak and Hovore (2010), resulting in the current six-species composition.
Species List
The contains six described : Lophalia auricomis Chemsak & Linsley, 1979; Lophalia cavei Chemsak & Hovore, in Eya, 2010; Lophalia cribricollis (Bates, 1892); Lophalia cyanicollis (Dupont, 1838); Lophalia prolata Chemsak & Linsley, 1988; and Lophalia quadrivittata (Bates, 1892).