Purpuricenus linsleyi
Chemsak, 1961
Purpuricenus linsleyi is a rare longhorned beetle in the Cerambycidae, described by John Chemsak in 1961. The species was originally known only from the and one from Texas, and was later rediscovered in the Texas hill country by Dan Heffern. It belongs to a of large, showy beetles with velvety black bodies and vivid red or orange elytral markings. The species can be confused with P. humeralis due to similar elytral patterning, but differs in having the margin of the basal elytral markings more or less transverse rather than distinctly oblique.
Pronunciation
How to pronounce Purpuricenus linsleyi: /pʊrˌpjuːrɪˈsiːnəs ˈlɪnzliːaɪ/
These audio files are automatically generated. While they are not always 100% accurate, they are a good starting point.
Identification
Distinguished from P. humeralis by the transverse (rather than oblique) margin of the basal elytral markings. The dark area does not extend forward along the to reach the scutellum. Compared to P. axillaris and P. paraxillaris, P. linsleyi has more extensive basal elytral markings that differ in shape from both . The species is known from few specimens, making field identification challenging without direct comparison to confirmed material.
Habitat
Known from the hill country of Texas; specific preferences are poorly documented due to rarity of specimens. Related in the are associated with woodland habitats and are attracted to fermenting baits placed at woodland edges.
Distribution
to Texas, USA; specifically recorded from the Texas hill country near San Antonio. The original type series was from an unspecified location in Texas.
Behavior
have been collected using fermenting traps, suggesting attraction to fermenting odors like other . Whether this represents natural feeding or simply attraction to volatile compounds is unclear.
Human Relevance
Of interest to coleopterists due to its rarity and taxonomic history; the rediscovery of this represented a significant find for cerambycid . The species is not known to be of economic importance.
Similar Taxa
- Purpuricenus humeralisSimilar elytral pattern with black area and colored basal markings; distinguished by oblique margin of basal markings and extension of dark apical area forward along to scutellum
- Purpuricenus axillarisSimilar size and general appearance; distinguished by yellow to orange (rather than red) basal elytral markings, weaker pronotal , and subtruncate elytral apices without distinct teeth
- Purpuricenus paraxillarisSimilar robust build and red-orange markings; distinguished by shape of basal elytral markings and more extensively developed pronotal with polished lines
More Details
Nomenclatural history
MacRae (2001) published a correction regarding the deposition of this , clarifying institutional holdings of the type material.
Rediscovery
The was considered extremely rare until specimens were collected near San Antonio, Texas by Dan Heffern using fermenting traps, confirming the species' continued existence and allowing for proper comparison with related .