Brachypnoea lecontei
E.Riley, S.Clark & Seeno, 2003
Texas Live Oak Leaf Beetle
Brachypnoea lecontei is a leaf beetle in the Chrysomelidae. The was described in 2003 following taxonomic revision of LeConte's original 1858 specimen, which had been synonymized with Brachypnoea puncticollis until genetic and morphological study of type material confirmed its distinct status. It is found in the Great Plains of the United States and has a documented association with Texas live oak.
Pronunciation
How to pronounce Brachypnoea lecontei: /brəˌkaɪpˈnoʊ.iə lɪˈkɒn.taɪ/
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Identification
Distinguished from Brachypnoea puncticollis, with which it was formerly synonymized, based on study of LeConte's type material at the Museum of Comparative Zoology. Separation from other Brachypnoea requires examination of morphological characters; specific diagnostic features are not detailed in available sources.
Habitat
Great Plains environments. In Texas, associated with containing Texas live oak (Quercus fusiformis).
Distribution
Great Plains of the United States. GBIF records confirm presence in North America.
Diet
Has been observed feeding on Texas live oak (Quercus fusiformis) in Texas.
Host Associations
- Quercus fusiformis - plantTexas live oak; feeding documented in Texas
Human Relevance
The was renamed in honor of John Lawrence LeConte, a prominent 19th-century American entomologist who first described it. It serves as an example of taxonomic revision resolving historical nomenclatural problems involving junior homonyms.
Similar Taxa
- Brachypnoea puncticollisFormerly considered ; B. lecontei was synonymized under this name until 2003 revision
- Brachypnoea humeralisOriginal name Colaspis humeralis LeConte, 1858 was a junior homonym of Colaspis humeralis Latreille, 1833, now Brachypnoea humeralis
More Details
Nomenclatural history
Originally described as Colaspis humeralis by John Lawrence LeConte in 1858. The name was preoccupied by Colaspis humeralis Latreille, 1833, making LeConte's name a primary junior homonym. The was synonymized with Brachypnoea puncticollis until 2003, when Riley, Clark, and Seeno examined LeConte's type material at the Museum of Comparative Zoology and confirmed it as a valid distinct species, renaming it Brachypnoea lecontei.