Rhabdopterus bottimeri
Barber, 1946
Rhabdopterus bottimeri is a leaf beetle in the Chrysomelidae, Eumolpinae. It was described by Barber in 1946 and is native to North and Middle America. The Rhabdopterus comprises small to medium-sized leaf beetles, many of which are associated with particular plants. This is poorly documented in the scientific literature.
Pronunciation
How to pronounce Rhabdopterus bottimeri: //ræbˈdɒptərəs bɒˈtɪməraɪ//
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Identification
Members of Rhabdopterus can be recognized by their convex, oval body shape and the structure of their tarsal claws, which are appendiculate (bearing a small tooth or lobe at the base). Specific characters distinguishing R. bottimeri from are not readily available in accessible literature. Identification to level likely requires examination of male genitalia and comparison with .
Images
Distribution
Recorded from North America and Middle America. Specific countries or localities are not documented in available sources.
Similar Taxa
- Rhabdopterus picipesAnother in the same with overlapping distribution in North America; separation requires detailed morphological examination.
- Other Eumolpinae generaMany Eumolpinae share the convex body form and appendiculate tarsal claws; Rhabdopterus is distinguished by specific features of the and pronotum.
More Details
Taxonomic note
The Rhabdopterus was revised by Bechyné in the mid-20th century, but R. bottimeri has received little subsequent taxonomic attention. The epithet honors an individual, presumably an entomologist or collector, though the etymology is not explicitly documented in the original description.
Data limitations
This is represented by extremely few observations in public databases (iNaturalist: 1 observation as of source date). Published biological information appears to be essentially absent from readily accessible literature.