Neocallotillus elegans

(Erichson, 1847)

Elegant Calloused Clerid

Neocallotillus elegans is a of checkered beetle in the Cleridae, originally described as Tillus elegans by Erichson in 1847. The species was transferred to the newly erected Neocallotillus in 2016 following a taxonomic revision that split the genus Callotillus into two genera based on morphological characters. It occurs across the southwestern United States, Mexico, and Central America.

Neocallotillus elegans by (c) Catherine C. Galley, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Catherine C. Galley. Used under a CC-BY license.

Tillinae (10.3897-zookeys.179.21253) Figure 15 by Burke A, Zolnerowich G (2017) Taxonomic revision of the New World Tillinae Leach sensu lato (Coleoptera: Cleridae). ZooKeys 719: 75-157. https://doi.org/10.3897/zookeys.179.21253. Used under a CC BY 4.0 license.

Tillinae (10.3897-zookeys.179.21253) Figure 17 by Burke A, Zolnerowich G (2017) Taxonomic revision of the New World Tillinae Leach sensu lato (Coleoptera: Cleridae). ZooKeys 719: 75-157. https://doi.org/10.3897/zookeys.179.21253. Used under a CC BY 4.0 license.

Pronunciation

How to pronounce Neocallotillus elegans: //ˌniː.oʊˌkæloʊˈtɪləs ˈɛlɪɡænz//

These audio files are automatically generated. While they are not always 100% accurate, they are a good starting point.

Identification

Neocallotillus elegans can be distinguished from related by characters defined in the 2016 taxonomic revision: presence of a distinct callosity (hardened raised area) on the pronotum, and specific patterns of elytral maculation. The species was moved from Callotillus to Neocallotillus based on these pronotal callosities and differences in male genitalia structure. An illustrated identification key to species is available in Burke and Zolnerowich (2016).

Images

Distribution

Recorded from Nevada, California, New Mexico, Texas, Louisiana, Arizona, Mexico, and Central America. GBIF records indicate presence in Middle America, North America, and South America.

Similar Taxa

Neocallotillus intricatusFormerly placed in Callotillus; distinguished by different elytral color patterns and pronotal callosity structure per Burke & Zolnerowich (2016) revision.
Callotillus eburneocinctusRetained in Callotillus after 2016 split; lacks the pronotal callosity characteristic of Neocallotillus and has different genitalia .

More Details

Taxonomic History

Originally described as Tillus elegans by Wilhelm Ferdinand Erichson in 1847. Transferred to Callotillus by Wolcott in 1910. In 2016, Burke and Zolnerowich revised the Callotillus, erecting Neocallotillus as a new genus for with distinct pronotal callosities and different male genitalia structure, transferring elegans to this new genus.

Nomenclatural Note

The basionym Tillus elegans Erichson, 1847 remains the original description, with Neocallotillus elegans (Erichson, 1847) as the current combination. The was one of two transferred to Neocallotillus in the 2016 revision.