Epicauta alpina
Werner, 1944
alpina is a in the , first described by Werner in 1944. It belongs to the subgenus Macrobasis within the Epicauta. The species is known from North America, with museum records indicating 27 specimens in the Research Museum collection. Like other Epicauta species, it likely produces , a defensive terpenoid compound characteristic of blister beetles.
Pronunciation
How to pronounce Epicauta alpina: /ˌɛpɪˈkɔːtə ælˈpiːnə/
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Distribution
North America. Museum holdings indicate presence in the southwestern United States, with 27 specimens documented in the Research Museum collection as of 2010.
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Taxonomic placement
alpina is placed in the subgenus Macrobasis, distinguishing it from in the nominate subgenus Epicauta. The subgenus Macrobasis contains approximately 50 described species in North America, characterized by particular morphological features of the and .
Specimen holdings
The Research Museum holds 27 specimens of alpina as of April 2010, indicating it is a relatively poorly collected compared to common such as E. arizonica (307 specimens) or E. lauta (207 specimens) in the same subgenus.