Lytta arizonica
Selander, 1957
Lytta arizonica is a blister beetle in the Meloidae, first described by Selander in 1957. It is placed in the subgenus Paralytta within the Lytta. The is found in North America, with collection records indicating presence in the southwestern United States.
Pronunciation
How to pronounce Lytta arizonica: /ˈlɪtə ˌærɪˈzoʊnɪkə/
These audio files are automatically generated. While they are not always 100% accurate, they are a good starting point.
Distribution
North America, specifically recorded from Arizona and surrounding southwestern United States. The name and subgenus placement (Paralytta) suggest affinity for arid or semi-arid regions.
Similar Taxa
- Lytta biguttataAlso in subgenus Paralytta, found in similar southwestern , and may co-occur on flowers of Asteraceae
- Lytta magisterLarger in subgenus Paralytta with which it might be confused in Arizona, though L. magister is more widespread and has different coloration
More Details
Taxonomic placement
Lytta arizonica is classified in the subgenus Paralytta, one of several subgenera within the large Lytta. The subgenus Paralytta contains approximately 35 , many of which are southwestern North American endemics with restricted distributions.
Specimen holdings
The Entomology Research Museum at the University of California, Riverside holds 13 specimens of Lytta arizonica as of 2010, indicating it is a relatively rarely collected compared to more common like Lytta magister (344 specimens) or Lytta vulnerata (359 specimens).