Dryophthoridae of Costa Rica and Panama

Rhodobaenus LeConte, 1876

Diagnosis: Small to large, 7-22 mm in total body length; elongate-oval in form, uniformly black or black with red, orange or yellow markings; antennal funicle of 6 articles, scape cylindrical or variously flattened, apex extended to posterior margin of eye or beyond; rostrum cylindrical, curved ventrally, humped at base (with abrupt change in orientation) in many species; anterior margin of pronotum straight behind eye; tarsus of 5 articles, but article 4 small, located at very base of article 3, article 3 wider than 2 and bilobed ventrally, ventral pilosity various, forming pads which cover one-third or more of ventral surface, article 5 (claw-bearing article) with apical venter excavate or bilamellate, or in some species, smooth; legs of male and female generally similar in shape and vestiture; front coxae separated, lacking tubercle between front coxae, metasternum more or less flat between mesocoxae; pygydium exposed beyond elytra, narrowed towards apex, generally tumescent subapically; scutellum triangular, widest at or near base; male with aedeagus without lateral line.

Taxonomic notes: Most Rhodobaenus can easily and unequivocally be distinguished by the excavate or bilamellate venter of tarsal article 5. Some of the large, black Rhodobaenus have the venter of this tarsal article smooth and are difficult to separate from Cactophagus. These large black species often have velvety black markings on the elytra and the metasternum is more or less flat between the middle coxae.

Natural history: In contrast to other Dryophthoridae, species of Rhodobaenus, where known, are associated with various dicot plants including various Piperaceae, Asteraceae, and Rubiaceae. Larvae are stem miners but with the exception of Dahlia and Helianthus they do not attack plants of economic interest (Vaurie 1981).

Diversity: About 100 species of Rhodobaenus are known from Central and South America; 41 are known from Costa Rica and 28 from Panama, with 26 shared between the two countries.

	Key to species of Rhodobaenus in Costa Rica and Panama (largely after Vaurie 1982)

1	Rostrum short, wide, three to four times longer than width at base	2
	- Rostrum long, more than five times longer than width at base	3

2	Pronotum (excluding apical and basal constrictions) with sides subparallel; elytra black, with velvety black angular and oblique patches; pygidium in lateral view with apex abrupt, tumid, extended well beyond apex of abdomen	R. nigrosignatus Champion
	- Pronotum (excluding apical and basal constrictions) with sides convergent to apex; elytra yellowish, without any velvety black angular or oblique patches; pygidium in lateral view with apex rounded, not tumid, not extended much beyond apex of abdomen	R. lineiger Chevrolat

3	Antennal scape somewhat to markedly expanded, maximum width about as wide as or wider than width of the rostrum at apex; in cross-section, distinctly laterally compressed and flattened	4
	- Antennal scape not expanded, maximum width less than width of the rostrum at apex; in cross-section, more or less circular, not laterally compressed or flattened	7

4	Pronotum uniformly convex or flattened, not transversely impressed near base	R incertus (Champion)
	- Pronotum transversely impressed near base	5

5	Antennal scape broadly expanded, with maximum width as wide as width of antennal club; elytra gray with oblique median black band	R. nigrofasciatus (Champion)
	- Antennal scape with maximum width about one-half width of antennal club; elytra with at least some dark red or bright orange	6

6	Elytra scarcely, if at all, longer than pronotum; dark red, with faint black areas basally and apically.	R. dentirostris (Champion)
	- Elytra distinctly longer than pronotum; bright orange with humeral region, sutural area to interval 3, and apical one-third black	R. patriciae Anderson, new species

7	Rostrum with dorsal surface anterior to point af antennal insertion with dense, long bristly or wispy setae	8
	- Rostrum with dorsal surface anterior to point af antennal insertion with at most scattered short, stout setae, each no longer than the width of a puncture	10

8	Elytra only very slightly longer than pronotum; humeri rounded, elytra with broad impressed area extended posteriorly and obliquely from humeri to interval 3 at apical one-third; pronotum with deeply impressed "U" shaped area medially on disc; rostrum with setose area on dorsal surface divided by sharp median carina	R. tenorio Anderson, new species
	- Elytra much longer than pronotum; humeri quadrate, elytra and pronotum lacking impressed areas; rostrum with setose area on dorsal surface not divided median carina or carina broad and low	9

9	Body black; body size larger (10.5-13.0 mm); pronotum transversely impressed subbasally at middle; rostrum with setose area confined to basal one-half, divided by low, rounded, median carina	R. subcristatus Champion (in part; females)
	- Body orange and black; body size smaller (6.4-7.5 mm); pronotum slightly swollen and tumescent at very middle of disc, not impressed; rostrum with setose area extended almost to apex, not divided, median carina lacking	R. howelli Anderson, new species (in part; females)

10	Pronotum with middle of disc swollen and somewhat tumescent, orange in color with narrow median black line; peduncle sharply carinate ventrally, apex extended beyond apex of the rostrum and acutely angulate	R. howelli Anderson, new species (in part; males)
	- Pronotum with middle of disc either flat or slightly evenly convex, not tumescent, color various; peduncle various but not extended beyond apex of the rostrum and acutely angulate	11

11	Body size small, 4.5-6.0 mm; pronotum elongate and narrow, red with white dots, three black stripes and two short yellowish streaks extended forward from base; subbasal median impression, feeble if present; head transversely deeply incised between eyes; hind femora with upper margin slightly sinuate	R. ypsilon Chevrolat
	- Not agreeing with all statements above	12

12	Hind femora arcuate, long, extended beyond apex of pygidium; eyes short, narrow, not wider than width of antennal club	R. rubicundus Champion
	- Not agreeing with all statements above	13

13	Tarsus with area between claws ventrally excavated medially and bilamellate at sides; body size 4.0-15.0 mm	14
	- Tarsus with area between claws flat and smooth; body size 10.0-20.0 mm	42

14	Antennal club with pilose apical portion only one-fourth or one-fifth length of club; pronotum red with single black median line	R. suturalis (Gyllenhal)
	- Antennal club with pilose apical portion one-third or more length of club; pronotum various, not red with single black median line	15

15	Pronotum with transverse subbasal impression	16
	- Pronotum flat or slightly convex subbasally, not impressed	26

16	Dorsum without definite white dots around punctures	17
	- Dorsum with punctures encircled by whitish dots or with dots merged into streaks	23

17	Color gray or black, no red	18
	- Color red or red and black	19

18	Size small, 6.5-8.5 mm; femora each about same width throughout length; black	R. melas Vaurie
	- Size moderate, 8.0-13.0 mm; femora each twice as wide at apex as at base; gray with six indistinct darker spots	R. olivaceus (Olivier), or R. subcristatus Champion (in part; males)

19	Elytra, except for scutellum, red	R. sanguineus (Gyllenhal)
	- Elytra various, but with at least some black	20

20	Pronotum red, with at least some black spots	R. pantherinus Champion
	- Pronotum black, or red with black stripes	21

21	Elytra either red with six black spots and subapical black band (four central spots can be merged into a band, or subapical band can be divided into spots), or elytra black with humeri red; male with aedeagus in lateral view narrowed to subacuminate apex, male with ventral tubercle and rostrum ventrally smooth	R. bicinctus Chevrolat
	- Elytra red with outer intervals lined or spotted with black, apex black, or, elytra red with two black spots across middle, or black with irregular red suffusions; male with aedeagus in lateral view widened feebly to blunt, rounded apex, male lacking ventral tubercle and with rostrum ventrally sparsely setose	22

22	Rostrum long, narrower than apex of front femur, generally bright red; elytra red with outer intervals lined or spotted with black, apex black; pronotum with three black stripes	R. deltoides Chevrolat
	- Rostrum shorter, at least as wide as apex of front femur, black; elytra red with two black spots across middle, or black with irregular red suffusions; pronotum with single black stripe	R. bisignatus Champion

23	Dorsum with white or yellowish dots merged into solid, generally symmetrical streaks; body size small, 6.5-7.5 mm	R. bellus Vaurie
	- Dorsum with white dots separate, individually distinct; body size moderate, 7.0-9.5 mm	24

24	White dots small, inconspicuous; each elytron with three large, clearly defined, velvety dark spots; color gray or purplish	R. maculifer (Fahråeus)
	- White dots larger, nearly filling elytral intervals; each elytron with three or four poorly-defined dark spots; color gray or reddish	25

25	Body form elongate-narrow, length approximately 2.6-2.7x maximum width; prosternum flat behind front coxae	R. nebulosus Champion
	- Body form more robust, length approximately 2.1-2.2 x maximum width; prosternum bituberculate behind front coxae	R. adspersus (Gyllenhal)

26	Pronotum with disc red; rostrum markedly arcuate, ventrally with long, curled hairs (abraded in some specimens); elytra dark red or red with dark areas medially and laterally	R. rhinopilus Vaurie
	- Pronotum, rostrum and elytra various, not as described above	27

27	Body entirely black	28
	- Body with at least some red or orange	29

28	Pronotum subconical, lateral margins uniformly convergent to apex; dorsum with definite white spots around punctures; rostrum with punctures shallow and small; antenna with basal shiny article of club attached more or less symmetrically to funicle	R. tenuiscapus Champion
	- Pronotum with lateral margins subparallel in basal one-half, then convergent to apex; dorsum without definite white spots around punctures; rostrum with punctures deep and large; antenna with basal shiny article of club attached distinctly asymmetrically to funicle	R. labrecheae Anderson, new species

29	Dorsum without definite white spots around punctures	30
	- Dorsum with punctures encircled by whitish dots or with dots merged into streaks	39

30	Elytra entirely black (or very dark red)	31
	- Elytra with at least some red	34

31	Prosternum red with lateral black spot; antennal scape about as long as, or very slightly longer than funicle; antennal club with apical pilose portion one-third total length of club	R. thoracicus (Gyllenhal), (in part)
	- Prosternum entitrely red, without lateral black spot; antennal scape distinctly longer than funicle; antennal club with apical pilose portion one-half or more total length of club	32

32	Hind tarsus with article 3 widely dilated, apex three times wider than width of article 2 at apex, article 2 shorter than 3	R. cinctus (Gyllenhal) (in part)
	- Hind tarsus with article 3 only slightly wider than width of article 2 at apex, article 2 subequal in length to 3	33

33	Pronotum convex, lateral margins arcuate; rostrum widened and humped at base, basal dilation punctate, not sulcate; male aedeagus carinate ventrally	R. lebasii (Gyllenhal) (in part)
	- Pronotum flat, especially at base, lateral margins subparallel to near apex; rostrum not widened or humped at base, basal dilation sulcate; male aedeagus smooth ventrally	R. pulchellus (Gyllenhal) (in part)

34	Elytra with short interval 10 and part or all of interval 9 red, or with short interval 10 and intervals 3-7 in basal one-third red	35
	- Elytra with more red than noted above	36

35	Elytra with short interval 10 and part or all of interval 9 red; antennal scape long, much longer than funicle; pronotum longer than wide	R. auctus Chevrolat (in part)
	- Elytra with short interval 10 and intervals 3-7 in basal one-third red; antennal scape short, about as long as funicle; pronotum as long as wide	R. thoracicus (Gyllenhal) (in part)

36	Elytra with apical one-third black from side to side; pronotum generally with narrow median black stripe and four small black spots	R. lebasii (Gyllenahl) (in part)
	- Elytra with apical one-third not entirely black; pronotum various	37

37	Femora red with black spot; if spot not evident, elytra with eight rounded or elongate black markings in addition to lateral or apical black spots	R. cinctus (Gyllenhal) (in part)
	- Femora black; elytra various in color	38

38	Pronotum uniformly convex, very slightly longer than wide, lateral margins arcuate from base to near apex; rostrum humped and wider at base; basal dilation generally not sulcate; elytra with sides tapered to apex	R. auctus Chevrolat (in part)
	- Pronotum flattened slightly towards base, longer than wide, lateral margins subparallel; rostrum evenly convex, not humped, of same width throughout length; basal dilation sulcate; elytra with sides subparallel	R. pulchellus (Gyllenhal) (in part)

39	Dorsum with white dots merged into solid streaks	R. cinctus (Gyllenhal) (in part)
	- Dorsum with white dots distinct, separate	40

40	Antennal scape shorter than funicle, apex barely reaching middle of rostrum; antennal club with pilose apical portion one-third or less length of entire club; body size small, 6.0-6.5 mm	R. nigropictus Champion
	- Antennal scape as long as or longer than funicle, apex reaching beyond the middle of rostrum; antennal club with pilose apical portion more than one-third length of entire club; body size larger, greater than 6.5 mm	41

41	Pronotum slightly longer than wide, basal margin at middle slightly depressed; gular peduncle with angles moderately sharp; pygidium with setose median white line; rostrum finely punctate, not setose	R. pustulosus (Gyllenhal)
	- Pronotum distinctly longer than wide, basal margin at middle not depressed; gular peduncle with angles very sharp; pygidium with setae, if present, not concentrated along median line; rostrum coarsely punctate and setose	R. varieguttatus Chevrolat

42	Pronotum of male with two angular, anterolateral, cup-like prominences; male rostrum in front of scrobe in dorsal view semi-circularly dilated; female rostrum one-third longer than pronotum, not dilated above scrobe, and gular peduncle with sharp ventrally directed tooth perpendicular to axis of rostrum	R. auriculatus Chevrolat
	- Male and female not as described above	43

43	Pronotum with transverse or round subbasal depression; antenna with apical pilose portion nearly one-half or more length of entire club; antennal funicle with apical four articles round or elongate, shining	44
	- Pronotum with no subbasal depression, but may be flattened; antenna with apical pilose portion one-third or less length of entire club; antennal funicle with apical four articles transverse, micropilose	48

44	Pronotum with apical constriction abrupt, incised and markedly creased on each side; elytra transversely creased or plicate in front of and behind middle; pronotal disc generally bifoveate	R. plicatus Champion
	- Pronotum with apical constriction slight, its sides oblique not creased on each side; elytra very slightly, if at all plicate; pronotal disc not foveate	45

45	Elytra with eight small dark spots, of which two on disc at middle may be merged; rostrum nearly straight at base, arcuate only towards apex, densely punctate	R. stigmaticus Fahråeus
	- Elytra either with four very large spots, two at middle and two at apex (may be merged into bands), and two tiny humeral spots, or elytra virtually immaculate; rostrum markedly arcuate from base, almost semi-circular in profile, sparsely punctate except near base	46

46	Elytra with definite dark spots or bands, median marks covering about one-third of length of elytra	R. nawradii Kirsch (in part)
	- Elytra immaculate	47

47	Elytra with humerus in dorsal view gently rounded, slightly extended beyond base of pronotum; pygidium in lateral view rather acuminate and produced	R. cuneatus Champion
	- Elytra with humerus in dorsal view obtusely angulate, distinctly wider than base of pronotum; pygidium in lateral view convex at apex (under tuft of hairs)	R. nawradii Kirsch (in part)

48	Elytra with disc with "V-shaped" or heart-shaped dark mark not reaching sides	49
	- Elytra with disc with no dark mark; or, mark not shaped as above; or, mark reaching sides	50

49	Elytra with distinct, depressed "C-shaped" area surrounding dark mark, this area grayish, whitish or reddish	R. v-nigrum Champion
	- Elytra lacking distinct, depressed "C-shaped" area surrounding dark mark, this area flat, entire elytron dusty or buffy	R. melanocardius Linnaeus (in part)

50	Elytra with disc with two small, separated dark spots	R. quadripunctatus Chevrolat
	- Elytra with disc immaculate; or, regularly mottled with micopilose punctures; or, with indistinct median band narrowed laterally	51

51	Rostrum in lateral view much wider at middle than at apex and at least twice as wide at base as at apex, markedly arcuate and punctate	R. fortirostris Champion
	- Rostrum in lateral view at most slightly wider at middle than at apex, slightly arcuate or nearly straight, markedly punctate only at base	52

52	Elytra with large median dark band, band narrowed laterally in some specimens	R. interruptus Champion (in part)
	- Elytra immaculate; or, regularly mottled, or, pattern indeterminate	53

53	Elytra greased or worn such that no pattern or micropilose punctures are visible	R. quadripunctatus Chevrolat or R. melanocardius Linnaeus
	- Elytra tessellate or mottled with large or small, micropilose punctures	54

54	Body size large, 15.0-22.0 mm; leg with tarsal article 3 pilose ventrally except for median line at base; middle coxae separated by one-third diameter of a coxa; pronotum not foveate or indistinctly bifoveate	R. interruptus Champion (in part)
	- Body size moderate, 10.0-14.0 mm; leg with tarsal article 3 pilose ventrally in only apical one-half to two-thirds; middle coxae separated by one-half diameter of a coxa; pronotum usually with four foveae	R. saginatus Champion

Rhodobaenus adspersus (Gyllenhal)

Distribution: Costa Rica, Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico, Nicaragua and Panama.

Natural History: No significant information.

Rhodobaenus auctus Chevrolat

Distribution: Belize, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico, Nicaragua and Panama; also in South America.

Natural history: No significant information.

Rhodobaenus auriculatus (Chevrolat)

Distribution: Costa Rica, Guatemala, Mexico and Nicaragua.

Natural history: No significant information.

Rhodobaenus bellus Vaurie

Distribution: Costa Rica and Panama.

Natural history: No significant information.

Rhodobaenus bicinctus Chevrolat

Distribution: Costa Rica, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua and Panama; also in South America.

Natural history: No significant information.

Rhodobaenus bisignatus Champion

Distribution: Costa Rica, Guatemala and Mexico.

Natural history: No significant information.

Rhodobaenus cinctus (Gyllenhal)

Distribution: Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico and Nicaragua.

Natural history: Adults are common in cleared areas on leaves and stems of Vernonia patens Kunth (Asteraceae).

Rhodobaenus cuneatus Champion

Distribution: Costa Rica, Nicaragua and Panama; also in South America.

Natural history: No significant information.

Rhodobaenus deltoides Chevrolat

Distribution: Belize, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico and Nicaragua.

Natural history: No significant information.

Rhodobaenus dentirostris (Champion)

Distribution: Costa Rica, Mexico and Panama; also in South America.

Natural history: No significant information.

Rhodobaenus fortirostris Champion

Distribution: Guatemala, Mexico and Panama.

Natural history: No significant information.

Rhodobaenus howelli Anderson

Distribution: Costa Rica.

Natural history: Specimens were collected in montane forest from 1050m to near 1600m. One specimen was collected from leaf litter in a berlese funnel.

Rhodobaenus incertus (Champion)

Distribution: Costa Rica, Guatemala and Mexico.

Natural history: No significant information.

Rhodobaenus interruptus Champion

Distribution: Costa Rica, Guatemala, Mexico and Panama.

Natural history: Adults have been collected on the stems of Bidens reptans (L.) G. Don., Senecio multivenius Benth., Clibadium leiocarpum Steetz. (all Asteraceae), Solanum sp. (Solanaceae) and Rubus sp. (Rosaceae).

Rhodobaenus labrecheae Anderson

Distribution: Costa Rica.

Natural history: The two known specimens were collected at or near 1400 m, likely in wet cloud forest. No other information on natural history is available.

Rhodobaenus lebasii (Gyllenhal)

Distribution: Belize, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico, Nicaragua and Panama; also in South America.

Natural history: No significant information.

Rhodobaenus lineiger Chevrolat

Distribution: Costa Rica and Panama; also in South America.

Natural history: No significant information.

Rhodobaenus maculifer (Fahraeus)

Distribution: Belize, Costa Rica, Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico and Panama.

Natural history: Adults have been collected on Pentagonia costaricense (Standl.) W. C. Burger & C. M. Taylor (Rubiaceae).

Rhodobaenus melanocardius (Linnaeus)

Distribution: Costa Rica and Panama; also in South America.

Natural history: No significant information.

Rhodobaenus melas Vaurie

Distribution: Costa Rica and Mexico.

Natural history: No significant information.

Rhodobaenus nawradii Kirsch

Distribution: Costa Rica and Panama; also in South America.

Natural history: This species is associated with Piper pseudobumbratum C. DC. Larvae and a pupa were found in the stems of this plant at the La Selva Biological Station and adults are frequently caught resting on the stems and leaves.

Rhodobaenus nebulosus Champion

Distribution: Costa Rica, Mexico and Panama.

Natural history: No significant information.

Rhodobaenus nigrofasciatus (Champion)

Distribution: Costa Rica and Panama; also in South America.

Natural history: No significant information.

Rhodobaenus nigropictus Champion

Distribution: Costa Rica and Panama.

Natural history: No significant information.

Rhodobaenus nigrosignatus Champion

Distribution: Costa Rica, Guatemala and Panama.

Natural history: No significant information.

Rhodobaenus olivaceus Champion

Distribution: Costa Rica, Honduras and Panama.

Natural history: No significant information.

Rhodobaenus pantherinus Champion

Distribution: Costa Rica, Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico, Nicaragua and Panama.

Natural history: No significant information.

Rhodobaenus patriciae Anderson

Distribution: Costa Rica and Panama.

Natural history: Specimens were collected near sea level in the Osa Penninsula.

Rhodobaenus plicatus Champion

Distribution: Costa Rica and Panama.

Natural history: No significant information.

Rhodobaenus pulchellus (Gyllenhal)

Distribution: Costa Rica, Guatemala, Mexico and Panama.

Natural history: No significant information.

Rhodobaenus pustulosus (Gyllenhal)

Distribution: Costa Rica, Guatemala, Mexico, Nicaragua and United States (Arizona and Texas).

Natural history: No significant information.

Rhodobaenus quadripunctatus (Chevrolat)

Distribution: Panama; also in South America.

Natural history: No significant information.

Rhodobaenus rhinopilus Vaurie

Distribution: Costa Rica and Panama; also in South America.

Natural history: No significant information.

Rhodobaenus rubicundus Champion

Distribution: Costa Rica and Panama.

Natural history: No significant information.

Rhodobaenus saginatus Champion

Distribution: Belize, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala and Honduras.

Natural history: No significant information.

Rhodobaenus sanguineus (Gyllenhal)

Distribution: Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Mexico, Nicaragua and Panama.

Natural history: Adults have been collected on Ageratina pichinchensis (Kunth) R. M. King & H. Rob. and Ageratum conyzoides L. (Asteraceae).

Rhodobaenus stigmaticus (Fahraeus)

Distribution: Belize, Costa Rica, Guatemala, Mexico, Nicaragua and Panama.

Natural history: No significant information.

Rhodobaenus subcristatus Champion

Distribution: Costa Rica, Nicaragua and Panama.

Natural history: Adults have been collected on Pentagonia costaricense (Standl.) W. C. Burger & C. M. Taylor (Rubiaceae).

Rhodobaenus suturalis (Gyllenhal)

Distribution: Costa Rica, Guatemala and Mexico; also in South America.

Natural history: No significant information.

Rhodobaenus tenorio Anderson

Distribution: Costa Rica.

Natural history: No significant information.

Rhodobaenus tenuiscapus Champion

Distribution: Costa Rica.

Natural history: No significant information.

Rhodobaenus thoracicus (Gyllenhal)

Distribution: Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico, Nicaragua and Panama.

Natural history: An adult was reared from a stem swelling on Melanthera aspera (Jacq.) Small (Asteraceae).

Rhodobaenus varieguttatus Chevrolat

Distribution: Costa Rica, Guatemala and Mexico.

Natural history: No significant information.

Rhodobaenus v-nigrum Champion

Distribution: Costa Rica and Nicaragua.

Natural history: No significant information.

Rhodobaenus ypsilon Chevrolat

Distribution: Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico, Nicaragua and Panama.

Natural history: No significant information.