California Arthropods - Algodones Dunes

- Agrilus harenus Nelson, 1994

Endemic:

TThe most recently described endemic buprestid from the Algodones, this species is found on the foliage and likely uses Croton wigginsii Wheeler (Euphorbiaceae) as its larval host. This plant is endemic to the Algodones and is also threatened.

• References:

• Nelson, G. H. 1994. Agrilus harenus Nelson, a new species from southern California, with notes on A. lacustris LeConte (Coleoptera: Buprestidae). The Coleopterists Bulletin 48(3):261-264.

- Lepismadora algodones Velten, in Velten & Bellamy, 1987

Endemic:

This small (ca. 3 mm length) species is the most significant buprestid found in this habitat, since it represents a monotypic genus, only very distantly related to any other North American species. The nearest related taxa belong to the genus Eudiadora Obenberger, 1924, known only from Argentina.

This little insect is collected from the flowers of Tiquilia plicata (Torrey) A. Richardson (Boraginaceae) and it only flies during the hottest time of the day, ca. 10am to 2pm in June and early July, the hottest time of the year.

Despite the rather widespread nature of this adult host plant, the larval host plant remains unknown and the beetle has been collected only in and along the old canal on the west side of the dunes.

• References:

• Bellamy, C. L. 1991. A revision of the genus Eudiadora Obenberger (Coleoptera: Buprestidae). Proceedings of the Entomological Society of Washington 93(2):409-419.
• Velten, R. K. & C. L. Bellamy. 1987. A new genus and species of Coroebini Bedel from Southern California with a discussion of its relationships in the tribe (Coleoptera, Buprestidae). The Coleopterists Bulletin 41(1):185-192.

- Prasinalia imperialis (Barr, 1969)

Endemic:

This beautiful species is the largest (up to ca. 24 mm length) buprestid found in the sand dune habitat. When newly emerged the otherwise iridescent red-purple body is covered with a dense covering of white waxy powder, which provides both camouflage when it sits on sun-bleached stems and helps prevent dessication as an insulation layer.

It is associated with the endemic Eriogonum deserticola S. Watson (Polygonaceae). Adults are found resting on the foliage in the early morning hours and it quickly flies when approached as the day heats up. This species with its endemic host association is endemic to the Algodones dunes.

• References:

• Barr, W. F. 1969. New species of Hippomelas and Acmaeodera from Western North America (Coleoptera: Buprestidae). Journal of the Kansas Entomological Society 42(3):321-335.
• Nelson, G. H. & C. L. Bellamy. 1996. A revision of the subtribe Hippomelanina: Hippomelas Laporte and Gory, Prasinalia Casey, Gyascutus (Stictocera) Casey, and Barrellus, gen. nov. (Coleoptera: Buprestidae). Journal of Natural History 30:861-911