Metachroma californicum Crotch 1873

Metachroma californicum Crotch

Metachroma californicum Crotch, 1873, p. 41.—Horn, 1892, pp. 213–214.

DESCRIPTION.—Between 4.5 and 5.8 mm in length, elongate oblong oval, shining pale yellowish or reddish brown, prothorax strongly and densely punctate, especially on sides, with deeper reddish brown areas on each side; elytra usually paler yellowish or reddish brown with moderately coarse, closely set, striate punctures rather deeply impressed, becoming less so at apex, sutural edges often deeper reddish brown.

Head with interocular space half width of head, finely and densely punctate throughout with clypeus more coarsely punctate, a median frontal linear depression and sometimes a trace of transverse line between front and clypeus, anterior margin of clypeus emarginate over labrum. Antennae pale. Prothorax not very convex, about a third wider than long, with rounded sides, a long tooth at anterior angle; surface strongly and densely punctate with sometimes a median linear impunctate area; yellow-brown with reddish brown areas frequently on each side. Scutellum pale yellow-brown. Elytra usually paler than prothorax, nearly three times as long as prothorax and very little wider; striate punctures rather coarse, closely set and impressed in basal half, producing a distinctly costate effect in intervals; along side several straight rows of punctures with some confused punctures between. Body beneath and legs pale yellow brown; front and hind femora minutely toothed; claw with tiny basal tooth. Length, 4.5–5.8 mm: width 2.5–3 mm.

TYPE.—In LeConte collection, MCZ, with two paratypes.

TYPE-LOCALITY.—California (indicated by golden disc on pin).

OTHER LOCALITIES.—California: San Ysidro, on Pluchea serica; Imperial County, E. S. Ross, J. C. Bridwell; Blythe, E. P. Van Duzee, D. J. and J. N. Knull; Holtville, E. S. Ross; Laguna Mountain, J. O. Martin; Chino Canyon, Warwick Benedict. Arizona: S. Luis, Yuma County, Van Dyke; Ehrenberg, P. C. Grassman; Van Dyke, F. H. Parker; Cibola, Yumlo, R. Hopping; Mesquite, C. C. Searl; Patagonia, J. W. Tilden; Laguna Dam, Yuma County, Werner and Nutting. Utah: Washington, D. J. and J. N. Knull.