Metachroma ustum J. L. Le Conte 1858

Metachroma ustum LeConte

Metachroma ustum LeConte, 1858, p. 85.—Crotch, 1873, p. 41.—Horn, 1892, p. 214.

DESCRIPTION.—Between 4.8 and 7.0 mm in length, broadly oblong oval, lustrous yellow-brown, head and prothorax and often body beneath deep reddish brown, sometimes in darker specimens a dark reddish brown area varying in width along suture; pronotum polished, often nearly impunctate, elytral striae becoming faint at apex, femora toothed.

Head with interocular space about half width of head, shining yellowish or reddish brown, obsoletely punctate on front, more distinctly and coarsely punctate on clypeus which is alutaceous, without transverse sulcus between it and front, anterior margin widely emarginate over labrum; usually a median linear depression on front, jaws dark. Antennae slender, extending below humeri, pale in most specimens but those with elytral darkening often have deeper brown outer joints. Prothorax broad and strongly convex with widely rounded sides and well-developed tooth at each angle; lustrous dark reddish brown, in type-specimen distinctly punctate, but usually appearing nearly impunctate or only very finely punctate. Scutellum reddish brown. Elytra not three times as long as prothorax, usually paler yellowish brown, in darker specimens with sutural edges and sometimes area half as wide as elytra deeper brown, nearly piceous sometimes, this dark area not extending to apex in any specimens examined; a faint intrahumeral depression and faint transverse depression below basal callosities; striate punctures somewhat variable in size, often very small over base, becoming coarser in transverse depression and indistinct towards apex, well defined along sides. Body beneath reddish brown, often deeper at apex of femora and base of tibiae, femora toothed. Claws with long tooth. Length, 4.8–7.0 mm; width, 2.5–3.5 mm.

TYPE.—In LeConte collection, MCZ.

TYPE-LOCALITY.—“Sonora. Webb.”

OTHER LOCALITIES.—Texas: Rockport, J. G. Shaw; Columbus, Hubbard and Schwarz, Fenyes; “Texas,” J. B. Smith, M. L. Linell; Esperanza Ranch, Brownsville, Charles Schaeffer, T. N. Knull; Hearne, E. L. Deven; Victoria, J. D. Mitchell; Corsicana, H. Soltau; Trinity, on cotton, F. C. Bishop; Canadian, W. M. Mann; Palestine, R. C. Howell; Giddings, on cotton, E. S. Tucker; Kerrville, F. C. Pratt; Hidalgo County, J. N. and D. J. Knull; Robstown, on string beans; Wilder Wildlife Refuge, near Sinton, H. F. Howden. Florida: Big Pine Key, on sawgrass.

Metachroma ustum is a species of leaf beetle. It is found in Central America and North America. Its length is between 4.8 and 7.0 mm.