Metachroma occidentale Blake 1970

Metachroma occidentale

DESCRIPTION.—Between 4.5 and 5.2 mm in length, oblong oval, shining, yellowish brown with deeper reddish brown head and prothorax and sutural edges, often a median dark spot on each elytron or even two spots or a short vitta; elytra with striate punctures distinct to apex, prothorax rather coarsely and densely punctate, femora not toothed.

Head with interocular space a little more than half width of head, front occasionally nearly impunctate but usually densely punctate, punctures never so coarse as on clypeus, anterior margin of clypeus broad and nearly straight over labrum, a faintly depressed median line on front but no transverse sulcus separating clypeus, reddish brown to piceous jaws. Antennae pale, slender, extending below humeri. Prothorax broad and moderately convex with well-rounded sides and tooth at each angle, anterior teeth long; surface lustrous reddish brown, sometimes with deeper brown or piceous areas on each side, densely and moderately coarsely but not confluently punctate, and often with an impunctate median line. Scutellum and sutural edges usually darker reddish brown. Elytra often with a median reddish brown spot or (rarely) two spots, or a short median vitta on each elytron; a faint transverse depression below intrahumeral sulcus; intervals between striate punctures faintly costate, in many specimens the lateral row of striate punctures extending up on inner side of humerus; punctures distinct to apex. Body beneath varying from pale yellow-brown to deep reddish brown; femora not toothed, claws with inner tooth half length of claw. Length, 4.5–5.2 mm; width, 2.2–2.5 mm.

TYPE.—Male, USNM 70686.

TYPE-LOCALITY.—Albuquerque, New Mexico (Wickham collection).

OTHER LOCALITIES.—New Mexico: Artesia, D. J. and J. N. Knull; Mesilla, Coolidge, Hot Springs, R. H. Beamer. Arizona: Tube City, R. P. Allen; Carrizo Creek, Highway 60, Navajo County, J. W. Green; Patagonia, E. S. Ross; Tucson, Bryant; Wilcox, Bryant, E. D. Ball; Yuma, C. D. Butler; Cochise, R. H. Beamer; Wickenburg, Arnold; Douglas, F. H. Snow; Bill Williams Fork, F. H. Snow. California: Needles, Wickham; Coachilla, E. P. Van Duzee.