ARS | Publication request: The genus Leptostylopsis of Hispaniola (Coleoptera: Cerambycidae: Acanthocinini)

Submitted to: Zootaxa
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: July 22, 2009
Publication Date: August 1, 2009
Citation: Lingafelter, S.W., Micheli, C.J. 2009. The genus Leptostylopsis of Hispaniola (Coleoptera: Cerambycidae: Acanthocinini). Zootaxa. 217(17):1-55.

Interpretive Summary: Immatures of longhorned beetles bore into trees and shrubs causing damage and destruction and costing millions of dollars to agriculture and the economy annually. Many species of woodboring beetles are intercepted at ports-of-entry of the United States and are potential invasive pests. This study describes 7 species of longhorned woodboring beetles new to science from the Dominican Republic and reviews all the closely related species. Figures and a key are provided to allow easy identification of the species. This study will be important to port identifiers, regulatory personnel associated with APHIS-PPQ, and scientists and laypersons concerned with woodboring beetles and Caribbean fauna.

Technical Abstract: The generic differences and similarities between Leptostylus LeConte and Leptostylopsis Dillon (Coleoptera: Cerambycidae: Acanthocinini) are discussed. Leptostylopsis is redescribed and the following species are transferred from Leptostylus to Leptostylopsis: Leptostylopsis annulipes (Fisher 1942), new combination; Leptostylopsis poeyi (Fisher 1925), new combination; and Leptostylopsis viridicomus (Fisher 1942), new combination. Leptostylopsis hispaniolae (Fisher 1942) is a new synonym of Leptostylopsis annulipes (Fisher 1942). Seven new species of Leptostylopsis from Hispaniola are diagnosed, described, and illustrated: L. basifulvus Lingafelter and Micheli, new species; L. caliginosus Lingafelter and Micheli, new species; L. chlorescens Lingafelter and Micheli, new species; L. humerofulvus Lingafelter and Micheli, new species; L. perfasciatus Lingafelter and Micheli, new species; L. puntacanaensis Lingafelter and Micheli, new species; and L. thomasi Lingafelter and Micheli, new species. New distributional data are provided for these species and for the other six species of Leptostylopsis known from Hispaniola. A dichotomous key to the 13 Leptostylopsis species of Hispaniola is provided.