Stenopodius cf. lateralis (Schaeffer)

(Figs. 75–77, 148)

Reared specimens. CALIFORNIA: San Diego Co., Lagunas Mountains, 17.iii.2016, em. by 11.iv.2016, E. LoPresti, ex Sidalcea malviflora, # CSE2358 (6 adults, MLBM / ZFMK).

Hosts. * Malvaceae: Sidalcea malviflora (DC.) A.Gray. Adults identified as Stenopodius lateralis have been collected on Sphaeralcea ambigua A.Gray, S. emoryi Torr. ex A. Gray, and S. orcuttii Rose (Clark et al. 2004). The specimens from S. emoryi were in a mixed population with Stenopodius texanus Schaeffer, and the collection also included larvae but it is not known to which of the two species these belonged (Staines 1986a).

Biology. The five preserved leaf mines are small, full-depth blotches, each covering 0.5–0.75 cm 2. Frass is deposited primarily in long, fine threads, along with some minute lumps, and is concentrated in a patch near the leaf margin (Figs. 75–77). The single egg we were able to locate is at the leaf margin and appears to be on or embedded in the lower leaf surface (the leaf is in poor condition). Since the other mines are similar in appearance, we believe that all of the beetles completed development in their original mines, and that the eggs are either obscured or were attached to small leaf pieces that are now missing.

Notes. Our barcoded specimen is the sole representative of BIN BOLD:ADG5814. The genus Stenopodius is in need of revision according to C. Ramsey (in litt.), who notes that our specimens “are different from S. lateralis in that they have expansion of the 5–6 puncture rows into 1–2 additional rows towards the apical margin of the elytra while true S. lateralis have no expansion.”