Semanotus conformis (Casey, 1912), new status

(Figs 6A,B,C, 12B, 16D; Map 6)

Anocomis ampla conformis Casey, 1924: 236 Anocomis ampla arizonae Casey, 1924: 236

Material examined. 94 males, 117 females.

Holotype. Female (USNM), examined; labelled “Tom Spalding [half cut off]/ IV-11-23 /Vineyard. Ut// CASEY / bequest/1925// TYPE USNM /35916 [Red label]// conformis /Casey [Hand written]”.

Diagnosis. This species can be separated from other species of Semanotus by the following combination of characters: color dark brown to black, rarely with tibia, tarsi and basal antennomeres lighter, rarely abdomen orange; elytra yellow (rarely) to orange (usually) except for black maculation on the humeri, one pair of median moderate to large black spots and apical 1/3 of elytra; elytral pubescence entirely dark, coarse, decumbent to recumbent, obscuring the surface somewhat making the elytra appear somewhat dusky grey; elytral humeri with patch of long, decumbent white setae which extends along humeri from base to about middle of elytra; overall antennal length short, especially in female; antennomeres 1–3 short, with dense field of contrasting pale colored setae on anterior surface; clypeus deeply impressed and curved or with medially acute posterior margin, which forms a ‘Y’ shape with median frons groove; ventral pubescence white to grey, semi-erect to decumbent, coarse, long, dense, surface of ventrites usually obscured.

Hosts. Juniperus osteosperma (=utahensis) (Utah juniper), J. occidentalis Hook. (western juniper), Cupressus sp.

Flower and associated vegetation records. Juniperus deppeana (alligator juniper), J. scopulorum Sarg. (Rocky Mountain juniper), Sequoia sp., Thuja sp.

Distribution. Higher elevation and xeric south-western environments of Idaho, Oregon, California, Utah, Arizona, Nevada, Oklahoma, Texas, New Mexico.

Remarks. This species is probably the most difficult of all Semanotus to identify as it can be easily confused with S. a. basalis, as they share a similar coloration. The ground color of this species is often duller with a matte finish that may be due to a thicker wax layer on the cuticle to assist with dessication in hot environments (however, no significant microsculpture was noted). Whereas, most specimens of S. amplus tend to have a very shiny, lustrous appearance. The females of this species have notably shorter antennae, which barely reach the middle of the elytra. The ventral pubescence is very dense usually obscuring the sternites. Antennomeres 1–3 have a distinct area of long, white, semi-erect to decumbent setae especially on the dorsal surface, whereas most specimens of S. amplus have shorter, white, decumbent setae that encircle the antennomeres. The elytral punctation of S. conformis also tends to be less foveate and more widely separated than S. amplus.