Calosoma (Callitropa) anthracinum Dejean, 1831
C. anthracinum is superficially similar to C. laeve in having a glossy black color with smooth elytra. However, upon closer examination, C. anthracinum can be differentiated by its significantly less transverse pronotum, narrower lateral margins that are not enlarged at the base, and nearly parallel elytra. Additionally, C. anthracinum typically has a slightly smaller size and more pointed elytral tips compared to C. laeve. Moreover, it can be distinguished at first glance from C. atrovirens, with which it shares an elongated body shape, by the absence of the deep, elongated dimples present near the basal angles of C. atrovirens’ pronotum.
Jeannel (1940), followed by subsequent authors, considered the population from Guerrero State as the typical form (C. anthracinum) and classified all other populations as a subspecies (C. anthracinum microgonum), primarily distinguished by even more reduced, barely visible basal dimples on the pronotum, smaller average size, and a more slender shape.
Initially, due to the minor significance of these characteristics, we did not find it necessary to differentiate between the two taxa (Bruschi, 2013: 182). However, Lassalle & van den Berghe (2013) revisited this issue. By examining the male aedeagus of the type specimens, they reverted to Jeannel's interpretation, further emphasizing the differences between C. anthracinum and C. anthracinum microgonum, and even suggesting a species-level distinction. Moreover, they confirmed that rufinum is synonymous with microgonum and not with anthracinum as Jeannel supposed.
Despite these clarifications, we believe that a subspecies-level distinction is more appropriate, using the name C. anthracinum rufinum for reasons of nomenclatural priority.
In the same publication, the authors (Lassalle & van den Berghe, 2013: 164) described Calosoma (Blaptosoma) barksdalei based on two specimens that, according to the description and accompanying images, appear to share some affinity with populations of C. anthracinum . These specimens are distinguished by their exceptionally slender and elongated shape, which is similar to that of C. (Callitropa) anthracinum rufinum , though even more pronounced. However, based on the images, the apex of the aedeagus resembles that of C. (Callitropa) anthracinum anthracinum . Therefore, at least for the time being, we prefer to assign these specimens to a separate, distinct subspecies within C. anthracinum .
Calosoma (Callitropa) anthracinum anthracinum Dejean, 1831
Calosoma anthracinum Dejean, 1831: 569. (described from Mexique); type material: 1♂ originally in coll Dejean, ex Höpfner; lectotype ♂ designated by Deuve (1978: 247) in Muséum National d'Histoire Naturelle, Paris [examined]
Calosoma (Callitropa) laeve ab. anthracina Breuning, 1928: 46
Blaptosoma (s. str.) laeve anthracinum Lapouge, 1932: 392
Callitropa (Blaptosoma) anthracinum Jeannel, 1940: 219
Calosoma (Blaptosoma) anthracinum anthracinum Gidaspow, 1959: 286
Calosoma (Blaptosoma) anthracinum (Lassalle & van den Berghe, 2013: 163)
Length 24-27 mm. The populations attributed to the typical form are characterized by the slightly more evident basal dimples of pronotum, the average larger size, the elytra just more rounded, the apex of aedeagus more stocky and obtuse.
All of these populations seem to be limited to an area between the state of Guerrero and the nearby state of Morelos.
Examined specimens and literature’s data
Mexico. Guerrero: Amula (= Almolonga) (Bates, 1891:225; AMNH); Morelos: Cuernavaca (Lassalle & Van Den Berghe, 2013:164), Jiutepec, Yecapixtla (www.inaturalist.org).
Notes: Brachypterous. According to Erwin (2007: 87), in Mexico it inhabits montane subtropical mixed oak-pine forest around 1800 m. The examined specimens have been captured from June to August.
![]() Dejean, 1831 Mexique (lectotype) (coll. Muséum National d'Histoire Naturelle, Paris) |
![]() Dejean, 1831 Guerrero, Amula 6000ft, Aug H H Smith 1891 (coll. American Museum of Natural History, New York) |
Calosoma (Callitropa) anthracinum rufinum Géhin, 1885
Calosoma (Blaptosoma) anthracinum var. rufinum Géhin, 1885: 66, note 69. (described from Mexique); type material not stated, presumably in coll. Géhin; lectotype ♂ (Mexique, Toluca) designated by Deuve (1978: 253) in Muséum National d'Histoire Naturelle, Paris [examined]
Calosoma laeve var. microgonum Bates, 1891: 225 (described from: Jalapa and Mexico city); original material: 3 specimens; syntypes in Natural History Museum, London (Jeannel, 1940: 219)
Calosoma (Blaptosoma) laeve var microgonum Breuning, 1928: 46
Blaptosoma (s. str.) laeve microgonum Lapouge, 1932: 392
Callitropa (Blaptosoma) anthracinum microgonum Jeannel, 1940: 219
Calosoma (Blaptosoma) anthracinum microgonum Gidaspow, 1959: 286
Calosoma (Blaptosoma) rufinum Lassalle & van den Berghe, 2013: 164
Length 22-25 mm. C. anthracinum rufinum is distinguished by the basal dimples of pronoto hardly notable, the average smaller size, the more slender body shape, the apex of aedeagus relatively more elongated and slender.
C. anthracinum rufinum has been sporadically found in various States of central Mexico: Mexico, Puebla, Vera Cruz.
Specimens of C. anthracinum have, however, been observed several times on the island of Hawaii where no native species of Calosoma should exist.
In this regard, it should be remembered that in the first half of the last century various species of Calosoma, some incorrectly or not determined, were repeatedly imported into the islands as auxiliaries in the biological fight against various species of caterpillars.
In particular, several specimens of Calosoma imported from Cuernavaca (Mexico) were released in Waikii in 1923. About twenty years later a specimen was found in the same place and was erroneously determined as C. blaptoides. As such it was later cited by Pemberton (1964:698) and Funasaki et al. (1988: 113).
Other reports from the same area followed until, thanks to the careful analyzes of Liebherr et al. (2023) the import history of the Calosoma species to Hawaii was correctly reconstructed and these specimens were recognized as belonging to C. anthracinum, which had not been identified among the imported species at the time. C. anthracinum is therefore the only species of the genus Calosoma actually acclimated in the archipelago, where it is found in the northern part of the island of Hawaii along the western slope of Mauna Kea.
Examined specimens and literature’s data
Hawaiian Islands (United States). Hawaii county: Hawi, Lapakahi, Waimea, Koala Kai (www.inaturalist.org), leeward slope of Mauna Kea (Liebherr et al., 2023: fig. 13).
Mexico. ; Mexico d.f.: Mexico city (sub microgonum Bates, 1891: 225), Toluca (holotype of rufinum, MNHN); Oaxaca: San Juan Bautista Suchitepec (www.inaturalist.org); Puebla: Esperanza (AMNH), Puebla (Haras Ciudad Ecológica), Atlixco (www.inaturalist.org); Vera Cruz: Xalapa (= Jalapa) (type of microgonum, BMNH) (EM).
Notes. Brachypterous. It lives in the Mexican plateau between 1500 and 2500m. Instead in Hawaii it lives in mid-elevation grassland habitats (Liebherr et al., 2023) and active adults have been observed from March to June.
![]() Géhin, 1885 Mexique, Toluca (lectotype of Calosoma rufinum Géhin) (coll.Muséum National d'Histoire Naturelle, Paris) |
![]() Géhin, 1885 Mexico, Vera Cruz (Jalapa) (coll. E. Migliaccio) |
![]() Dejean, 1831 United States Hawaiian Islands Hawaii county, Lapakahi State Historical Park, March 3.2020 (www.inaturalist.org/observations/39565821) |
Calosoma (Callitropa) anthracinum barksdalei Lassalle & van den Berghe, 2013
Calosoma (Blaptosoma) barksdalei Lassalle & van den Berghe, 2013: 164 (type locality: nord de Guadalajara) holotype ♂ in coll. Lassalle, paratype ♂ in coll. van den Berghe
Length 22-23 mm. This new taxon, which as explained above, we have considered within the populations of C. anthracinum has a slender body shape, a pronotum that is only slightly wider than long, with hardly noticeable basal dimples, and elytra that are distinctly more elongated. These characteristics further emphasize the features that distinguish populations included in C. anthracinum rufinum. However, it is distinguished from these by a stouter apex of the aedeagus, which is more similar to the aedeagus of C. anthracinum anthracinum.
The type specimens, both males, were collected north of Guadalajara, Jalisco. Additional female specimens with similar morphological characteristics were subsequently observed approximately 100 kilometers northeast of Guadalajara. It's possible that Gidaspow's (1959) citation of Calosoma (Blaptosoma) anthracinum microgonum from Chapala, about 50 kilometers south of Guadalajara, also refers to this new subspecies.. Based on this hypothesis and the new findings, C. anthracinum barksdalei is likely widespread in the central region of Jalisco state.
Examined specimens and literature’s data
Mexico. Jalisco: north of Guadalajara (Lassalle & van den Berghe, 2013: 164), Chapala (Gidaspow, 1959: 286), Valle de Guadalupe (www.inaturalist.org)
Notes: Brachypterous. The name of the species has been proposed in honour of Charles Barksdale an American entomologist.
![]() Lassalle & van den Berghe, 2013 holotype: nord de Guadalajara, coll. Lassalle Lassalle & van den Berghe, 2013: 165, pl. 8 |