Cremastocheilus puncticollis

One of about thirty-five species of myrmecophilous Cremastocheilus. The host ant is Camponotus.

Identification
C. puncticollis is closely related to C. planta but differs from it by its reduced and sparse punctation throughout, by the shape of the pronotum which has the side margins angulate at apical third rather than evenly rounded as in planata. The apical angles are not as deeply incised before the nodes as in planata. In the available specimens of planata the clypeal-frontal tomentose area is absent. However, this may be variable. In puncticollis the third tarsal segment of the front legs is connected to the fourth at about the middle of the posterior margin of that segment and the fifth segment is rounded laterally, whereas in planta the third segment of the anterior tarsus in connected to the fourth at the extreme outer corner of the posterior margin of that segment and the fifth segment is laterally flattened proximally.

Distribution
Arizona

Habitat
Common host is Camponotus.

Biology
Found emerging from the nest of Camponotus ocreatus in August. After emergence from the ant host nest, beetles mate at the entrance to kangaroo rat and other mammal burrows. Location for larval development is unknown.

Nomenclature
Holotype male in Cazier's collection, collected at Tuba City, Arizona, July 8, 1937 by Mr. R.P. Allen to whom the author is greatly indebted for the type specimen. One male paratype taken at Deep Springs Lake, Inyo Co., California, June 15, 1937 by Mr. J.W. Johnson and very kindly presented to the author.

Description
Large, robust, black; elytral disk nearly impunctate. Head sparsely punctate, punctures separated by two to three times their own widths, lateral carinae extending along inner margins of eyes, median carina extending to clypeal margin, reflexed portion of front and clypeus with a narrow patch of tomentum at base on either side of median carina, base of head with deep transverse impression; canthus inconspicuous, glabrous; clypeus unequal to width of head at eyes, rounded in front, prominently reflexed; mentum cupuliform, shallow, anterior margin evenly rounded, sides subangulate, posterior margin produced at middle into prominent point; antennae ten-segmented, scape large, dorsal surface flattened.