Salagubang

Pachyrrhynchus erichsonni eschscholtzi WATERHOUSE 1841

Doliops curculionides WATERHOUSE 1841

The resemblance is uncanny. From the almost similar size to the markings, it can be confused to be a curculionid.

Unidentified Doliops sp. from Mindanao

Possible Pachyrrhynchus sulphureomaculatus

There is one unidentified Doliops sp. in my collection wherein if we go by the elytral patterns, can be mistaken to mimic Pachyrrhynchus erichsonni WATERHOUSE 1841. However, upon a more detailed inspection, the size is just bigger, it is jet black with yellow-green markings that I am more inclined to say that this mimics a Pachyrrhynchus species under the venustus group which also occur in the same area in Mindanao.

While the elytral patterns are not as faithful to the species I have in mind, the color, however, is closer to a species that I suspect to be Pachyrrhynchus sulphureomaculatus.

Stream inside the Tabunan Forest

Tabunan forest stands

I’ve long since wanted to do some field collecting in the remaining stands of forests in my home province, Cebu, and when that opportunity came last Monday, I grabbed a chance to accompany a friend in the hinterlands of Cebu City, specifically, in Tabunan. This is one of the last and smallest forests in the province (or whatever’s left of it) and I wasn’t really prepared for what came before me.

It was rather disappointing. Of the beetle species that I got, majority are the small Metapocyrtus and related Curculionid species, an Onthophagus sp. as well as three specimens of tiger beetles: Tricondyla sp. (species punctipennis and a smaller one). Even Thopeutica and Therates sp. were no shows even if my companion was able to collect several from a previous trip.

I’m not sure but it could have been due to the unfavorable month, December, wherein less insects are found. On the other hand, I was quite sad with the state of this forest. It’s so disturbed and much has been logged over or parceled into farmlands. Settlers have encroached. There were already many areas that have been made into vegetable farms.

On the bright side, I was able to collect three species of Metapocyrtus which should be studied as Schultze, in his monograph of the Pachyrrhynchini never mentioned a species from this island.

Pachyrrhynchus gemmatus WATERHOUSE 1841

Undescribed Doliops sp.

In North Luzon, especially at the end of the Cordillera Mountains, Pachyrrhynchus gemmatus WATERHOUSE 1841 can be collected. It’s beautiful purple sheen and yellow green spots are quite eye catching. In this area, the species has also its own Doliops mimic which I’m sure is still unidentified.

Pachyrrhynchus speciosus samarensis - model species

Undescribed Doliops species - mimic (female)

Undescribed Doliops species - model (male)

The genus Doliops (family Cerambycidae) is known not only for its uniqueness but also for its mimetic relationship with genus Pachyrrhynchus (family Curculionidae).

Pachyrrhynchus speciosus samarensis is present in the islands of Samar, probably Leyte as well as in Mindanao where it is a new record for the species. It is sympatric with P. speciosus prompting me to raise my doubts in a previous post. Like it’s primary species, it has also it’s own Doliops species mimic that is still undescribed.