Lionepha pseudoerasa, (LINDROTH, 1963)

LIONEPHA PSEUDOERASA ( LINDROTH, 1963) View in CoL

( FIGS 3C, 17E, F, 13E, F, 19C, 24C)

Bembidion pseudoerasum Lindroth, 1963: 260 View in CoL . Holotype ♂ in USNM (type # 76638), examined. Type locality: Truckee, Nevada County , California.

Diagnosis: This species is most easily distinguished externally by the reduced elytral striation, with third stria not visible beyond the posterior dorsal puncture. Elytra only slightly iridescent. Prothoracic sides moderately rounded, in most specimens with the posterior portion being almost parallel sided ( Fig. 3C). Basal protarsomeres of male large, significantly wider than the second tarsomere ( Fig. 19C). Aedeagus with ventral surface gently curved ( Fig. 11E, F), with internal sac sclerites reduced (although not as much so as in L. tuulukwa ).

In comparison to L. tuulukwa , the prothorax is relatively wider compared to the head ( Fig. 3C), and the elytral microsculpture is more transverse ( Fig. 17E, F). In comparison to L. osculans , narrower and with a less rounded prothorax, and with less iridescent elytra. Additional characteristics: Body length 4.41– 5.25 mm, with most specimens> 4.6 mm. Antenna piceous, with underside of first antennomere rufous. Legs rufous or dark rufous, with darker joints. Hind wings full-sized. Male with 25 chromosomes ( Table 5).

Distribution: This species is only known from the Sierra Nevada and Trinity Alps of California ( Fig. 24C). A mid-elevation species, found from 1200 to 2720 m, from May through August.

Habitat: This rarely collected species has been found on sand and silt near streams and ponds in forests.