Weevils - Entomological Society of Canada

Apion proclive LeConte
Figs.49,720,121
Apion procliue LeConte, 1857:53 (lectotype, California; MCZ);
Kissinger 1968:56; Hatch I977:283; O'Brien and Wibmer 1982:26.
Apion crassinasum LeConte, 1857:53 (lectotype, Oregon; MCZ).
Apion numenmacherl Wagner, I9l2:97 (types probably lost).
Description. Length 1.7-2.8 mm. Body moderately robust,
black. Pubescence consisting of conspicuous, white, sparse, fine scales,
these coarser on sides of mesothorax and metathorax. Frons declivitous
above posterior margin of eye, with deep, median impression and with
2lateral rows of punctures; frons of male as wide as dorsal tip of
rostrum; frons of female wider than rostrum tip. Rostrum of male
evenly, slightly curved, 1.3-1.4 times longer than pronotum; sides, in
dorsal view, expanded at antennal insertion, narrowing to apical third;
basal two-thirds punctured, scaly; apex smoother, glabrous, shining.
Rostrum of female evenly, moderately curved, L7-2.0 times longer than
pronotum; sides, in dorsal view, slightly expanded at antennal insertion,
narrowed to apical third, slightly expanded at apex; surface finely
punctured, alutaceous, nearly glabrous in front of antennal insertion.
Antennae inserted between basal 0.2 and 0.3 of rostrum; scrobe with
dorsal margin subangulate. Eyes slightly prominent, nearly round.
Pronotum at base t.I-7.2 times wider than long, as wide at middle as at
base; sides nearly parallel to middle, rounded to constricted apex; disc
slightly convex, flattened at apex and base, with deep punctures;
interpuncture spaces alutaceous. Elytra 7.2-L.3 times longer than wide;
striae nearly flat, each with 1 or 2 rows of punctures bearing frne scales;
interstriae 7 and 9 each with 1 long specialized seta (Fig. 49); interstria 3
with several small setae. Tibiae of male middle and hind legs mucronate.
Distribution. British Columbia, south through the western
United States to northern Mexico. British Columbia: Merritt, 7 miles
north of Oliver, Robson, and Westwold.
Comments. This species is a member of the subgenus
Trichapion. It is abundant and is easily recognized by the dentate
mucrones on the middle and hind tibiae of the male, by the narrow frons,
and by the abruptly declivitous dorsal margin of the head above the
posterior margin of the eyes. The only member of this subgenus in the
area with which it could be confused is A. cordotum,but in A. cordatum
all three tibiae of the male are mucronate, the male frons is broader, and
the dorsal margin of the head is nearly flat above the eyes. Larvae of
A. procliue mine seed pods of lupine (Lupinus species); the late larval
instars attack the seeds. Pupation occurs in the pod. Kissinger (1968)
designated the lectotypes of A. procliue and A. crassinasum. The type
128