Monoxia sp. 1

(Figs. 111–112, 168)

Collected specimens. CALIFORNIA: Imperial Co., Ocotillo, Shell Canyon Rd., 7.iii.2017, C.S. Eiseman, on Atriplex hymenelytra, # CSE3170 (9 adults, MLBM) .

Host. Amaranthaceae: Atriplex hymenelytra (Torr.) S.Watson.

Biology. These specimens included mating pairs and were found in association with Monoxia leaf mines, some of which contained larvae, but unfortunately none were reared. The mines were irregular, full-depth blotches with frass in a few small clumps (Figs. 111–112). The entrance and exit holes were on the upper leaf surface as noted for other Monoxia species.

Notes. As noted under M. elegans, nine species of Monoxia and Yingabruxia have been associated with Atriplex, but this is the first record from A. hymenelytra specifically. According to S.M. Clark (in litt.), our beetles might be M. puberula Blake, but there are several extremely similar species and identification is difficult. Adults of M. puberula have been associated primarily with species of Gutierrezia Lag. ( Asteraceae) (Blake 1939; Clark et al. 2004), but the only larval host record we have seen is that of Santiago-Blay (2004) from Atriplex confertifolia (Torr. & Frém.) S.Watson, so this tentative identification seems entirely plausible.