Pachyrhynchus congestus form, model Eupyrgops sp., mimic from another tribe Pachyrhynchus congestus PASCOE 1871 have many forms and are found in the higher altitudes of the Cordillera region. One such form, probably the nominotypical species (far left) is one of the beautiful races with its spectacular spots and coloration of blue and yellow rings. Not to be missed, however, is a species of Eupyrgops that has almost the same coloration and patterns, but drabber than it’s model.

Undescribed Pachyrrhynchus sp., female, model Undescribed Pachyrrhynchus sp., male, model A few years ago, I was able to do a beetle entomological collection at the northeastern part of the Zamboanga Peninsula and, while the collection wasn’t too great, there were some species that are not only new to my collection but, most likely, and I’m pretty sure about it, new to Science. First is a beautiful Pachyrrhynchus sp. that at first glance the spots looks like those of P. erichsonni WATERHOUSE 1841 but heavily punctured and colored reddish purple. But what delighted me more was the presence of a mimic! Undescribed Metapocyrtus sp., male, mimic Undescribed Metapocyrtus sp., female, mimic Like many Pachyrrhynchus species, present also was a smaller Metapocyrtus species that was found on the same plant where I collected the former. Other than it’s size, the elytral pattern isn’t as faithful but it does have an iridescent color that is almost the same as with it’s model.

Undescribed Pachyrrhynchus sp., female Undescribed Metapocyrtus sp., female I have collected only once on the lower flanks of Mt. Matutum, South Cotabato a few years ago and it was in this mountain where I was able to get two almost similar species of Pachyrrhynchini, both undescribed. The first one is a Pachyrrhynchus sp. and the second is its mimic Metapocyrtus. It was rather unusual since these two species were collected on a few trees in a clearing that clearly used to be forest. The resemblance is striking. Except for the greener color of the Metapocyrtus sp., the stripes match well with the Pachyrrhynchus species mimic.

Undescribed Pachyrrhynchus sp. from Bukidnon, model Undescribed Metapocyrtus sp. from Bukidnon, mimic In the hinterlands of Bukidnon province, island of Mindanao, at the lower elevations of the Kitanglad Mountain Range is an undescribed Pachyrrhynchus sp. with its Metapocyrtus sp. mimic that is also new to Science but undescribed. The similarities are startling and both are found in the same small area feeding on the same plants. However, the former is a little bit larger than the model.

Pachyrrhynchus erichsonni eschscholtzi WATERHOUSE 1841 Doliops curculionides WATERHOUSE 1841 Pachyrrhynchus erichsonni WATERHOUSE 1841 is one of the pachyrrhynchine species that has a wide distribution in the Philippines. Represented by two subspecies, the nominal and ssp. eschscholtzi WATERHOUSE 1841, it is found in southern Luzon, Polillo, Marinduque, Samar, Leyte, Dinagat and Mindanao. Expectedly, it has a cerambycid mimic, 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.

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 Unidentified Doliops species - mimic (female) Unidentified 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.

Pachyrrhynchus amabilis SCHULTZE 1922 - female Pachyrrhynchus amabilis SCHULTZE 1922 - female Pachyrrhynchus amabilis SCHULTZE 1922 is a beautiful weevil that is found in the higher elevations of Bukidnon in Mindanao Island. It has a deep purple body with the elytra having scale markings forming four patches. In between these patches are bare areas that the resulting pattern is a cross. Its a rather common species that is sympatric with Pachyrrhynchus chamissoi SCHULTZE 1922, a smaller version with the elytral markings pinkish in color. Like many other Pachyrrhynchus species, it has two mimics: Doliops edithae VIVES 2009 and Paradoliops cabigasi VIVES 2009 Doliops edithae VIVES 2009 - female Doliops edithae VIVES 2009 - male Paradoliops cabigasi VIVES 2009 Doliops edithae VIVES 2009 is rather rare, just like with the other species members of the genus. With the way it has remarkably copied the patters and color of the model species, one would often confuse this species for the model. Described by my friend, Eduard Vives, it was named after my mother. Paradoliops cabigasi VIVES 2009 is quite rare and this, probably, is the second species of the genus to be described. What strikes me is that it’s also a mimic of P. amabilis which is rather unusual. The author, wrote in his description that this is a mimic of P. chamissoi but because of its rather big size, I would disagree. This species was named after me.

The Tribe Pachyrrhynchini is one of the spectacular curculionid beetles found in the Philippines where almost all known species are known to occur. With several genera under it, the flightless species members have very hard, solid bodies and probably a deterrent for predators. It might be this characteristic that some species from other families mimic the species of this group for protection. Pachyrrhynchus speciosus WATERHOUSE 1841 - the model Doliops multifasciata SCHULTZE 1922 - the mimic The genus Pachyrrhynchus GERMAR is the most beautiful of the group with its bright colors and amazing patterns and inhabit the mountainous portions of the different island of the country. It is also the model for a group of very rare lamiine longhorn beetles from a whole lot different family, Cerambycidae, under the genus Doliops. Soft bodied and nonpoisonous, it choses to live close to its model as well as evolved to have elytral markings, size and form almost similar to its model species. The first time I caught one, I was fooled! I never thought that it was not a Pachyrrhynchus beetle. It was only after a few months that upon close inspection, I realized that it was a Doliops speces. Over time, I learned to discern the differences:

unfused elytra longer antenna a more quadrate elytra, and form of the head

In this post, I’m showing the model Pachyrrhynchus speciosus WATERHOUSE 1841 and its mimic, Doliops multifasciata SCHULTZE 1922. These two inhabits the higher elevations of Bukidnon in Mindanao island. More species to be featured in upcoming posts.