New larval host records and DNA barcoding data for North American leaf-mining jewel beetles (Coleoptera: Buprestidae)

Fifteen species of North American leaf-mining jewel beetles (Coleoptera: Buprestidae) are discussed. For each species, we review previous records of larval and adult hosts and associated hymenopteran parasitoids, augmenting these with our own observations. We present the first rearing records for Pachyschelus schwarzi Kerremans, Taphrocerus albodistinctus Knull, T. howardi Obenberger, and T. nicolayi Obenberger; new larval host families are documented for Brachysaerosus (Melsheimer), and new larval host genera for P. laevigatus (Say) and T. gracilis (Say). Observations of additional leaf mines of undetermined Brachys, Pachyschelus, and Taphrocerus species are reported, representing new larval host records for these genera. We also present original DNA barcoding data showing intra- and interspecific variation among ten of the species discussed. No substantial differences in COI barcode were found among specimens of the B. aerosus complex obtained from different host genera and families, including paratypes of B. howdeni Hespenheide. Barcoding also did not distinguish between P. laevigatus (Say) and P. nicolayi Obenberger. However, differences of 3.7-4.0% were found between specimens of P. purpureus purpureus (Say) and P. uvaldei Knull, rev. stat., which has been treated as a subspecies of P. purpureus for the past 50 years and whose range is shown to extend to Oklahoma, well north of previous records from southern Texas. New morphological data are presented distinguishing these two species, which have likely been confused in collections due to previously undocumented color variation in P. uvaldei. Our barcode data also suggest the possibility of one or more cryptic species resembling T. gracilis and T. nicolayi.