T. thoracica and T. sanguiniventris can have very similar patterns however the pattern on the specimen shown is a lot closer to thoracica than to sanguiniventris which generally has a smaller apical mark than that shown. The other differences between the two species are the pronotal shape (as Allen pointed out), overall size (thoracica is a larger species), shape (sanguiniventris is a generally a bit broader than thoracica), and the length of the first tarsal segment on the rear tarsa (in thoracica this is significantly longer). It would be easy to identify this specimen if there was a photo from directly above however based on the photos at hand it could easily be argued it could be either thoracica or sanguiniventris. While the original observer stated that the specimen was approximately 4cm long (which would make this thoracica size - sanguiniventris is 25-30mm) I agree with Allen that the first photo suggests a body shape more like sanguiniventris (but apical mark like thoracica). This may be due to the angle of the photo. The two photos showing the rear tarsa are equally not conclusive however if anything the first segment does look somewhat elongated. So I am still leaning to thoracica rather than sanguiniventris however without the specimen or other photos I don’t believe a firm decision can be made.
Yes, I confirm that this is definitely Temognatha sanguiniventris. Stuart, you had it right. Mark, it sounds like you may have specimens of Temognatha sanguiniventris in your collection that have been misidentified as Temognatha thoracica. I agree though that this it is not Temognatha sanguinipenns which is very different indeed - that's another story. Anyway, compared to Temognatha thoracica, (a) the specimen in the photos in this post has shorter elytra, is flatter and is differently shaped, when looking from above, to Temognatha thoracica; (b) has distinctly explanate margins to the pronotum whereas in Temognatha thoracica the pronotal margins are more rounded, and (c) displays the graduated marginal elytral colouring that is often seen in Temognatha sanguiniventris but is not seen in Temognatha thoracica. I have encountered both species and others and have good series of specimens of both Temognatha thoracica and Temognatha sanguiniventris and readily relate that some curated specimens of Temognatha thoracica remind one of Temognatha sanguiniventris, but never the other way around. Their body shapes, pronotal margin shapes, and colour shadings, all differ. Once you 'get your eye in' with finding specimens of both species in what little is left of the wild they become quite easy to determine to species, and consequently likewise with curated specimens. Cheers, Allen M. Sundholm.
