Cosmosalia Casey, 1913 [Invalid]

Only two species, and one subspecies are assigned to the genus Cosmosalia Casey, 1913, both of which are constrained to North America. The one Pacific Northwest species, Cosmosalia chrysocoma is unmistakable among the Lepturinae for its thick golden pubescence, which it bares on its elytra, pronotum and the ventral surface of its body. The proportions of the basal segments of the antennae and the shape of the pronotum are used to separate the genus from its closest relatives (Linsley and Chemsak, 1976: 181).

Cosmosalia chrysocoma is diurnal and can be found on a large variety of flowers from June to September. The species is wide ranging, extending from northeastern North America to northwestern Canada and along the west coast and Colorado Rockies to Mexico. Specimens are very common in museums. 

Taxonomic History

William Kirby originally described chrysocoma from a specimen taken on the 1819 English expedition across North America, under the command of Captain Sir John Franklis. Casey (1913) later designated Cosmosalia as a subgenus of Leptura, and described three additional species which are now considered synonyms of C. chrysocoma.  Linsley and Chemsak (1972: 183) reported the type localities for the available names associated with chrysocoma as follows: "Of chrysocoma, journey from New York; auripilis, Santa Fe, New Mexico; aureola, Colorado; densepilosa, North Fork, Provo Canyon, Utah.