Paragrilus exiguus (Chevrolat)

(Figs. 4, 22)

Aphanisticus exiguus Chevrolat, 1835: no. 146.

Paragrilus exiguus (Chevrolat), Saunders, 1871: 127.

Diagnosis: Slender, black throughout, with faint golden reflections on elytra; 2.7­4.35 mm long. Head with front convex, narrowly, moderately impressed along midline on upper 2/ 3; epistoma depressed and rather narrow between antennal insertions, ventral margin slightly produced, shallowly emarginate with acute lateral angles; surface finely punctate, shagreened. Pronotum very convex, almost globose, prehumeral callosity weakly indicated by shallow lateral depressions; disc rather strongly depressed along basal margin, slightly interrupted by narrow raised area before scutellum; surface weakly, finely rugose. Elytra with posthumeral carina extending to beyond posterior coxae, surface rugose; apices broadly rounded­subquadrate. Posterior angles of hind coxae acutely rounded, slightly flared. Male genitalia black with transparent tips to lateral lobes (Fig. 22).

Type: “ Type./exigua Chevr./Saunders., 74.18.” (BMNH).

Distribution: Southern México (Chiapas, Guerrero, Oaxaca, and Veracruz), Honduras.

Specimens examined: Honduras: Fco. Morazan, Esc. Agr. Panamericana Zamorano, 22.05.1988, R.D. Cave (EAPZ).

Host: Unknown, probably Sida spp.

Discussion: It is tempting to consider this species as a local, well­marked form of the widely distributed and variable rugatulus, but the very consistent body form and different male genitalia make exiguus distinct.