Temnocerus Thunberg, 1815

Young, Julia Janicki Daniel K., 2021, Survey of the Attelabidae of Wisconsin (Coleoptera: Curculionoidea), Insecta Mundi 2021 (891), pp. 1-61 : 19

Genus Temnocerus Thunberg

Type species. Curculio nanus Paykull, 1792, subsequent designation by Voss, 1932.

Hamilton (1969) elevated what was once considered a subgenus of Rhynchites , Pselaphorhynchites Schilsky , to the generic level and clarified that the current concept of Rhynchites contains only the species R. velatus . However, Alonso-Zarazaga and Lyal (1999) listed Pselaphorhynchites as a synonym of Temnocerus Thunberg, 1815 ; accordingly, Temnocerus is currently recognized.

Generic diagnosis. Temnocerus can be recognized by the presence of the scutellary striole, by the distinct elytral striae that are more-or-less quadrate, and by the narrow, convex and smooth interstriae.

Key to Wisconsin species of adult Temnocerus species

1. Pydigium largely covered by elytra, with apex exposed, more-or-less obliquely oriented; 2.3–3.5 mm ................................................................... T. cyanellus (LeConte)

— Pydigium almost entirely exposed by elytra, more-or-less vertically oriented; 1.7–2.8 mm .......... 2

2(1). Rostrum distinctly widening from antennal insertions toward apex, narrowest at antennal insertions; color shining black, without blueish sheen........................... T. perplexus (Blatchley)

— Rostrum more-or-less parallel-sided from antennal insertion towards apex, narrowest between antennal insertion and apex; color black with blue to purple sheen, to the naked eye bronze to reddish or greenish bronze......................................................... T. aeratus (Say)