Leielmis

Bilton, David T., 2017, A revision of the South African riffle beetle genus Leielmis Delève, 1964 (Coleoptera: Elmidae), Zootaxa 4254 (2), pp. 255-268 : 268

Key to known Leielmis species

The species of the genus can readily be distinguished as follows:

1 Size larger, total length at least 2.0 mm from front of pronotum to elytral apices. Dorsum dark brown, with long, golden, recumbent setae throughout ( Fig. 1 C). Elytra broadest at and subparallel in middle; narrowing to apex in apical third ( Fig. 1 C). Elytral puncture rows with coarse punctures anteriorly; elytral intervals raised ( Fig. 3 C). Aedeagus, male tibial modifications and ovipositor characteristic ( Figs 4–6 )................................................ Leielmis hirsutus sp. nov.

- Size smaller, total length less than 1.7 mm. Dorsum predominantly black; setae less evident ( Fig. 1 A & B). Elytra broadest in basal third; narrowing to apex from around middle ( Fig. 1 A & B). Elytral intervals relatively flat ( Fig. 3 A & B)..........2

2 Pronotal punctation coarser and denser ( Fig. 2 A). Punctures of elytral rows larger anteriorly; puncture rows more strongly striate impressed ( Fig. 3 A). Aedeagus, male tibial modifications and ovipositor characteristic ( Figs 4–6 )........................................................................................ Leielmis georyssoides ( Grouvelle, 1890)

- Pronotal punctation finer and sparser ( Fig. 2 B). Punctures of elytral rows smaller; puncture rows not, or weakly, striate impressed ( Fig. 3 B). Aedeagus, male tibial modifications and ovipositor characteristic ( Figs 4–6 )...................................................................................................... Leielmis gibbosus sp. nov.

Figures

FIGURE 1. Leielmis species, male habitus. A) L. georyssoides; B) L. gibbosus sp. nov., holotype; C) L. hirsutus sp. nov., holotype. Scale bar = 1 mm.

FIGURE 2. Leielmis species, pronotal sculpture. A) & D) L. georyssiodes; B) & E) L. gibbosus sp. nov.; C) & F) L. hirsutus sp. nov. A) – C) scanning electron micrographs; D) – F) stacked macrosope images.

FIGURE 3. Leielmis species, Elytral sculpture, scanning electron micrographs. A) L. georyssoides; B) L. gibbosus sp. nov.; C) L. hirsutus sp. nov.

FIGURE 4. Leielmis species, male tibial modifications, dorsal view A) & D) L. georyssoides; B) & E) L. gibbosus sp. nov.; C) & F) L. hirsutus sp. nov. A) – C) mesotibiae; D) – F) metatibiae. Scale bar = 0.25 mm.

FIGURE 5. Leielmis species, aedeagi, ventral and lateral views. A) L. georyssoides; B) L. gibbosus sp. nov.; C) L. hirsutus sp. nov. Scale bar = 0.25 mm.

FIGURE 6. Leielmis species, ovipositors, distal gonocoxites. A) L. georyssoides; B) L. gibbosus sp. nov.; C) L. hirsutus sp. nov. Scale bar = 0.25 mm.