Philides Champion, 1906b: 129

Anzaldo, Salvatore S., 2017, Review of the genera of Conoderinae (Coleoptera, Curculionidae) from North America, Central America, and the Caribbean, ZooKeys 683, pp. 51-138 : 93-95

publication ID

https://dx.doi.org/10.3897/zookeys.683.12080

publication LSID

lsid:zoobank.org:pub:D7FD86CA-6374-480C-821B-A10C26CDDF32

persistent identifier

https://treatment.plazi.org/id/248ADE8E-E225-5448-919C-509DF4F0B640

treatment provided by

ZooKeys by Pensoft

scientific name

Philides Champion, 1906b: 129
status

 

Philides Champion, 1906b: 129 Figs 59 View Figures 55–66 , 104 View Figures 103–105

Type species.

Philides anthonomoides Champion, 1906 [by monotypy].

Gender.

Masculine.

Diagnosis.

Philides is easily differentiated from all other genera treated here except Philinna by the following characteristics: the body, especially the lateral surfaces, are densely covered in multifid setae; the antennal funiculus has 6 instead of 7 articles (as in Fig. 57 View Figures 55–66 for Philinna ); the tibial apex does not have an uncus at the posterior apical angle and has either a small process at inner apical angle (as in Fig. 36 View Figures 19–36 for Philinna ) or no process at all; the tibial apex is subcircular in cross-section (not laterally compressed as in all other genera) and with distinct fringe of spine-like setae around the apex; the prosternum behind the procoxae has ventrally projecting laterally compressed tubercles (as in Fig. 18 View Figures 10–18 for Philinna ); the mesoventrite is vertical, unmodified or with posterolateral margins modified into somewhat projecting lamellae (as in Fig. 18 View Figures 10–18 ); the first elytral interval has elongate, stout setae crossing over the suture in roughly posterior half (Fig. 104b View Figures 103–105 ); and the fifth abdominal ventrite is strongly emarginate to accommodate the exposed pygidium. Philides differs from Philinna in the presence of tarsal claws with a broad tooth (Fig. 59 View Figures 55–66 ; seen in Philides comans Champion, 1909, but not all observed specimens identified to P. anthonomoides had this tooth) and in overall appearance, with the known species of Philides belonging to the "shiny black" mimicry complex of Hespenheide (1995: 149). Some observed specimens identified as P. anthonomoides have the mesoventrite unmodified, with slight projections at the posterolateral margins or with the mesoventrite strongly excavated apically to receive the rostrum.

Phylogenetic relationships.

The numerous characters that differentiate this genus and Philinna from the rest of the conoderines treated here suggest improper placement in Conoderinae , as suggested by Lyal et al. (2006) due to the lack of sclerolepidia and differently constructed mesoventrite. Champion (1906: 130) and Hespenheide (1992: 2, 2002: 756) noted the similarity of these genera with Tachygonini (a group sometimes included in the Conoderinae but since relegated to a subtribe in the Curculioninae : Rhamphini , treated there most recently in Caldara et al. 2014) in having multifid setae covering much of the body. Further similarities of these three genera are the stout, crossed setae along the elytral suture. Tachygonines, however, have a more conoderine-like tibial apex than either Philides and Philinna , being laterally compressed and with an uncus at the posterior apical angle. Specimens were not observed for two of the three genera currently placed in the Tachygonina , reserving a reconsideration of the placement of the subtribe for future phylogenetic study. Philides also bears a resemblance to the Old World conoderine tribe Lobotrachelini , but the observed species of that tribe also differ from Philides and Philinna in having a more typical conoderine tibial apex. The only other genus treated here without simple tarsal claws is Psomus Casey, which does not have a similar broad, flat tooth as in Philides .

Host associations.

The larva of at least one species is an inquiline in galls made by a buprestid ( Medianero et al. 2007).

Described species.

Two. Numerous undescribed species and related genera occur in Central America (H. Barrios, personal communication). One additional described species is known from South America ( Rheinheimer 2011).

Range.

Mexico, El Salvador, Panama; South America ( Rheinheimer 2011).

Kingdom

Animalia

Phylum

Arthropoda

Class

Insecta

Order

Coleoptera

Family

Curculionidae