Agra Fabricius, 1801

Erwin, Terry L., 2017, Agra Fabricius (Coleoptera: Carabidae: Harpalinae: Lebiini: Agrina), Arboreal Beetles of Neotropical Forests: The Rare, Non-Neotropical Texas Species at the Generic Northern Limit, with Notes on Their Way of Life, The Coleopterists Bulletin 71 (4), pp. 639-651 : 641

Genus Agra Fabricius, 1801

Elegant Canopy Beetles

Agra Fabricius 1801: 224 . Type species: Agra aenea Fabricius (1801: 224) , named first among three species described by Fabricius. Designated by Erwin (1982).

Agridia Chaudoir 1861: 109 . Type species: Agridia platyscelis Chaudoir (1861: 109) , named first between two species described by Chaudoir. Designated by Erwin (1982).

Diagnosis. During the evolution toward a canopy domain and away from a likely understory sistergroup ( Erwin 1979, 1985, 1998), Agra adults acquired numerous generic-level autapotypic features: head elongate (cranium extended behind eyes), with prognathous mandibles, securiform ultimate labial palpomeres ( Erwin 1982), and constricted neck; prothorax elongate and tubular, pleural sutures effaced; tarsomeres dilated with setiferous pads beneath ( Erwin 1982), claws explanate and pectinate; elytron with latero-basal sinus and latero-apical callus, apex medially and laterally toothed or somewhat produced, apical margin truncate, sinuate, or medially lobed; male venter variously adorned with setal or pubescent patches; female reproductive system adapted to egg-laying telescopically deep in substrate ( Erwin 2002), stylomere 2 stout (usually and with apical ensiform setae. Defense system very large ( Erwin 1982). Size: ABL = 6.0–29.0 mm; TW = 1.5–6.0 mm.

Note. For descriptions of species-groups and subgroups previously recognized, refer to Erwin (1996, 1998, 2002).