Leaus

Matthews, Eric G. & Lawrence, John F., 2015, Trachelostenini sensu novo: redescriptions of Trachelostenus Solier, Myrmecodema Gebien and Leaus Matthews & Lawrence, based on adults and larvae, and descriptions of three new species of Leaus (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae), Zootaxa 4020 (2), pp. 289-312 : 304

Key to the species of Leaus

1. Prothorax distinctly narrower than elytral bases, with lateral carinae entire, disc with a pair of low median tumosities ( Figs 27, 30 ). Elytra with basal tumosities and a transverse depression behind them ( Figs 33, 34 ). Total length> 5 mm ............ 2

- Prothorax not or only slightly narrower than elytral bases, with lateral carinae dentate or crenulate ( Figs 28, 29, 31, 32 ), disc evenly convex. Elytral disc only slightly uneven. Total length ≤ 4 mm .......................................... 3

2(1). Prothorax widest at middle ( Fig. 27 ). Basal elytral tumosities not very prominent ( Fig. 33 ). Legs uniformly castaneous. Ovi- positor with gonostyli. Western Tas......................................... L. tasmanicus Matthews & Lawrence

- Prothorax widest behind middle ( Fig. 30 ). Basal elytral tumosities prominent ( Fig. 34 ). Legs fuscous with contrasting flavo- castaneous bands. Ovipositor without gonostyli. NE NSW....................................... L. monteithi sp. n.

3(1). Lateral pronotal carinae irregularly dentate, prothorax a little narrower than elytral bases ( Figs 28, 29 ). Qld wet tropics........................................................................................... L. tropicalis sp. n.

- Lateral pronotal carinae regularly denticulate or crenulate. Prothorax as wide as elytral bases ( Figs 31, 32 ).............. 4

4(3). Lateral pronotal carinae crenulate ( Fig. 31 ). NE NSW............................................. L. elusus sp. n.

- Lateral pronotal carinae evenly denticulate ( Fig. 32 ). SE Qld............................................... L. sp.

Figures

FIGURES 27 – 32. Leaus habitus, dorsal except 29: 27, L. tasmanicus paratype ♀ (SAMA); 28, L. tropicalis holotype ♀ (QMBA); 29, L. tropicalis paratype ♂ (ANIC); 30, L. monteithi holotype ♀ (QMBA); 31, L. elusus holotype ♂ (QMBA); 32, L. sp. ♀ (ANIC). Scale bars 1 mm.

FIGURES 33 – 36. Leaus habitus, lateral: 33, L. tasmanicus holotype ♂ (SAMA); 34, L. monteithi sex not determined, paratype (QMBA); 35, L. tropicalis holotype ♀ (QMBA); 36, L. elusus holotype ♂ (QMBA). Scale bars 1 mm.