Austronitidula, gen. nov.

Type species: Austronitidula multimaculata, sp. nov.

Diagnosis. This monotypic genus appears to be most closely related to the Australian genus Thalycrodes, sharing with that genus the following features: 1) antennal club somewhat flattened with well developed apicolateral sensory areas on antennomeres 9 and 10; 2) male with a small pubescent fovea at middle of prosternum; 3) lateral edges of pronotum and elytra more or less ciliate; 4) prosternal process broad, curved and slightly expanded apically, without vertical wall; 5) outer apical angles of all tibiae produced with more than one stout spine extending onto apex; 6) mesoventrite on the same plane as metaventrite with anterior prothoracic rest and weak median carina; 7) eyes small, with temples at least as long as eye diameter; 8) interfacetal setae present; 9) protibial ridge absent in male; and 10) apex of labrum with relatively broad angulate emargination. Austronitidula multimaculata differs from species of Thalycrodes in the following respects: 1) antennomere 9 not longer than 2 and 3 combined; 2) sensory areas on antennomeres 9 and 10 not located in enclosed pockets; 3) elytral punctures and setae more or less confused, not seriate; 4) frontoclypeal suture absent; 5) axillary spaces reduced; 6) elytral epipleura barely inclined and not or barely visible in lateral view.