Key to the world genera of Mycetophagidae
This key is based primarily on dissected specimens but characteristics of the genera Triphyllopsis Nikitsky (1989, 1993) and Pseudotriphyllopsis Nikitsky (1996) were extracted from the literature.
1. Head (Figs 1C, 1K) only slightly narrower than greatest pronotal width, more or less abruptly constricted behind eyes to form broad neck and short to moderately long temples (Figs 7A–B, 8A–B); pronotum more or less quadrate with very weakly defined lateral carinae, distinctly narrower than combined elytral bases (Figs 7D, 8D); male with pair of slender, oblique setose impressions between procoxae and anterior pronotal angles (Figs 7E, 8E); antennal club 2-segmented (Figs 1K, 7C) OR tarsi 3-3-3 (Fig. 8C); length less than 2 mm ......................................................... ... Bergininae ...2
- Head (Figs 1A–B, 1D–J, 5 I –J, 5M–O) distinctly narrower than greatest pronotal width, not abruptly constricted behind eyes; pronotum (Figs 1A–B, 1D–J, 5 M–N) with more distinctly rounded sides and distinct lateral carinae, not or only slightly narrower than combined elytral bases; male without paired ventral prothoracic impressions; antennal club with at least 3 segments (Figs 1A–B, 1E–F); tarsi 4-4- 4 in female, 3-4- 4 in male....................................................... 3
2(1) Temples shorter than eye or neck (Fig. 7B); antennal club 2-segmented (Figs 1K, 7C); tarsi 4-4- 4 in female, 3-4- 4 in male; dorsal surfaces clothed with distinct, thickened setae, usually more or less decumbent (Figs 1K, 7G); length more than 1.5 mm; North and Central America, West Indies, southern Europe, Caucasus, India, Sri Lanka, East Indies....... Berginus Erichson
- Temples much longer than eye and about as long as neck (Figs 1C, 8B); antennal club 3-segmented (Fig. 8H); tarsi 3-3- 3 in both sexes; dorsal surfaces clothed with minute, fine setae barely visible at lower magnifications (Fig. 8D); lateral edges of each elytron with row of deep pores (Fig. 8G); length less than 1.3 mm; Seychelles, Christmas I., Australia Nesolathrus Scott
3(1). Metacoxal length (parallel to long axis of body) more than half its width (perpendicular to long axis of body) (Fig. 6C), well-
separated from elytral epipleura; metanepisternum relatively short and broad, its length less than 2.5 times its width; metaventrite distinctly shorter than abdominal ventrite 1; sides of pronotum usually distinctly serrate (Fig. 6D); scutellar shield strongly transverse (Fig. 6E) or absent; elytral punctures large, nude and distinctly seriate (Fig. 6G); pterothorax and abdomen sometimes with large setose cavities (Figs 6C, 6F); hind wings usually absent; southern Europe, North Africa Esarcinae ................................................................................................. Esarcus Reiche - Metacoxal length (parallel to long axis of body) much less than half its width (perpendicular to long axis of body) (Figs 9G, 11E, 14H); large, nude, seriate elytral punctures and setose pterothoracic and abdominal cavities always absent................................................................................................. Mycetophaginae ...4
4(3). Mesepimera not reaching mesocoxal cavities, which are closed laterally by the meeting of mesoventrite and metaventrite (Figs 13D, 13G, 15A, 15C).................................................................................. 5
- Mesepimera reaching mesocoxal cavities (Figs 9F–G, 11E, 12D, 14H)............................................ 8
5(4). Base of pronotum distinctly narrower than combined elytral bases (Fig. 5 O); antennomeres 9 and 10 about 1.5 times as long as wide, antennomere 11 shorter and narrower than 9 or 10 (Figs 2 H, 5O); mesoventrite carinate for most of its length (Fig. 3 C); vestiture of moderately long erect and inclined setae (Fig. 5 O); New Zealand ...................... Zeclaviger gen. nov.
- Base of pronotum not or barely narrower than combined elytral bases; antennomeres 9 and 10 transverse or only slightly longer than wide; antennomere 11 at least slightly longer than 9 or10; mesoventrite not carinate, sometimes with short anterior linear prosternal rest; vestiture without long, erect setae......................................................... 6
6(5). Elytral vestiture dual, consisting of longer and shorter, inclined or decumbent setae, the longer setae forming about 12 longitudinal rows separated by at least two rows of shorter setae (Figs 1H, 3A); apical maxillary palpomere more or less parallel-sided and not wider than subapical one (Fig. 15B); shortest distance between mesocoxal and metacoxal cavities distinctly greater than length of abdominal ventrite 1 at same point; hind wings well-developed; cosmopolitan (Fig. 1H).... Typhaea Stephens
- Elytral vestiture single, consisting of inclined or decumbent setae of more or less equal length (Fig. 2A); apical maxillary palpomere distinctly wider than subapical one (Figs 13A–B); shortest distance between mesocoxal and metacoxal cavities subequal to or less than length of abdominal ventrite 1 at the same point (Fig. 13D); hind wings more or less reduced (apical field shortened or absent, medial field reduced, radial cell sometimes absent).......................................... 7
7(6). Pronotum widest near middle; lateral pronotal carinae distinctly serrate; posterior pronotal angles acute; lateral edges of elytra visible from above for most of their lengths; elytral apex obliquely truncate; protarsomere 1 in male distinctly expanded; abdominal ventrite 1 in male with two large patches of setigerous spicules accompanied by glandular openings (Figs 4C, 4 F); southern Europe, North Africa.......................................................... Typhaeola Ganglbauer
- Pronotum widest well behind middle (Fig. 2A); lateral pronotal carinae simple; posterior pronotal angles not acute; lateral edges of elytra not visible from above; elytral apex broadly rounded; protarsomere 1 in male not expanded; abdominal ventrite 1 in male with two slender transverse pore fields (Figs 4A, 4 D); southern Africa................. Afrotyphaeola gen. nov.
8(4). Antennae gradually expanded apically or with weak club composed of 4 or more antennomeres (Figs 1D–F, 5 J, 9D); elytral punctation seriate, but puncture rows sometimes not clearly visible due to dense interstrial punctation and recumbent setae (Figs 1D–F).......................................................................................... 9
- Antennae with distinct 3-segmented club (Figs 1A–B, 1I –J, 2 F–G, 5I, 5M–N, 14B); punctation seriate or not............ 11
9(8). Frontoclypeal suture somewhat angulate and not deeply impressed; paired basal pronotal impressions absent; posterior pronotal angles more or less embracing elytral bases (Fig. 5 J); shortest distance between mesocoxal and metacoxal cavities distinctly less than length of abdominal ventrite 1 at same point; tibial spurs biserrate; hind wings reduced and strap-like; Juan Fernandez Is......................................................................... Filicivora Leschen & Lawrence
- Frontoclypeal suture deeply impressed and straight or curved (Figs 2 E, 9A); paired basal pronotal impressions present (Figs 1E–F); shortest distance between mesocoxal and metacoxal cavities distinctly greater than length of abdominal ventrite 1 at same point (Fig. 9G); tibial spurs simple (Fig. 9C); hind wings well-developed................................... 10
10(9). Basal pronotal impressions very small and sometimes indistinct; elytron with sutural stria; antennal club indistinct; eyes rounded; elytra usually unicolorous red or brown (Fig. 1D); eastern Palaearctic, Caucasus, North Africa, Japan ............................................................................................... Eulagius Motschulsky
- Basal pronotal impressions large and distinct (Figs 1E–F); elytra without sutural stria; antennal club usually distinctly 4- to 6- segmented (Fig. 9D); eyes elongate-oval, usually slightly emarginate (Fig. 9A); elytra usually with dark and light pattern, occasionally black; widely distributed except Australia and New Zealand ....................... Mycetophagus Hellwig
11(8). Pronotum widest at base, which is as wide as or wider than combined elytral bases (Figs 1I –J); posterior pronotal angles more or less embracing elytral humeri (Figs 11C–D); pronotal hypomera (Figs 12F, 12H) and elytral epipleura (Fig. 12I) usually strongly oblique or almost vertical, not visible in lateral view; pronotal disc with pair of elongate, slit-like, basal impressions, usually darkly pigmented (Fig. 2 C); metaventrite not shorter than first abdominal ventrite (Fig. 12D); frontoclypeal suture not deeply impressed, forming a fine curved or angulate line (Fig. 11A); scutellar shield widest at base and broadly rounded at apex (Fig. 12K); antennal club usually slender, often with antennomeres 9–11 at least slightly elongate (Fig. 11I); tibial spurs usually bipectinate and sometimes highly complex (Figs 11B, 11G –HN, 12B); body more or less flattened, often with complex, dual vestiture (Figs 11A, 11I, 12A).................................................................. 12
- Pronotum usually widest anterior to base (Figs 1G–H, 1L, 5 I, 5N); IF pronotum widest at base, THEN posterior pronotal angles not embracing elytral humeri (Figs 1A, 5 M) OR metaventrite distinctly shorter than first abdominal ventrite; base of pronotal disc without or with subcircular paired impressions; frontoclypeal suture usually more deeply impressed; elytral epipleura more or less flattened, often partly visible in lateral view; scutellar shield usually widest behind base and apically truncate (Figs 10G, 14D), body usually more convex with simple vestiture........................................... 13
12(11). Outer edge of protibia lined with closely-spaced, spine-like setae; protibial apex with one long bipectinate spur and another much shorter spur (Figs 2 I, 12B); apical maxillary palpomere slightly longer than preapical one and strongly obliquely truncate
so that outer edge is acute (Fig. 12C); apical labial palpomere as wide as or slightly wider than preapical one and attached at its apex (Fig. 12C); elytra with distinct rows of punctures (Figs 1I, 12J); Madeira, Japan, Australia .......... Litargops Reitter - Outer edge of protibia lined with finer, less closely spaced setae (Fig. 11G); protibial apex with two bipectinate spurs (Figs 11G–H); apical maxillary palpomere distinctly longer than preapical one and not strongly, obliquely truncate (Fig. 2 K); apical labial palpomere distinctly narrower than preapical one and attached subapically (Fig. 2 J); elytra punctures not forming distinct rows (Fig. 1J); widely distributed........................................................ Litargus Erichson
13(11). Body about 2.5 times as long as wide (Fig. 1G); lateral pronotal carinae dentate (Figs 10B, 10E); sides of elytra parallel for most of their lengths; elytral punctation distinctly seriate (Fig. 10F); abdominal ventrites 2–4 in male each with a pair of small, circular setose patches near midline (Fig. 10H); Chile and Argentina ............................ Pseudochrodes Reitter
- Body shorter and broader (Figs 1A–B, 1L, 5 I, 5M–N); lateral pronotal carinae simple or minutely denticulate (Figs 3 D, 14E); sides of elytra more or less curved for most of their lengths; elytral punctation seriate or not; abdominal ventrites in male without paired, subcircular setose patches..................................................................... 14
14(13). Elytra with distinct puncture rows....................................................................... 15
- Elytra without distinct puncture rows (occasionally with indistinct or incomplete rows)............................. 16
15(14). Shortest distance between mesocoxal and metacoxal cavities distinctly less than length of abdominal ventrite 1 at same point; sides of elytra distinctly converging beyond middle; elytra with short scutellary striole; pronotum at least 0.65 times as long as wide; hind wings absent; abdominal ventrites in male without pore fields; central Asia.............. Triphyllopsis Nikitsky
- Shortest distance between mesocoxal and metacoxal cavities distinctly greater than length of abdominal ventrite 1 at same point; sides of elytra more or less parallel, converging only at posterior fourth; elytra without scutellary striole; pronotum less than half as long as wide; hind wings well-developed; abdominal ventrites 1 to 3 in male each with a pair of transversely oriented V- or U-shaped pore fields (as in Fig. 4B); Japan ...................................... Triphyllioides Miyatake
16(14). Posterior pronotal angles at least slightly acute and sometimes embracing elytral bases; basal pronotal foveae absent; shortest distance between mesocoxal and metacoxal cavities distinctly less than length of abdominal ventrite 1; scutellar shield strongly transverse; hind wings absent........................................................................... 17
- Posterior pronotal angles right or obtuse, not embracing elytral bases; basal pronotal foveae usually present; shortest distance between mesocoxal and metacoxal cavities distinctly greater than length of abdominal ventrite 1; scutellar shield slightly transverse; hind wings present.............................................................................. 18
17(16). Mesoventrite carinate; posterior pronotal angles not or only slightly embracing elytral bases (Fig. 1A); prosternal process extending well beyond procoxae, narrowly rounded at apex; prosternum in male with pubescent fovea (as in Fig. 14E); abdominal ventrite 1 in male with pair of U-shaped pore fields (as in Figs 4B, 4 E); Caucasus................. Triphyllina Reitter
- Mesoventrite not carinae, with small subtriangular prosternal rest; posterior pronotal angles distinctly embracing elytra; prosternal process not extending beyond procoxae, truncate at apex; prosternum and abdominal ventrite 1 in male simple; China ................................................................................ Pseudotriphyllopsis Nikitsky
18(16). Antennomeres 9 and 10 slightly longer than wide and slightly expanded apically with sensory field at apex, 11 distinctly longer than wide and distinctly longer than 9 or 10 (Fig. 2 F); mesoventrite more or less concave, with small anterior subquadrate prosternal rest; vertex in male with pubescent fovea (Figs 2 E, 5M); prosternum and abdomen in male simple; southern North America and Central America .......................................................... Neotriphyllus gen. nov.
- Antennomeres 9 and 10 transverse (Fig. 2 G); mesoventrite with linear or triangular prosternal rest (Figs 14H, 15 E); vertex in male without pubescent fovea; abdomen in male with pore fields (Figs 4B, 4 E).................................... 19
19(18). Posterior pronotal angles broadly rounded (Figs 2B, 15 D); mesoventrite with large triangular prosternal rest occupying most of ventrite (Fig. 15 E); abdominal ventrite 1 in male with very slender, curved linear pore fields extending from anterolateral angles to mesal fourth (Fig. 15 G); length less than 1.3 mm; North and Central America ................. Thrimolus Casey
- Posterior pronotal angles not broadly rounded (Figs 3 D, 14E); mesoventrite with linear or small, triangular prosternal rest (Fig. 14H); abdominal ventrite 1 in male with shorter and broader linear or C-shaped pore fields (Figs 4A–B); length greater than 1.3 mm; Holarctic and Notogean........................................................................ 20
20(19). Antennomeres 9 and 10 slightly transverse, slightly expanded apically, with sensory fields at apex; anterior edge of mesoventrite with 2 small carinae; prosternum in male without setose fovea; abdominal ventrites 1–4 in male each with pair of Vshaped or linear pore fields; habitus (Fig. 1L); Eurasia........................................... Triphyllus Dejean
- Antennomeres 9 and 10 distinctly transverse and widest at middle, with sensory fields often occupying half of antennomere (Figs 2 G, 14B); anterior edge of mesoventrite with short linear or narrowly triangular elevation (Fig. 14H); prosternum in male with setose fovea (Fig. 14E); abdomen with U-shaped or linear pore fields on ventrite 1 only (Figs 4B, 4 E)............. 21
21(20). Antennomere 11 distinctly narrower than 9 or 10 (Fig. 2 G); prosternal process parallel-sided, slightly emarginate at apex; procoxal cavity without slit-like extension; Eurasia and eastern North America .................... Pseudotriphyllus Reitter
- Antennomeres 9–11 of equal width; prosternal process slightly expanded almost to apex, then narrowed and apically truncate (Fig. 14E); procoxal cavity with short, curved, slit-like extension (Fig. 14E); New Zealand, Madagascar and Chile ................................................................................. Nototriphyllus gen. nov.