Brachysomus (Hippomias)

Yunakov, Nikolai, 2022, A review of the genus Brachysomus Schoenherr (Coleoptera: Curculionidae: Entiminae), Zootaxa 5193 (1), pp. 1-165 : 19-20

Hippomias : B. sulcatus group

1. Epifrons separated from vertex by shallow transverse depression. Vertex, rostrum, and interstriae of elytra with erect setae (better visible in a lateral view). Species from Crimean Mountains and Caucasus................................... 2

- Epifrons not separated from vertex by transverse depression. Vertex, rostrum, and interstriae of elytra with subrecumbent setae. [Only B. merkli with head and elytra bearing longer erect setae]. Species from Carpathian Mountains and Ukrainian forest lowland............................................................................................. 3

2. Antenna slender, scape sharply curved in the area slightly basad of midlength, in distal 1/3 strongly widened, hence clavate. Funicular antennomere 2 strongly elongate, 2x as long as wide; 3rd funicular antennomere as long as wide. Club egg-shaped, widest posteriad of mid length, 1st club antennomere set off sharply from funicle. Epifrons with shallow, narrow, but distinct median longitudinal sulcus. Body, antennae, and legs light-brown, antennae and legs almost the same colour.................................................................................................. B. sulcatus Yunakov

- Antenna thick, scape evenly curved and evenly widened distally. Funicular antennomere 2 slightly longer than wide, 3rd funicular antennomere transverse. Club wide, spindle-shaped, widest at middle, 1st club antennomere weakly set off from funicle. Epifrons longitudinally depressed. Body dark-brown or brown, antennae and legs lighter....... B. alexeevi Yunakov

3. Setae on elytra short (as long as 1/2 interstrial width), spatulate, suberect. Antenna thick, width of distal part of scape almost as ELD; 4–7th funicular antennomeres transverse. Fore tarsomere 5 extending beyond apical lobes of 3rd tarsomere by length of the lobes. Posterior margin of 3rd abdominal sternite straight. Body with small grey lanceolate scales, and broad weakly bifurcate scales....................................................................................... 4

- Setae on elytra long (as long as interstrial width), slender, strongly erect. Antenna slender, width of distal part of scape ca. 0.6 x ELD; 4–7th funicular antennomeres as long as wide. Fore tarsomere 5 extending beyond apical lobes of 3rd by 1.5 length of the lobes. Posterior margin of 3rd abdominal sternite emarginate. Body evenly sparsely covered with small, grey, piliform, and slender lanceolate scales.................................................................. B. merkli Yunakov

4. Funicular antennomere 7 as long as wide; club widely spindle-shaped...................... B. polonicus Wanat & Mazur

- Funicular antennomere 7 slightly longer than wide; club egg-shaped............................ B. podolocus Białooki