Laemophloeus macrognathus Reitter

Thomas, Michael C., 2013, A review of New World Laemophloeus Dejean (Coleoptera: Laemophloeidae): 1. Species with antennal club of more than three antennomeres, Insecta Mundi 2013 (294), pp. 1-23 : 8

Laemophloeus macrognathus Reitter

Fig. 11 , 40-47

Laemophloeus macrognathus Reitter 1876: 48

Types. Reitter (1876) wrote that the type was deposited at “Mus. Steinheil,” presumably that of E. W. Steinheil, whose collection passed to Rene Oberthür, so it should be in Paris (Horn and Kahle 1935-1937). In fact, Grouvelle (1881) illustrated and redescribed L. macrognathus apparently from Reitter’s specimen which was in Oberthür’s collection at that time. However, Azadeh Taghavian (in litt.) checked the MNHN collection and reported, “I found only the label in the bottom of the box but without any specimens.”

Diagnosis. Length, 1.8-2.4 mm. The following combination of character states should distinguish this species: Antennal club composed of more than six antennomeres; antennomere XI elongate ( Fig. 11 ); elytra testaceous with base and suture broadly infuscate ( Fig. 11 ); mandibles in large males almost equal in length to head ( Fig. 11 ); head without a median excavation on the frons ( Fig. 40 ); eyes large and coarsely faceted ( Fig. 41 ); male genitalia as in Fig. 43-45 , basal plates linear and angulate.

Distribution. Central and South America. Described from “Columbia, Medellin.” ( Reitter 1876: 48).

Specimens examined. 20, from the following localities: BRAZIL: Rondonia: 62km SW Ariquemes, Fzda. Rancho Grande ; PANAMA: Barro Colorado Island ; TRINIDAD: Simla, Arima-Blanchisseuse Rd .; St. George Co. Simla, Arima Valley ; Arima Valley “Simla” Beebe Trop. Res. Center. Deposited in FSCA .

Discussion. This is one of the most distinctive species of Laemophloeus . The coloration, the elongation of the gena (Fig; 47), which Grouvelle (1881) compared to Prostomis Latreille (Prostomidae) , and the long mandibles in large males are unmistakable. The epistomal suture is almost completely obsolete in the male ( Fig. 40 ), but obsolete only on the middle third of the female ( Fig. 41 ). This species is uncommonly collected.

Figures

Figure 11. Laemophloeus macrognathus Reitter.

Figures 40-46. Laemophloeus macrognathus Reitter.40) Head and pronotum, male. 41) Head, female. 42) Pronotum, female. 43) Male genitalia. 44) Median lobe and tegmen. 45) Male claspers. 46) Antennomere IV.

Figures 47-49. Laemophloeus spp., heads, ventral view. sexarticulatus.