Propalaus, Casari, 2008

Casari, Sônia A., 2008, Cladistic analysis of Hemirhipini with establishment of PROPALAUS gen. nov. (Coleoptera, Elateridae, agrypninae), Papéis Avulsos de Zoologia (São Paulo) 48 (16), pp. 139-180 : 164

Propalaus gen. nov.

( Figs. 32, 33 )

Type-species: Chalcolepidius haroldi Candèze, 1878 .

Pubescence scale-like, dorsally black or whitish with brown small spots and narrow stripes and white ventrally. Frons not carinate. Antennae pectinate or strongly serrate; 3rd antennomere transverse, prominent laterally. Pronotum with lateral margins straight; strongly convex longitudinal medially; anterior margin with two small tubercles or two small teeth near middle; hind angles divergent and not carinate. Prosternal spine compressed laterally with cuneiform apex. Notosternal sutures straight; prosternal channel present. Borders of mesosternal cavity horizontal and strongly declivous frontally. Scutellum strongly declivous with posterior margin notched. Anterior tibiae with small spines; tibial spurs absent. Free margin of metacoxal plate straight. Interstices alternate; apices of elytra conjointly rounded.

This genus includes two species: P. alicii (Pjatakowa, 1941) and P. haroldi (Candèze, 1878) .

– Integument black, median region of pronotum and interstices wine-red; pubescence black dorsally and white ventrally; anterior margin of pronotum forming two small tubercles near middle; mesosternal cavity U-shaped; meso-metasternal suture weak. Bolivia. ( Fig. 32 ) ................. P. alicii

– Integument black or reddish-brown; pubescence grayish- or yellowish-white; pronotum with two small rounded brown patches; higher interstices with sparser and brownish pubescence; anterior margin of pronotum forming two tubercles near middle; mesosternal cavity V-shaped; meso-metasternal suture well defined. Ecuador. ( Fig. 33 ).............................................. P. haroldi

Figures

FIGURES 31‑33: Habitus: 31, Chalcolepidius zonatus Eschscholtz, 1829; 32, Propalaus alicii (Pjatakowa, 1941); 33, Propalaus haroldi (Candèze, 1878). Length, respectively: 31, 25 and 26 mm.