Heterochele Viswajyothi & Clark, 2021

Viswajyothi, Keezhpattillam & Clark, Shawn M., 2022, New World genera of Galerucinae Latreille, 1802 (tribes Galerucini Latreille, 1802, Metacyclini Chapuis, 1875, and Luperini Gistel, 1848): an annotated list and identification key (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae), European Journal of Taxonomy 842, pp. 1-102 : 24

Genus Heterochele Viswajyothi & Clark, 2021

Heterochele Viswajyothi & Clark, 2021a: 3105 (type species Heterochele actias Viswajyothi & Clark, 2021, by original designation).

Remarks

This genus contains two described species, occurring in Costa Rica and Panama. It is tentatively placed in the section Phyllecthrites, because the preapical, ventral portion of the male middle tibia is concave. However, the concavity is slight and not forming a deep notch as in most other genera of Phyllecthrites. The setae along the lateral margin of the pronotum (easily abraded) are suggestive of a relationship with Acalymma (section Diabroticites). The deep incision at the apex of the male abdomen and the tarsal claws (bifid in males, appendiculate in females) are both remarkable, as well as somewhat confusing with regards to classification. See Fig. 89 for a habitus illustration.

Figures

Figs 82–90. Dorsal views. 82. Gynandrobrotica ventricosa (Jacoby, 1878). 83. Buckibrotica cinctipennis (Baly, 1886). 84. Isotes delicula (Erichson, 1847). 85. Isotes dilatata (Jacoby, 1887). 86. Isotes gemmula (Jacoby, 1887). 87. Isotes multipunctata (Jacoby, 1878). 88. Isotes sexpunctata (Jacoby, 1878). 89. Heterochele actias Viswajyothi & Clark, 2021. 90. Prathapanius fortis Viswajyothi & Clark, 2020.