Eleodes connatus Solier, 1848

Thomas, Donald B., 2015, Chaseleodes Thomas: A New Subgenus of Eleodes Eschscholtz (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae) from the Central Plateau of Mexico, The Coleopterists Bulletin (mo 14) 69, pp. 122-126 : 123

Eleodes connatus Solier, 1848

( Figs. 3 , 6, 7 )

Eleodes connata Solier, 1848 . Baudi et Truqui Studi Entomologie 2: 237.

Eleodes (Melaneleodes) connata: Gebien, 1938 . Katalog der Tenebrioniden Pt. 2, p. 53.

Diagnosis. Shiny black, elongate, dorsally flattened; pronotum slightly narrower than elytron. Head trapezoidal, outline of clypeal margin concave from dorsal view, surface densely, shallowly punctate. Terminal three antennomeres globular, abruptly wider than preceding eight antennomeres. Mentum simple, roundly rectangular in outline; surface shallowly bilaterally excavate. Pronotum flat dorsally, widest in anterior half, lateral margins sinuate, anterior margin arcuately concave, posterior margin straight, posterior corners right-angled; surface evenly, finely punctate. Prosternum subhorizontal, roundly angulate apically. Elytron flattened dorsally, surface distinctly punctate, punctations arranged in series. Humeri embracing overlapping posterior pronotum, sides of elytron deflexed more than 90°; truncate posteriorly, the caudal portion essentially vertical. Fold of elytral dorsum at deflection rounded. Epipleuron broad basally, evenly narrowing to apex. Profemur unarmed in both genders. Plantar groove of basal protarsomere bare of spines or setae. Spurs at apex of protibiae stout in females, long and slender in males, the ental spur longer. Length 9–12 mm, width 4–6 mm.

Types. Deposited in Museum National d’ Histoire Naturelle (Paris, France): four males, two females, all labeled “ type ” under “ E. connata Solier ” (notes provided to the author by C. A. Triplehorn) .

Distribution. Mexican states of Estado de México, Michoacán, Tlaxcala, Veracruz, Chihuahua, Durango, Puebla, Morelos, and Distrito Federal ( Fig. 8 ).

Remarks. Pierre (1975) reported finding them at the edge of montane forests and on cultivated ground on volcanic slopes.

Figures

Figs. 2–3. Eleodes (Chaseleodes) species, lateral views showing elytral fold. 2) E. curtus; 3) E. connatus.

Figs. 4–7. Eleodes (Chaseleodes) species, dorsal view. 4) E. curtus ♂; 5) E. curtus ♀; 6) E. connatus ♂;

Fig. 8. Known distribution of Eleodes (Chaseleodes) species.