Aphelocerus, Kirsch, 1871

Opitz, Weston, 2019, Descriptions of new genera and new species of Western Hemisphere checkered beetles (Coleoptera, Cleroidea, Cleridae), Linzer biologische Beiträge 51 (2), pp. 959-1076 : 964

Aphelocerus nodus OPITZ nov.sp. ( Figs 1 , 181, 204 , 265 )

Holotype: ♂. Type locality: Stann Creek Dist. Belize, Middlesex Village , 186 m, TREES Field Station, 37 km W of Dangriga. A second label reads: 19 May-6 June 2016, L. G. Bezark, collector, malaise trap, N17.05218 W088.56543 ( FSCA).

D i a g n o s i s: The genus Aphelocerus KIRSCH was revised in 2005 (OPITZ 2005). This work included a key to species. Aphelocerus nodus specimens key out to A. formicoides OPITZ from which A. nodus specimens differ by showing a more oblong pronotum and broader phallobasic lobes.

D e s c r i p t i o n: Size: Length 4.5 mm; width 2.3 mm. Form: As in Fig. 265 . Color: Black; row of white setae on metepisternum. Head: Genae and epicranium extended; gena wrinkled behind eyes; interocular depression and frontal umbo shallow; antenna ( Fig. 1 ) capitate, funicular antennomeres filiform, progressively shorter and wider towards capitulum, capitulum not compact; eyes finely facetted, eye narrower than frons (EW/FW 18/40). Thorax: Pronotum ( Fig. 181 ) sub-globose, very finely punctate; (PW/PL 75/95); elytra short and boldly convex, with shallow longitudinal carina behind basal tumescence, disc with striae of very small setiferous punctures (EL/EW 165/70). Abdomen: Pygidium transverse / scutiform; aedeagus as in Fig. 204.

N a t u r a l H i s t o r y: The available specimen was collected during a period between May and June, at 186 m.

D i s t r i b u t i o n: ThisspeciesisknownfromBelize.

E t y m o l o g y: The trivial name, nodus, is a Latin adjective meaning "swelling"; with reference to the tumescence at the base of the elytra.

Figures

Figs 1-27: Antennae; (1) Aphelocerus nodus; (2) A. copanus; (3) A. magnipannus; (4) A. yoro; (5) A. sparicapillus; (6) A. tigra. (7) A. nolus; (8) A. ligulus; (9) Perilypus schusteri; (10) P. apunctus; (11) P. virgulatus; (12) P. izabal; (13) P. alpinus; (14) Cregya fuscomacula; (15) Phonius versus; (16) Pujoliclerus ariquemes; (17) Pelonium falcatum; (18) Pujoliclerus cnecostus; (19) P. trunculus. (20) P. sentus; (21) P. testudinatus; (22) P. catie; (23) P. flavidus; (24) P. convexus; (25) P. meloinus; (26) P. mexicoensis; (27) P. tuxtlas.

Figs 201-206: Aedeagi; (201) Aphelocerus copanus; (202) A. ligulus; (203) A. magnipannus; (204) A. nodus; (205) A. nolus; (206) A. sparicapillus.

Figs 262-265: Habitus; (262) Aphelocerus copanus; (263) A. ligulus; (264) A. magnipannus; (265) A. nodus.

Figs 179-193: Pronota; 179) Phonius versus; (180) Perilypus arsus; (181) A. nodus; (182) Pyticara frontegalba; (183) Pelonium implacide; (184) Neorthoplera quintana; (185) Perilypus virgulatus; (186) P. alpinus; (187) Amboakis expandosa; (188) Ampleris jatai; (189) Megaphloeus jasuni; (190) Amboakis bermejo (191) Madoniella delta; (192) Megaphloeus imparilus; (193) Pyticeroides brevitubulus.