Nanoclerus OPITZ, 2019

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 : 1006

Nanoclerus OPITZ nov.gen.

Type species: Nanoclerus fuscus OPITZ. By present designation.

D i a g n o s i s: The reddish/brown elytral disc and its small size, less than 3.0 mm, will distinguish the members of this species within Peloniinae .

Synapotypic characteristics: Tibial spur formula 0-2-0.

D e s c r i p t i o n: Size: Length 2.8 mm; width 1.0 mm. Form: Oblong rectangular, body deep, about 3 times longer than broad. Vestiture: Dorsum profusely vested with short pubescence; antennal funicle moderately setose, capitulum profusely vested with microsensilla; elytra abundantly vested with short pale setae, all setae emerge from small punctures. Head: Cranium subquadrate, frons as wide as eye, profusely indented with small setiferous punctures; gula large, trapezoidal, sutures converge, gula with two welldeveloped setose post-gular processes; labrum shallow, broadly incised distally; mandible, body stout, anterior dens subacuminate, medial and posterior dens moderately developed, penicillus well developed; maxilla, terminal palpomere subsecuriform; labium, terminal palpomere subsecuriform; eyes large, coarsely facetted, ocular notch small; antenna capitate, comprised of 10 antennomeres. Thorax: Pronotum transverse, dorsolateral carina extends to pronotal anterior margin, posteriorly carina extends to pronotal posterior angles where confluent with pronotal hem, disc convex and coarsely punctated, side margins with shallow tubercle; prointercoxal process linear; pronotal projections acuminate, not close to prointercoxal process; elytral asetiferous punctures large, striate, epipleural fold prominent, narrowly extended to elytral apex, elytral anterior margin not carinate; legs, prothoracic femora not swollen; tibial spur formula 0- 2-0, tarsal pulvillar formula 3-3-3, unguis without basal denticle. Abdomen: Pygidium scutiform.

D i s t r i b u t i o n: Known from Bolivia.

E t y m o l o g y: The name Nanoclerus stems from the Latin nanus (= dwarf) and the checkered beetle genus name Clerus. The gender is masculine.