Laccophilus Leach, 1817

Megna, Yoandri S., Deler-Hernández, Albert & Challet, Gilbert L., 2011, Description Of A New Species Of Laccophilus Leach (Coleoptera: Dytiscidae), With Notes On Other Cuban Species, The Coleopterists Bulletin 65 (3), pp. 213-226 : 214-216

Laccophilus Leach, 1817

Diagnosis. Adults of Laccophilus are characterized by: moderate size, SBL= 3.16–8.56 mm,

EW= 1.41–4.14 mm ( Table 2); scutellum covered in dorsal aspect; prosternum and prosternal process in the some plane in lateral aspect; pro- and mesotarsi pentamerous; metatibial spurs bifid apically; metatarsomeres with apical margin strongly lobed; metasternum with a V-shaped impression to receive the prosternal process; and abdomen with oblique strioles.

Description. Shape: Oval; broadest near base of elytra; lateral outline continuous in dorsal aspect; slightly attenuated posteriorly. Color: Variable, dorsal surface largely irrorate, yellow or brown, with fasciae black, testaceous, or yellow; ventral surface yellow and piceous to black. Body generally smooth, abdomen with numerous oblique striae. Head: HL= 0.42–1.14 mm; HW= 0.86– 2.00 mm. Eyes with anterior margin emarginate above base of antenna. Antenna elongate and slender with 11 antennomeres subequal in length. Clypeus with anterior marginal bead broken medially to more or less complete. Labrum subrectangular; anterior margin strongly emarginate medially with numerous setae. Thorax: Pronotum. PL= 0.42– 1.14 mm; PW= 1.42–3.00 mm; with hind margin lobed medially; maximum width at level of posterior margin; posterolateral angle rectangular or obtuse; without lateral bead; scutellum covered ( Fig. 1 ). Prosternum and its process on same plane in lateral view; prosternal process carinate medially and lanceolate apically. Metasternum with a V-shaped impression to receive prosternal process. Metasternal wings arched and strongly acute laterally. Elytron. EL= 2.00– 6.28 mm, without defined crest on the epipleuron, with setae along lateral margin of the posterior half. Legs. Pro- and mesotarsus pentamerous; metathoracic legs broad; metacoxae with hind margin straight or slightly emarginate and with lines diverging posteriorly onto metacoxal lobes; hind margin of pro- and mesofemur with elongate setae along inner margin; metatibia with posterior margin glabrous, lacking natatorial setae in both sexes; metatibial spurs bifid apically; metatarsomeres broad, each with posteroapical angle strongly lobed, with two or three large spines, with dorsal and ventral

Variable Description

Head length (HL) Measured along the midline from the anterior clypeal margin to the anterior pronotal margin

Pronotal length (PL) Measured along the midline from the anterior margin to the posterior margin

Elytral length (EL) Measured along the midline from the anterior margin to the apex

Elytral width (EW) Measured at greatest transverse width across both elytra

Pronotal width (PW) Measured at level of posterior margin

Head width (HW) Measured near posterior margin

Distance between eyes (DBE) Minimum distance between eyes

Total length (TL) The sum of three measurements: HL + PL + EL

2) L. bifasciatus ; 3) L. gentilis suavis ; 4) L. proximus ; 5) L. vacaensis vacaensis ; 6) L. venustus .

setal fringes in both sexes and with a single metatarsal claw. Abdomen: Last segment rounded, truncate, or notched. Parameres asymmetrical ( Figs. 7D, E ), the right smaller and more strongly sclerotized than the left; aedeagus at least twice as long as the parameres. Ovipositor strongly sclerotized, toothed ventrally, rake-like or saw-like.

Sexual Dimorphism. Males have pro- and mesotarsomeres 1–3 moderately enlarged, with various rows of adhesive suckers or setae. Also, males of some species have metacoxal files. The metatarsal claw of males is shorter and broader than in females.

Figures

Figs. 1–6. Subschematic body shape and color patterns of Laccophilus species from Cuba. 1) L. alariei;

Fig. 7. Female and male genitalia of Laccophilus alariei. Medial lobe of aedeagus in A) Right lateral view, B) Ventral view, C) Left lateral view, D–E) Right and left parameres in lateral view, F) Oval plate, G) Ovipositor, lateral view.