Tibipectinus, Tshernyshev, 2020, Tshernyshev, 2020

Tshernyshev, S. E., 2021, A new species of soft-winged flower beetle of the genus Tibipectinus Tshernyshev, 2020 (Coleoptera: Malachiidae: Apalochrini) from South Africa, Russian Entomological Journal 30 (1), pp. 74-77 : 77

KEY TO THE SPECIES OF THE GENUS TIBIPECTINUS OF AFRICA (males only)

1. Upperside black, pronotum with a weak metallic lustre. Legs yellow excepting brown external sides of posterior femora, antennae yellow with brown apical spots in 9th and 10th antennomeres; intermediate tibiae with protruding triangular edge above, thinly narrowed distally, and biappendiculate appendage, which is longer than the distal side of the tibia in front .......... T. claripes ( Evers, 1990)

— Upperside of head, pronotum and elytra blue or green with metallic lustre ............................................................... 2

2. Upperside of head, pronotum and elytra with green, green-blue or green-bronze metallic lustre ................. 3

— Upperside of head, pronotum and elytra with deep blue or violet-blue metallic lustre ............................................ 5

3. Thin appendage in outer distal side of the intermediate segment parallel to tibia, distal side of tibia straight, not hollowed between appendage and inner lobe ............. 4

— Thin appendage in outer distal side of the intermediate segment perpendicular to tibia, strongly curve inwardly at apex, distal side of tibia strongly hollowed between appendage and inner lobe; basal four antennomeres dorsally, anterior tibiae (except at the base and apex) and the intermediate femora at the base yellow .......................... ......................................... T. fissipes ( Champion, 1920)

4. 1st to 5th antennomeres, palpi, intermediate femora yellow at the base beneath, remaining parts dark brown; antennae strongly dilated, anterior tibiae with wide dilated plate above .......... T. dilaticornis ( Champion, 1920)

— 1st to 6th antennomeres, palpi, all tibiae and femora in anterior and intermediate legs yellow, remaining parts black; antennae weakly dilated, anterior tibiae with narrow dilated plate .............. T. testaceicornis ( Pic, 1914)

5. Antennae yellow, anterior tibiae yellow-brown, remaining parts of all legs dark brown; intermediate tibiae with thin dilated distally appendage, inner side of the tibia in front of the appendage not impressed ............................ ............................................ T. appendicifer ( Pic, 1904)

— Basal antennomeres yellow in part, remaining black ... 6

6. 1st to 4th in part and base of 5th antennomeres yellow; anterior tibiae and intermediate femora yellow except brown apical part, remaining parts of all legs dark brown; intermediate tibiae stout and wide, with thin dilated distally appendage, inner side of the tibia in front of the appendage strongly impressed ........................................ ....................... T. caeruleoviolaceus Tshernyshev 2020

— 1st to 3rd in part and base of 4th antennomeres yellow; anterior tibiae at base and femora at apical part brown beneath, basal 2/3 of intermediate femora yellow, remaining part black; intermediate tibiae stout, but not wide, with thin slightly dilated distally appendage, inner side of the tibia in front of the appendage slightly impressed ......... ..................................... T. seawardi Tshernyshev , sp.n.