Agra Fabricius, 1801

Erwin, Terry L., 2010, Agra, arboreal beetles of Neotropical forests: pusilla group and piranha group systematics and notes on their ways of life (Coleoptera, Carabidae, Lebiini, Agrina), ZooKeys 66, pp. 1-28 : 3

Genus Agra Fabricius, 1801

Agra Fabricius, 1801:224. Type-species: Agra aenea Fabricius 1801:224, named first among three species described by Fabricius. Designated by Erwin (1982a). Agridia Chaudoir, 1861:109. Type-species: Agridia platyscelis Chaudoir (1861: 109), named first among two species described by Chaudoir. Designated by Erwin (1982a).

Diagnostic combination.

Elegant Canopy Beetles

During evolution toward a canopy domain and away from a likely under canopy sister group, Agra adults acquired numerous generic-level autapotypic features as follows: head elongate with prognathate mandibles, securiform labial ultimate palpomeres ( Erwin 1982a), extended cranium, and constricted neck; prothorax elongate and tubular, plural sutures effaced; tarsomeres ( Erwin 1982a) dilated with setiferous pads beneath, claws explanate and pectinate; elytron with latero-basal sinus and latero-apical callus, apex medially and laterally toothed or somewhat produced, apical margin truncate, sinuate, or medially lobed; and male venter variously adorned with setal or pubescent patches; female reproductive system adapted to egg-laying deep in substrate (telescopic) ( Erwin 2002) with (usually) stout, apically-armed with ensiform setae, stylomere 2. Defense system very large ( Erwin 1982). Size. ABL=6.0mm to 29.0mm; TW=1.5mm to 6.0mm.

Note.

For descriptions of species groups previously recognized, refer to ( Erwin (1996, 1998, 2002).