Haroldiataenius, Chalumeau, 1981

Stebnicka, Z. Teresa & Skelley, Paul E., 2009, A revision of the genus Haroldiataenius Chalumeau (Scarabaeidae: Aphodiinae: Eupariini), Insecta Mundi 2009 (62), pp. 1-16 : 2

Genus HAROLDIATAENIUS Chalumeau

Haroldiataenius Chalumeau 1981: 137 . Type species Ataenius mariarum Bates, 1887 , by original designation. – Dellacasa 1988: 339 (catalogue).

Sayloria Chalumeau 1981: 138 [as subgenus of Haroldiataenius ]. Type species Ataenius hintoni Saylor, 1933 , by original designation. New synonymy.

Aphotaenius: Chalumeau 1983: 1-3 (captions to fig. 1-6 erroneously labeled as Aphotaenius ).

Diagnosis. Body robust, psammodiiform, oval to weakly elongate, strongly convex, length 3.0-5.0 mm. Clypeal anterior face widely deplanate within median emargination, clypeal surface transversely rugulose or smooth; anterior clypeal margin evenly rounded or dentate either side of emargination. Elytra ovoid, strongly convex; margins fringed with fine setae, often short, occasionally indistinct; humerus with carina between 7th elytral interval and epipleural angle, shoulders slightly flattened. Abdominal sternites finely fluted along sutures; lateral sternites 4-5 and disc of pygidium with row of blunted setae. Mesotibia greatly widened at apex; apical margin usually with strong lateral accessory spine, with weak or without median accessory spine. Metatibia more or less dilated apically, median or lateral accessory spine present or absent; tarsi shorter than tibiae. External sexual dimorphism difficult to recognize, usually disc of pygidium in male longer than in female. Male genitalia small, lightly sclerotized.

Remarks. Some members of Haroldiataenius are associated with leaf-cutter ants ( Atta spp.) ( Stebnicka 2007) and possibly other ants. Other members may be detritivores in sandy soils, which may opportunistically use detritus around ant nests.

Distribution. Southern USA, Mexico, Guatemala, Honduras, Panama.