Termitodius Wasmann 1894: 220

Skelley, Paul E., 2007, Generic limits of the Rhyparini with respect to the genus Termitodius Wasmann, 1894 (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae: Aphodiinae), Insecta Mundi 2007 (9), pp. 1-9 : 7-8

Termitodius Wasmann 1894: 220

Type species. Termitodius coronatus Wasmann 1894 , by monotypy.

Diagnosis. Length approximately 3.5-4.0 mm. Body of typical rhyparine appearance with strong dorsal carinae and elytron with an apical bulb and trichomes. Head with clypeus abruptly inflexed medially, submarginal lines and bead present, angulate medial tooth evident in ventral view only when head extended. Pronotum dorsally robust, usually distinctly lobed, lateral margin flared anteriorly; dorsal carinae of variable development, each carina broadened with bulbous at anterior margin ( Fig. 7 ), carina simply broadened posteriorly, discolateral carina reduced on posterior 2/3. Metafemur long, slender, cylindrical, not notably widened apically. Meso- and metatibia elongate, circular in cross section, not flattened nor dilated toward apex. Mesotibia ( Termitodius - type) apically truncate, complete terminal fringe of setae, apical spine small and perpendicular to tibial axis, second subapical spine on inner margin separated from apex by shallow notch, prominent in male ( Fig. 4 ), weakly developed in female. Elytron elongate, approximately 3 times longer than wide; not distinctly parallel-sided, evenly rounded to terminal bulb.

Distribution. Known only from Mexico and northern South America.

Comments. This genus shares the Termitodius - type mesotibia only with Aschnarhyparus . They are readily distinguished based on differences in pronotal carinae (swollen anteriorly in Termitodius ; not swollen in Aschnarhyparus ), and in metatibial shape (elongate, cylindrical and not apically widened in Termitodius ; shorter, flattened and distinctly widening to apex in Aschnarhyparus ).

Figures

Figure 5-7. Representative habitus images. 5) Aschnarhyparus peregrinus (Hinton), female from Costa Rica, length = 3.5 mm. 6) Termitodiellus luzonensis (Howden), male from Luzon, length = 3.2 mm. 7) Termitodius araujoi Reyes- Castillo and Martinez, male from Mexico, length = 3.8 mm.

Figure 1-4. Tibial types. 1) Rhyparus-type mesotibia, male Rhyparus mexicanus Cartwright and Woodruff. 2) Termitodiellus-type mesotibia, male Termitodiellus luzonensis (Howden). 3) Termitodius-type mesotibia, male Aschnarhyparus peregrinus (Hinton). 4) Termitodius-type mesotibia, male Termitodius araujoi Reyes-Castillo and Martinez. Line = 0.5 mm.