Diochus perplexus CAMERON, 1922

Irmler, Ulrich, 2017, A review of the Neotropical genus Diochus ERICHSON, 1840 (Coleoptera: Staphylinidae: Staphylininae), Beiträge Zur Entomologie = Contributions to Entomology 67 (1), pp. 1-62 : 41-55

Diochus perplexus CAMERON, 1922

Figs 34A–C , 40G , 45B

Diochus perplexus CAMERON, 1922: 116

Type material examined: Syntypes: Grenada: Gay East. (Leeward side) W.I., female, leg. H.H. Smith , # 248; St. George’s (Leeward side) W.I., female, leg. H.H. Smith , #166.

Further material examined: Barbados: Turner Hall Wds., palm litter, rotted palm leaves, dung trap, 1 male, 1 female, 21.2.1979, leg. S. Peck ( FMNH) ; Cuba: Havanna, 2 males, 2 females, leg. A. Bierig ( NMW) ;

Grenada: Chantilly East, ( Windward side), leg. H.H. Smith ( IRSNB) ; without further data, 3 females, leg. Thaxter ( FMNH) ; Guadeloupe: Buillante, Bois Malher, bridge ov. R. Margurite (61°45.13'W, 16°10.22'N), leaf litter, 50 m elevation, 2 males, 11.5.2015, leg. J.-M. Lemaire ( UIC) ; without further data, 3 females, leg. Plason ( FMNH) ; Dominican Republic: Prov. Duarte, 7.5 mi NE San Francisco de Macoris, Loma de Quita Espucia , 800 ft elev., litter near stream, 3 males, 3 females, 24.7.1991, leg. L. Herman, #2599 (4 AMNH, 2 UIC) ; Prov. La Vega, 7.4 km W Bonao, road to Constanza , leaf litter near stream, 2 males, 7 females 5.8.1991, leg. L. Herman, #2597 (7 AMNH, 2 UIC) ; Jarraboca, nr. Hotel Cabana Pinar Dorado, leaf litter under Mango tree, 1800 ft. elev., 2 males, 4 females, 31.5.1983, leg. G. Mazurek & D. Matusik ( FMNH) ; Barrahona , nr. ocean, coconut husks, female, 28.5.1983, leg. G. Mazurek & D. Matusik ( FMNH) ; Puerto Rico: San Juan, without more details ( AMNH) ; British Virgin Islands: Guana (18°28'N, 64°33'W), Tamarind litter & grass leaf cuttings debris, 1 male, 4 females, 15.– 20.10. 1995, leg. L. Herman (4 AMNH, 1 UIC)) ; Trinidad: Balandra Bay , 2 males, 3 females, 4. & 5.1922, leg. F. Psota ( FMNH) ; without further data, 1 male, 3 females, leg. Thaxter (3 FMNH, 1 AMNH) ; without further data, 2 males, #2849/50 ( FMNH) ; Guatemala: Zacapa, 7.6 km W Teculután , 330 m elevation, along stream in leaf packs, 4 males, 2 females, 2.6.1993, leg. J. Ashe, R. Brooks, #93-108 (4 KNHM, 2 UIC) ; Honduras: Atlantida Lancetilla Bot. Grd., Tela (15°46'N, 87°27'W), 10 m elev., male, 23.6.1994, leg. J. Ashe, R. Brooks #198 ( KNHM) ; Nicaragua: Dept. San Ramon (12°53.50'N, 85°50.22'W), 450 m elev., stream litter, 114 specimens, 22.12.2002, leg. L. Herman (106 AMNH, 8 UIC) ; Rio San Juan Dept., 60 km SE San Carlos, Refugio Bartola (10°58.4'N, 84°20.3'W), 100 m elev., pyrethrum fogging fungusy log, female, 26.5.2002, leg. R. Brooks, Z. Falin, S. Chatzimanolis #NIC1BFC02 074 ( KNHM) ; Costa Rica: Heredia, La Selva, Biol. Station, nr. Puerto Viejo de Sarapiqui , 2 females, 18.2.1985, leg. L. Herman #2113 ( AMNH) ; San José, 4 km E San Mateo , 500 ft elev., litter, 1 male, 2 females, 10.2.1985 and 27 specimens 16.2.1985, leg. L. Herman #2103, #2106 (27 AMNH, 3 UIC) ; Guancaste Prov. Nicoya Peninsula, PN Diria, Area de Conservacion Tempisque (85°35.44'W, 10°09.43'N), 135 m elevation, river bank and old car track, 9 males, 1 female, 15.12.2013, leg. M. Schülke (7 MSC, 3 UIC) ; NE Boca Tapada, Laguna de Lagarto Lodge (84°10.51'W, 10°41.10'N), 46 m elevation, compost heap, sifted, male, 11.12.2012, leg. M. Schülke ( UIC) ; PN Rincón de la Vieja, circle path (85°20.48'W, 10°46.31'N), litter near creek, sifted, male, 5.12.2012, leg. M. Schülke ( UIC) ; Guanacaste, Lomas Babudal Biological Reserve (85°2215'W, 10°3022'N), 17 m elevation, fogging fungus covered log, 1 male, 2 females, 15.7.2000 leg. J. Ashe, R. Books, Z. Falin, #CR1ABF00 136 ( KNHM) ; Volcan Rincon de la Vieja , S. slope, leaf litter, 2800 ft. elv., 2 females, 29.6.1993, leg. J. Doyen & M. Caterino ( FMNH) ; Heredia, 3 km S Puerto Viejo , OTS La Selva, 100 m elevation, 7 females Oct.1992, leg. P. Hanson (6 KNHM, 1 UIC) ; Cartago, P.N. Tapanti (83°47.5'W, 9°45.41'N), 1150 m elevation, fogging fungus covered log, 2 males, 18.7.2000, J. Ashe, R. Brooks, Z. Falin, #CR1ABF00 166 ( KNHM) ; Puntarenas, Osa Penisnula, Fundación Neotrop. , 10 km W Rincon (83°25'W, 8°45.3'N), 20 m elevation, berlese forest litter, 1 female, 23.6.1997, 1 female (83°31.3'W, 8°42.3'N), 22.6.1997, 1 female, 23.6.2001, leg. R. Anderson, CR1A97 033C, CR1A97 027G, CR1A01 118 ( KNHM) ; Puntarenas, Rincon, 17 km NE, Cerro Helado , 250 m elevation, collected by flight intercept trap, 1 male, 21.– 25.6.1997, leg. S. & J. Peck, #CR1P97 026 ( KNHM) ; Puntarenas Prov., W Rincon, nr. Fundacion Neotropica , 4 males, 10 females, 25.3.1991, leg. L. Herman (12 AMNH,

paramere (B) and antenna (C); scale bar: A, B: 0.1 mm, C: 0.2 mm.

2 UIC); Puntarenas , Las Cruces Botanical Garden near San Vito , 3500 ft elev., female, 2.1985, leg. L. Herman, #2133 ( AMNH); Puntarenas , OSA Peninsula, 5 km W Rincon de Osa (83°31'W, 8°42'N) , 50 m elev., Berlese, under bark lean in stream bed, forest covered, or mixed floor litter in shade streambed, primary forest, 1 male, 2 females, 24.– 30.3.1973, leg. J. Wagner & J. Kethley ( FMNH); OTS St. , Finca Las Cruces, San Vito (82°58'W, 8°46') , 4000 ft. elev., Berlese, under bark & rot, log galleries, or epiphytic humus, old saw mill site, 2 males, 1 female, 19.3.1973, leg. J. Wagner & J. Kethley ( FMNH); Guanacaste , Cañas , Finca la Pacifica, NW Cañas, spring next to Rio Corobici (85°8'W, 10°27'N) , moss, grass roots, leaves, 80 m elev., 3 females, 7.4.1973, leg. J. Wagner & J. Kethley ( FMNH); Comelco , Palo Verde, OTS 9 km W Bagaces (85°18'W, 10°32'N) , 40 m elev., Berlese, leaf mold + sticks on coarse sand in shade below falls, 4 males, 10 females, 9.4.1973, leg. J. Wagner & J. Kethley (12 FMNH, 2 UIC); Canas , Miravalles Volcano (85°7'W, 10°42'N) , Berlese , bark mixed log mold, 1 male, 2 females , 8.4.1973, leg. J. Wagner & J. Kethley ( FMNH); Limon , Reventazon, Hamburg Farm, sifted, swamp litter, 1 male, 4 females , 7.8.1933, leg. F. Nevermann ( FMNH); Heredia , Puerto Viejo de Sarapiqui, OTS La Selva Field Sta., Rio Puerto Viejo (83°59'W, 10°26'N) , Berlese, bromeliad root fibres, cups, axils, female, 5.– 11.3.1973, leg. J. Wagner & J. Kethley ( FMNH); San Mateo , 500 m elev., 2 females, 28.2.1939, leg. A. Bierig ( FMNH); San Pablo de Tbrs ., 400 m elev. 4 females, 14.– 15.4.1939, leg. A. Bierig ( FMNH); Desmonte , 500 m elev., 1 male, 1 female, 28.2.– 1.3.1939, leg. A. Bierig ( FMNH); Caldera , 3 females , 13.11.1943, leg. A. Bierig ( FMNH); Esparta , 2 males, 4 females , 24.1.1943, leg. A. Bierig ( FMNH); Atenas , 2 females , 18.4.1940, leg. A. Bierig ( FMNH); Chitaria , Alto del Carrizal, female, 9 .– 13.4.1941, leg. A. Bierig ( FMNH); Sardinal , female , 23.2.1941, leg. A. Bierig ( FMNH); Panama: Colon, Parque Nac. Soberania , Pipeline Rd. (79°45'W, 9°07'N) , tree leaf litter, 1 male, 26.5.1995; leg. J.A. Ashe, #065 ( KNHM); Cerro Campana , near Capira (79°57'W, 8°44'N) , 900 m elevation, male, 5.6.1995, leg. R. Anderson, #PAN2A95 02B ( KNHM); Chiriqui, 20 km N Gualaca, Finca La Suiza (8°39.0'N, 82°12.0'W) , 1250 m elevation, berlese forest litter, female, 10.6.1995, leg. R. Anderson #PAN2A95 15D ( KNHM) ; same location and date, but 1200 m elevation, oak forest litter 2 females, #PAN2A 95 16E /16D ( KNHM) ; same location, but fungusy log, 1350 m elev., female, 22.5.1995, leg. J. Ashe #036 ( KNHM); Chiriqui Prov. near Finca Cordillera Mach de Monte (8°41.07'N, 82°36.23'W) ,

formis (28), D. argentinae (29); aedeagus (A), paramere (B) and antenna (C); scale bar: A, B: 0.1 mm, C: 0.2 mm.

990 m elev., litter near stream, 3 males, 4 females, 21.5.2001, leg. L. Herman & W. Opitz (5 AMNH, 2 UIC); Dolega , 550 m elev., litter near stream, female, 22.5.2001, leg. L. Herman & W. Opitz ( AMNH); Boquete , coffee tree litter, female, 2.10.1975 , leg. D.S. Chandler ( FMNH); Cuernavaca , camp W of Laguna on Cerro Arriera, fibrous core, dead century plant , 850 m elev., male, 25.1.1981, leg. W. Suter ( FMNH); 2 km S Cuernavaca camp, Rincon Vly ., 750 m elev., damp litter on semi cleared hillside, between rock & log, female, 16.1.1981, leg. W. Suter ( FMNH); Escopeta (N), along Rio Escopeta , 860 m elev., litter under banana, 1 male, 1 female, 9.1.1981, leg. W. Suter ( FMNH); Cerro Colorado , 1290 m elev., grassy ecotonal debris, female, 10.1.1981, leg. W. Suter ( FMNH); same location, but under bamboo , 1220 m elev. female, 7.1.1981, leg. W. Suter ( FMNH); Coclé, 7.2 km NE El Copé (8°37'N, 80°35'W) , 730 m elevation, flight intercept trap, female, 20.5.– 7.6.1995, leg. J. Ashe, R. Brooks ( KNHM); Qda. Laguna, nr. Rio San Felix , 725 m elev., litter on sand. pocket S. bank, 5 males, 9 females, 19.1.1981, leg. W. Suter (12 FMNH, 2 UIC); Darién, Cana Biological Station (77°41.6'W, 7°45.18'N) , 530 m elevation, collected by flight intercept trap, 2 females, 7.–9.Jun.1996, leg. J. Ashe & R. Brooks, #PAN1AB96 113 ( KNHM); Panama Prov. 1 km NE San Carlos (8°29.30'N, 79°57.30'W) , 60 m elev., litter near stream, 4 males, 8 females, 15.5.2001, leg. L. Herman & W. Opitz (10 AMNH, 2 UIC); Campana (8°42.52'N, 79°54.02'W) , 190 m elev., litter near stream, 1 male, 2 females, 24.1.2001, leg. L. Herman & W. Opitz ( AMNH); Campana (8°42.54’N, 79°54.02'W) , 200 m elev., litter near stream, 12 females, 31.12.2001, leg. L. Herman ( AMNH); Canal Zone, Albrook Forest Site , 100 ft. elev., on ground, 2 females, 20.1.1968, leg. R. Hutton ( AMNH); same location, but collected with ground black light trap , 2 males, 3 female, 30.– 31.1.1968, and 28.– 29.3.1968, leg. R.S. Hutton ( AMNH); Barro Colorado Is. , female, 11.1952 –3.1953 , leg. J. Zatek ( AMNH); road to Cerro Campana (8°41'N, 82°55.12'W) , 730 m elev., litter near stream, 1 male, 4 females, 22.12.2001, leg. L. Herman ( AMNH); road to Cerro Campana (8°41.03'N, 79°55.10'W) , 740 m elev., litter near stream, 4 males, 5 females, 2.1.2002, leg. L. Herman (7 AMNH, 2 UIC); same data, but (8°41.20'N, 79°54.50'W) , 645 m elev., litter nr. seep, and 280 m elev., litter near stream, 13 males, 38 females, 1.1.2002, leg. L. Herman (45 AMNH, 6 UIC); Cerro Campana , wet debris, of small forest stream , 3200 ft. elev., 1 male, 4 females, 23.2.1976, leg. A. Newton ( FMNH); same location, Berlese , cloud forest leaf litter, 14./ 23.2.1976 , leg. A. Newton ( FMNH); Cerro Campana , 2400 ft. elev., leaves in stream-bed, sifted, female, 17.2.1959, H.S. Dybas ( FMNH); Veraguas Prov., Paris (80°53.2'W, 8°11.2'N) , coastal swamp, sifted, 1 male, 6 females, 1.8.2014, leg. Struyve (5 TSC, 2 UIC); Cerro Azul , wet debris small forest stream , 200 ft. elev., 10 males, 8 females, 21.2.1976, leg. A. Newton (17 FMNH, 1 UIC); Canal Zone , Barro Colorado Is., litter under old tree and vine fall , 4 males, 3 females, 27.2.1976, leg. A. Newton ( FMNH); same location, but litter under fungusy logs, male, 4.2.1976 , leg. A. Newton ( FMNH); same location, litter under rotting log, female, 13.2.1976 , leg. A. Newton ( FMNH); same location, but litter under rotting logs, female, 6.2.1976 , leg. A. Newton ( FMNH); same location, but Fairchild Trail , bark & under bark debris, female, 28.1.1959 , leg. H.S. Dybas ( FMNH); same location, but dead palm debris, female, 28.1.1959 , leg. H.S. Dybas ( FMNH); nr. Arraijan , leaves in streambed & flight, late afternoon , 1 male, 3 females, 11.2.1959, leg. H.S. Dybas ( FMNH); 12 mi. NW Gamboa, Rio Agua Salud , flood debris along rivers, male, 19.2.1976 , leg. A. Newton ( FMNH); Balboa, Cerro Ancon , leaf litter, sifted, female, 24.10.1975 , leg. D.S. Chandler ( FMNH); Panama Prov., Las Cumbres, forest litter, sifted or Berlese , old or young forest , 3 males, 2 females, 24.10.1975, leg. D.S. Chandler ( FMNH); Altos de Majé , under tree bark, sifted , 4 males, 4 females, 6/ 15.10.1975, leg. D.S. Chandler ( FMNH); Conita (W), at river flood plain, palm buttress with stump, female, 3.1.1981 , leg. W. Suter ( FMNH); El Liano (W), litter at log, female, 3.1.1981 , leg. W. Suter ( FMNH); Madden Lake, near dam, Berlese , damp pockets of leaves & debris in streambed , 5 males, 6 females, 15.2.1959, leg. H.S. Dybas (10 FMNH, 1 UIC); same location, grass and leaves, sifted, female, 15.2.1959 , leg. H.S. Dybas ( FMNH); same location, but Atta rubbish heap , 2 females, 7.2.1959, leg. H.S. Dybas ( FMNH); Bocas del Torro Prov., Almirante, Berlese , woodborer debris, in split of tree , 4 females, 22.3.1959, leg. H.S. Dybas ( FMNH); same location, dam on Nigua creek, Berlese , center of decayed palm log, 23.3.1959 , leg. H.S. Dybas ( FMNH); Panama Prov. France Field , 1 male, 3 females, 6.1939, leg. A. Bierig ( FMNH); Juan Diaz , 1 male, 1 female, 12.7.1930, leg. A. Bierig ( FMNH); Pueblo Nuevo , female, 6.1930 , leg. A. Bierig ( FMNH); Almirante, ( Edw. Maríu ), female, 4.1943 , leg. A. Bierig ( FMNH); Venezuela: Sucre Prov., Puy Puy (62°58.05'W, 10°42'N) , forest, female, 31.3.1998, leg. C. Schmidt ( UIC); Guarico Prov., Cantagallo (67°25.44'W, 9°47.52'N) , under stones, female, 13.3.1998, leg. C. Schmidt ( UIC); Aragua, Rancho Grande, Biological Station , 28 km N, km 48 (67°41'W, 10°28'N) , 120 m elevation, collected by flight intercept trap, 18 males, 2 females, 6.– 18.7.1994, leg. T. Phillips, #VEN 1P94 22 (16 KNHM, 4 UIC); same location and collecting method, but (67°41'W, 10°21'N) , 1100 m

antenna (B) and paramere (C); scale bar: A, B: 0.1 mm, C: 0.2 mm.

elevation, 2 females, 24.6.– 6.7.1994, leg. T. Phillips, #VEN1P94 021 ( KNHM) ; same location and collecting method, but 16 km N, km 36 (67°41'W, 10°24'N), 340 m elevation, 1 female, 4.– 8.7.1994, leg. T. Phillips, #VEN1P94 005 ( KNHM) ; Aragua, Ocumare , 2.5 km NE (63°41'W, 10°03'N), 80 m elevation, collected by flight intercept trap, 2 males, 6 females, 4.– 18.7.1994, leg. T. Phillips, #VEN1P94 020 (6 KNHM, 2 UIC) ; Bolivar, nr. Icabarú , 110 km SW Sta. Elena de Uairen, forest litter, 490 m elevation, female, 5.7.1987 ( KNHM) ; Trujillo Prov. 60.6 km NW Bocono, 1900 ft. elev., litter near stream, male, 31.3.1992, leg. L. Herman #2654 ( AMNH) ; Los Chorros , 2 females, 5.1922, leg. L.R. Reynolds ( FMNH) ; Colombia: Magdalena, PNN Tayrona Cañaveral (74°02'W, 11°20'N), 30 m elevation, Red , female, 25.4.2000 – 27.4.2000, leg. Samiento, #M.3605 ( KNHM) ; same location, but (73°56'W, 11°19'N), 200 m elevation, dry forest litter sample, 1 female, 1 male, 11.8.1985, leg. J. Longino, #708 (1 KNHM, 1 UIC) ; same Prov. , 4 km N San Pedro (10°57'N, 74°03'W), 550 m elev., leaf litter, female, 14.8.1985, leg. J. Longino #763-5 ( KNHM) ; Guyana: Region 8, Iwokrama Forest, Kabocalli Field Stn. (58°30.3'W, 4°17.4'N), grass slash, 1 male, 5.6.2001, leg. R. Books, Z. Falin, #GUY1BF01 147 ( KNHM) ; Magdalena, Gaira , 8 km S Santa Marta, 8 males, 20 females, 16.3.1974, leg. L. & N. Herman, #1106-1107 (22 AMNH, 6 UIC) ; French Guiana: Barrage de Petit Saud (53°02'W, 5°03'N), car net, female, 15.11.2011, leg. T. Struyve ( TSC) ; Caussade (52°57'W, 5°10'N), car net, 9 females, 6.11.2011, 7.11.2011, leg. T. Struyve (7 TSC, 2 UIC) ; Ecuador: Pichincha, Maquipucuna For. Res. , 50 km NW Quito, 1300 m elevation, banana dull berlesate, 3 females, 23.12.1991, leg. C. Carlton, R. Leschen #72 ( KNHM) ; Pichincha, 17 km SE Sto. Domingo de los Colorados, Tinalandia , 3000 ft elev., litter, 7 males, 22 females, 16.– 21.10.1988, leg. L. Herman, (23 AMNH, 6 UIC) ; 40 km NW Sto. Domingo de los Colorados , 1200 ft. elev., litter, 8 males, 12 females, 19.10.1988, leg. L. Herman (19 AMNH, 1 UIC) ; 47 km S. Santo Domingo, Rio Palenque St., forest litter, Berlese , 700 ft. elev., 18.– 30.5.1975, leg. S. Peck ( FMNH) ; Sucumbios, Sacha Lodge (76°05'W, 0°05'S), 270 m elevation, malaise trap, male, 4.– 14.3.1994, female, 24.3.– 3.6.1994, male, 25.7.– 3.8.1994, 2 females, 13.– 23.4.1994, leg. Hibbs (4 KNHM, 1 UIC) ; Las Palmeras, old Quito-Sto. Dgo. rd. , km 59, 43 km NE Alluriquin, litter, female, 23.10.1988, leg. L. Herman ( AMNH) ; Pastaza, 20 km NW Puyo , 4000 ft elev. litter nr. stream, female, 5.11.1988, leg. L. Herman ( AMNH) ; Napo, 81 km NE Baeza, 3 km SW Reventador , 5300 ft. elev., litter, 28.– 29.10.1988, leg. L. Herman ( AMNH) ; Cotopaxi Prov., Guasaganda , 500 m elev., male, 1.4.1988, leg. M. Huybensz ( FMNH) ; Peru: Huanuco, Llullapichis, Panguana Station (74°56'W, 9°37'S), cattle pasture, pitfall trap # 329, #271, #1, 1 male, 2 females, 3.9.1975, 28.5.1976, 20.5.1976, leg. W. Hanagarth ( UIC) ; same location, but manihot field, 1 male, 1 female, 4.5.1976, leg. W. Hanagarth ( UIC) ; same location, but herb stand at river margin, pitfall trap # 188, female, 6.5.1976, leg. W. Hanagarth ( UIC) ; Tambopata Prov. , 15 km NE Pto. Maldonado, compost pile, 200 m elevation, male, 19.6.1989, leg. J. Ashe, R. Leschen, #148 ( KNHM) .

Diagnosis: Without analysis of the paramere, Diochus perplexus CAMERON, 1922 is hardly to distinguish from the related species D. nanus ERiCHsON, 1839. Both species are clearly separated by the apex of the paramere that is deeply emarginate and bifurcate with long setae on each lobe in D. perplexus , whereas it is shortly emarginate with short apical setae in D. nanus . In contrast to D. nanus , the pronotum of D. perplexus is without microsculpture, except remains of micro-striae in some specimens, but has sparse micro-punctation. On average, D. perplexus seems to be slightly darker yellow to light brown compared to D. nanus .

Description: Length: 2.6–2.8 mm. Colouration: dark yellow to light brownish; head slightly darker, elytra dark with extreme posterior margin lighter, legs and antennae yellow with antennomeres four to eleven dark; darkness of colouration varies from mainly yellow to dark brown.

Head: 0.41 mm long, 0.37 mm wide; eyes not prominent; temples twice as long as eyes; EL: HL = 0.27; temples distinctly divergent posteriad; PW: EW = 1.24; posterior angles widely rounded; posterior width 2.5 time as wide as neck; setiferous punctation deep and moderately dense; irregular row of five to six punctures adjacent to wide impunctate midline; interstices between apical punctures approximately as wide as diameter of punctures, on posterior vertex nearly twice as wide as diameter of punctures; between medial row of punctures and eyes two additional rows; postocular area with further setiferous punctures; indistinct microsculpture isodiametric; surface slightly shiny.

Antennae as long as head and one third of pronotum combined; antennomeres one to three equal in length; first antennomere thick, two and three conical; nearly twice as long as its apical width; fourth and fifth antennomere approximately quadrate; sixth to tenth wider than long; eighth nearly twice as wide as long; tenth one third wider than long; all antennomeres pubescent and with tinae (F), D. curtipennis (G), D. verhaaghi (H); scale bar: 0.5 mm.

few long setae; setae of basal antennomeres thicker and longer than of apical antennomeres.

Pronotum: 0.54 mm long, 0.45 mm wide; sides parallel; anterior and posterior angles widely rounded; lateral margin extremely fine; in dorsal aspect, only visible in posterior half; setiferous punctation moderately deep and sparse; adjacent to impunctate midline with row of three pairs of punctures; interstice between anterior mens studied.

pair nearly twice as wide as between posterior pairs of punctures; laterad with few punctures; number of punctures irregular; varying between four to eight; without microsculpture; with sparse micro-punctation, surface polished.

Elytra: 0.52 mm long, 0.56 mm wide; sides divergent to posterior angles; distinct shoulders with obtuse angles; posterior margin slightly emarginate; setiferous punctation in irregular longitudinal rows of seven to eight punctures; first row adjacent to suture; on disc, three more rows laterad to first row; extremely weak coriaceous ground sculpture; surface slightly less shiny than pronotum.

Abdomen densely pubescent.

Aedeagus broad; seminal vesical of endophallus slightly short than half the length of central lobe; basal inner duct looped; ending in irregularly sclerotised forceps; paramere slightly shorter than central lobe; narrow shaft extremely widened to apex ending in two apical prominences separated by deep concave emargination; interstice between two apical prominences more transparent than laterally; each apical prominence with long seta; outer margin with third subapical seta; basal shaft with six sensillae.

Spermatheca 0.26 mm long, 0.20 mm long wide; bursa copulatrix in lateral position to coiled duct; duct irregularly coiled.

Figures

Figs 45: Fore-bodies of Diochus santacatarinae (A), D. perplexus (B), D. parvulus (C), D. nanus (D), D. apicipennis (E), D. formicetorum (F); scale bar: 0.5 mm.

Figs 34–37: Diochus nanus-group, Diochus perplexus (34), D. nanus (35), D. parvulus (36), D. apicipennis (37); aedeagus (A),

Fig. 40: Spermatheca of Diochus schaumii-group: Diochus argentinae (A), D. brunneus (B), D. curtipennis (C), D. schaumii (D), D. verhaaghi-group: D. verhaaghi (E), D. santacatarinae (F), D. nanus-group: D. perplexus (G), D. parvulus (H), D. nanus (I), D. apicipennis (J), D. formicetorum (K); scale bar: 0.1 mm.