Stephostethus LeConte, 1878

Ho, Yu-Hsiang, Rücker, Wolfgang H. & Chan, Mei-Ling, 2021, On the genus Stephostethus LeConte, 1878 (Coleoptera: Latridiidae: Latridiinae) from Taiwan, with descriptions of two new species, European Journal of Taxonomy 735 (735), pp. 1-14 : 2-3

Genus Stephostethus LeConte, 1878

Type species

Lathridius liratus LeConte, 1863 .

Diagnosis

Species of Stephostethus LeConte can be distinguished from related genera in Taiwan by the following characters: mandible with single apical tooth and inner margin smooth. Eyes well developed. Pronotum square, sides more or less parallel, with two carinae on disc; prosternal process short, narrow and not extending to apex, epimera not separated by prosternal process and meeting each other on median line. The genital segments are defined as the abdominal 8 th– 10 th segments herein ( Figs 13–14 ).

Key to the species of Stephostethus LeConte, 1878 from Taiwan

1. Pronotum longer than wide, 7 th interstriae of elytra weakly carinate, mid tibia of male with a distinct tooth ............................................................................................................ S. yuanfengensis sp. nov.

– Pronotum wider than long, 7 th interstriae of elytra strongly carinate, mid tibia of male without a distinct tooth ...................................................................................................................................... 2

2. Anterior end of 7 th interstriae of elytra protruding at front, male hind tibia with three distinct teeth.......................................................................................................... S. chinensis ( Reitter, 1877)

– Anterior end of 7 th interstriae of elytra not protruding at front, male hind tibia with four indistinct teeth (sometimes barely visible).......................................................................... S. taiwanus sp. nov.

Figures

Figs 13–14. Structure of genital segments of Stephostethus chinensis (Reitter, 1877). 13. Dorsal view. 14. Ventral view. Abbreviations: TG = tergite; ST = sternite.