Aphelocerus copanus, Opitz, Weston, 2019

Opitz, Weston, 2019, Descriptions of new genera and new species of Western Hemisphere checkered beetles (Coleoptera, Cleroidea, Cleridae), Linzer biol. Beitr. 51 (2), pp. 959-1076 : 962

Aphelocerus copanus OPITZ nov.sp. ( Figs 2, 160, 201, 262)

Holotype: ♂. Type locality: HONDURAS: Copan, 6 km. NW San Agustine, 19 May 2002, R. Turnbow ( FSCA).

D i a g n o s i s: The genus Aphelocerus KIRSCH was revised in 2005 (OPITZ 2005). This work included a key to species. Aphelocerus copanus specimens key out to A. lividus OPITZ, from which Aphelocerus copanus specimens differ by showing a more rounded pronotum, more gradual elytral posterior slope, and a more narrow aedeagal ventral sinus.

D e s c r i p t i o n: Size: Length 4.0 mm; width 1.5 mm. Form: As in Fig. 262. Color: Black, short line of white setae at base of elytral sutural margins, elytral disc with anterior and posterior white setal tufts. Head: Genae and epicranium extended; interocular depression and frontal umbo shallow; antenna ( Fig. 2) capitate, funicular antennomeres filiform, progressively shorter and wider towards capitulum, capitulum not compact; eyes finely facetted, eye narrower than frons (EW/FW 12/35). Thorax: Pronotum ( Fig. 160) slightly transverse, very finely punctate; side margins strongly arcuate (PW/PL 66/62); elytra moderately convex, disc with striae of very small setiferous punctures, posterior slope gradual (EL/EW 180/55). Abdomen: Pygidium transverse / scutiform; aedeagus as in Fig. 201.

N a t u r a l H i s t o r y: The available specimen was collected during May.

D i s t r i b u t i o n: This species is known from Honduras.

E t y m o l o g y: The trivial name, copanus, is a noun in apposition and refers to the type locality.