Mecinus janthinus group

Diagnosis. Elytra distinctly elongate. Dorsal integument black or blue, sometimes with metallic reflections. Flagellum characterized by at least six rounds. Spermatheca with subspherical body including ramus.

Remarks and comparative notes. The shape of the body together with the colour of the dorsal integument are characters which this group shares with that of M. heydenii . These two groups include the unique species of Mecinus not living on Plantago . The species related to M. janthinus are distinguishable from those related to M. heydenii by the less curved rostrum in lateral view, the shape of the penis, the distinctly longer flagellum and the completely unusual shape of the spermatheca that is reminiscent of the Cionini .