Lycoderides species

morphologically related to L. serraticornis

We define here the serraticornis group as those species of Lycoderides in which the scutellum is concealed by the pronotum (i.e., not externally visible), and the forewings are at least basally sclerotized and punctuated, with the remaining portion partially transparent hyaline and speckled. This group includes L. abditus, L. aburraensis sp. nov., L. phi, L. santainensis sp. nov., and L. serraticornis .

Lycoderides serraticornis, L. santainensis, and L. abditus exhibit strong sexual dimorphism, with females bearing an anterior pronotal process, while males lack this process and instead present a dorsal elevation. In contrast, both males and females of Lycoderides phi share a similar morphology, each possessing an anterior process resembling that of the females of the aforementioned species (Lapèze & Lopez-Vaamonde 2024). L. aburraensis is currently known only from a male, which exhibits a morphology consistent with the males of the other species in this group (except L. phi).

Key to species of Lycoderides morphologically related to L. serraticornis:

Note: Sakakibara (2013) included a key to the species of Lycoderides . A minor modification is proposed here to incorporate two new species and L. phi .

8 (7). Scutellum visible laterally.............................. to L. capixaba, L. pennyi (species not included in this key)

8’. Scutellum concealed by pronotum, not visible (Fig. 4)................ serraticornis group..................... 10

10 (8’). Sexually monomorphic; females and males with an acute and elongated anterior pronotal process; posterior process acute and lacking a small crest before reaching its apex....................................... Lycoderides phi Lapèze

10’. Sexually dimorphic (Fig. 4); females with an anterior pronotal process (Fig. 4B, D, F), males with the anterior pronotal region elevated dorsally or slightly reclined ( L. aburraensis known only from a male, but distinct from males of L. phi) (Fig. 4A, C, E, G); posterior process forming a small crest before reaching the apex................................. 11

11 (10’). Male; anterior pronotal region in lateral view elevated dorsally or slightly proclivous (Fig. 4A, C, E, G)............. 12

11’. Females; pronotum with a well-developed anterior process directed obliquely anterodorsally (Fig. 4B, D, F)......... 15

12 (11). Metopidium vertical, not proclivous; forewing veins speckled with warts (Fig. 4E, G)........................... 13

12’. Metopidium slightly proclivous; forewing veins not speckled with warts (Fig. 4A, C)............................ 14

13(12). Pronotum elevated above head, 1× head length, descending posteriorly from point above humeral angles (Fig. 4E); suprahumeral horns reduced to white wart-like protuberances (Fig. 5E). Forewing hyaline from almost mid-length to apex, densely speckled around veins in apical third; veins lighter in non-speckled areas; sclerotized and punctate to mid-length (Fig. 4E). Tibiae with transverse dark brown bands............................... L. santainensis Flórez-V sp. nov.

13’. Pronotum higher than wide, elevated 2× head length above head, descending from point posterodorsad of humeral angles (Fig. 4G); supra-humeral horns well developed, subtriangular, equilateral (Fig. 5G); posterior margin of anterior elevation sinuous; subapical crest of posterior process well elevated. Forewing hyaline area small (Fig. 4G). Tibiae entirely light brown................................................................... L. aburraensis Flórez-V sp. nov.

14 (12’). Pronotum elevated above head 2× head length in frontal view, descending from point above humeral angles (Fig. 4C); suprahumeral horns well-developed, triangular (Fig. 5C); one pair of anteroventral carinae below suprahumeral horns (Fig. 4C). Pronotum without a wax-like line next to supra-ocular callosity....................... L. serraticornis (Fowler)

14’. Pronotum elevated above head 1.5× head length in frontal view, descending from point posterodorsad of humeral angles (Fig. 4A); suprahumeral horns small, wartlike (Fig. 5A); without anteroventral carina below suprahumeral horns (Fig. 4A). Pronotum with a wax-like line next to supra-ocular callosity................................. L. abditus Sakakibara

15 (11’). Forewing veins with warts. Pronotum overall color grizzly brown; apex of posterior process not reaching the apex of clavus (Fig. 4F)................................................................. L. santainensis Flórez-V sp. nov.

15’. Forewing veins lacking warts. Pronotum overall color brown or variegated dark brown; apex of posterior process reaching the apex of clavus (Fig. 4B, D)....................................................................... 16

16 (15’). Pronotum elevated above head 2.5× head length in frontal view; anterior pronotal process almost as long as pronotum height; in lateral view, subapical crest of posterior process slightly elevated (Fig. 4D).......... L. serraticornis (Fowler)

16’. Pronotum elevated above head 2× head length in frontal view; anterior pronotal process 0.5× pronotum height; in lateral view, subapical crest of posterior process well elevated (Fig. 4B)............................. L. abditus Sakakibara