Eleodes Eschscholtz

Triplehorn, Charles A., Thomas, Donald B. & Rile, Edward G., 2009, The Genus Eleodes Eschscholtz (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae) In Texas, The Coleopterists Bulletin 63 (4), pp. 413-437 : 414

Diagnosis of Eleodes Eschscholtz

The most recent key to the genera of Tenebrionidae in North America is that of Aalbu et al. (2002) which also includes a key to the subgenera of Eleodes . However, the subgenera are defined primarily by genitalic characters. Fortunately, the genera with which species of Eleodes are most likely to be confused, Coelocnemis , Neobaphion , and Blaps , do not occur in Texas. The following combination of characters defines the genus Eleodes .

Black (or dark brown) in color, rarely with a reddish stripe on dorsal midline of elytra. Body length 10–50 mm, wingless, head not deeply inserted. Tarsal formula 5-5-4; abdomen with visible membrane between visible sternites III and IV; middle and hind tibiae lacking carina on outer margin and never expanded apically; head not dilated laterally before eyes; eyes transverse, subreniform; epicranial sutures obsolete; fronto-clypeal suture indistinct; labrum clearly exposed; first five antennomeres longer than wide, longer than following segments, and all segments with simple, setiform sensilla (never stellate). Elytral epipleura gradually narrowing posteriorly. Procoxae globose, meso- and metacoxae transverse and separated by at least width of a coxa.