Oplognathus MacLeay, 1819
syn. Hoplognathus Burmeister, 1844 (unjustified emendation)

Oplognathus kirbyi photo by Matthew R. Moore

distribution of Oplognathus species

Oplognathus kirbyi
photo by Matthew R. Moore

 

Diagnosis: Oplognathus is distinguished from other Rutelinae and Areodina by the following combination of characters: (1) clypeal apex (ventral view) extending beyond apex of labrum (males and females) and weakly trilobed (males), (2) mesosternum not produced and forming a forward-projecting process, (3) male parameres asymmetrical (Jameson 1990; pers. obs. Jameson).

Distribution: Oplognathus occurs in Brazil from Bahia south to Sao Paulo.

Composition: The genus Oplognathus contains three species: O. bahianus Ohaus, 1912; O. helmreicheni Ohaus, 1914; O. kirbyi MacLeay, 1819.

References:

Jameson, Mary Liz. 1990. Revision, phylogeny and biogeography of the genera Parabyrsopolis Ohaus and Viridimicus, new genus (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae: Rutelinae). Coleopterists Bulletin 44(4): 377-422.