Byrsopolis Burmeister, 1844

Byrsopolis quadraticeps photo by Matthew R. Moore

distribution of Byrsopolis species

Byrsopolis quadraticeps
photo by Matthew R. Moore

 

Diagnosis: Byrsopolis is distinguished from the other Rutelinae and Areodina by the following combination of characters: (1) apex of metatibia with more than 10 spinules, (2) mandibles entirely rounded, not sickle shape, (3) antenaa 10-segmented, (4) mesosternum without keel extending anteriorly beyond mesocoxae, and (5) antenna with club twice as long as segments 2-7 combined (Jameson 1990).

Distribution: Guyana and Brazil (Goyaz, Minas Geraes, Rio de Janeiro, and Sao Paulo) (Ohaus 1934).

Composition: The genus Byrsopolis contains six species: B. aenescens Ohaus, 1915; B. castanea Burmeister, 1844; B. crassa Blanchard, (1850); B. cribicollis Ohaus, 1912; B. laticollis Burmeister, 1855; B. quadraticeps Blanchard, (1850).

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.

Ohaus, F. 1934. Coleoptera Lamellicornia. Fam. Scarabaeidae, Subfam. Rutelinae. Genera Insectorum, Fasc. 199A: 1-172.