Ant-Like Flower Beetle

Anthelephila Hope, 1833

Type species: Anthelephila cyanea Hope, 1833

Fauna Portal Genus Number: 432

Frontoclypeal sulcus fine but distinct. Pronotum with distinct apical flanged rim (collar), more or less prominent lateral antebasal impression in posterior half and with basal margin distinctly bordered dorsally by a thin, well defined sulcus originating at lateral foveae. Mesosternum triangular, anterior angle of mesosternum distant from anterior margin of mesothorax due to the medially broadly joined mesepisterna (Figs 1, 6), lateral margins either moderately arcuate or straight, intercoxal process fully separating mesocoxae; lateral margins of mesepisterna simply connected (not raised above level of) with mesepimera (Figs 2, 11), bare, without distinct fringe of setae. Mesothoracic gland conspicuously large, differentiated into paired canal and reservoir and its opening sunk into mesothorax (Hemp, 1994). Mesoscutellum longitudinally triangular, tapering posteriorly (Fig. 21). Metendosternite with narrow arms and obsolete ventro-lateral projections (lamina) (Fig. 12). Elytra in males lacking apical notches; sutural striae very vaguely indicated in apical third. Antennal insertion exposed and clearly visible, sockets sometimes slightly hidden by moderately raised lateral margin of frons in dorsal view. All femora distinctly clavate, metafemora simply shaped; all tibiae with two well developed apical spurs (most prominent on metatibiae). Abdominal sternum III without foveae immediately behind metacoxae, its intercoxal process widely, somewhat irregularly rounded apically and incompletely bordered in ventral view (Figs 3, 4); male abdominal segment VIII modified, sternite with a pair of posteriorly projecting prongs; male sternite IX (spiculum) formed by comparatively fine, fibre-like apodeme, bifurcate posteriorly, Y-shaped (Fig. 28). Male aedeagus less sclerotized, tegmen clearly divided into the apical portion (formed by fused parameres) and basal piece; median lobe strengthened by simple, rod-like, sclerotized apodeme, gonopore (of rather uniform morphology) situated at level or shortly behind basal margin of tegmen (Fig. 29). Female ovipositor (Fig. 19) with well developed coxites and styli.