A new species and two newly-recorded species of the genus Micrencaustes (Coleoptera, Erotylidae) from China

Biodivers Data J. 2024 Nov 7:12:e134304. doi: 10.3897/BDJ.12.e134304. eCollection 2024.

Abstract

Background: The genus Micrencaustes Crotch, 1876 (Coleoptera, Cucujoidea, Erotylidae, Erotylinae, Encaustini) includes 44 known species worldwide, 11 species having been reported to occur in China. In recent years, species of genus Micrencaustes in China are constantly being discovered, mainly distributed in southern China.

New information: A new species, Micrencaustes (Mimencaustes) occulta sp. nov., is described and illustrated. Two species, Micrencaustes (Mimencaustes) divisa Arrow, 1925 and Micrencaustes (Micrencaustes) navicularis Arrow, 1921 are recorded from China for the first time. The morphological characteristics of adults of new species are re-described in detail and illustrated. A key to Chinese species of the genus Micrencaustes is provided. The specimens of new species was collected from Yunnan Province and the specimens of Micrencaustes (Mimencaustes) divisa Arrow, 1925 and Micrencaustes (Micrencaustes) navicularis Arrow, 1921 were collected from Hainan Province and Guangdong Province and deposited in the Museum of Hebei University and Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences.

Keywords: Encaustini; beetle; description; key; taxonomy.