A review of the Tillicera genus group with a revision of Plathanocera Schenkling (Coleoptera, Cleridae, Clerinae)

Abstract

The Tillicera genus group is revised and defined to contain 40 species in the following six genera: Apopempsis Schenkling, 1903; Cardiostichus Quedenfeldt, 1885; Hemitrachys Gorham, 1876; Placocerus Klug, 1837; Plathanocera Schenkling, 1902 and Tillicera Spinola, 1941. The definition of the Tillicera genus group is mainly based on the presence of the dorsoventrally compressed and expanded antennae (from antennomere 3 onwards). The antennomeres are dilated at least from antennomeres 5 to 9 onwards, and are broader than long, always vested with dense long setae. A key to the constituent genera, color photographs, and distribution maps are provided. The genus Plathanocera is taxonomically revised, including a key to species and genital figures.

Description of two new species of the genus Tillicera Spinola (Coleoptera, Cleridae, Clerinae), with new synonyms, new distributional records, and an updated key

“…Diagnosis. The genus Tillicera is closely related to Hemitrachys Gorham but differs from it by the following characteristics (Yang and Yang 2013;Gerstmeier and Stapel 2016): antennomeres V-XI not clubbed; elytral length to width ratio 2.01-2.37; pulvillar formula 4-4-2, 4-4-3 or 4-4-4 (Hemitrachys: antennomeres V-XI clubbed; elytral length to width ratio 1.58-1.80; pulvillar formula 4-2-2).…”

“…nov., and Hemitrachys tubericollis Yang & Yang, 2013 for the first time 34,35). The genus Tillicera is included in the Tillicera genus group with Apopempsis, Cardiostichus, Hemitrachys, Placocerus, and Plathanocera (Gerstmeier and Stapel 2016); the monophyly of the genus group, however, is questioned by Bartlett (2021).…”