Two new species of Brachytrycherus Arrow, 1920 from China (Coleoptera, Endomychidae)

Abstract

Two new species of Brachytrycherus from China, Brachytrycherus conaensis sp. n. and Brachytrycherus curviantennae sp. n. are described and illustrated. Brachytrycherus conaensis sp. n. is the first species of the Handsome Fungus Beetles recorded feeding on Ascomycetes. A key to the species of Brachytrycherus known in China is provided.

A review of the genus Brachytrycherus Arrow (Coleoptera, Endomychidae) of mainland China with descriptions of three new species

“…As stated in Chang et al (2016), species of Brachytrycherus resemble those of Ohtaius Chûjô and Gerstaeckerus Tomaszewska in having the body black or blackish brown, elytral maculae transverse, most often orange or yellow. These genera share the feature of having the mandibles chisel-shaped apically.…”

“…Some larvae and adults were found (sometimes at the same time) feeding on the surface of the perithecia or spores of Daldinia concentrica (Xylariaceae) (Fig. 16D), seeming to prefer the asexual phase; however, individuals were also found on mature ascocarps (Chang et al 2016).…”

“…Two females were collected by shaking the tree from a large clump of dead wood of Fagaceae plants (Fig. 16A) (Chang et al 2016).…”

“…Shockley et al (2009a) listed six species in the updated checklist of the entire family. Since then, Chang et al (2016) described two new species from China, B. conaensis and B. curviantennae . Furthermore, B. conaensis is the first species of the Handsome fungus beetles recorded feeding on Ascomycetes.…”

“…During the examination of the Endomychidae collected in China, three new species were recognized and are described here. The recent key of Chang et al (2016) to species of Brachytrycherus known in China is modified and updated.…”