A new genus of pollen-beetle from South Africa (Coleoptera: Nitidulidae), with discussion of the generic classification of the subfamily Meligethinae

Abstract

AbstractThe pollen-beetle Sebastiangethes anthystrixoides, n.gen., n.sp. from northern South Africa is described. The taxonomic position of Sebastiangethes, the related genus Anthystrix Kirejtshuk, 1981, as well as a relatively large assemblage of partially undescribed allied African taxa is discussed in the context of the Oriental genus Cyclogethes Kirejtshuk, 1979. An informal taxonomic assemblage named “Anthystrix-complex of genera” is here introduced. The previously unknown larval host-plants of African members of this “Anthystrix-complex of genera” are identified as dioecious trees belonging to Asteraceae within the tribe Tarchonantheae (genera Tarchonanthus and Brachylaena). Concepts of the generic and subgeneric classification of the subfamily Meligethinae also are discussed.