Eleodes Eschscholtz 1829

Integument strongly sclerotized, light tan to nearly black in color; setose, with hair-like setae throughout and spinose setae on legs and abdominal tergite IX. Thoracic and abdominal segments subcylindrical, surface coriaceous (Figs 2A–D, 3A–D, 4A–C, 5A–C, 6A–C). Head. Prognathous or slightly declined (Fig. 7A–C), weakly dorsoventrally flattened, strongly constricted before occipital foramen. Epicranial stem one-fourth to one third head capsule length; frontal arms U-shaped or sinuate, occasionally obscured by sculpturing. Frons and dorsal portion of epicranial plates weakly to moderately rugose; punctate, punctures minute, lacking setae. Ventrolateral portions of epicranial plates setose; setae golden, erect; two stemmata present on each plate, pigmented spots often faded. Clypeus trapezoidal, often weakly transversely raised medially. Labrum with two transverse rows of six to fourteen erect setae present medially and subapically; anterior margin straight or weakly emarginate. Epipharynx (Figs 8, 9A–D, 10A–D) with stout spiniform setae along anterior margin, an anterior cluster of four to six variably arranged spinules, a subanterior transverse row of four small spinules subtended by two spinose setae and posterior cluster of six to eight small spinules; tormae symmetrical or asymmetrical. Mandible apex bidentate, mola concave. Ligula small, setation variable (Fig. 11A–C). Hypopharyngeal sclerome pentagonal or trapezoidal (Fig. 12A–B). Gula distinct, trapezoidal, widest in basal half. Antenna three segmented, cylindrical. Thorax. Prothoracic tergum 1.2× or more length of meso- or metaterga (Figs 2A–D, 3A–D); anterior transverse striated band present, generally darker than protergal disc; lateral margins with granulated band either distinct or barely visible (Fig. 7A–C). Posterior transverse striated band present on all thoracic tergites. Meso- and metathoracic tergites wider than long. Mesothoracic spiracle simple, ovate, approximately 1.5× size of abdominal spiracles; reduced metathoracic spiracle visible, less than one-fourth size of mesothoracic spiracle. Legs. Prothoracic leg slightly longer, much thicker than meso- and metathoracic legs; prothoracic tarsungulus strongly sclerotized, sickle-shaped; dorsal surface of prothoracic femur with faintly indicated basal sclerotized band; dorsal surface of prothoracic tibia slightly more sclerotized than ventral surface. Abdomen. Abdominal tergites and sternites I–VIII with transverse striated bands present along posterior margins. Abdominal sternite I setose (Fig. 13A–B). Abdominal segment IX (pygidium) triangular in dorsal view, gradually reflexed to apex, urogomphi absent, apical tooth present or absent (Fig. 14A–B); marginal row of socketed spines present around posterior two-thirds to one half of segment. Abdominal segment X located ventrally; pygopods short, subconical, each with erect setae.