Smicronyx

Key to species of Smicronyx in the tropical Africa

1- Integument reddish, at least partly on elytra, legs reddish (Fig. 1 A–D, I–J)........................................ 2

1’- Integument of elytra entirely black on mature specimens....................................................... 8

2 - Vestiture of elytra forming a large transverse white stripe on apical half (Fig. 1K); scales of elytra rounded, as long as wide or slightly longer than wide; rostrum distinctly downcurved in lateral view (Fig.4C)....................11. S. zonatus sp. n.

2’ - Vestiture of elytra forming multiple, poorly-defined and narrow transverse whitish stripes (Fig. 1 A–D, 1I–J); scales of elytra at least twice as long as wide; rostrum moderately downcurved in lateral view (Fig. 3 A–D, 5I–J)........................ 3

3 - Body size <2.2 mm; apex of penis without setae (Fig. 5 I–J).................................................... 4

3’ - Body size equal to or over 2.2 mm; apex of penis bearing erect setae distinct in lateral view (Fig. 5 A–D). S. remaudierei species group........................................................................................... 5

4- Integument of fully sclerotized specimens partly black, at least on rostrum and head........... 9. S. pauperculus Wollaston

4’- Integument of fully sclerotized specimens entirely red.......................................... 10. S. rufus sp. n.

5 - Profemora armed with a distinct ventral tooth; basal half of interstria 3 with distinct dense spots of white scales (Fig. 1 A–B)..................................................................................................... 6

5’- Profemora unarmed; basal half of interstria 3 lacking spots of dense white scales (Fig. 1 C–D)......................... 7

6- Base of pronotum with distinct line of white scales near scutellum (Fig. 1B); penis short and truncate at apex (Fig. 5B).................................................................................... 2. S. remaudierei Hoffmann

6’- Base of pronotum lacking distinct line of white scales near scutellum (Fig. 1A); penis elongate and rounded at apex (Fig 5A).................................................................................1. S. bisignatus Hoffmann

7- Prothorax slightly longer than wide (w/l ratio: 0.92); penis acuminate at apex (Fig. 5C)............... 3. S. adjamati sp. n.

7’- Prothorax wider than long (w/l ratio: 1.11); penis rounded and incised at apex (Fig. 5D)............4. S. crassithorax sp. n.

8 - Scales of elytra rounded, at most 1.5 as long as wide.......................................................... 9

8’- Scales on elytra elongate, at least twice as long as wide....................................................... 15 9- Rostrum slender, narrower near antennal insertion than width of femora in middle in dorsal view, distinctly downcurved in lateral view (Fig. 4 D–E, G–H)............................................................................ 10

9’- Rostrum robust, slightly thicker near antennal insertion than width of profemora near middle in dorsal view, almost straight in lateral view (Fig. 4F)................................................................... 14. S. kiboanus Voss

10- Vestiture of elytra forming white transverse areas at base and in apical half (Fig. 1L, 2A)............................ 11

10’- Vestiture of elytra lacking contrasting transverse patterns in apical half, scales homogeneous grey with patches of pale brown (Fig. 2D), or brown with an oblique paler band of scales from humeri to apical 2/3 of suture (Fig. 1H, 2C).............. 12

11- Scales on elytra forming an irregular and narrow white band on apical 1/3 (Fig. 1L); penis expanded at apex (Fig. 5L).......................................................................................... 12. S. kenyanus sp. n.

11’- Scale on elytra forming contrasting black square in basal half, surrounded by white scales (Fig. 2A); penis slightly narrowing from base to apex (Fig. 5M)........................................................... 13. S. namibicus sp. n.

12- Claws equal in length; scales of elytra homogeneous grey with patches of pale brown, oblique paler band on each elytron not contrasting.......................................................................................... 13

12’- Claws unequal in length, at least on fore legs; scales of elytra brown, generally with contrasted oblique paler band from humeri to apical 2/3 of suture (Fig. 1H)................................................. 8. S. albosquamosus Wollaston

13 - Smaller species, body length under 2.2 mm; elytra with spots of white scales along basal half of interstria 3; penis short (w/l ratio: 0.66), bearing short erect setae near apex (Fig. 5E)..................................... 5. S. zambianus sp. n.

13’- Larger species, body length over 2.5 mm; scales on basal half of interstria 3 similar in colour to the rest of elytra; penis elongate (w/l ratio: 0.20–0.46), without setae at apex............................................................ 14

14- Penis narrowed near middle (Fig. 5O); elytra slightly more slender (w/l ratio: 0.58, Fig. 2C)......... 15. S. guineanus Voss

14’- Penis not narrowed near middle (Fig. 5P); elytra slightly more robust (w/l ratio: 0.73, Fig. 2D).......16. S. buchnerae sp n.

15- Pronotum quadrate (w/l ratio: 1.00), sides moderately rounded................................................. 16

15’- Pronotum wider than long (w/l ratio: 1.10), sides rounded....................................... 6. S. syriacus Faust

16- Antennal club in dorsal view narrower than apex of rostrum in dorsal view; penis elongate (w/l ratio: 0.36, Fig. 5G); vestiture of elytra generally forming oblique lines of white spots from humeri to apex (Fig. 1G)..............7. S. gossypii Marshall

16’- Antennal club in dorsal view as wide as apex of rostrum in dorsal view; penis moderately elongate (w/l ratio: 0.60, Fig. 5I); vestiture of elytra generally forming irregular transverse patches of white scales (Fig. 1I)............................................................................................ 9. S. pauperculus Wollaston (black specimens)