The genus Drouetius Méquignon, 1942, stat. prom., from the Azores (Coleoptera, Curculionidae, Entiminae)

Abstract

Drouetius Méquignon, 1942, was originally established as a monotypical subgenus of Laparocerus Schönherr, 1834, and is here upgraded to genus (stat. prom.) based on morphological and molecular data. The genus and D. azoricus are redescribed, and D. azoricus nitens n. ssp., D. azoricus paralellirostris n. ssp. D. azoricus separandus n. ssp., D oceanicus n. sp., D. oceanicus tristis n. ssp., D. borgesi n. sp., D. borgesi sanctimichaelis n. ssp., and D. borgesi centralis n. ssp. are described. The different form of the transfer apparatus of the aedeagus has been used as criterion for aggregating the island populations into a single species. A tentative phylogenetic test based on partial sequences of the mitochondrial gene 16SrRNA from representative species of several tribes of Entiminae, points to a closer relationship between Drouetius and Peritelus, than with Brachyderes or other genera. Finally, a key for the identification of the species and subspecies is provided, as well as comments on their ecology and distribution in the Azores archipelago, where Drouetius is endemic.