Kaszab Zoltán (szerk.): A Magyar Természettudományi Múzeum évkönyve 74. (Budapest 1982)

Nikitsky, N. B. ; Below, V. V.: The false darkling beetle genus Microscapha LeConte (Coleoptera, Melandryidae)

visible abdominal sternites (Fig. 7), metathoracic episterna always well developed, backward triangularly narrowing. Metathorax usually with a median longitudinal depression (Fig. 7-9), in shape and length often characteristic for the species (at least in males). — Legs rather short, apices of middle femora a little exceeding the lateral margin's contour of the elytra. Anterior coxae narrowly divided by a triangular prothoracic process, its cavities opened posteriorly. Middle coxae narrowly divided by a mesothoracic process. Hind coxae very large, oblique, consisting of two parts, narrowly triangular anterior and rather broadly blade-shaped posterior ones. The abovementioned triangular portion of hind coxae usually longer than metepisterna. Penultimate joints of anterior and middle tarsi distinctly bilobated, those of hind tarsii simple. Hind legs saltatory, their femora thickened and flattened, tibiae at the outer margin without transverse ridges, distad triangularly enlarged, significantly shorter than the femora, apically each bears 2 long pectinate serrate spurs (Figs 10, 11) reaching at least the apical third of basal tarsal joint. Hind tarsi much longer than tibiae, their 1st joint very long, usually not less than joints 2 to 4 taken together. The species of Microscapha are morphologically close to Orchesia spp., but clearly distinguishable by the triangular form of scutellum (in Orchesia it is roundly trapeziform), much narrower antennái joint 3 which is not less than 2.0 to 2.5 times shorter and 1.8 to 2.0 times thinner than the 2nd (whereas in Orchesia the 3rd joint is usually better developed), as well as by the pronotum with distinctly bisinuate base and without depressions which are present in the majority of Orchesia spp. The genus Microscapha differs from Lederia RTT. and Eucinetomorphus PERRIS by the presence of a well-developed triangular scutellum. KEY TO THE SPECIES OF MICROSCAPHA LECONTE 1 (12) Elytra usually uniformly reddish-brown or black-brown, without markings or fasciae. Smaller: 1.4 or 2.0 mm long. 2 (3) Oblong-oval, body 2.1 times longer than wide, broadest between the 1st third and quater of elytra. Pronotum finely and sparsely punctured, elytra rather densely and more coarsely (at least posteriorly) punctured. Upper surface finely transversely shagreen, rather shining, only apices of elytra dull. Reddish-brown with lighter (testaceous) legs, antennae and maxillary palpi. Body clothed with thin decumbent yellowish-greyish pubescence. 1.72 mm long. Malaya (Pening) M. malayana CHAMPION 3 (2) Less elongated, body not more than twice longer than wide. 4 (5) Depression along middle of posterior portion of metathorax sharply oval in male (Fig. 12), in females narrower, in the form of a slightly broadened depressed line reaching approximately to half of metathorax. Antennái joint 3 usually not more than twice thinner than the 2nd. Distance between eyes not or just a bit less than their height. Oblong-oval, body 1.9 to 1.98 times longer than wide, colour reddishbrown, surface more or less dull or slightly shining. Legs, antennae and maxillary palpi lighter. Upper surface distinctly transversely shagreen. Elytra finely and rather densely punctured, sparser at the base. 1.6 to 1.7 mm long. Eastern North America M. clavicornis LECONTE 5 (4) Median depression of metathoracic posterior portion narrow, in the form of a depressed line or very narrowly lanceolate, reaching the anterior third or quarter of metathorax (Figs. 8, 9). Antennái joint 3 very small, usually 2.0 or more times thinner than the 2nd. Distance between eyes considerably less than their height. 6 (11) Hind tibial spurs shorter, first joint of the hind tarsi more than 1.2 times longer than the longest of the spurs (Fig. 10). Larger: 1.5 to 2.0 mm long. Depression along middle of metathorax often wider (narrowly) lanceolate (Fig. 8). Species from Central and South America. 7 (8) Median depression along posterior portion of metathorax poorly broadened, nar-