A synopsis of the tribe Lachnophorini, with a new genus of Neotropical distribution and a revision of the Neotropical genus Asklepia Liebke, 1938 (Insecta, Coleoptera, Carabidae)

Abstract This synopsis provides an identification key to the genera of Tribe Lachnophorini of the Western and Eastern Hemispheres including five genera previously misplaced in carabid classifications. The genus Asklepia Liebke, 1938 is revised with 23 new species added and four species reassigned from Eucaerus LeConte, 1853 to Asklepia Liebke, 1938. In addition, a new genus is added herein to the Tribe: Peruphorticus gen. n. with its type species P. gulliveri sp. n. from Perú. Five taxa previously assigned to other tribes have adult attributes that make them candidates for classification in the Lachnophorini: Homethes Newman, Aeolodermus Andrewes, Stenocheila Laporte de Castelnau, Diplacanthogaster Liebke, and Selina Motschulsky are now considered to belong to the Lachnophorini as genera incertae sedis. Three higher level groups are proposed to contain the 18 recognized genera: the Lachnophorina, Eucaerina, and incertae sedis. Twenty-three new species of the genus Asklepia are described and four new combinations are presented. They are listed with their type localities as follows: (geminata species group) Asklepia geminata (Bates, 1871), comb. n, Santarém, Rio Tapajós, Brazil; (hilaris species group) Asklepia campbellorum Zamorano & Erwin, sp. n., 20 km SW Manaus, Brazil, Asklepia demiti Erwin & Zamorano, sp. n., circa Rio Demiti, Brazil, Asklepia duofos Zamorano & Erwin, sp. n., 20 km SW Manaus, Brazil, Asklepia hilaris (Bates, 1871), comb. n, São Paulo de Olivença, Brazil, Asklepia grammechrysea Zamorano & Erwin, sp. n., circa Pithecia, Cocha Shinguito, Perú, Asklepia lebioides (Bates, 1871), comb. n, Santarém, Rio Tapajós, Brazil, Asklepia laetitia Zamorano & Erwin, sp. n., Leticia, Colombia, Asklepia matomena Zamorano & Erwin, sp.n., 20 km SW Manaus, Brazil; (pulchripennis species group) Asklepia adisi Erwin & Zamorano, sp. n., Ilha de Marchantaria, Lago Camaleão, Brazil, Asklepia asuncionensis Erwin & Zamorano, sp. n., Asunción, Río Paraguay, Paraguay, Asklepia biolat Erwin & Zamorano, sp. n., BIOLAT Biological Station, Pakitza, Perú, Asklepia bracheia Zamorano & Erwin, sp. n., circa Explornapo Camp, Río Napo, Cocha Shimagai, Perú, Asklepia cuiabaensis Erwin & Zamorano, sp. n., Cuiabá, Brazil, Asklepia ecuadoriana Erwin & Zamorano, sp. n., Limoncocha, Ecuador, Asklepia kathleenae Erwin & Zamorano, sp. n., Belém, Brazil, Asklepia macrops Erwin & Zamorano, sp. n., Concordia, Río Uruguay, Argentina, Asklepia marchantaria Erwin & Zamorano, sp. n., Ilha de Marchantaria, Lago Camaleão, Brazil, Asklepia marituba Zamorano & Erwin, sp. n., Marituba, Ananindeua, Brazil, Asklepia paraguayensis Zamorano & Erwin, sp. n., San Lorenzo, Rio Paraguay, Paraguay, Asklepia pakitza Erwin & Zamorano, sp. n., BIOLAT Biological Station, Pakitza, Perú, Asklepia pulchripennis (Bates, 1871), comb. n, Santarém, Rio Tapajós, Brazil, Asklepia samiriaensis Zamorano & Erwin, sp. n., Boca del Río Samiria, Perú, Asklepia stalametlitos Zamorano & Erwin, sp. n., Guayamer, Río Mamoré, Bolivia, Asklepia strandi Liebke, 1938, Guyana, Asklepia surinamensis Zamorano & Erwin, sp. n., l’Hermitage, Surinam River, Surinam, Asklepia vigilante Erwin & Zamorano, sp. n., Boca del Río Samiria, Perú. Images of adults of all 18 genera are provided.


Introduction
One of the major lacunae in our knowledge of tropical Carabidae is the Tribe Lachnophorini whose 15 Western Hemisphere genera (mostly Neotropical) and three Eastern Hemisphere genera (Paleotropical and Australian) have never been fully revised, nor have two of the Eastern Hemisphere genera been associated formally with the Tribe, until now. Lachnophorini is a tribe known mostly from 19th century isolated species descriptions and lists, or a general coverage in papers of broader scope (Ball and Bousquet 2000;Reichardt 1977). The sole exception is Liebherr's (1988) detailed treatment of the few Caribbean species arrayed in only four of the 18 genera recognized herein. None of the 18 genera have received a complete modern taxonomic revision. Jeannel (1948), while treating Selina westermanni Motschulsky from Madagascar, attempted a classification of groups he knew, or had access to, namely Selina, Lachnophorus, Anchonoderus, Ega, and Calybe. Typical of his sense of relationships, as with most French entomologists of his era, he regarded the group as the Lachnophoridae, with two Subfamilies, the Anchonoderitae and the Lachnophoritae. He also in-cluded a Péringuey species, Amoebaea mashuna Péringuey, as aligned with Selina in his Selinini. The name Amoebaea has since been recognized as a junior synonym of Smeringocera Chaudoir, now classified in the Odacanthini, Odacanthina (Lorenz 2005). We here reject provisionally Jeannel's proposed arrangement on the grounds that he did not have enough lachnophorine taxa available (only 5 of 18) to make a sound classification. "Provisionally" is inserted on the basis that further investigation might reveal that some of Jeannel's classification is actually sound, not likely, but possibly. Based on the full range of lachnophorine genera, we offer a different arrangement (see below).
The larva of only one species of the tribe has been described (Liebherr 1983). Many museums have numerous adult specimens of several of the genera and they remain in the unidentified section of those collections, for the most part. Several of the genera are inadequately defined and some of those infrequently collected. Because the Smithsonian's National Museum of Natural History (NMNH) has an extensive collection of Lachnophorini, we decided to prepare this synopsis to lay the groundwork for future taxonomic work on these morphologically and strikingly varied beetles. Since 1971, the senior author (TLE) has been collecting Lachnophorini adults as part of his work in the rainforests of Middle and South America. The junior author (LSZ), as Erwin's Smithsonian Intern (2001-2012 at the NMNH from Colombia's Universidad de los Andes in Bogotá, expressed an interest in learning carabid taxonomy; therefore, an opportunity presented itself for us to launch a long term taxonomic project on the genera and species of Lachnophorini (See Summary overview and future directions, below). We were intrigued that Bates (1871) described four species in the genus Eucaerus (that here became reassigned to Asklepia Liebke) from the shores of the Amazon drainage system. Liebke (1938) without knowing of the Bates species erected a monobasic genus with his own species, A. strandi, as the type species (Guyana), and that was based on a single specimen subsequently apparently lost during World War II (cf. Mroczkowski 1960). Reichardt (1974) then used his own misidentified specimens (from Santarém and vicinity) believing them to be A. strandi to compare to his "new" species, Asklepia ocellatus Reichardt, which is actually the Bembidiini: Tachyina Liotachys antennatus Bates (Erwin, in Reichardt 1977). Still further, the specimens that Reichardt believed to be A. strandi Liebke represent a new species that Bates did not collect at Santarém, even though he found a total of three species there during his years on the Amazon River system (Bates 1880). Given this historical comedy of errors, we provide a revision of the genus Asklepia Liebke and resolve several of those errors, in addition to describing many new species from various locations across South America from Argentina to Surinam and southeastern Colombia.
With the discovery of the minute species Gehringia olympica Darlington, 1933 and its later southern counterparts, the explosion of discovery of new species of anillines in the Western Hemisphere (Sokolov 2011;Sokolov et al. 2004), Argentinatachoides Sallenave et al. (2008), Andinodontis , and the present revision of Asklepia Liebke, we predict that many of the minute Carabidae remain undiscovered and we had better have a finer awareness of the next smaller fractal universe for this diverse family, if we are truly to understand it. Thus, we introduced this synopsis by way of poems, in part because of fractal universe sizes, as in set theory, applies to beetles, and in part as predators and parasites that attack and consume prey smaller than themselves. While the Asklepia species, covered herein, are very small as adults (less than 3.74 mm ABL), we pondered, what do they eat as adults? And, perhaps more interestingly, what do they eat as larvae. We provide size ranges in the Tables, and we noted their comparatively vast size ranges (SBL) within some well-collected species which led us to wonder if the larvae are ectoparasitic in their larval stages (e.g., see Erwin 1979, Frank et al. 2009).

Materials and Methods
As noted in several past contributions, methods and species concepts follow those previously described (Erwin and Kavanaugh 1981;Kavanaugh and Erwin 1991). The species validation and diagnosis format follows as closely as possible that suggested in Erwin and Johnson (2000).
For measurements, an image of the specimens was obtained using a Leica M420 stereoscope coupled to an EntoVision TM system. The resulting image was processed using the software Cartograph version 7.2.5 by Microvision Instruments. The magnification on the zoom was set to calibrate the system and it is embedded into the file of the image. The image was opened with the software program Archimed version 6.1.4 also by Microvision and the Measure tool, was then used to determine the lengths of the various parts. A total of 419 images were obtained.
Measurements of length (ABL, SBL) and width (TW) follow those of Ball (1972) and Kavanaugh (1979): ABL (apparent body length), measured from apex of labrum to apex of longer elytron (in adults of this genus, the abdomen often protrudes beyond the elytral apex), thus the ABL often is much larger that the SBL; SBL (standardized body length), equals the sum of the lengths of the head measured from apex of clypeus to a point on midline at level of the posterior edge of compound eyes; PL (pronotum length) is measured from apical to basal margin along midline; LE (elytron length) is measured from apex of scutellum to apex of the longer elytron; and TW (total width) measured across both elytra at their widest point with suture closed. Note that not all specimens available were measured due to either incomplete or broken specimens, or because more than 33 specimens were available we limited to that as a statistically valid sample. Sexes were measured separately; however, we found slight differences among the species, hence we report measurements for both sexes in our Tables (see Appendix 1). For the Asklepia treatment below, we provide relative size terms based on the SBL as follows: small-size < 2.5 mm, medium-size > 2.5 mm to 3.0 mm, and large-size > 3.0 mm. For an explanation of the measurements and their incorporation in Appendix 1, see Erwin (2011c) and Erwin and Ball (2011). For the present study, we report the harmonic mean, as we believe it better reflects the central tendency than the arithmetic mean.
Attributes of the abdominal ventral sterna are referred to using the numbering system generally accepted in carabid studies, i.e., the sternum divided medially by the hind coxae is sternum II (the first being hidden) and the last visible is sternum VII (Liu et al. 2011).
In a revision of the genus Pericompsus (Erwin 1974), a problem was encountered with the term "stria" for features of their punctate elytra (i.e., the so called striae were not striae, rather they were rows of punctures). The result was the use of the term "interneur" to apply to the attribute lying between intervals. Through use of this term, one could describe the feature as interneur striate, punctate, striatopunctate, etc.
The same problem exists for the proximal end of the median lobe of the male genitalia. In Snodgrass (1935), the term "phallobase" is used, and we have adopted it here (see Erwin 2011c). So, by extension, in Carabidae, we can say phallobase hooded (e.g., Lebiini, Pseudomorphini), phallobase of two parallel sclerotized struts (basal trechines and Andinodontis), phallobase of two uneven struts (Bembidion), etc. Kavanaugh (pers. comm.) points out that with struts there is still a connecting membrane surrounding the struts forming a "bulb." We have chosen the aedeagal illustration of a male A. laetitia sp. n. (Fig. 61) to have the identifying code letters and these apply to all illustrations of male genitalia of Asklepia and the male genitalia of Peruphorticus gulliveri sp. n. (Fig. 17), although there are some subtle differences in the endophallus from those of Asklepia.
This study includes a total of thousands of specimens of Lachnophorini, and 383 adult specimens of Asklepia, all currently at the National Museum of Natural History, Washington, DC (NMNH). Among the Asklepia, three specimens were received from the AMNH (Lee Herman, Curator); 31 specimens from the University of Alberta, Edmonton, Canada (UASM) collected in Brazil and sent to us by George E. Ball; 14 specimens from the Carnegie Museum of Natural History (CMNH) (Robert L. Davidson, Collection Manager); and ten specimens from the Museum of Zoology at the University of São Paulo, Brazil (MZUSP) (Dra. Sônia Casari, Curator). Also studied were the lectotype of A. lebioides Bates and holotypes of A. pulchripennis, A. geminata, and A. hilaris from the Muséum National d'Histoire Naturelle, Paris (MNHP, Azadeh Taghavian, Collection Manager) and a paralectotype of A. lebioides from the Natural History Museum in London (BMNH, Beulah Garner, Curator). Primary type specimens of new species will be deposited in their countries of origin if required by legal agreements, or museums of ownership at the conclusion of our studies on this tribe. The habitus images of the adult beetles portray most of the character states referred to in the keys provided. Illustrations of male genitalia are standard for descriptive taxonomy of carabid beetles in both preparation and aspects presented, as is the presentations of the female genitalia. The habitus images of the adults were made with a Visionary Digital TM high resolution imaging system rendered using Photoshop to become "Digital Photo-illustrations." Figure 56 demonstrates an elytron divided into six quadrants that we use to describe color patterns. Figure captions include an ADP number, which is a unique identification number for the specimen that was illustrated or imaged and links the specimen and associated illustrations and/or images to additional information, such as collecting notes, in electronic databases at the NMNH.
Geographical data are presented for species based on all known specimens available at the time of manuscript preparation, including those in the literature. Georeferenced data have been determined from locality information provided on specimen labels; only those exact georeferences reported in decimal degrees that are provided on the label are placed in quotes. Otherwise, we have estimated others as closely as possible from places, mileage, or other locality data listed on the label and searched with Google Earth Pro. Latitude and longitude for those are reported in decimal degrees and have been corrected from those reported on the labels, if necessary; our bottom line is that georeferences locality data reported herein are far more accurate than those provided on specimens labels.
Distribution maps are provided for the species of Asklepia . Here, vernacular names in English are proposed, as common names are becoming increasingly needed in conservation reports and studies, and/or agricultural and forestry applications. These names are based on criteria set forth in Erwin (2011a) and applied in Erwin (2011b).

Supertribe Odacanthitae
Key to the Tribes of Odacanthitae of the Western Hemisphere . Subgena with patch of setae ventrad the eye, or entire venter of head with sparse short vestiture (except in Amphithasus, Aporesthus, Diplacanthogaster, Guatemalteca, Homethes, Lachnaces, and Quammenis); antennomeres 2 and 3 fully setose (except in Aporesthus, Diplacanthogaster, Guatemalteca, Homethes, and Quammenis); apical palpomeres inflated or fusiform; apical labial palpomere with short setae (except in Anchonoderus, Aporesthus, Guatemalteca, Homethes, Peruphorticus, and Pseudophorticus); elytra obliquely truncate (and deeply sinuate in Aeolodermus, Quammenis, and Stenocheila); abdominal sterna with scattered setae (except in Aporesthus, Diplacanthogaster, and Quammenis); spermatheca bipartite, or derivable from a bipartite ground plan (cf. Liebherr 1988), but not yet checked in several genera. We note that the mentum is toothed or not in adults of lachnophorine genera; we have not used that here, but LSZ will do so in an upcoming phylogenetic study of the tribe. Notes. We have arrayed the lachnophorine genera in two subtribes based on vestiture and body form: Eucaerina LeConte contains Amphithasus, Aporesthus, Asklepia, Eucaerus, Guatemalteca, and Lachnaces, all of which have adults with little, or no general setation and except for Amphithasus are of planate body form; and Lachnophorina LeConte contains Anchonoderus, Calybe, Ega, Euphorticus, Lachnophorus, Pseudophorticus, Peruphorticus, and Selina, adults of which are richly invested with setae and/or pubescence and of a medium to markedly convex body form. Given that Selina is the only Eastern Hemisphere taxon in this group, its adult similarity to Ega adults may be convergence.
We note that Amphithasus is somewhat "forced" into the Eucaerina herein provisionally until such time that a major phylogenetic analysis can be undertaken either by a detailed morphological analysis, a molecular analysis, or desirably both. Attributes of the rarely collected adults of this genus are sufficiently distinctive that they may deserve a subtribe of their own (and that subtribe may also include three undescribed genera of which we have only six specimens and are reluctant to describe at present -one of these, with three species, has evolved somewhat parallel to the members of Rhadine LeConte, 1848, a platynine genus). In regard to Quammenis, we believe it to be closely associated with Diplacanthogaster Liebke, 1932 andStenocheila Laporte de Castelnau, 1832 of South America; and if so, then both Homethes Newman, 1842 and Aeolodermus Andrewes, 1929 of the Old World need to be reconsidered because adults of Aeolodermus have much in common with adults of Quammenis. For the present, we treat these five genera as incertae sedis within the Lachnophorini.

Key to the genera of the Lachnophorini
Distribution. Indonesia, Malaysia, and the Philippines. Notes. Chaudoir (1872) believed his species was close to Stenocheila Laporte de Castelnau; however, Andrewes (1929) followed the advice of Sloane (in litt. or pers. comm.) and left it in the "Anchomenini." Darlington (1956) followed Andrewes; however, we believe Chaudoir was clearly correct and we have classified it here within the Lachnophorini along with Stenocheila, Diplacanthogaster, and Homethes.
Type species. Amphithasus truncatus Bates, 1871:32 Way of life. Size range -3.5 mm to 6.0 mm; adults of this genus are found singly at night on wet leaf litter at the margins of swamps and medium-sized rivers, and on dry trails in primary rainforest.
Distribution. Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, Perú. Notes. Currently, two described species are assigned to this genus, however, there are five species represented in the NMNH collection. There is a need for a taxonomic revision of the group. Anchomenus elegans Dejean, 1831:725, was placed in "Amphithasus" by Lorenz (1998a), but we question his generic placement. Recourse to the type in Paris will solve the problem.
References. Erwin (1991); Ball and Bousquet (2000); Bousquet (2012).  Size range -4.5 mm to 8.5 mm; adults of this genus are found on the muddy banks of rivers and streams where they run in the sun from crack to crack in the baked mud. Other ubiquitous species are found throughout the forest where there is sandy soil and thin dry leaf litter, as well as on upper parts of river banks in thin layers of leaf litter. However, most species occur at stream margins among small stones and gravel and in flood debris along upper stream margins. The fact that only 27 species are described from the Neotropics and 11 occur at a single locality at Pakitza, Perú indicates the identification of species is impossible without recourse to types. A taxonomic revision of the group is need.
Distribution. Arizona and Texas south to Argentina, including many of the Caribbean islands.

Aporesthus Bates, 1871
Perplexing beetles Fig. 6 Aporesthus Bates, 1871:103 Phaedrusium Liebke, 1941:249: Synonymy by Erwin, 1991 Type species. Aporesthus anomalus Bates, 1871:103 Way of life. Size range -4.0 mm to 5.5 mm; these very interesting small beetles occur on the underside of suspended logs and branches that straddle small to medium sized streams in the rainforest. They run to the top when the underside is splashed with water and when the streams rise due to heavy rainfall. Nothing more has been published about species of this genus.
Distribution. Bolivia, Brazil, Guyana, Guyane, Ecuador, Paraguay, Perú, Surinam. Notes. Currently, three described species are assigned to this genus; however, ten species are represented in the NMNH collection. A taxonomic revision of the group is needed. Identification of species is impossible without recourse to types.
References. Ball and Hilchie (1983) as Phaedrusium; Liebherr (1988) as Phaedrusium; Erwin (1991); Ball and Bousquet (2000); Bousquet (2012); Erwin et al. (2012).  Way of life. Size range -3.1 mm to 4.9 mm; species of this genus not only have color patterns and movements like ants, but also have body constrictions giving them near ant-like proportions. They live near water bodies usually on steep slopes just above the margin on damp clay soils.
Distribution. Northwestern México south to Argentina. Notes. Currently, eight described species are assigned to this genus; however, many more species are represented in the NMNH collection. There is a need for a taxonomic revision of the group. Identification of species is impossible without recourse to types.

Diplacanthogaster Liebke, 1932
Two-cornered beetles Fig. 8 Diplacanthogaster Liebke, 1932:148 Type species. Diplacanthogaster bicolor Liebke, 1932 Way of life. Size range -7.0 mm to 9.0 mm; the single species of this genus is active in April, July, and August, and probably in proximity of water.
Distribution. Brazil. Notes. Reichardt (1967) regarded this genus as congeneric with Stenocheila Laporte de Castelnau. However, his study shows he had no male specimens of the latter for comparisons. We have presented in the key to genera above the attributes that justify Liebke's separation of the two genera and not Reichardt's synonymy.
References. Liebke (1932), Reichardt (1967).  Size range -2.8 mm to 4.7 mm; species of this genus not only have color patterns and movements like ants, they have body constrictions, giving them ant-like proportions, even more so than their probable adelphotaxon, Calybe. They live near water bodies usually on steep slopes above the water on damp clay soils, in the company of similar-sized ants. They catch small arthropod prey on the run much like tiger beetles. Identification is very difficult without recourse to types; the genus is in need of a taxonomic revision.
Distribution. Southern USA (CA to GA, FL) south to Argentina. Not known from the Caribbean islands.
Notes. Currently, 17 described species are assigned to this genus, some of which are likely Calybe species; however, many more true Ega species are represented in the NMNH collection. A taxonomic revision of the group is needed. Identification of species is impossible without recourse to types.
References. Liebherr (1983); Erwin (1991); Ball and Bousquet (2000); Bousquet (2012); Erwin et al. (2012). Way of life. Size range -2.4 mm to 5.5 mm; these species are all hygrophilous, occurring in rotting leaf litter in densely shaded wet situations, stream sides, or swamps, and at margins of open marshes. They are common in some places; however, they run fast and it is difficult to obtain series without a lot of work. The opposite is true at other places where 100 or more individuals will flush together from a third of a square meter of wet leaf litter. Their way of life is unknown, but they likely are predatory on small arthropods.

Eucaerus
Distribution. Maryland, USA south through Texas and Florida to Brazil, including the larger Caribbean islands, México, and Central America.
Notes. Currently, 10 described species are assigned to this genus; however, several more species are represented in the NMNH collection. A taxonomic revision of the group is needed. Identification of species is impossible without recourse to types.
References. Ball and Hilchie (1983); Liebherr (1988); Erwin (1991); Ball and Bousquet (2000); Bousquet (2012); Erwin et al. (2012).   Dejean, 1831:30 Way of life. Size range -4.0 mm to 4.9 mm; these beetles are somewhat ubiquitous. They occur near water or at damp places, on a variety of soil types. Adults of all species are dark, often black, and one new species from Paraguay is vividly metallic. Adults of another new species from Perú was found readily under clumps of cut grass in an open field, as well as on algae covered sandy clay running in the bright sunshine. Adults are attracted to lights.
Distribution. Southern United States south to southern Brazil, including some Caribbean islands.
Notes. Currently, four described species are assigned to this genus; however, two additional new species are represented in the NMNH collection. A taxonomic revision of the group is needed. Identification of species is impossible without recourse to types.

Guatemalteca Erwin, 2004
Shiny downy-bellied beetles Figs 12, 25 Guatemalteca Erwin, 2004:12 Type species. Guatemalteca virgen Erwin, 2004:12 Way of life. Size range -4.3 mm to 5.2 mm; these small beetles occur along small rocky streams in the highlands and in wet leaf litter in the lowlands; they take cover in the day time under stones or stream side debris. Many adults have been collected in Guyane with flight intercept traps (FITs).
Distribution. Costa Rica; Guatemala; Guyane; México; Perú. Notes. Currently, one described species is assigned to this genus; however, two additional new species are represented in the NMNH collection, one from Guyane and another from Perú. A taxonomic revision of the group is needed.

Lachnaces Bates, 1872
Dull downy-bellied beetles Figs 14, 26 Lachnaces Bates, 1872:201 Type species. Lachnaces sericeus Bates, 1872:202 Way of life. Size range -3.2 mm to 5.4 mm; these small beetles occur in Amazonian inundation forests of the Varzea and Igapó systems. Adults occur in very wet leaf litter and in rotten wood in swampy areas. One adult was found by insecticidal fogging of the suspended fronds of an Astrocaryum palm; no doubt it was seeking refuge from inundation.
Distribution. Brazil, Perú. Notes. Currently, three described species are assigned to this genus: however, eight species are represented in the NMNH collection. A taxonomic revision of the group is needed.
References. Ball and Hilchie (1983); Erwin (1991); Ball and Bousquet (2000). pattern makes them appear like ants, and movements are ant-like, but they do not necessarily occur with ants. They catch small arthropod prey on the run much like tiger beetles.
Distribution. Southern United States south to Uruguay, including the larger Caribbean islands.
Notes. Currently, 42 described species are assigned to this genus. A taxonomic revision of the genus is needed. Identification is very difficult without recourse to types.
Dispersal potential. The wings are fully developed, thus it is likely that these beetles are moderate to strong flyers.
Distribution. As currently recorded, member species are known from Costa Rica, Ecuador, and Perú.
Way of life. These small beetles are found in dry or wet leaf litter in Amazonian rainforests independent of water bodies, and particularly along dusty trails. In Costa Rica, they occur at higher elevations in cloud forest. At least two species with adults somewhat reddish in color are found only on the lateritic soils pushed up by members of the ant genus Atta during nest building and nest maintenance activities.
Notes. Nine species are represented in the NMNH, in addition to the one described herein. It is probable that the nine additional species are new to science; however, types of the genera Lachnophorus and Euphorticus need to be examined to make sure they are rightfully assigned to those genera and not Peruphorticus. Derivation of specific epithet. The epithet "gulliveri" is a Latinized eponym, genitive case, based on the name made famous by the Irish writer Jonathan Swift in 1726, namely Gulliver's Travels. We so name this species because of its very large size in comparison to its congeners, reminding us of Gulliver's travels on the island of Lilliput.

Peruphorticus gulliveri
Proposed english vernacular name. Gulliver's beauty-bearing beetle. Diagnosis. With the attributes of the genus Pseudophorticus, as described by Erwin (2004) and as noted above, and large-sized for the genus. Adults with fuscous dorsum and venter and shiny throughout, the elytron with fulvous subhumeral and subapical spots, legs and mouthparts testaceous, antennomeres pale to slightly infuscated. Microsculpture absent from head and pronotum, of fine isodiametric sculpticells on most of elytron, surface luster somewhat shiny and slightly aeneous in some specimens. Head multipunctate, setiferous, punctures of occiput large and deep; pronotum multipunctate and rugose, setiferous, punctures large and deep; elytron striatopunctate, striae well-impressed, intervals moderately convex and multipunctate, setiferous. Labial palpomere 3 (Fig. 16) elongate and slightly acuminate (apex narrowly rounded). Pronotum lateral margin narrowly explanate throughout. Males with tarsomeres 1-3 slightly widened each with biserial rows of adhesive vestiture on ventral surface.
Dispersal potential. These beetles are macropterous and probably capable of flight. They are moderately swift and agile runners.
Distribution. (Fig. 79 Erwin, 2004:8 Way of life. Size range -4.7 mm to 6.2 mm; these small beetles occur on the ground in rainforests; they are diurnal and run in clearings and on trails in open spots.
Nothing is known about their way of life.
Distribution. Costa Rica south to Perú and southeastern Brazil. Notes. Currently, one described species is assigned to this genus. Many undescribed species are represented in collections, misidentified as either Euphorticus or Lachnophorus; the genus is in need of a taxonomic revision. In order to do such a revision, one would need to study all the primary types of both Euphorticus and Lachnophorus to discover their correct generic assignments.
References. Erwin (1991) Erwin, 2000:280 Way of life. Size range -6.5 mm to 7.0 mm; these beetles occur on steep or vertical wet rocky surfaces with mosses and ferns and other hygrophilous plants in cloud forests (e.g., hygropetric habitats such as vertical waterfalls, seeps, wet rocks, etc. (see Fig. 2)).
Notes. Currently, one described species is assigned to this genus. References. Erwin (2000); Bousquet (2012). Way of life. Size range -3.9 mm to 5.0 mm; these small beetles occur on sandy banks of rivers (Lewis, 1882:480).
Distribution. Africa, India, Madagascar, Sri Lanka, and Vietnam. Notes. Currently, six described species are assigned to this genus; names of five of them are listed by Lorenz (2005) as synonyms of S. westermanni Mots. We believe that a revision is necessary. Selina, Homethes, and Aeolodermus are the only known members of Lachnophorini found in the Eastern Hemisphere.
Species are arrayed across three species groups based mainly on the armature of the male aedeagal endophallus: geminata species group (endophallus without spines, Fig. 57), hilaris species group (endophallus with multiple spines, Figs 58-63), and pulchripennis group (endophallus with two spines, Figs 64-74). In addition, the species of the geminata species group have elytral striae and moderately convex intervals; the hilaris group members have explanate lateral margins on the pronotum while those of the pulchripennis groups are feebly beaded only in the anterior half.
Dispersal potential. The wings are fully developed in most individuals we have studied, thus it is likely that these beetles are moderate to strong flyers; however, in at least two species there are also brachypterous adults. This is unusual in lowland Amazonian species; for example, see Adis et al. (1997Adis et al. ( [1998) on a species of an odacanthine near Manaus, Brazil.
Geographic distribution. . As currently known, the range of this genus extends in cis-Andean South America from southeastern Colombia south to Bolivia and east to Guyana and Belém, Brazil, and from there south to Entre Ríos Province, Argentina.
Way of life. These species live close to water in wet leaf litter and on aquatic vegetation (macrophytes) of backwashes along rivers, streams, and lakeshores of both Varzea and Igapó forests and among dead leaf accumulations on rocky or sandy stream banks. Immature stages are unknown; however, given the wide variation in adult size within a species as noted in the introduction, it is possible that larvae are ectoparasitoids (cf. Erwin 1967Erwin , 1979Frank et al. 2009).
Notes. Not much has been previously published on this genus. We now know there are many undescribed species across the Amazon Basin and on the Guiana Shield and the southern part of the Brazilian Shield; hence it is not monobasic as reported by Reichardt (1974). Bates (1871) actually described four species (assigned herein to Asklepia) placing them in the genus Eucaerus LeConte, none of which were recognized previously as an Asklepia species (cf. Liebke 1938;Reichardt 1974). Since the genus was in need of taxonomic revision, we have provided it here. Many areas of South America have not been sampled for very small water-side beetles; thus, it is likely many more species of this genus will be discovered in the future. As pointed out recently ), many very tiny-sized carabid clades have gone mostly unnoticed. In the 1930's, the discovery of Gehringia olympica Darlington served to adjust the search image of carabidologists toward a fractal universe smaller than previously used; however, such search image needs to be focused more in the rainforests of the world.
Included species. The species list below, as well as arrangement of descriptions that follows, is ordered alphabetically. geminata species group taxa Asklepia geminata (Bates) Liebke, 1938 Note. Because of the variability within species and the marked similarity across some species, only features of the male genitalia provide reliable means for identification of some species. Unfortunately, we did not have at our disposal males of all the species to image.

geminata species group
This species group is monobasic and its single species is widespread from northern Perú to near the mouth of the Río Amazonas at Belém. Adults of the geminata species group are dark brown with markedly striate elytral interneurs, striae without punctures, intervals moderately convex; prothorax with narrowly explanate lateral margins and small, slightly produced obtuse hind angles. Endophallus of aedeagus without spines. Derivation of specific epithet. The specific epithet, geminata, is a Latin adjective, meaning double (for example, the celestial Gemini, sign of the twins, Romulus and Remus, the mythological founders of Rome), or arranged in pairs as used here by Bates with reference to the two elytral spots.
Proposed english vernacular name. Twin-spot pattern-wing beetle. Diagnosis. With the attributes of the genus Asklepia as described by Liebke (1938) and as noted above under the generic diagnosis, and medium-sized for the genus (SBL = 2.512-2.794 mm). Adult with head and prothorax brunneus, elytral maculae fulvous or aurantiacus in some individuals; elytron brunneus with an elongated oval, horizontally oriented macula crossing basal quadrants and a round flavous macula in the apical proximal quadrant, lateral margin of medial and apical quadrant fulvous; metasternum, abdominal sterna III-VI, and epipleuron brunneus, abdominal sternum VII slightly paler; legs flavotestaceous; antennal scape and pedicel testaceous, antennomeres 3-6 and basal half of 7 deeply infuscated, apical half of 7, 8-11 white. Head and pronotum surface devoid of microsculpture surface luster very shiny; elytra surface with finely impressed isodiametric microsculpture. Pronotum cordiform, narrowly explanate, with medial lobe at base, lateral margin beaded; hind angle moderately prominent; median line well defined. Elytral interneurs striate and continuous along entire length of elytron.
Description. (Figs 29,57). Habitus: (Fig. 29). Size: [See also Table 1] Mediumsize for the genus; ABL = 2.768-2.997 mm, SBL = 2.512-2.794 mm, TW (total width) 1.411-1.440 mm, LP = 0.536-0.603 mm, WP = 0.733-0.820 mm, LE = 1.622-1.849 mm. Color: See diagnosis above. Luster: See diagnosis above. Head (Fig. 29): as in description for genus above. Prothorax. Pronotum (Fig. 29) moderately broad, as wide as head across eyes (WH/WP, mean both sexes: 0.964), longer than head (LP/LH, mean both sexes: 1.641), wider than long (W/L, mean both sexes: 1.364); markedly cordiform and explanate, lateral margin beaded with seta at anterior third; anterior angles feebly produced; base markedly constricted with medial lobe at base; hind angle moderately produced and setose; median line well defined, transverse impression punctate, punctures infuscated; surface smooth throughout. Pterothorax. Normal for genus, see description for genus above. Elytra slightly convex; at apical third twice as long as head across eyes (WH/TW, mean both sexes: 0.524) and pronotum (WP/TW, mean both sexes: 0.544), longer than wide. Elytral interneurs striate and continuous along length of entire elytron. Surface with finely impressed microsculpture, sculpticells isodiametric. Hind wings fully developed. Legs. Overall, normal for genus, see description for genus above. Abdominal sterna. Overall, normal for genus, see description for genus above. Male genitalia (Fig. 57, see Fig. 61 for attribute labels). Median lobe with phallobase short about a fourth the length of shaft, basal opening moderately small, oriented parallel to shaft. Shaft narrow, moderately curved ventrally, dorsally sclerotized except for short ostium; in ventral aspect tapered toward rather narrowly rounded apex, in lateral aspect, a rounded apex. Parameres: left very large and broad, right small and triangular, apex of left paramere lobate much longer than right paramere about half the length of shaft (measured in left lateral aspect). Endophallus without preapical spines. Female genitalia. Not investigated, presumably similar to that of A. demiti sp. n.
Dispersal potential. These beetles are macropterous and probably capable of flight. They are moderately swift and agile runners.
Distribution. (Fig. 76). The wide geographical range from near the mouth of the Río Amazon at Belém to the black-waters of Pacaya-Samiria Reserve in Perú on the upper Amazon drainage system is unusual for this genus. But as pointed out in the introduction, very small carabid beetles are not collected by any but carabid specialists, and there have been few of those, working the Amazon Basin.
Way of life. See Erwin (1991) for a general description of the genus. Adults of this species are active in both the late rainy season and transition to the dry season in lowland rain forest. They occur particularly in wet leaf litter in "aguajales," i.e., palm forests (Mauritia flexuosa L. f.) that are present along major waterways throughout the Amazon Basin and along river and stream margins and in open marshes.
Other specimens examined.

hilaris species group
This species group contains eight species and is widespread from northern Perú to at least Santarém on the lower Río Amazonas, north into Venezuela and only known south of the Río Amazonas at Manaus and Santarém by a few kilometers. Dorsal surface mostly dark, particularly the head and pronotum and base color of the elytra; abdominal sterna infuscated except VII which is aurantiacus. Pronotum with lateral margin narrowly explanate; hind angles produced and about right or acute. Endophallus of aedeagus with 6-12 spines, depending on the species. Derivation of specific epithet. The specific epithet, campbellorum, is an eponym based on the family name of Milt and Beverly Campbell † , collectors of the type series.

Asklepia campbellorum
Proposed english vernacular name. Campbells' pattern-wing beetle. Diagnosis. With the attributes of the genus Asklepia as described by Liebke (1938) and as noted above under the generic diagnosis, and medium to large-sized for the genus (SBL = 2.941-3.198 mm). Adults with head and prothorax brunneus, elytral maculae aurantiacus; elytron fuscous with a small rounded aurantiacus macula in the lateral apical quadrant and proximal apical quadrant and an oval aurantiacus macula in the proximal apical quadrant, maculae reach the sutural area. Color pattern variable, maculae in the apical quadrants are connected, forming a single macula or completely absent in some individuals. Metasternum, abdominal sterna III-VI, and epipleuron brunneus, abdominal sternum VII paler; legs testaceous; antennal scape and pedicel testaceous, antennomeres 3-7 deeply infuscated, 8-11 white. Dorsal surface devoid of microsculpture, surface luster very shiny. Pronotum cordiform, narrowly explanate, with medial lobe at base, lateral margin beaded; anterior angles markedly produced, hind angle angulate, very prominent; median line moderately defined. Elytral interneurs evident as rows of continuous closely spaced fine punctures.
Dispersal potential. These beetles are macropterous and probably capable of flight. They are moderately swift and agile runners.
Distribution. (Fig. 77). This species has been found at only one location on the shore of a small lake near the middle of the Amazon River drainage system. But that does not at all indicate its actual distribution: As has been pointed out above, very small beetles are inadequately sampled, especially in the Neotropics.
Way of life. See Erwin (1991) for a general description. Adults of this species are active in lowland rainforest in the transition from rainy to dry seasons. Derivation of specific epithet. The specific epithet, demiti, is a singular Latinized feminine noun in apposition, based on the name of the river along which these beetles are found.
Proposed english vernacular name. Río Demiti pattern-wing beetles. Diagnosis. With the attributes of the genus Asklepia as described by Liebke (1938) and as noted above under the generic diagnosis, and medium to large-sized for the genus (SBL = 2.590-3.131 mm). Adults with head and prothorax fuscous, elytral maculae fulvous or aurantiacus in some individuals; elytron fuscous with rounded aurantiacus macula in the lower left corner of apical proximal quadrant and in the upper right corner of medial lateral quadrant; maculae are connected forming a single macula in some individuals, apical proximal quadrant with a rounded aurantiacus macula in the upper left corner and sutural area aurantiacus; metasternum, abdominal sterna III-VI, and epipleuron brunneus, abdominal sternum VII slightly paler; legs flavotestaceous; antennal scape and pedicel testaceous, antennomeres 3-7 infuscated (less so in the holotype), 8-11 white. Dorsal surface devoid of microsculpture, surface luster very shiny. Pronotum cordiform, narrowly explanate, with medial lobe at base, lateral margin beaded; anterior angle feebly produced, hind angle angulate, very prominent; median line moderately defined. Elytral interneurs evident as short discontinuous rows of fine punctures.
Description. (Figs 31,59,75). Habitus: (Fig. 31). Size: [See also Table 3] Medium to large-size for the genus; ABL = 2.089-3.071 mm, SBL = 2.590-3.131 mm, TW (total width) 1.491-1.815 mm, LP = 0.545-0.642 mm, WP = 0.762-0.888 mm, LE = 1.721-2.036 mm. Color: See diagnosis above. Luster: See diagnosis above. Head (Fig. 31): as in description for genus above. Prothorax. Pronotum (Fig. 31) moderately broad, as wide as head across eyes (WP/WH, both sexes: 1.025), longer than head (LP/LH, mean both sexes: 1.471), wider than long (W/L, mean both sexes: 1.380); markedly cordiform and explanate, lateral margin beaded with seta at anterior third; apical margin straight, base markedly constricted with medial lobe at base; anterior angle feebly produced, hind angle markedly prominent and setose; median line moderately defined, apical transverse impression punctate, punctures coarse and infuscated; surface smooth throughout. Pterothorax. Normal for genus, see description for genus above. Elytra slightly convex; at apical third twice as wide as head across eyes (WH/TW, mean both sexes: 0.492) and pronotum (WP/TW, mean both sexes: 0.504). Elytral interneurs evident as short discontinuous rows of fine punctures; punctures with a fuscous halo at basal and apical proximal quadrant of elytron. Hind wings fully developed. Legs. Overall, normal for genus, see description for genus above. Abdominal sterna. Overall, normal for genus, see description for genus above. Male genitalia (Fig. 59, see Fig. 61 for attribute labels). Median lobe with phallobase short about a fifth the length of shaft, basal opening small, oriented parallel to shaft. Shaft broad, slightly curved ventrally, dorsally sclerotized except for short ostium; in ventral aspect tapered toward rather narrowly rounded apex, in lateral aspect, a broadly rounded apex. Left paramere very large and broad, right small and triangular, apex of left paramere lobate much longer than right paramere about half the length of shaft (measured in left lateral aspect). Endophallus with 10 small medial spines and one large distal spine. Female genitalia. (Fig. 75A and B) Ovipositor with broad laterotergite (lt) and two narrow gonocoxites (gc 1, gc 2); gonocoxite 1 apicolaterally not setose; gonocoxite 2 shallowly falcate, base (b) medium-size much broader than narrow blade (bl) which is elongate, with two dorsal ensiform setae (des), ventral ensiform seta absent, ensiform setae moderately short and robust; without ventral preapical nematiform setae. Reproductive tract proximally with moderately short, broad bursa copulatrix (bc), continuous at its distal end with common oviduct (co) and long robust bipartite spermatheca (sp) distal to broad short villous canal (vc), one lobe slightly narrowed distally; spermathecal gland not found in dissection; spermathecal gland duct (sgd) robust, heavily sclerotized, attached to oviduct at base of its broadened portion. Defense gland ( Fig. 75C) with an annulated sausage-shaped accessory gland (cc) and large reservoir (gldr) distal to a long efferent duct (ed).
Dispersal potential. These beetles are macropterous and probably capable of flight. They are moderately swift and agile runners.
Distribution. (Fig. 77). This species has been found at only two locations on second-order white-water streams of the Río Negro drainage system. But that does not at all indicate its real distribution: as has been pointed out above, very small beetles are inadequately sampled, especially in the Neotropics.
Way of life. See Erwin (1991) for a general description of the genus. Adults of this species are active in lowland Varzea rainforest in the late rainy season. It seems from the known samples that this species is found on white-water systems.
Other specimens examined. Derivation of specific epithet.The specific epithet, derived from the Greek duofos, δυο (duo) = two, fɸσ (fos) = lights) is a noun used in apposition referring to the two bright spots on the elytra.
Proposed english vernacular name. Two-lights pattern-wing beetle. Diagnosis. With the attributes of the genus Asklepia as described by Liebke (1938) and as noted above under the generic diagnosis, and small to medium-sized for the genus (SBL = 2.248-2.941 mm). Adults with head and prothorax brunneus, elytral maculae aurantiacus; elytron fuscous with small rounded aurantiacus macula in the lower left corner of proximal basal quadrant, a small rounded aurantiacus macula in the upper left corner of proximal basal quadrant, maculae about the size of ¼ of the quadrant, a semicircular aurantiacus macula in the proximal apical quadrant, macula does not reach the apical margin; proximal quadrants slightly paler compared with lateral quadrants; metasternum, abdominal sterna III-VI, and epipleuron brunneus, abdominal sternum VII paler; legs testaceous; antennal scape and pedicel testaceous, antennomeres 3-6 and basal half of 7 deeply infuscated, apical half of 7, 8-11 white. Dorsal surface devoid of microsculpture, surface luster very shiny. Pronotum cordiform, narrowly explanate, lateral margin beaded; anterior angles feebly produced, hind angle markedly prominent; median line moderately defined. Elytral interneurs evident as short discontinuous rows of widely spaced coarse punctures.
Description. Habitus (Fig. 32). Size: [See also Table 4] Small-sized for the genus; ABL = 2.433 mm, SBL = 2.248 mm, TW (total width) 1.124 mm, LP = 0.495 mm, WP = 0.666 mm, LE = 1.407 mm. Color: See diagnosis above. Luster: See diagnosis above. Head (Fig. 32): as in description for genus above. Prothorax. Pronotum (Fig. 32) moderately broad, as wide as head across eyes (WH/WP: 0.939), longer than head (LP/LH: 1.423), wider than long (PW/PL: 1.397); markedly cordiform and explanate, lateral margin beaded with seta at anterior third; base markedly constricted; anterior angles feebly produced, hind angle markedly prominent, produced and setose; median line markedly defined, apical transverse impressions punctate, punctures infuscated; surface smooth throughout. Pterothorax. Normal for genus, see description for genus above. Elytra slightly convex; at apical third twice as wide as head across eyes (WH/MW: 0.489) and pronotum (WP/MW: 0.521), longer than wide. Elytral interneurs evident as short rows of discontinuous widely spaced coarse punctures. Hind wings fully developed. Legs. Overall, normal for genus, see description for genus above. Abdominal sterna. Overall, normal for genus, see description for genus above. Male genitalia. The male paratype was dissected for illustrating the male aedeagus; however, it was damaged in the process and we were hesitant to dissect the holotype at this time. We do note the presence of multiple spines on the endophallus. Female genitalia. Not investigated, presumably similar to that of A. demiti sp. n.
Dispersal potential. These beetles are macropterous and probably capable of flight. They are moderately swift and agile runners.
Distribution. (Fig. 77). This species has been found at only one location on the shore of a small lake near the middle Amazon River drainage system. But that does not at all indicate its real distribution: as has been pointed out above, very small beetles are inadequately sampled, especially in the Neotropics.
Way of life. See Erwin (1991) for a general description. Adults of this species are active in lowland rainforest during the transition from rainy to dry seasons Other specimens examined. None. Derivation of specific epithet.The specific epithet, grammechrysea derived from the Greek γραμμή (grammae) = line, κριχισηα (chrysea) = golden), is a noun in apposition referring to the yellow (flavous) line on the pronotum.

Asklepia grammechrysea
Proposed english vernacular name. Golden-line pattern-wing beetle. Diagnosis. With the attributes of the genus Asklepia as described by Liebke (1938) and as noted above under the generic diagnosis. Individuals of this species present a wide range of sizes from small to large for the genus (SBL = 2.265-3.736 mm). Adults with head fuscous, pronotum bicolored, its lateral areas fuscous, medial area aurantiacus; elytral maculae aurantiacus, elytron fuscous with an elongated horizontally oriented flavous macula crossing basal lateral and proximal quadrant, sutural area fuscous, and with a semicircular flavous macula in the apical proximal quadrant, sutural area fulvous, lateral margin of medial and apical quadrants fulvous; metasternum, abdominal sterna III-VI, basal half of sternum VII and epipleuron brunneus, apical half of abdominal sternum VII paler; legs fulvous; antennal scape and pedicel testaceous, antennomeres 3-7 deeply infuscated, 8-11 white. Dorsal surface devoid of microsculpture, surface luster very shiny. Pronotum cordiform, narrowly explanate, with medial lobe at base, apical margin slightly concave lateral margin beaded; hind angle markedly prominent; median line markedly defined. Elytral interneurs evident as continuous rows of fine closely spaced punctures; punctures fuscous; basal and apical punctures each with infuscated halo.
Pterothorax. Normal for genus, see description for genus above. Elytra slightly convex; at apical third twice as width as head across eyes (WH/TW, mean both sexes: 0.481) and pronotum (WP/TW, mean both sexes: 0.493), longer than wide. Elytral interneurs evident as continuous rows of fine closely spaced punctures; punctures each with a fuscous halo in the basal and apical proximal quadrant of elytron. Hind wings fully developed. Legs. Overall, normal for genus, see description for genus above. Abdominal sterna. Overall, normal for genus, see description for genus above. Male genitalia (Fig. 60, see Fig. 61 for attribute labels). Median lobe with phallobase short about a fourth the length of shaft, basal opening small, oriented parallel to shaft. Shaft broad, slightly curved ventrally, dorsally sclerotized except for short ostium; in ventral aspect tapered toward rather narrowly rounded apex, in lateral aspect, a rounded apex. Parameres: left very large and broad, right small and triangular; apex of left paramere lobate much longer than right paramere about half the length of shaft (measured in left lateral aspect). Endophallus with 7 preapical spines. Female genitalia. Not investigated, presumably similar to that of A. demiti sp. n.
Dispersal potential. These beetles are macropterous and probably capable of flight. They are moderately swift and agile runners.
Distribution. (Fig. 77). This species has been found at locations on black-water systems across the northern and western areas of the Amazon River drainage system. But that does not at all indicate its real distribution: as has been pointed out above, very small beetles are inadequately sampled, especially in the Neotropics.
Way of life. See Erwin (1991) for a general Description. Adults of this species are active in lowland Igapó rainforest during the rainy season. They have been found in wet leaf litter at the edge of small streams and lake shores as well as in old levee forests of Attalea palms near a black water river; they also occur on mud with grasses and among crumbly clods of yellowish clay at salt licks, as well as near rotting tree trunks at the water's edge in low lying inundation forest at the edge of a black water lake and on sandy shorelines with matted rhizomes and dry leaf litter.
Other Derivation of specific epithet. The specific epithet, hilaris, is a Latin adjective that adequately describes this species with gaily colorful elytra.
Proposed english vernacular name. Cheerful pattern-wing beetle. Diagnosis. With the attributes of the genus Asklepia as described by Liebke (1938) and as noted above under the generic diagnosis, and small-sized for the genus (SBL = 2.336 mm). Adults with head and prothorax brunneus, elytral maculae fulvous or aurantiacus in some individuals; elytron brunneus with a rectangular flavous macula crossing basal lateral and proximal quadrants, macula not extended to lateral margin or sutural area, and a rounded flavous macula in the apical proximal quadrant, sutural area fulvous; metasternum, abdominal sterna III-VI, and epipleuron testaceous, abdominal sternum VII paler; legs testaceous; antennal scape and pedicel testaceous, antennomeres 3-6 deeply infuscated, 7-11 white. Dorsal surface devoid of microsculpture, surface luster very shiny. Pronotum cordiform, narrowly explanate; anterior angles feebly produced; lateral margin beaded; hind angle angulate, moderately prominent; median line moderately defined. Elytral interneurs evident as rows of discontinuous, coarse punctures widely spaced.
Description. Habitus (Fig. 34). Size: [See also Table 6] Small in size for the genus; ABL = 2.464 mm, SBL = 2.336 mm, TW (total width) 1.233 mm, LP = 0.483 mm, WP = 0.617 mm, LE = 1.495 mm. Color: See diagnosis above. Luster: See diagnosis above. Head (Fig. 34): as in description for genus above. Prothorax. Pronotum (Fig. 34) moderately broad, as wide as head across eyes (WH/WP: 1.085), longer than head (LP/LH: 1.346), wider than long (W/L: 1.294); markedly cordiform and explanate, lateral margin beaded with seta at anterior third; apical margin straight; base markedly constricted; hind angle moderately produced and setose; median line moderately well defined, apical transverse impression punctate, punctures infuscated; surface smooth throughout. Pterothorax. Normal for genus, see description for genus above. Elytra slightly convex; at apical third about same width as head across eyes (WH/TW: 1.099) and pronotum (WP/TW: 1.013). Elytral interneurs evident as rows of discontinuous, widely spaced, coarse punctures. Hind wings fully developed. Legs. Overall, normal for genus, see description for genus above. Abdominal sterna. Overall, normal for genus, see description for genus above. Male genitalia. Dissected by G.E. Ball in 1972 at the BMNH, but the genitalia are missing from the microvial pinned under the holotype. Female genitalia. Not investigated, presumably similar to that of A. demiti sp. n. Dispersal potential. These beetles are macropterous and probably capable of flight. They are moderately swift and agile runners.
Distribution. (Fig. 77). This species has been found at only one location on the white-water system of the Río Amazonas drainage system. But that does not at all indicate its real distribution: as has been pointed out above, very small beetles are inadequately sampled, especially in the Neotropics.
Way of life. See Erwin (1991) for a general description of the genus. No way of life information is available for this species other than that they occur in lowland Amazonia along the "Rio Amazon." Other specimens examined. None. Note. The holotype and only specimen seen by us is glued to a card and is somewhat damaged. Derivation of specific epithet.The specific epithet, laetitia, from the Latin greeting laetitia used in the nominative case, is a singular feminine noun in apposition, based on the name of the town near which these beetles were found, and meaning happiness, joy, gladness, and delight.
Description. (Fig. 35, 61). Habitus: (Fig. 35). Size: [See also  (Fig. 35): as in description for genus above. Prothorax. Pronotum (Fig. 35) moderately broad, as wide as head across eyes (WH/WP: 1.032), longer than head (LP/LH: 1.316), wider than long (W/L: 1.444); markedly cordiform and explanate, lateral margin beaded with seta at anterior third; apical margin straight; base markedly constricted; hind angle moderately produced and setose; median line well defined, basal and apical transverse impression punctate, punctures infuscated; surface smooth throughout. Pterothorax. Normal for genus, see description for genus above. Elytra slightly convex; at apical third markedly wider than head across eyes (WH/TW: 0.468) and twice as wide as pronotum (WP/TW: 0.504). Elytral interneurs evident as rows of continuous, coarse punctures widely spaced, coarse punctures with infuscated halo in the proximal basal and apical quadrants. Hind wings fully developed. Legs. Overall, normal for genus, see description for genus above. Abdominal sterna. Overall, normal for genus, see description for genus above. Male genitalia (Fig. 61). Median lobe (ml) with phallobase (pb) of moderate length about a fourth the length of shaft (ps), basal opening (bo) large, oriented parallel to shaft's apical third. Shaft broad, moderately curved ventrally, dorsally sclerotized except for short ostium (oo, om); in ventral aspect tapered toward rather rounded apex (a), in lateral aspect, a narrowly rounded apex. Left paramere (lp) very large and broad, right (rp) small and triangular, apex of left paramere lobate and much longer than right paramere, about half the length of shaft (measured in left lateral aspect). Endophallus with 5 medial spines (ms), and one very large distal spine (ds). Female genitalia. Not investigated, presumably similar to that of A. demiti sp. n.
Dispersal potential. These beetles are macropterous and probably capable of flight. They are moderately swift and agile runners.
Distribution. (Fig. 77). This species has been found at only one location on the white-water system of the Amazon River drainage system. But that does not at all indicate its actual distribution, as has been pointed out above, very small beetles are inadequately sampled, especially in the Neotropics.
Way of life. See Erwin (1991) for a general description of the genus. No way of life information is available for this species other than they occur in lowland Amazonian rainforest.
Other specimens examined. None. (Bates, 1871) Derivation of specific epithet.The specific epithet, lebioides, is a Latin adjective that adequately describes this species with adults resembling (-oides) some adults in the lebiine genus, Lebia.

Asklepia lebioides
Proposed english vernacular name. Lebia-like pattern-wing beetle. Diagnosis. With the attributes of the genus Asklepia as described by Liebke (1938) and as noted above under the generic diagnosis, and medium to large-sized for the genus (SBL = 2.692-3.142). Adults with head and prothorax fuscous, elytral maculae aurantiacus; elytron fuscous with a slender aurantiacus macula crossing apical lateral and proximal quadrants, macula does not reach the lateral margin and the sutural area, and a rounded aurantiacus macula in the proximal apical quadrant, macula reaches the sutural area; metasternum, abdominal sterna III-VI, and epipleuron brunneus, abdominal sternum VII paler; legs testaceous; antennal scape and pedicel testaceous, antennomeres 3-7 deeply infuscated, 8-11 white. Dorsal surface devoid of microsculpture, surface luster very shiny. Pronotum cordiform, narrowly explanate; apical margin concave, lateral margin explanate; anterior angles markedly produced, hind angle markedly produced; median line moderately defined. Elytral interneurs evident as continuous rows of coarse punctures; punctures of the apical margin each with a halo.
Description. (Fig. 36, 62). Habitus: (Fig. 36). Size: [See also Table 8] Medium to large-size for the genus; ABL = 2.605-3.064 mm, SBL = 2.692-3.142 mm, TW (total width) 1.504-1.790 mm, LP = 0.551-0.647 mm, WP = 0.747-0.869 mm, LE = 1.698-2.023 mm. Color: See diagnosis above. Luster: See diagnosis above. Head (Fig. 36): as in description for genus above. Prothorax. Pronotum (Fig. 36) moderately broad, as wide as head across eyes (WH/ WP, mean both sexes: 0.973) longer than head (LP/LH, mean both sexes: 1.349), wider than long (W/L: mean both sexes: 1.824); markedly cordiform and explanate, lateral margin beaded with seta at anterior third; base markedly constricted and lobed; anterior angles moderately produced, hind angle markedly acutely produced and setose; median line moderately defined, basal and apical transverse impressions punctate, punctures infuscated; surface smooth throughout. Pterothorax. Normal for genus, see description for genus above. Elytra slightly convex; at apical third twice as wide as the head across eyes (WH/TW: mean, 0.487) and pronotum (WP/TW: mean, 0.5). Elytral interneurs evident as rows of continuous fine closely spaced coarse punctures; punctures of the apical margin each with a halo. Hind wings fully developed. Legs. Overall, normal for genus, see description for genus above. Abdominal sterna. Overall, normal for genus, see description for genus above. Male genitalia (Fig. 62, see Fig. 61 for attribute labels). Median lobe with phallobase short about a fifth the length of shaft, basal opening small, oriented parallel to shaft's apical third. Shaft broad, moderately curved ventrally, dorsally sclerotized except for short ostium; in ventral aspect tapered toward rather broadly rounded apex, in lateral aspect, a narrowly rounded apex. Left paramere very large and broad, right small and triangular, apex of left paramere lobate much longer than right paramere, about half the length of shaft (measured in left lateral aspect). Endophallus with 11 medial spines, and one large distal spine. Female genitalia. Not investigated, presumably similar to that of A. demiti sp. n.
Dispersal potential. These beetles are macropterous and probably capable of flight. They are moderately swift and agile runners.
Distribution. (Fig. 77). This species has been found at locations on both the clearwater and white-water systems of the Amazon River drainage system. But that does not at all indicate its real distribution: as has been pointed out above, very small beetles are inadequately sampled, especially in the Neotropics.
Way of life. See Erwin (1991) for a general description of the genus. Adults of this species are active in lowland Varzea rainforest in the late rainy season.
Other specimens examined. Note. Bates (1871) mentions having three specimens. We have studied the lectotype from Paris (MNHP) and a paralectotype from London (BMNH), but we did not see Bates' third specimen and its location is unknown. Derivation of specific epithet.The specific epithet, matomena, is derived from the Greek ματωμενα (bleeding) and used as an adjective in reference to the blood-red color of the head and elytra of these beetles.

Asklepia matomena
Proposed english vernacular name. Reddish pattern-wing beetle. Diagnosis. With the attributes of the genus Asklepia as described by Liebke (1938) and as noted above under the generic diagnosis, and small to medium-sized for the genus (SBL = 2.189-2.551 mm). Adults with head and prothorax fuscous, elytral maculae if present aurantiacus; elytron fuscous with a small semicircular aurantiacus macula in the proximal apical quadrant, macula does not reach the apical margin; metasternum, abdominal sterna III-VI, and epipleuron brunneus, abdominal sternum VII paler; legs testaceous; antennal scape and pedicel testaceous, antennomeres 3-7 deeply infuscated, 8-11 white. Dorsal surface devoid of microsculpture, surface luster very shiny. Pronotum cordiform, narrowly explanate, with medial lobe at base, lateral margin beaded; anterior angles feebly produced, hind angle angulated, very prominent; median line moderately defined. Elytral interneurs evident as continuous rows of fine closely spaced punctures.
Description. (Figs 37, 63). Habitus: (Fig. 37). Size: [See also Table 9] Small to medium-sized for the genus; ABL = 2.476-2.961 mm, SBL = 2.189-2.551 mm, TW (total width) 0.575-0.726 mm, LP = 0.447-0.546 mm, WP = 0.603-0.730 mm, LE = 1.411-1.622 mm. Color: See diagnosis above. Luster: See diagnosis above. Head (Fig. 37): as in description for genus above. Prothorax. Pronotum (Fig. 37) moderately broad, as wide as head across eyes (WH/WP, mean males: 1.011), longer than head (LP/LH, mean males: 1.387), wider than long (W/L, mean males 1.345); markedly cordiform and explanate, lateral margin beaded with seta at anterior third; base markedly constricted and lobed medially; anterior angles feebly produced, hind angle markedly prominent, produced and setose; median line moderately defined, apical transverse impression punctate, punctures infuscated; surface smooth throughout. Pterothorax. Normal for genus, see description for genus above. Elytra slightly convex; at apical third twice as wide as head across eyes (WH/TW: mean males, 0.520) and pronotum (WP/TW: mean males, 0.514), longer than wide. Elytral interneurs evident as rows of continuous fine punctures closely spaced; punctures homogeneous. Hind wings fully developed. Legs. Overall, normal for genus, see description for genus above. Abdominal sterna. Overall, normal for genus, see description for genus above. Male genitalia (Fig. 63, see Fig. 61 for attribute labels). Median lobe with phallobase short about a fourth the length of shaft, basal opening small, oriented parallel to shaft. Shaft broad, slightly curved ventrally, dorsally sclerotized except for short ostium; in ventral aspect tapered toward rather narrowly acute apex, in lateral aspect, a rounded apex. Parameres: left very large and broad, right small and triangular; apex of left paramere lobate much longer than right paramere about half the length of shaft (measured in left lateral aspect). Endophallus with 7 preapical spines. Female genitalia. Not investigated, presumably similar to that of A. demiti sp. n.
Dispersal potential. These beetles are macropterous and probably capable of flight. They are moderately swift and agile runners.
Distribution. (Fig. 77). This species has been found at only one location on the shore of a small lake near the middle Amazon River drainage system. But that does not at all indicate its real distribution: as has been pointed out above, very small beetles are inadequately sampled, especially in the Neotropics.
Way of life. See Erwin (1991) for a general description. Adults of this species are active in lowland rainforest in the transition from rainy to dry seasons.

pulchripennis species group
Dorsal color variable, some species with lighter adults and some with darker ones; abdominal sterna III-VI aurantiacus, sternum VII infuscated. Without explanate pronotal lateral margins, although some with a partial bead from the hind angle to apical third and some with a bead extended slightly beyond the lateral seta; pronotum subspherical in anterior two-thirds; elytra patterned. Brachyptery present in two species. Endophallus of aedeagus with two rather large spines, one larger than the other. Derivation of specific epithet.The specific epithet, adisi, is an eponym, masculine, genitive case, based on the family name of Joachim Adis † who collected the type series.

Diagnosis.
With the attributes of the genus Asklepia as described by Liebke (1938) and as noted above under the generic diagnosis, and medium-sized for the genus (SBL = 2.542-2.688 mm). Adults with head brunneus, prothorax aurantiacus, elytral maculae aurantiacus; elytron fuscous with a broad triangular aurantiacus macula entirely covering proximal basal quadrant and humeral area of lateral basal quadrant, medial quadrants largely aurantiacus, sutural area fuscous, lateral margin, apical margin and sutural area aurantiacus; metasternum fulvous, abdominal sterna with III-VI, and epipleuron fulvous, abdominal sternum VII fuscous; legs flavotestaceous; antennal scape, pedicel, antennomere 3 and basal half of 4 testaceous, apical half of antennomere 4, 5-6 deeply infuscated, 7-11 white. Dorsal surface devoid of microsculpture, surface luster very shiny. Pronotum markedly convex with lateral margin effaced except just anterior to hind angle and there a simple bead; hind angle moderately prominent; median line feebly defined. Elytral interneurs evident as short discontinuous rows of widely spaced coarse punctures.
Description. (Fig. 38, 64). Habitus: (Fig. 38) Size: [See also Table 10] Mediumsize for the genus; ABL = 2.582-3.199 mm, SBL = 2.542-2.688 mm, TW (total width) 1.341-1.473 mm, LP = 0.513-0.591 mm, WP = 0.660-0.717 mm, LE = 1.578-1.712 mm. Color: See diagnosis above. Luster: See diagnosis above. Head (Fig.  38): as in description for genus above. Prothorax. Pronotum (Fig. 38) moderately broad, slightly narrower than head across eyes (WH/WP, mean both sexes: 1.103), longer than head (LP/LH, mean both sexes: 1.327), wider than longer (WP/LP, mean both sexes: 1.226); markedly cordiform and convex, lateral margin effaced with seta at anterior third on slightly raised area; apex markedly constricted; anterior angle feebly produced, hind angle slightly produced and setose; median line feebly define as an infuscate line, transverse impressions punctate, punctures infuscate; surface smooth throughout. Pterothorax. Normal for genus, see description for genus above. Elytra markedly convex; at apical third twice as wide as head across eyes (WH/TW, mean both sexes: 0.535) and pronotum (WP/TW, mean both sexes: 0.520), longer than wide. Elytral interneurs evident as short discontinuous rows of widely spaced coarse punctures. Hind wings fully developed. Legs. Overall, normal for genus, see description for genus above. Abdominal sterna. Overall, normal for genus, see description for genus above. Male genitalia (Fig. 64, see Fig. 61 for attribute labels). Median lobe with phallobase moderate in length, about a fourth the length of shaft, basal opening large, oriented parallel to the central part of the shaft. Shaft broad, slightly twisted ventrally, dorsally sclerotized except for short ostium; in ventral aspect tapered toward rather broad apex, in lateral aspect, a thick rounded apex. Left paramere very large and broad, right small and triangular; apex of left paramere lobate much longer than right paramere, about two-thirds the length of shaft (measured in left lateral aspect). Endophallus with one median spine, and one large distal spine. Female genitalia. Not investigated, presumably similar to that of A. demiti sp. n.
Dispersal potential. These beetles are macropterous and capable of flight as they have been captured at lights. They are moderately swift and agile runners.
Distribution. (Fig. 78). This species has been found at locations on both the clear-water and black-water systems of the upper and middle Amazon River drainage system. But that does not at all indicate its real distribution: as has been pointed out above, very small beetles are inadequately sampled, especially in the Neotropics.
Way of life. See Erwin (1991) for a general description. Adults of this species are active in the rainy season in the Varzea rainforest along the main course of the Rio Solimões. They occur at the Varzea forest edge on the floating macrophyte, Eichornia crassipes (Mart.) Solms and on culms of the creeping river grass, Echinochloa polystachya (Kunth) Hitchc. In addition, they are climbers and have been found in Varzea forest, some 3.6 m above ground, on Macrolobium acaciifolium (Benth.) Benth., a small tree in the Fabaceae. In Perú, one individual was found on a black water river (Igapó) and was attracted to lights on our boat.
Other specimens examined. Derivation of specific epithet.The specific epithet, asuncionensis, is a singular Latinized feminine noun in apposition, based on the name of the place near where these beetles are found.
Proposed english vernacular name. Asunción pattern-wing beetle. Diagnosis. With the attributes of the genus Asklepia as described by Liebke (1938) and as noted above under the generic diagnosis, and small-size for the genus (SBL = 2.477 mm). Adults with head aurantiacus, prothorax fulvous, elytral maculae fulvous or aurantiacus; elytron brownish with a broad triangular flavous macula covering most of proximal apical quadrant and lower half of lateral apical quadrant, broad flavous macula ending in hook crossing from medial lateral quadrant to right half of medial proximal quadrant and almost reaching the proximal margin, small rectangular flavous macula in the upper right corner of basal proximal quadrant, apical, basal, and lateral margin broadly fulvous; metasternum fulvous, abdominal sterna with III-VI, and epipleuron fulvous, abdominal sternum VII fuscous; legs flavotestaceous; antennal scape, pedicel and antennomere 3 testaceous, antennomeres 4-6 infuscated, 7-11 white. Dorsal surface devoid of microsculpture, surface luster very shiny. Pronotum markedly convex with lateral margin effaced except just anterior to hind angle and there a simple bead; hind angle moderately prominent; anterior angles feebly produced; median line moderately defined. Elytral interneurs evident as continuous rows of subsurface dots in the substantially transparent elytron.
Dispersal potential. These beetles are macropterous and probably capable of flight. They are moderately swift and agile runners.
Distribution. (Fig. 78). This species has been found at only one location on whitewater of the middle Río Paraguay drainage system. But that does not at all indicate its real distribution: as has been pointed out above, very small beetles are inadequately sampled, especially in the Neotropics.

Way of life. See Erwin (1991) for a general description.
Other specimens examined. None. Derivation of specific epithet. The specific epithet, biolat, is used as a noun in apposition based on the acronym of the Smithsonian Institution's past program "Biodiversity in Latin America" (BIOLAT) which sought to field-train young Latin American biology students in biodiversity techniques and did so for more than 200 of them between 1987 and 1991 in Perú and Bolivia. These beetles were collected under the auspices of the BIOLAT Program.

Asklepia biolat
Proposed english vernacular name. Biolat pattern-wing beetles. Diagnosis. With the attributes of the genus Asklepia as described by Liebke (1938) and as noted above under the generic diagnosis, and medium to large-sized for the genus (SBL = 2.787-3.247 mm). Adults with head, prothorax, and elytral maculae (slightly fulvous in some individuals); elytron fuscous with scutellar area, basal third of disc, and apical sutural area aurantiacus; metasternum, abdominal sterna III-VI, and epipleuron flavotestaceous, abdominal sternum VII infuscated; legs testaceous; antennal scape and pedicel testaceous, antennomeres 3-6 and base of 7 deeply infuscated, apical half of 7 and 8-11 white. Dorsal surface devoid of microsculpture, surface luster very shiny. Pronotum markedly convex with lateral margin effaced except just anterior to hind angle and there a simple bead; hind angle acute, not very prominent. Elytral interneurs evident as rows of subsurface dots in the substantially transparent elytron.
Description. (Fig. 40, 65). Habitus: (Fig. 40). Size: [See also Table 12] Large-size for the genus; ABL = 3.127-3.421 mm, SBL = 2.787-3.247 mm, TW (total width) 0.694-0.908 mm, LP = 0.637-0.746 mm, WP = 0.747-0.935 mm, LE = 1.750-2.035 mm. Color: See diagnosis above. Luster: See diagnosis above. Head (Fig. 40): as in description for genus above. Prothorax. Pronotum (Fig. 40) moderately broad, not quite as wide as head across eyes (WH/WP, mean both sexes: 1.007), longer than head (LP/LH, mean both sexes: 1.603), slightly wider than long (WP/LP, mean both sexes: 1.244); markedly cordiform, lateral margin effaced with seta at anterior third on slightly raised area; base markedly constricted; hind angle slightly acutely produced and setose; surface markedly smooth throughout. Pterothorax. Normal for genus, see description for genus above. Elytron twice as wide as head across eyes (WH/TW: mean, both sexes, 0.522), and pronotum (WP/TW, mean both sexes: 0.518), longer than wide, moderately convex, intervals and interneurs effaced (see diagnosis above), interneur 2 with 7 setae, interneur 5 with two setae. Hind wings dimorphic; most specimens studied are brachypterous. Legs. Overall, normal for genus, see description for genus above. Abdominal sterna. Overall, normal for genus, see description for genus above. Male genitalia (Fig. 65, see Fig. 61 for attribute labels). Median lobe with phallobase moderate in length, about a fifth the length of shaft, basal opening large, oblique to shaft. Shaft broad, slightly curved ventrally at distal sixth, dorsally sclerotized except for short ostium; in ventral aspect tapered toward rather moderately rounded apex, in lateral aspect, a rounded blunt apex. Left paramere very large and broad, right small and triangular; apex of left paramere lobate much longer than right paramere about half the length of shaft (measured in left lateral aspect). Endophallus with one very large preapical spine. Female genitalia. Not investigated, presumably similar to that of A. demiti sp. n.
Dispersal potential. These beetles are macropterous and probably capable of flight. They are moderately swift and agile runners.
Distribution. (Fig. 78). This species has been found at locations on the white-water system of the upper Amazon River drainage system. But that does not at all indicate its real distribution: as has been pointed out above, very small beetles are inadequately sampled, especially in the Neotropics.
Way of life. See Erwin (1991) for a general description of the genus. Adults of this species are active in all seasons in lowland rainforest along small stony stream margins in wet leaf litter on sand and are active at night. They also inhabit wet leaf litter lying on half submerged tree trunks and branches. In addition, they climb culms of Paspalum grasses at river edges.
Notes. See Erwin (1990) and Venable & Erwin (1996) for detailed trail maps of the BIOLAT Biodiversity Station. Derivation of specific epithet.The specific epithet, bracheia, is derived from the Greek βραχεια (small) and used as an adjective in reference to the small size of the elytra of these beetles.

Asklepia bracheia
Proposed english vernacular name. Short pattern-wing beetles. Diagnosis. With the attributes of the genus Asklepia as described by Liebke (1938) and as noted above under the generic diagnosis, and small-sized for the genus (SBL = 1.952-2.345 mm). Adults with head aurantiacus, prothorax and elytral maculae fulvous or aurantiacus in some individuals; elytron fuscous with basal proximal quadrant, medial lateral quadrant and apical proximal quadrant fulvous, lateral margin in all the quadrants fulvous; metasternum, abdominal sterna III-VI, and epipleuron fulvous, abdominal sternum VII fuscous; legs fulvous; antennal scape, pedicel and apical half of antennomere 3 testaceous, antennomeres 4-7 and basal half of 3 deeply infuscated, apical half of 7 and 8-11 white. Dorsal surface devoid of microsculpture, surface luster very shiny. Pronotum markedly convex with lateral margin effaced except just anterior to hind angle and there a simple bead; hind angle not very prominent. Elytral interneurs evident as short discontinuous rows of widely spaced punctures, rows effaced at medial quadrants of elytron, punctures fuscous; elytron substantially transparent.
Description. (Figs 41, 66). Habitus: (Fig. 41). Size: [See also  (Fig. 41): as in description for genus above. Prothorax. Pronotum (Fig. 41) slightly broad, about as wide as head across eyes (WH/WP, mean both sexes: 1.042), longer than head (LP/LH, mean both sexes: 1.590), wider than long (WP/LP: mean both sexes: 1.205); markedly cordiform, lateral margin effaced with seta at anterior third on slightly raised area; base markedly constricted; anterior angles feebly produced, hind angle slightly produced and setose; median line feebly defined, basal and api-cal transverse impressions evident as infuscated dots in the surface, surface smooth throughout. Pterothorax. Normal for genus, see description for genus above. Elytra moderately convex; at apical third twice as wide as head across eyes (WH/TW, mean both sexes: 0.529) and pronotum (WP/TW, mean both sexes: 0.507), longer than wide. Elytral interneurs evident as discontinuous rows of widely spaced punctures, rows effaced at lateral area of medial third and apical third, punctures present fuscous; elytron substantially transparent. Hind wings fully developed. Legs. Overall, normal for genus, see description for genus above. Abdominal sterna. Overall, normal for genus, see description for genus above. Male genitalia (Fig. 66, see Fig. 61 for attribute labels). Median lobe with phallobase long about a third the length of shaft, basal opening large, oriented parallel to shaft at apical third. Shaft narrow, slightly curved ventrally, dorsally sclerotized except for short ostium; in ventral aspect tapered toward rather moderately narrow rounded apex, in lateral aspect, a rounded apex. Parameres: left very large and broad, right small and triangular; apex of left paramere lobate much longer than right paramere about half the length of shaft (measured in left lateral aspect). Endophallus with 2 preapical spines. Female genitalia. Not investigated, presumably similar to that of A. demiti sp. n.
Dispersal potential. These beetles are macropterous and probably capable of flight. They are moderately swift and agile runners.
Distribution. (Fig. 78). This species has been found at locations on the blackwater systems of the upper Amazon River drainage system. But that does not at all indicate its real distribution: as has been pointed out above, very small beetles are inadequately sampled, especially in the Neotropics. Derivation of specific epithet.The specific epithet, cuiabaensis, is a singular Latinized feminine noun in apposition, based on the name of the place near where these beetles are found.
Proposed english vernacular name. Cuiabá pattern-wing beetle. Diagnosis. With the attributes of the genus Asklepia as described by Liebke (1938) and as noted above under the generic diagnosis, and small-sized for the genus (SBL = 2.191 mm). Adults with head fuscous, prothorax fulvous, elytral maculae fulvous; elytron fuscous with a small and slender triangular flavous macula in the lower right corner of the proximal apical quadrant, narrow flavous macula ending in hook crossing from medial lateral quadrant to right half of apical proximal quadrant, slender quadrangular flavous macula in the upper right corner of basal proximal quadrant, apical and lateral margins fulvous; metasternum fulvous, abdominal sterna with III-VI, and epipleuron fulvous, abdominal sternum VII fuscous; legs flavotestaceous; antennal scape and pedicel testaceous, antennomeres 3-6 and basal half of 7 deeply infuscated, apical half of 7 and 8-11 white. Dorsal surface devoid of microsculpture, surface luster very shiny. Pronotum moderately convex with lateral margin effaced except just anterior to hind angle and there a simple bead; hind angle moderately prominent; anterior angles feebly produced; median line feebly defined. Elytral interneurs evident as continuous rows of widely spaced coarse punctures, punctures fuscous.
Description. Habitus (Fig. 42). Size: [See also Table 14] Medium-size to large for the genus; ABL = 2.610 mm, SBL = 2.191 mm, TW (total width) 1.270 mm, LP = 0.46 mm, WP = 0.592 mm, LE = 1.372 mm. Color: See diagnosis above. Luster: See diagnosis above. Head (Fig. 42): as in description for genus above. Prothorax. Pronotum (Fig. 42) moderately broad, as wide as head across eyes (WH/WP, 1,062) longer than head (LP/LH, mean both sexes: 1.388), wider than long (W/L, mean both sexes: 1.726); slightly cordiform and rounded, lateral margin effaced with seta at anterior third on slightly raised area; apex markedly constricted; anterior angle feebly produced, hind angle slightly produced and setose; median line feebly defined, apical transverse impressions punctate, surface smooth throughout. Pterothorax. Normal for genus, see description for genus above. Elytra moderate convex; at apical third twice as wide as head across eyes (WH/TW, mean both sexes: 0,495) and pronotum (WP/TW, mean both sexes: 0,495). Elytral interneurs evident as continuous rows of widely spaced coarse punctures, interneurs continuous along length of entire elytron. Hind wings fully developed. Legs. Overall, normal for genus, see description for genus above. Abdominal sterna. Overall, normal for genus, see description for genus above. Male genitalia. Male unknown. Female genitalia. Not investigated, presumably similar to that of A. demiti sp. n.
Dispersal potential. These beetles are macropterous and probably capable of flight. They are moderately swift and agile runners.
Distribution. (Fig. 78). This species has been found at only one location on the middle Rio Cuiabá. But that does not at all indicate its real distribution: as has been pointed out above, very small beetles are inadequately sampled, especially in the Neotropics. Erwin (1991) for a general description. Adults of this species are active in August in these tropical savannah habitats with mild dry winter season; in August the air temperatures reach maxima between 30° to lower 40°C.

Way of life. See
Other specimens examined. None. Derivation of specific epithet.The specific epithet, ecuadoriana, is a singular Latinized feminine noun in apposition, based on the name of the country in which these beetles are found.

Asklepia ecuadoriana
Proposed english vernacular name. Ecuadorian pattern-wing beetle. Diagnosis. With the attributes of the genus Asklepia as described by Liebke (1938) and as noted above under the generic diagnosis, and medium to large-sized for the genus (SBL = 2.590-3.131 mm). Adults with head aurantiacus and prothorax flavotestaceous, elytral maculae fulvous or aurantiacus in some individuals; elytron flavotestaceous with a triangular flavous macula in the basal proximal quadrant, macula covering half of the quadrant, and elongated, longitudinally oriented flavous macula in the medial proximal quadrant, a flavous macula in the medial lateral quadrant and a triangular flavous macula in the apical proximal quadrant; metasternum, abdominal sterna III-VI, and epipleuron flavotestaceous, abdominal sternum VII infuscated; legs testaceous; antennal scape, pedicel and antennomere 3 testaceous, antennomeres 4-6 and basal half of 7 deeply infuscated, apical half of 7, 8-11 white. Dorsal surface devoid of microsculpture, surface luster very shiny. Pronotum markedly convex with lateral margin effaced except just anterior to hind angle and there a simple bead; hind angle feebly produced; median line feebly defined. Elytral interneurs effaced from most of the elytron surface, only evident as short discontinuous rows of course punctures in the basal proximal quadrant and upper right corner of basal lateral quadrant.
Description. (Figs 43, 67, 68). Habitus: (Fig. 43). Size: [See also  (Fig. 43): as in description for genus above. Prothorax. Pronotum (Fig. 43) moderately broad, slightly narrower than head across eyes (WH/WP, mean both sexes: 1.140), longer than head (LP/LH, mean both sexes: 1.586), about as longer than wide (WP/ LP, mean both sexes: 1.157); markedly cordiform and convex lateral margin effaced with seta at anterior third on slightly raised area; apex markedly constricted; anterior angles feebly produced, hind angle slightly acutely produced and setose; median line feebly defined, basal transverse impressions punctate, punctures infuscated; surface smooth throughout. Pterothorax. Normal for genus, see description for genus above. Elytra moderately convex; at apical third twice as wide as head across eyes (WH/TW, mean both sexes: 0.535) and pronotum (WP/TW, mean both sexes: 0.469), longer than wide. Elytral interneurs effaced from most of the elytron surface, only evident as short discontinuous rows of coarse punctures, punctures with fuscous halo. Scattered fuscous punctures in the medial and apical quadrants present in some individuals. Hind wings fully developed. Legs. Overall, normal for genus, see description for genus above. Abdominal sterna. Overall, normal for genus, see description for genus above. Male genitalia (Figs 67, 68, see Fig. 61 for attribute labels). Median lobe with phallobase short about a fourth the length of shaft, basal opening small, oriented parallel to shaft. Shaft broad, slightly curved ventrally then curved dorsally near apex, dorsally sclerotized except for short ostium; in ventral aspect tapered toward rather broadly rounded apex, in lateral aspect, a narrowly rounded apex. Parameres: left very large and broad, right small and triangular; apex of left paramere narrowly rounded much longer than right paramere about half the length of shaft (measured in left lateral aspect). Endophallus with 2 preapical spines; we have illustrated an everted endophallus to demonstrate the location of the spines in a median field and an apical field. Female genitalia. Not investigated, presumably similar to that of A. demiti sp. n.
Dispersal potential. These beetles are macropterous and probably capable of flight. They are moderately swift and agile runners.
Distribution. (Fig. 78). This species has been found at only one location on a lake shore near the white-water system of the Río Napo drainage system. But that does not at all indicate its real distribution: as has been pointed out above, very small beetles are inadequately sampled, especially in the Neotropics.
Way of life. See Erwin (1991) for a general description of the genus. Adults of this species are active in the rainy season on the shore of a small lake in lowland rainforest.

Diagnosis.
With the attributes of the genus Asklepia as described by Liebke (1938) and as noted above under the generic diagnosis, and small-sized for the genus (SBL = 2.167 mm). Adults with head brunneus, prothorax testaceous, elytral maculae testaceous; elytron brunneus with a small triangular macula in the basal proximal quadrant, an arc-shaped, horizontally oriented macula crossing medial lateral and proximal quadrants, sutural area of apical quadrant testaceous; metasternum, abdominal sterna III-VI, and epipleuron flavotestaceous, abdominal sternum VII slightly infuscated; legs testaceous; antennal scape and pedicel testaceous, antennomeres 3-6 deeply infuscated, 7-11 white. Dorsal surface devoid of microsculpture, surface luster very shiny. Pronotum markedly convex with lateral margin effaced except just anterior to hind angle and there a simple bead; hind angle acute, slightly prominent; median line feebly defined. Elytral interneurs evident as continuous rows of widely spaced coarse punctures.
Description. (Figs 44, 69). Habitus: (Fig. 44). Size: [See also Table 16] Mediumsize for the genus; ABL = 2.428 mm, SBL = 2.167 mm, TW (total width) 1.241 mm, LP = 0.484 mm, WP = 0.569 mm, LE = 1.341 mm. Color: See diagnosis above. Luster: See diagnosis above. Head (Fig. 44): as in description for genus above. Prothorax. Pronotum (Fig. 44) slightly broad, narrower than head across eyes (WH/ WP: 1.135), longer than head (LP/LH: 1.414), longer than wide (WP/LP: 1.176); surface markedly cordiform, lateral margin effaced with seta at anterior third on slightly raised area; base markedly constricted; anterior angle feebly produced, hind angle slightly produced and setose, median line feebly defined, apical transverse impression punctate, punctures infuscated; smooth throughout. Pterothorax. Normal for genus, see description for genus above. Elytra slightly convex; twice as wide as head across eyes (WH/TW: 0.520) and pronotum (WP/TW: 0.459), longer than wide. Elytral interneurs evident as continuous rows of widely spaced coarse punctures; punctures infuscated; elytron substantially transparent. Hind wings fully developed. Legs. Overall, normal for genus, see description for genus above. Abdominal sterna. Overall, normal for genus, see description for genus above. Male genitalia (Fig. 69, see Fig.  61 for attribute labels). Median lobe with phallobase moderately long about a fourth the length of shaft, basal opening moderately large, oriented parallel to shaft at apical third. Shaft moderately broad, abruptly curved ventrally, dorsally sclerotized except for short ostium; in ventral aspect tapered toward rather narrowly acute apex, in lateral aspect, a moderately broad rounded apex. Parameres: left very large and broad, right small and triangular; apex of left paramere lobate much longer than right paramere about two-thirds the length of shaft (measured in left lateral aspect). Endophallus with 2 preapical spines. Female genitalia. Not investigated, presumably similar to that of A. demiti sp. n.
Dispersal potential. These beetles are macropterous and probably capable of flight. They are moderately swift and agile runners.
Distribution. (Fig. 78). This species has been found at two nearby locations in open grassy swamps along the shore of the lower Río Amazonas. But that does not at all indicate its real distribution: as has been pointed out above, very small beetles are inadequately sampled, especially in the Neotropics. Erwin (1991) for a general description of the genus. Adults of this species are active in the transition from wet to dry seasons and occur in open grassy marshes.

Diagnosis.
With the attributes of the genus Asklepia as described by Liebke (1938) and as noted above under the generic diagnosis, and large-sized for the genus (SBL = 3.054 mm). Adults with head brunneus, prothorax aurantiacus, elytral maculae aurantiacus; elytron fuscous with a broad triangular aurantiacus macula covering most of proximal basal quadrant and humeral area of lateral basal quadrant, a narrow elongated aurantiacus macula vertically oriented in the medial lateral and proximal quadrant, sutural area fuscous, lateral margin, apical margin and sutural area aurantiacus; metasternum fulvous, abdominal sterna with III-VI, and epipleuron fulvous, abdominal sternum VII fuscous; legs flavotestaceous; antennal scape, pedicel, antennomere 3 and basal half of 4 testaceous, apical half of antennomere 4, 5-6 deeply infuscated, 7-11 white. Similar to A. adisi and A. marchantaria, but with very large eyes in which the lateral convexity of eye from head margin slightly more than length of antennomere 3, whereas in the other species it is less than the length of antennomere 3. Dorsal surface devoid of microsculpture, surface luster very shiny. Pronotum markedly convex with lateral margin effaced except just anterior to hind angle and there a simple bead; hind angle moderately prominent; median line barely defined. Elytral interneurs effaced from the greater part of elytron, only evident as scattered infuscated punctures.
Dispersal potential. These beetles are macropterous and probably capable of flight. They are moderately swift and agile runners.
Distribution. (Fig. 78). This species has been found at only one location on the Río Uruguay drainage system. But that does not at all indicate its real distribution: as has been pointed out above, very small beetles are inadequately sampled, especially in the Neotropics.
Way of life. See Erwin (1991) for a general description of the genus. Nothing specific about the way of life is known about this species.
Other specimens examined. None. Note. The single known specimen is damaged, i.e., missing some appendages; however, there is the entire body with enough physical attributes and enough antennomeres to determine it represents a distinct species. Derivation of specific epithet.The specific epithet, marchantaria, is a singular Latinized feminine noun in apposition, based on the name of the island on which these beetles are found.

Asklepia marchantaria
Proposed english vernacular name. Marchantaria pattern-wing beetle. Diagnosis. With the attributes of the genus Asklepia as described by Liebke (1938) and as noted above under the generic diagnosis, and medium-size for the genus (SBL = 2.599-2.828 mm). Adults with head brunneus, prothorax aurantiacus, elytral maculae aurantiacus; elytron brunneus with a triangular aurantiacus macula covering the left half of the apical proximal quadrant, a narrow aurantiacus macula vertically oriented in the medial proximal quadrant, a broad aurantiacus macula in the medial lateral quadrant, lateral and apical margins aurantiacus; metasternum and metasternum flavotestaceous, abdominal sterna with III-VI, and epipleuron flavotestaceous, abdominal sternum VII fuscous; legs flavotestaceous; antennal scape, pedicel and antennomere 3 testaceous, antennomeres 4-6 and basal half of 7 deeply infuscated, apical half of 7, 8-11 white. Dorsal surface devoid of microsculpture, surface luster very shiny. Pronotum markedly convex with lateral margin effaced except just anterior to hind angle and there a simple bead; hind angle barely prominent; median line feebly defined. Elytral interneurs effaced from greater part of the elytron surface, only evident as short discontinuous rows of scattered, coarse punctures unevenly spaced in the medial quadrants and along interneur 1.
Legs. Overall, normal for genus, see description for genus above. Abdominal sterna. Overall, normal for genus, see description for genus above. Male genitalia (Fig. 70, see Fig. 61 for attribute labels). Median lobe with phallobase short about a fourth the length of shaft, basal opening moderately large, oriented slightly oblique to shaft. Shaft broad, moderately curved ventrally, dorsally sclerotized except moderate-length ostium; in ventral aspect tapered toward narrowly rounded apex, in lateral aspect, a broadly rounded apex. Parameres missing. Endophallus with 2 preapical spines. Female genitalia. Not investigated, presumably similar to that of A. demiti sp. n.
Dispersal potential. These beetles are macropterous and probably capable of flight. They are moderately swift and agile runners.
Distribution. (Fig. 78). This species has been found at only one location on a white-water lake shore within the Amazon River drainage system. But that does not at all indicate its real distribution: as has been pointed out above, very small beetles are inadequately sampled, especially in the Neotropics. Derivation of specific epithet.The specific epithet, marituba, is a singular Latinized feminine noun in apposition, based on the name of the place where these beetles are found.

Diagnosis.
With the attributes of the genus Asklepia as described by Liebke (1938) and as noted above under the generic diagnosis, and medium-size for the genus (SBL = 2.732 mm). Adults with head and prothorax aurantiacus, elytral maculae fulvous; elytron brunneus with scutellar area flavous, a broad flavous macula transversely oriented in the medial lateral quadrant, barely prolonged into the medial proximal quadrant, and a narrow oval flavous macula in the proximal apical quadrant, macula extended to the sutural area; metasternum, abdominal sterna III-VI, and epipleuron flavotestaceous, abdominal sternum VII infuscated; legs testaceous; antennal scape and pedicel fulvous, antennomeres 3-7 infuscated, 8-11 white. Dorsal surface devoid of microsculpture, surface luster very shiny. Pronotum markedly convex with lateral margin effaced except just anterior to hind angle and there a simple bead; hind angle slightly prominent; median line feebly defined. Elytral interneurs effaced from the greater part of the elytron, only visible as scattered coarse punctures.
Overall, normal for genus, see description for genus above. Abdominal sterna. Overall, normal for genus, see description for genus above. Male genitalia. Male unknown. Female genitalia. Not investigated, presumably similar to that of A. demiti sp. n.
Dispersal potential. These beetles are macropterous and probably capable of flight; they are attracted to lights. They are moderately swift and agile runners.
Distribution. (Fig. 78). This species has been found at only one location on a white-water system on the lower Río Amazonas. But that does not at all indicate its real distribution: as has been pointed out above, very small beetles are inadequately sampled, especially in the Neotropics.
Way of life. See Erwin (1991) for a general description. Nothing is known about the way of life of this species.
Other specimens examined. None. Derivation of specific epithet.The specific epithet, pakitza, is a singular Latinized feminine noun in apposition, based on the name of the area in which these beetles are found. These beetles were collected under the auspices of the BIOLAT Program (see above under A. biolat sp. n.).

Asklepia pakitza
Proposed english vernacular name. Pakitza pattern-wing beetle. Diagnosis. With the attributes of the genus Asklepia as described by Liebke (1938) and as noted above under the generic diagnosis, and medium-sized for the genus (SBL = 2.635-2.683 mm). Adults with head and fuscous, prothorax aurantiacus, elytral maculae aurantiacus in some individuals; elytron brunneus with a narrow rectangularshaped aurantiacus macula horizontally oriented in the lower half of medial lateral quadrant, scutellar area aurantiacus, sutural area of apical quadrant aurantiacus except for apical margin; metasternum, abdominal sterna III-VI, and epipleuron flavotestaceous, abdominal sternum VII infuscated; legs testaceous; antennal scape and pedicel testaceous, antennomeres 3-6 markedly infuscated, 8-11 white. Dorsal surface devoid of microsculpture, surface luster very shiny. Pronotum cordiform, feebly explanate, with medial lobe at base, lateral margin beaded; hind angle feebly prominent; median line markedly defined. Elytral interneurs effaced from greater part of the elytron surface, only evident as scattered punctures in the medial quadrants, as well as along interneur 1.
Description. (Fig. 48, 71). Habitus: (Fig. 48). Size: [See also  (Fig. 48): as in description for genus above. Prothorax. Pronotum (Fig. 48) moderately broad, as wide as head across eyes (WH/WP, mean both sexes: 1.009), longer than head (LP/LH, mean both sexes: 1.539), wider than long (WP/LP, mean both sexes: 1.338); markedly cordiform and feebly explanate, lateral margin beaded with seta at anterior third; base markedly constricted with medial lobe at base; anterior angles feebly produced, hind angle markedly produced and setose; median line markedly define, apical transverse impressions punctate, punctures infuscated; surface smooth throughout. Pterothorax. Normal for genus, see description for genus above. Elytra slightly convex; at apical third twice as wide as head across eyes (WH/TW, mean both sexes: 0.542) and pronotum (WP/TW, mean both sexes: 0.538), longer than wide. Elytral interneurs effaced from greater part of the elytron surface, only evident as scattered punctures in the medial quadrants, as well as along interneur 1; elytron substantially transparent. Hind wings fully developed. Legs. Overall, normal for genus, see description for genus above. Abdominal sterna. Overall, normal for genus, see description for genus above. Male genitalia (Fig. 71, see Fig. 61 for attribute labels). Median lobe with phallobase very short about a fifth the length of shaft, basal opening small, oriented parallel to shaft. Shaft swollen at middle, slightly sinuate ventrally, dorsally sclerotized except for moderatelength ostium; in ventral aspect tapered toward rather rounded apex, in lateral aspect, a rounded apex. Parameres: left large and broad, right small and lobed; apex of left paramere lobate much longer than right paramere, about two-thirds the length of shaft (measured in left lateral aspect). Endophallus with one preapical spine. Female genitalia. Not investigated, presumably similar to that of A. demiti sp. n.
Dispersal potential. These beetles are macropterous and probably capable of flight. They are moderately swift and agile runners.
Distribution. (Fig. 78). This species has been found at only one location on the shore of an isolated black-water of the Río Manu a part of the upper Amazon River drainage system. But that does not at all indicate its real distribution: as has been pointed out above, very small beetles are inadequately sampled, especially in the Neotropics.
Way of life. See Erwin (1991) for a general description of the genus. Adults of this species are active in the dry season in wet leaf litter at the edge of a small lake.
Notes. See Erwin (1990) and Venable & Erwin (1997) for detailed trail maps of the BIOLAT Biodiversity Station. Adults of this species have a slightly explanate pronotal margin; however, they have the male endophallus of the pulchripennis group, thus the placement we suggest here. We have a specimen, in poor condition, that represents an undescribed species from Posto Jacaré, Brazil that also has a slightly explanate pronotal margin; however, it has the male endophallus of the hilaris group. With additional collecting and more specimens in the future, there may be an additional species group that we cannot, at present, define.
Derivation of specific epithet.The specific epithet, paraguayensis, is a singular Latinized feminine noun in apposition, based on the name of the country in which these beetles are found.
Proposed english vernacular name. Paraguayan pattern-wing beetle. Diagnosis. With the attributes of the genus Asklepia as described by Liebke (1938) and as noted above under the generic diagnosis, and small to medium-size for the genus (SBL = 2.478-2.769 mm). Adults with head fuscous, prothorax fulvous, elytral maculae fulvous or slightly aurantiacus in some individuals; elytron fuscous with a slender triangular flavous macula in the lower right corner of the proximal apical quadrant, broad flavous macula ending in hook crossing from medial lateral quadrant to right half of medial proximal quadrant, small triangular flavous macula in the upper right corner of basal proximal quadrant, apical and lateral margin fulvous, macula does not reach the humerus; metasternum fulvous, abdominal sterna III-VI, and epipleuron fulvous, abdominal sternum VII fuscous; legs flavotestaceous; antennal scape and pedicel testaceous, antennomeres 3-6 deeply infuscated, 7-11 white. Dorsal surface devoid of microsculpture, surface luster very shiny. Pronotum markedly convex and globose with lateral margin effaced except just anterior to hind angle and there a feeble bead; hind angle moderately prominent; anterior angles feebly produced; median line moderately defined. Elytral interneurs effaced from most of the elytron surface, only evident as short discontinuous rows of widely spaced coarse punctures.
Description. (Fig. 49, 72). Habitus: (Fig. 49). Size: [See also Table 21] Mediumsize to large for the genus; ABL = 3.002-3.372 mm, SBL = 2.478-2.769 mm, TW (total width) 1.397-1.598 mm, LP = 0.556-0.751 mm, WP = 0.703-0.861 mm, LE = 1.623-2.024 mm. Color: See diagnosis above. Luster: See diagnosis above. Head (Fig. 49): as in description for genus above. Prothorax. Pronotum (Fig. 49) moderately broad, as wide as head across eyes (WH/WP, mean both sexes: 1.072), longer than head (LP/LH, mean both sexes: 1.397), wider than long (W/L, mean both sexes: 1.693); markedly cordiform and rounded, lateral margin effaced with seta at anterior third on slightly raised area; apex markedly constricted; anterior angle feebly produced, hind angle slightly produced and setose; median line moderately defined, apical transverse impressions punctate, punctures infuscated; surface smooth throughout. Pterothorax. Normal for genus, see description for genus above. Elytra moderate convex; at apical third twice as wide as head across eyes (WH/TW, mean both sexes: 0.526) and pronotum (WP/TW, mean both sexes: 0.491). Elytral interneurs effaced from most of the elytron surface, only evident as short discontinuous rows of widely spaced coarse punctures. Hind wings fully developed. Legs. Overall, normal for genus, see description for genus above. Abdominal sterna. Overall, normal for genus, see description for genus above. Male genitalia (Fig. 72, see Fig. 61 for attribute labels). Median lobe with phallobase moderate, about a fourth the length of shaft, basal opening large, oriented oblique to shaft. Shaft broad, slightly curved ventrally, dorsally sclerotized except for short ostium; in ventral aspect tapered toward rather narrowly acute apex, in lateral aspect, a slightly rounded apex. Left paramere (missing) (lp), probably very large and broad, right small and triangular; apex of left paramere probably lobate and much longer than right paramere (rp). Internal sac with one median spine, one long distal spine. Female genitalia. Not investigated, presumably similar to that of A. demiti sp. n.
Dispersal potential. These beetles are macropterous and capable of flight; they are attracted to lights. They are moderately swift and agile runners.
Distribution. (Fig. 78). This species has been found at only one location along the white-water river of the middle Río Paraguay drainage system. But that does not at all indicate its real distribution: as has been pointed out above, very small beetles are inadequately sampled, especially in the Neotropics.
Way of life. See Erwin (1991) for a general description. Adults of this species are active in the rainy season on margins of large rivers. They likely occur in wet leaf litter on wet soil in swales off to the side of the main river course.
Proposed english vernacular name. Beautiful pattern-wing beetle. Diagnosis. With the attributes of the genus Asklepia as described by Liebke (1938) and as noted above under the generic diagnosis, and medium-sized for the genus (SBL = 2.718 mm). Adults with head and prothorax fulvous, elytral maculae fuscous; elytron fulvous with a fuscous macula in the basal lateral quadrant barely trespassing proximal quadrant and a fuscous macula in the apical lateral quadrant extending to the upper half of apical proximal quadrant; lower half of basal and medial quadrant's sutural area fuscous; metasternum, abdominal sterna III-VI, and epipleuron flavous, abdominal sternum VII fuscous; legs testaceous; antennal scape, pedicel, and antennomere 3 testaceous, antennomeres 4-6 deeply infuscated, 7-11 white. Dorsal surface devoid of microsculpture, surface luster very shiny. Pronotum markedly convex with lateral margin effaced except just anterior to hind angle and there a simple bead; anterior angles feebly produced, hind angle slightly prominent, median line markedly defined. Elytral interneurs effaced from the greater part of the elytron surface, only evident as pale coarse punctures in the apical proximal quadrant and with scattered punctures in the medial quadrants, as well as along entire interneurs 1 and 2.
Description. (Habitus, Fig. 50). Size: [See also Table 22] Medium-size for the genus; ABL = 3.019 mm, SBL = 2.718 mm, TW (total width) 1.366 mm, LP = 0.584 mm, WP = 0.700 mm, LE = 1.732 mm. Color: See diagnosis above. Luster: See diagnosis above. Head (Fig. 50): as in description for genus above. Prothorax. Pronotum (Fig. 50) moderately broad, as wide as head across eyes (WH/WP: 1.0987), longer than head (LP/LH: 1.454), about as longer than wide (WP/LP: 1.198); markedly cordiform and convex, lateral margin effaced with seta at anterior third on slightly raised area; apex markedly constricted; anterior angles feebly produced, hind angle slightly produced and setose; median line feebly defined, basal and apical transverse impressions punctate, punctures infuscated; surface smooth throughout. Pterothorax. Normal for genus, see description for genus above. Elytra slightly convex; at apical third twice as wide as head across eyes (WH/TW: 0.563) and pronotum (WP/TW: 0.512), longer than wide. Elytral interneurs effaced from the greater part of the elytron surface, only evident as pale coarse punctures of the apical proximal quadrant and scattered punctures on medial quadrants, as well as along entire interneurs 1 and 2. Hind wings fully developed. Legs. Overall, normal for genus, see description for genus above. Abdominal sterna. Overall, normal for genus, see description for genus above. Male genitalia. Unknown. Female genitalia. Not investigated, presumably similar to that of A. demiti sp. n.
Dispersal potential. These beetles are macropterous and probably capable of flight. They are moderately swift and agile runners.
Distribution. (Fig. 78). This species has been found at only one location on a clear-water system of the middle Amazon River drainage system. But that does not at all indicate its real distribution: as has been pointed out above, very small beetles are inadequately sampled, especially in the Neotropics.
Way of life. See Erwin (1991) for a general description. Bates reported finding the holotype on the shore of the Rio Tapajos, a gravelly clear water tributary of the Rio Amazonas.
Other specimens studied. None. Derivation of specific epithet.The specific epithet, samiriaensis, is a singular Latinized feminine noun in apposition, based on the name of the river near which these beetles were found.

Asklepia samiriaensis
Proposed english vernacular name. Samiria pattern-wing beetles. Diagnosis. With the attributes of the genus Asklepia as described by Liebke (1938) and as noted above under the generic diagnosis, and small-sized for the genus (SBL = 2.436 mm). Adults with head brunneus, prothorax flavotestaceous, elytral maculae fulvous; elytron fuscous with a small triangular flavous macula in the basal proximal quadrant reaching the sutural area, medial lateral quadrant fulvous, an enclosed ocellate flavous macula in the middle of medial proximal quadrant, a triangular flavous macula in the apical proximal quadrant, lateral and apical margins fulvous; abdominal sterna III-VI, and epipleuron fulvous, abdominal sternum VII fuscous; legs fulvous; antennal scape, pedicel and antennomere 3 testaceous, antennomeres 4-6 and basal half of 7 deeply infuscated, apical half of 7 and 8-11 white. Dorsal surface devoid of microsculpture, surface luster very shiny. Pronotum markedly convex with lateral margin effaced except just anterior to hind angle and there a simple bead; hind angle feebly produced, median line feebly defined. Elytral interneurs effaced from greater part of elytron surface, only evident as short discontinuous rows of spaced punctures at apical and basal sutural area, punctures fuscous.
Description. (Habitus, Fig. 51). Size: [See also Table 23] Medium-size for the genus; ABL = 2.853 mm, SBL = 2.436 mm, TW (total width) 1.274 mm, LP = 0.537 mm, WP = 0.613 mm, LE =1.503 mm. Color: See diagnosis above. Luster: See diagnosis above. Head (Fig. 51): as in description for genus above. Prothorax. Pronotum (Fig. 51) slightly broad, slightly narrower than head across eyes (WH/WP: 1.188), longer than head (LP/LH: 1.357), about as wide as long (W/L: 1.141); markedly cordiform and rounded, lateral margin effaced with seta at anterior third on slightly raised area; apex markedly constricted; anterior angles feebly produced, hind angle slightly produced and setose, median line feebly defined, basal margin fuscous; surface smooth throughout. Pterothorax. Normal for genus, see description for genus above. Elytra moderately convex; twice as wide as head across eyes (WH/TW: 0.571) and pronotum (WP/TW: 0.481), longer than wide. Elytral interneurs effaced from greater part of the elytron surface, only evident as short discontinuous rows of spaced punctures at apical and basal sutural area, punctures fuscous; elytron substantially transparent. Hind wings fully developed. Legs. Overall, normal for genus, see description for genus above. Abdominal sterna. Overall, normal for genus, see description for genus above. Male genitalia. Not investigated due to the fragile nature of the holotype. Female genitalia. Unknown.
Dispersal potential. These beetles are macropterous and probably capable of flight. They are moderately swift and agile runners.
Distribution. (Fig. 78). This species has been found at only one location on a black-water system of the upper Amazon River drainage system. But that does not at all indicate its real distribution: as has been pointed out above, very small beetles are inadequately sampled, especially in the Neotropics. Erwin (1991) for a general description. Adults of this species are active in the rainy season and occur in open grassy marshes.

Way of life. See
Other specimens examined. None. Derivation of specific epithet.The specific epithet, stalametlitos, is derived from the Greek, σταλα (stalas) = drop, μηλλιτοσ (melitos) = of honey, drop of honey, and used as a noun in apposition in reference to the golden color of the elytra of these beetles.

Asklepia stalametlitos
Proposed english vernacular name. Honey-drop pattern-wing beetles. Diagnosis. With the attributes of the genus Asklepia as described by Liebke (1938) and as noted above under the generic diagnosis, and medium-sized for the genus (SBL = 2.815 mm). Adults with head and prothorax flavous, elytral maculae flavous; elytron (cf. Fig. 30) fuscous with triangular flavous macula on proximal basal quadrant, maculae reach the sutural area, medial quadrants largely fulvous, medial sutural area fuscous, proximal apical quadrant with triangular macula flavous macula on proximal basal quadrant reaching the sutural area, medial quadrants largely fulvous without reaching the sutural area, proximal apical quadrant with triangular flavous macula, testaceous, antennomere 3 aurantiacus, antennomeres 4-6 and basal half of 7 deeply infuscated, apical half of 7, 8-11 white. Dorsal surface devoid of microsculpture, surface luster very shiny. Pronotum markedly convex with lateral margin effaced except just anterior to hind angle and there a simple bead; hind angle moderately prominent. Elytral interneurs effaced from the greater part of the elytron surface, only evident as pale spots on apical proximal quadrant and scattered punctures on medial quadrants; elytron substantially transparent.
Description. (Habitus, Fig. 52). Size: [See also Table 24] Medium-size for the genus; ABL = 3.043 mm, SBL = 2.815 mm, TW (total width) 1.467 mm, LP = 0.597 mm, WP = 0.751 mm, LE = 1.788 mm. Color: See diagnosis above. Luster: See diagnosis above. Head (Fig. 52): as in description for genus above. Prothorax. Pronotum (Fig. 52) moderately broad, as wide as head across eyes (WH/WP: 1.089), longer than head (LP/LH: 1.388), wider than longer (W/L: 1.024); markedly cordiform and convex, lateral margin effaced with seta at anterior third on slightly raised area; apex markedly constricted; anterior angle feebly produced, hind angle slightly produced and setose; devoid of median line and transverse impression; surface smooth throughout. Pterothorax. Normal for genus, see description for genus above. Elytra moderately convex; twice as wide as head across eyes (WH/ TW: 0.557) and pronotum (WP/TW: 0.512), longer than wide. Elytral interneurs effaced from the greater part of the elytron surface, only evident as pale spots on apical proximal quadrant and scattered punctures on medial quadrants. Hind wings fully developed. Legs. Overall, normal for genus, see description for genus above. Abdominal sterna. Overall, normal for genus, see description for genus above. Male genitalia. Male unknown. Female genitalia. Not investigated, presumably similar to that of A. demiti sp. n.
Dispersal potential. These beetles are macropterous and probably capable of flight. They are moderately swift and agile runners.
Distribution. (Fig. 78). This species has been found at only one location on a white-water system of the upper Amazon River drainage system. But that does not at all indicate its real distribution: as has been pointed out above, very small beetles are inadequately sampled, especially in the Neotropics.
Way of life. See Erwin (1991) for a general description. Adults of this species are active in the rainy season along a large river.
Other specimens examined. None.

Asklepia strandi Liebke, 1938
Strand's pattern-wing beetle Figs 53, 78 Asklepia Strandi Liebke, 1938:113. Holotype. Guyana (not seen by us, not listed by Mroczkowski (1960) as being in the collections of the Polish Academy of Sciences in Warsaw; it was probably lost during World War II). Derivation of specific epithet.The specific epithet, strandi, is an eponym, noun in apposition, genitive case, based on the family name of Professor Dr. Embrik Strand, Norwegian Arachnologist, who spent his later years as a Professor in Germany.
Proposed english vernacular name. Strand's pattern-wing beetle. Diagnosis. With the attributes of the genus Asklepia as described by Liebke (1938) and as noted above under the generic diagnosis, and large-sized for the genus (ABL = 3.0). The following is Liebke's original description.
"Asklepia Strandi n. sp. (Fig. 113) Note. From Liebke's drawing, enhanced here (Fig. 53), we can classify this species in the pulchripennis species group because the pronotum is not laterally explanate, an attribute that is always associated with an aedeagal endophallus having only two spines. We have seen no specimens from Guyana, nor any specimens matching this illustration from anywhere. The distinguishing attribute is the pale elytral margin extended from the apex into quadrant A (Fig. 53). A neotype will be needed upon discovery of more specimens from Guyana that match Liebke's description and illustration.   Liebke, 1938, Guyana, ABL = 3.00 mm (from Liebke, 1938:114 Derivation of specific epithet.The specific epithet, surinamensis, is a singular Latinized feminine noun in apposition, based on the name of the country in which these beetles are found. Proposed english vernacular name. Surinam pattern-wing beetle. Diagnosis. With the attributes of the genus Asklepia as described by Liebke (1938) and as noted above under the generic diagnosis, and medium-size to largesize for the genus (SBL = 2.841-2.99 mm). Adults with head fuscous, prothorax fulvous, elytral maculae fulvous or slightly aurantiacus in some individuals; elytron fuscous with a triangular flavous macula in the upper right corner of the proximal basal quadrant, broad flavous macula ending in hook crossing from medial lateral quadrant to left half of medial proximal quadrant, triangular flavous macula crossing from the lower right corner of apical proximal quadrant to lower half of apical lateral quadrant, apical and lateral margin fulvous; metepisternum fuscous, metasternum fuscous laterally flavous medially, abdominal sterna with III-VI, and epipleuron fulvous, abdominal sternum VII fuscous; legs flavotestaceous; antennal scape, pedicel and antennomere 3 testaceous, antennomeres 4-6 deeply infuscated, 7-11 white. Dorsal surface devoid of microsculpture, surface luster very shiny. Pronotum markedly convex and globose with lateral margin effaced except just anterior to hind angle and there a feeble bead; hind angle moderately prominent; anterior angles feebly produced; median line feebly defined. Elytral interneurs evident as continuous rows of widely spaced coarse punctures.

Asklepia surinamensis
Description. (Fig. 54, 73). Habitus: Fig. 54). Size: [See also Table 25] Medium-size to large for the genus; ABL = 3.002-3.372 mm, SBL = 2.841-2.992 mm, TW (total width) 1.420-1.584 mm, LP = 0.575-0.626 mm, WP = 0.795-0.836 mm, LE = 1.709-1.803 mm. Color: See diagnosis above. Luster: See diagnosis above. Head (Fig. 54): as in description for genus above. Prothorax. Pronotum (Fig. 54) slightly broad, as wide as head across eyes (WH/WP, mean both sexes: 1.101), length about the same (LP/LH, mean both sexes: 1.093), wider than long (W/L, mean both sexes: 1.367); markedly cordiform and rounded, lateral margin effaced with seta at anterior third on slightly raised area; apex markedly constricted; anterior angle feebly produced, hind angle slightly produced and setose; median line feebly defined, apical transverse impressions punctate, punctures infuscated; surface smooth throughout. Pterothorax. Normal for genus, see description for genus above. Elytra moderate convex; at apical third twice as wide as head across eyes (WH/TW, mean both sexes: 0.542) and pronotum (WP/TW, mean both sexes: 0.4923). Elytral interneurs evident as continuous rows of widely spaced coarse punctures, punctures infuscated, interneurs continuous along length of entire elytron. Hind wings fully developed. Legs. Overall, normal for genus, see description for genus above. Abdominal sterna. Overall, normal for genus, see description for genus above. Male genitalia (Fig. 73, see Fig. 61 for attribute labels). Median lobe with phallobase moderate in length, about a fifth the length of shaft, basal opening moderate, oriented oblique to shaft. Shaft broad, slightly curved ventrally, dorsally sclerotized except for short ostium; in ventral aspect tapered toward broadly rounded apex, in lateral aspect, a rounded blunt apex. Left paramere very large and broad, right paramere moderately large and triangular; apex of left paramere lobate much, longer than right paramere about two-thirds the length of shaft (measured in left lateral aspect). Endophallus with one small median spine, and one very large distal spine. Female genitalia. Not investigated, presumably similar to that of A. demiti sp. n.
Dispersal potential. These beetles are macropterous and capable of flight; they are attracted to lights. They are moderately swift and agile runners.
Distribution. (Fig. 78). This species has been found at only one location on the white-water system of the middle Surinam River drainage system. But that does not at all indicate its real distribution: as has been pointed out above, very small beetles are inadequately sampled, especially in the Neotropics.
Way of life. See Erwin (1991) for a general description. Adults of this species are active in July. Derivation of specific epithet.The specific epithet, vigilante, is a singular Latinized feminine noun in apposition, based on the name of the place near which these beetles are found.
Proposed english vernacular name. Vigilante pattern-wing beetle. Diagnosis. With the attributes of the genus Asklepia as described by Liebke (1938) and as noted above under the generic diagnosis, and medium-size to large-size for the genus (SBL = 2.589-3.259 mm). Adults with head aurantiacus, prothorax fulvous, elytral maculae fulvous or aurantiacus in some individuals; elytron fuscous with a triangular flavous macula in the lower right corner of the proximal apical quadrant, broad flavous macula ending in hook crossing from medial lateral quadrant to right half of medial proximal quadrant, triangular flavous macula in the upper right corner of apical proximal quadrant, apical and lateral margin fulvous; metasternum fulvous, abdominal sterna with III-VI, and epipleuron fulvous, abdominal sternum VII fuscous; legs flavotestaceous; antennal scape and pedicel testaceous, antennomeres 3-6 and basal half of 7 deeply infuscated, apical half of 7 and 8-11 white. Dorsal surface devoid of microsculpture, surface luster very shiny. Pronotum markedly convex with lateral margin effaced except just anterior to hind angle and there a simple bead; hind angle moderately prominent; anterior angles feebly produced; median line feebly defined. Elytral interneurs evident as short discontinuous rows of widely spaced coarse punctures, interneurs effaced in the medial quadrants.
Description. (Fig. 55, 74). Habitus: (Fig. 55). Size: [See also Table 26] Mediumsize to large for the genus; ABL = 3.002-3.372 mm, SBL = 2.589-3.259 mm, TW (total width) 1.397-1.598 mm, LP = 0.556-0.751 mm, WP = 0.703-0.861 mm, LE = 1.623-2.024 mm. Color: See diagnosis above. Luster: See diagnosis above. Head (Fig.  55): as in description for genus above. Prothorax. Pronotum (Fig. 55) slightly broad, about as wide as head across eyes (WH/WP, mean both sexes: 1.051), longer than head (LP/LH, mean both sexes: 1.436), about as wide as long (WP/LP, mean both sexes: 1.209); markedly cordiform and rounded, lateral margin effaced with seta at anterior  third on slightly raised area; apex markedly constricted; anterior angle feebly produced, hind angle slightly produced and setose; median line feebly defined, apical transverse impressions punctate, punctures infuscated; surface smooth throughout. Pterothorax. Normal for genus, see description for genus above. Elytra moderate convex; at apical  third twice as wide as head across eyes (WH/TW, mean both sexes: 0.534) and pronotum (WP/TW, mean both sexes: 0.508), longer than wide. Elytral interneurs evident as short discontinuous rows of widely spaced coarse punctures, interneurs effaced in the medial quadrants. Hind wings fully developed. Legs. Overall, normal for genus, Figure 69- (Fig. 74, see Fig. 61 for attribute labels). Median lobe with phallobase short about a fourth the length of shaft, basal opening large, oriented parallel to shaft. Shaft broad, moderately curved ventrally, dorsally sclerotized except for short ostium; in ventral aspect tapered toward rather broadly acute apex, in lateral aspect, a rounded apex. Left paramere very large and broad, right small and triangular; apex of left paramere lobate much longer than right paramere, about half the length of shaft (measured in left lateral aspect). Endophallus with 2 preapical spines, distal one very large. Female genitalia. Not investigated, presumably similar to that of A. demiti sp. n.
Dispersal potential. These beetles are macropterous and probably capable of flight. They are moderately swift and agile runners.
Distribution. (Fig. 78). This species has been found at only one location on the black-water system of the upper Amazon River drainage system. But that does not at all indicate its real distribution: as has been pointed out above, very small beetles are inadequately sampled, especially in the Neotropics.
Way of life. See Erwin (1991) for a general description. Adults of this species are active in the rainy season in Igapó rainforest. They occur in wet leaf litter on wet soil in swales off to the side of the main river course and in open grassy marshes with some standing water.

Summary and future directions
The lachnophorine assemblage is species rich as evidenced by vast collections in museums. Adults are diverse and divergent in physical attributes ranging from the agonine-like Anchonoderus and Homethes to the rather elegant and bizarre ant-like Ega, Selina, and Stenocheila. In color attributes, the adults range from some charcoal black Anchonoderus to those of the incredibly beautiful, multi-hued Quammenis spectabilis (Fig. 1). In spite of this strikingly broad, readily perceived range of attributes that are pleasing to the eye, and challenging to the mind of evolutionary biologists, revisions, or monographs for the Tribe, or its component genera, surprisingly are lacking. The literature contains many single species descriptions in several of the genera, mostly from the 19 th century -the golden age of exploration and descriptive entomology. Ball (1960) provided keys and notes on the North American taxa and later (Ball and Hilchie 1983) recognized the "Eucaerine complex" as Lachnophorini rather than Lebiini. Reichardt (1977) provided a key and notes on the Neotropical genera known to him. These comparatively recent regional treatments of Carabidae include cursory to detailed reference to lachnophorine taxa, featuring the generic level, using adult attributes. Liebherr (1983) described the larva of Ega sallei Chevrolat and that is the only described larva of the entire Tribe Lachnophorini; however, the junior author (LSZ) has specimens of two additional genera that she will include in her Master's studies. Liebherr (1988) also provided a phylogenetic treatment of Lachnophorini of the Caribbean Islands and aligned the tribe with the Odacanthini. More recently, the senior author (TLE) provided descriptions of two new genera (Erwin 2000(Erwin , 2004 and keys to most lachnophorine genera (Erwin et al. 2002;Erwin et al. 2012) in the Western Hemisphere. Here, we add two additional genera found in Brazil, and three genera from the Eastern Hemisphere.
That information, noted above, was the platform available to us for beginning construction of a robust understanding of the Lachnophorini to at least a level represented by many Northern Hemisphere tribes of Carabidae. So that others may join in this potentially exciting pursuit, we have offered an illustrated preliminary taxonomic synopsis of the known lachnophorine genera, with keys, and a species-level treatment of the taxonomically complex Asklepia Liebke.
During this study, it became readily apparent that the tropics, in both New and Old world, are the center of origin and radiation of taxa. A very few species occur in the southern parts of the United States, likewise south only to mid Argentina. Relationships between New and Old world taxa need to be understood and that will only come with a well-founded understanding of the phylogeny. With regard to the species of Asklepia, it is quite obvious that the three species groups (defined so well by attributes of the endophallus and pronotal margins) have co-evolved in an Amazon center, probably tied in some way to Varzea and Igapó waters as habitats for differentiation of species groups; however, we do not have sufficient samples of most species to test this idea. Some species occur south as far as Argentina, but none have made it to Middle America; all are cis-Andean. Additionally, thanks to an observation made by George E. Ball (pers. comm.), it seems that the least derived species groups, geminatus (typical carabid pronotum with lateral explanations, convex elytral intervals, and no spines on the endophallus) and hilaris (typical carabid pronotum with lateral explanations and multiple small spines on the endophallus) are confined to the central Amazon River drainage, while the most derived group pulchripennis (lacking pronotal explanations and having two large spines on the endophallus) is not confined and has member species occurring as far south as Argentina and Uruguay, as well as on extreme tributaries of the Amazon drainage (see Figs 76-78). We ponder whether this is indicative of a flatland continental taxon cycle and suggest that with better collections, this should be tested.
The path forward is branched. For the near future, the branch to be followed by one of us, (LSZ), will lead to an attempt, using morphological and molecular attributes, to reconstruct the phylogeny of the known lachnophorine genera, with the expectation that the inferred system of relationships will provide a firm basis for a stable classification. In turn, this classification will provide a rational basis for exploration of diversity and divergence within each of the lachnophorine genera, the second branch.

Appendix 1
Morphological measurements and ratios for adults of species of Asklepia Liebke, 1938. All values are in millimeters. Apparent body length (ABL) is provided in the descriptions. Means provided for ratios are "harmonic means." geminata species group