On the little-known click-beetle genus Rostricephalus (Coleoptera: Elateridae: Lissominae), with description of a new species from China

Abstract

Summary Rostricephalus Fleutiaux, 1918 is an enigmatic and little-studied genus. A new species of this genus, Rostricephalus shii n. sp., is described from Sichuan Province, China. The female genitalia of the new species are illustrated and compared with those of the previous only known species, Rostricephalus vitalisi Fleutiaux, 1918. The sclerites of the bursa copulatrix show taxonomic value in distinguishing the species in this genus. The type specimens of R. vitalisi are re-examined and illustrated for the first time, and the lectotype is designated. A distribution map is provided for all literature records of Rostricephalus. The discovery of the new species extends the distribution range of Rostricephalus to south-central Sichuan of China.