New subfamily of ambrosia beetles (Coleoptera: Platypodidae) from mid-Cretaceous Burmese amber

Abstract

ABSTRACTAn ambrosia beetle described as Palaeotylus femoralis n. gen et sp. belonging to a new subfamily (Palaeotylinae n. subfam.: Coleoptera: Platypodidae) is described from Cretaceous Burmese amber. It differs from other subfamilies by the loose antennal club, 6-articled funicle, coarsely faceted eyes, tibiae with teeth at apex, bilobed meso- and meta-tarsomeres 2 and 3 and tarsomere 1 shorter than tarsomeres 2–4 combined. This is the first described Platypodidae from Burmese amber and the oldest documented ambrosia beetle that demonstrates glandular sac mycangia containing yeast-like propagules and hyphal fragments.