Noteucinetus new genus from New Zealand and Chile and notes on Eucinetus stewarti (Broun) (Coleoptera: Eucinetidae)

Abstract

Noteucinetus n. gen. is described based on three new species (type species: N. nunni n. sp., N. chilensis n. sp. and N. latipennis, n. sp.) and it is distinguished from other members of the family by the following characters in combination: body form highly convex and often patterned, antennae filiform, mouthparts not suctorial, basigalea setose, apical maxillary palpomere wider than penultimate segment, metendosternite with lateral arms widely separate, elytra with weak transverse rows of striae, hind wing absent or reduced, inner mesotibial spur of male modified, rectum with sclerotised discs, parameres broadly fused at base and shorter than the penis. Noteucinetus nunni is distributed in New Zealand from the Coromandel Peninsula in the North Island to Nelson in the South Island, while N. chilensis and N. latipennis are distributed in south-central Chile. Noteucinetus species are generally associated with forested habitats and are most often collected in leaf litter and flight intercept traps. Notes on the New Zealand species Eucinetus stewarti (Broun 1881) are provided.