Apechoneura Kriechbaumer, 1890

Genus Apechoneura Kriechbaumer View in CoL View at ENA

Apechoneura View in CoL consists of 25 described species ( Herrera-Flórez & Alvarado 2022) which occur from Nicaragua south to Paraguay and Bolivia (Gauld 2000). There are 17 species in six species-groups known from Costa Rica (Gauld, 2000) and with the new species described below the total is now 18. Gauld (2000) noted that unlike Labena View in CoL , Apechoneura View in CoL species lack tarsal modifications for clinging to smooth vertical surfaces, and he suggested that females probably oviposit into horizontal logs or tree trunks with a rough surface. He also noted that species in the Apechoneura longicauda View in CoL group lack a bracing groove on the first sternite, suggesting that they thread their ovipositors into crevices rather than drill into the wood. Support for both suggestions was provided by the observation of three A. longicauda View in CoL females inserting their ovipositors into frass/sawdust filled holes in a fallen trunk of Inga View in CoL ( Fabaceae View in CoL ) in Panama ( Hanson et al. 2008). Strong circumstantial evidence indicated that they were parasitizing Phloeoborus punctatorugosus Chapuis View in CoL ( Curculionidae View in CoL : Scolytinae), which represents the first host record for the genus. It should be noted that species of Phloeborus are larger than most other scolytines.