Sagrinae, Leach, 1815

Sagrinae View in CoL

Sagrinae Leach, 1815 View in CoL have only one species in Brazil – Megamerus alvarengai Monrós, 1956 , restricted to Rio Grande do Norte. Little is known about its biology ( Monrós 1956a). Morphologically it is most similar to the Malagasy genus Prionesthis Lacordaire, 1845 (formerly known as Rhagiosoma Chapuis, 1878 ) rather than to Australian Megamerus MacLeay, 1827 ( Sekerka 2007, Sekerka and Voisin 2014). This subfamily contains presently 72 species classified in 13 genera and four tribes worldwide. The subfamily has a mainly palaeotropical distribution, with the center of diversity in Australia. The Neotropical fauna is very poor and only two species of Megamerini are recorded so far; the diversity of this tribe is mainly in Australia and Madagascar. The other Neotropical species, Atalasis sagroides Lacordaire, 1845 , is so far known only from Northern and Central Argentina but it is very likely present also in SE Brazil ( Mato Grosso do Sul and Paraná) since these two regions share similar habitats. This species is associated with various Malvaceae View in CoL and is one of a few among Sagrinae View in CoL with known biology and described larva ( Monrós 1943, 1955). Genera of Sagrinae View in CoL were revised by the Argentinean Francisco de AsÍs Monrós (1922–1958), who also established the tribal system ( Monrós 1960).