Taophila, Heller, 1916

KEY TO THE SPECIES OF TAOPHILA SUBGENUS LAPITA

1. Three lateral teeth on pronotum. Species from Mandjélia .......................................................... T. tridentata

-. Two lateral teeth on pronotum.......................................................................................................................... 2

2. Males: antennae long, reaching at least middle of elytra, with antennomeres thick, particularly in the case of scape; first protarsomeres and to some extent first mesotarsomeres expanded laterally; dorsal surfaces usually paler with greenish metallic reflections and elytra without costae ................................................. 3

-. Females: antennae shorter, thinner, typically bicolorous; all tarsi narrow, slender; dorsal surfaces generally darker and elytra typically with lateral costae ( Fig. 4)................................................................................ 12

3. Absence of black erect hairs on periscutellar and sutural areas of elytra .................................................... 4

-. Presence of sparse, black, erect hairs on elytra, more apparent in anterior third and periscutellar area of elytra (generally visible in lateral position of specimens) ............................................................................. 6

4. Tarsi pale and concolourous with the remainder of leg; antennae similarly pale, only slightly darkened in distal half. Species from L’Aoupinié ................................................................................................... T. kronos

-. Tarsi darker than the remainder of leg; antennae darkened beyond third antennomere ............................. 5

5. Smaller species (4.0– 4.7 mm). Dorsal surfaces dark brown with slight metallic reflection, lightly covered with pubescence, more abundant at sides of pronotum and apical half of elytra; sides of elytra tapering apically. Species from Mandjélia........................................................................................................ T. hermes

-. Larger species (4.5–5.9 mm). Dorsal surfaces paler, particularly elytra, without conspicuous metallic shine and rather uniformly and densely covered with copious pale pubescence; apex of elytra round. Species from l’Aoupinié ................................................................................................................................ T. olympica

6. Distal half of antennae darkened; apex of elytra slightly angulate. Group of T. aphrodita ......................... 7

-. Antennae rather uniformly brown; apex of elytra rounded. Group of T. mars .............................................. 8

7. With scattered, long, dark, erect hairs on elytra apically, clearly standing out from ground golden pubescence. Penis laterally recurved towards apex. Species from the Central Massif (Col d’Amieu, Farino) ......................................................................................................................................................... T. aphrodita

-. Scattered, short, dark hairs intermingled with ground golden pubescence. Penis without a clear torsion and produced at apex. Species from the central east coast of Grande Terre (Tchamba, Canala). T. atlantis

8. Tarsi darker than tibiae................................................................................................................................... 9

-. Tarsi concolourous with tibiae........................................................................................................................ 10

9. Dorsum of elytra with few, long, dark, erect hairs in periscutellar area. Tarsi blackish. Apex of penis pointed at right angle. Species from southern interior forests of Grande Terre (Rivière Bleue, Dzumac Mts.) ..................................................................................................................................................... T. riberai

-. Surface of elytra with scattered, long, dark, erect hairs. Tarsi slightly darker than tibiae at apex. Penis broadly arched at apex. Species from Mt. Do................................................................................... T. ouranos

10. With few, scattered, long and erect dark hairs at apex of elytra; hairs at both sides of suture in apical declivity oriented laterally; tip of apical antennomere concolourous ( Fig. 2H). Species from Monts Koghi ............................................................................................................................................................... T. mars

-. Long, dark hairs absent at apex of elytra; pubescence tending to radial orientation in apical declivity; tip of apical antennomeres black ........................................................................................................................ 11

11. Elytra more regularly convex and with rounder profile at apex, with denser, lanuginose pubescence. Species from the east coast of Grande Terre (Thio-Canala)................................................................ T. gaea

-. Lateroapical impressions on elytra more pronounced, with conjoined apex of elytra not following a regular curve; pubescence on apical half of elytra less regularly distributed. Species from the Central Massif ........................................................................................................................................................... T. oceanica