This post is a summary of the differences the species of Erotylus from histrio group present.
Erotylus is a genus of Erotylidae pleasing fungus beetles with around 100 described species. In 1907-08 Paul Kuhnt divided them in groups according to some characteristics. This post is about the first group, The histrio-group, which his words are "Large species with squat-like, blunt elevation somewhat behind the middle of the elytra; Elytra more or less pointed towards the back. Usually a red spot on the shoulder and a point on the tip, as well as a round yellow spot next to the scutellum (often connected to each other)."
There are 8 species in this group:
Erotylus histrio, E. mirabilis, E. elegans, E. histrionicus, E. chevrolati, E. aegrotus, E. clarosignatus and E. permutatus
Kuhnt created a key with the main differences to which I adapt and illustrate below:
…………………………. E. mirabilis.
1. About 24mm. Black network on the front and back.
………… E. histrio
2. About 21 mm, narrower, black network only at the back. (first yellow band connects the 2 scutellum spots and occupies most of the frontal part of the elytra)
…....…… E. elegans
1. Broad shape. Large yellow patches of markers.
…….… E. histrionicus
2. Elongated shape, smaller, always isolated patches of markers.
..….. E. chevrolati
1. Elytra brown with yellowish marks in a brown smeared network.
….. E. aegrotus
2. Elytra black with yellow marked bandages.
1. 5 yellow bandages alternating with black bands. (Here the first yellow band is whole and connects the red shoulder spots)
......... E. clarosignatus
2. First band composed of only a few round spots. Elytra with 3 - 5 yellow bands. The black area between the second and third bands is larger than in histrio. The elytra is less elongated at the tip.
.......... E. permutatus
Reference for the images used here:
Erotylus mirabils = https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/19936874
Erotylus histrio = https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/50163840
Erotylus elegans = https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/38863509
Erotylus histrionicus = https://br.pinterest.com/pin/569564684126772154/
Erotylus chrevolati = http://www.pybio.org/en/14520/galeria-de-especies-erotylidae/
Erotylus aegrotus = https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/34247214
Erotylus clarosignatus = https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/19936874
Erotylus permutatus = https://www.zin.ru/animalia/coleoptera/rus/noelmal0.htm
Other references:
P. Kuhnt 1907-1908 "Synopsis der Gattungen Erotylus, Cypherotylus, Micrerotylus https://www.biodiversitylibrary.org/page/33769506
Comments
Nice article! Based on your text I was able to identify the species in my record: https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/90328813
thanks
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