Review of the Anthonomus alboscutellatus species group, with description of a new species (Coleoptera: Curculionidae)

The Anthonomus alboscutellatus group contains the Mexican and Central American A. alboscutellatus Champion and a new Brazilian species, A. acerolae Clark. There are relatively small (length 1.7-2.4 mm) black Anthonominae with sparse pronotal and elytral vestiture, 5 more or less distinct rostral carinae, well-developed postocular prothoracic lobes and widely separated mesocoxane. Both species are associated with plants in the family Malpighiaceae. Characters by which the two species are distinguished from each other are described and illustrated. The A. alboscutellatus group has been considered to be closely related to the subgenus Anthonomocyllus Dietz, mainly because the species in both groups have widely separated mesocoxae. Similarity in the number of rostral carinae and in the lateral rostral grooves and the association of species in both groups with the Malpighiaceae, however, are evidence that the A. alboscutellatus group may be more closely allied to the anthonomine genus Pseudanthonomus Dietz.