Astromula nitidum Click here for a larger view

Diagnosis.--Key characters: Ommatidial size coarse (Fig. 39b); prosternal process expanded apically (Fig. 18); mesal antennal spines absent; lateral projections into mesocoxae from mesosternum absent (Fig. 20); antennomere three less than one third length of pronotum; elytral apices without spines; femoral apices without spines (Fig. 26); tibial carinae absent; femora weakly clavate (Fig. 37b). Length: 21-25 mm.

Distribution and Diversity.--Southwestern United States. Monotypic.

Discussion.--Despite the absence of antennal spines, Astromula is allied to Enaphalodes (Fig. 56) with the presence of a complete metasternal sulcus and deep metepisternal notch. Astromula differs from Enaphalodes also in the absence of spines on the elytral apices (normally strongly developed in Enaphalodes), and weakly clavate femora (linear in Enaphalodes.)