Appula lateralis Click here for a larger view

Diagnosis.--Key characters: Ommatidial size coarse (Fig. 39b); prosternal process slightly expanded apically (Fig. 18); mesal antennal spines present (Figs. 8b, 9b); pronotum with impunctate regions and without large, confluent punctures or rugose sculpturing; femoral carinae absent; procoxal cavities closed laterally (Fig. 24); mesal profemoral apices spinose (as in Figs. 8d, 9d); lateral profemoral apices rounded (Fig. 26c); lateral mesofemoral apices spinose (Fig. 25a); remaining femoral apices dentiform (as in Fig. 25b); femora linear (Fig. 37d); elytra not metallic; elytra covered with dense golden and silver pubescence; elytra with strong apicolateral spine. Length: 9-16 mm.

Distribution and Diversity.--Bolivia, Brazil. Seven species.

Discussion.--Appula has the dense silver and golden pubescence characteristic of the Mallocera and allies clade (Fig. 59). It differs from Pseudomallocera in lacking femoral carinae. Appula differs from Mallocera in having procoxal cavities closed laterally (examined Mallocera species had procoxae open laterally) and usually having a narrower facies. Appula differs from Neomallocera in having the elytral apex strongly spined laterally (Neomallocera lacks spines on elytral apex). Appula differs from Protomallocera in having spined mesal profemoral apices.