Eurysthea obliqua Click here for a larger view

Diagnosis.--Key characters: Ommatidial size coarse (Fig. 39b); procoxal process expanded at apex (Fig. 18); antennae without mesal spines; lateral projections into mesocoxae from mesosternum absent (Fig. 20); antennomere three longer than pronotum (Fig. 46c); elytra with pale fasciae; elytra with strong apicolateral spine and weak sutural spine; femoral apices without spines (Fig. 26) with the occasional exception of dentiform metafemoral apices (as in Fig. 25b); tibial carinae present (Fig. 22); femora clavate (Fig. 37b). Length: 14-17 mm.

Distribution and Diversity.--Bolivia, Brazil, Peru. Two species.

Discussion.--Results of the implied weight phylogenetic analysis place Eurysthea as basal to the taxa above node A (Fig. 50). Below Eurysthea are many primarily South American taxa which comprise unresolved polytomies. More character analysis and additional taxa need to be examined to understand basal relationships in Elaphidiini.

Eurysthea resembles greatly Paramallocera with respect to elytral maculations and sparse pubescence with long flying hairs. It differs in lacking antennal spines (present in Paramallocera), having tibial carinae (absent in Paramallocera) and clavate femora (gradually enlarged in Paramallocera).