Psyrassa aliena Click here for a larger view

Psyrassa cribricollis Click here for a larger view

Psyrassa cribricollis (Bates, 1885):253. NEW COMBINATION

Species examined.--P. aliena (Linsley, 1934b); P. brevicornis Linsley, 1934c; P. castanea Bates, 1880; one specimen identified by E. G. Linsley as P. cribricollis (Bates, 1885) in CISC; P. cylindricollis Linsley, 1935a; P. ebenina Linsley, 1935a; P. nigripes Linsley, 1935c; P. nigroaenea Bates, 1892; P. pertenuis (Casey, 1924); P. punctulata Bates, 1892; P. sallaei Bates, 1885; P. sinaloae Linsley, 1935a; P. sthenias Bates, 1892; P. subglabra Linsley, 1935; P. testacea Linsley, 1935a; P. texana Schaeffer, 1905b; P. unicolor (Randall, 1838).

Diagnosis.--Key characters: Eyes large, ommatidial size coarse (Fig. 39b); prosternal process between procoxae expanded apically (Figs. 18, 27); antennae with mesal spines (Figs. 8b, 9b); pronotum with impunctate regions; femoral carinae absent; procoxal cavities closed laterally (Fig. 24); posterior procoxal cavities open (Fig. 18); tibial carinae present (Fig. 22); femoral apices rounded (Fig. 26); profemora clavate to gradually enlarged (Fig. 37b, c); meso- and metafemora gradually enlarged or linear (Fig. 37c, d); shape of spine on antennomere three normally acute (Fig. 45a, b); antennomere three variable in length, at least two thirds length of pronotum (Fig. 46b, c); lateral projections into mesocoxae present (Fig. 21); mesocoxal cavities either open or closed laterally (Figs. 6, 7); lateral pronotal tubercles absent; elytral spines weak or absent (Fig. 41b-e); body narrow and elongate (Fig. 41c); lateral antennomere shape linear (Fig. 22); pronotum sparsely punctate and pubescent; elytral apices slightly dentiform (Fig. 41c). Length: 9-11 mm.

Distribution and Diversity.--United States to Panamá, West Indies. Twenty-eight species.

Discussion.-- Psyrassa strongly resembles Aneflomorpha and Megapsyrassa. Based on the phylogeny, however, Psyrassa is not as closely related as would be expected. Psyrassa is a basal elaphidiine with affinities to many South American taxa. The strong basal pronotal constriction, sparsely punctate and pubescent pronotum, stronger closure of the procoxal cavities posteriorly, and shorter third antennomere in (most) Psyrassa separate it from Aneflomorpha. Megapsyrassa are generally larger and have elytra sinuate above the metepisternum, concealing it in part ventral to the keel. Psyrassa have the metepisternum exposed completely. Megapsyrassa usually have the antennae slightly expanded apically, while in Psyrassa they are linear. Psyrassa has a strong postero-lateral constriction of the pronotum which is absent from Megapsyrassa.