Metironeus hovorei Click here for a larger view

Diagnosis.--Key characters: Ommatidial size coarse (Fig. 39b); prosternal process with apex at least slightly expanded apically (Figs. 18, 27); mesal antennal spines present (Figs. 8b, 9b); pronotum with confluent, irregularly-sized punctures which are usually partially obscured by pubescence which is sometimes condensed into white patches on the sides of pronotal disc; femoral carinae absent; procoxal cavities closed laterally (Fig. 24); femoral apices rounded (Fig. 26); procoxal cavities open posteriorly (Fig. 18); pronotum without transverse ridges or rugose sculpturing; tibial carinae present (Fig. 22); femoral apices rounded (Fig. 26c); femora clavate (Fig. 37b); pronotum and head without dense yellow or white pubescence; antennomeres carinate (Fig 45b); but not sulcate; spine of antennomere three acute (Fig. 45b); antennomeres linear, not expanded at apices (as in Fig. 22); lateral pronotal tubercles absent; apicolateral elytral spines absent; lateral mesocoxal cavities open (Fig. 7); pronotum irregularly punctate and rugose (Fig. 12h); pronotum without patches of white pubescence; femora gradually enlarged (Fig. 37c). Length: 8-11 mm.

Distribution and Diversity.--México to Guatemala. Two species.

Discussion.--Metironeus is the sister taxon to the clade above node D (Fig. 50), which contains primarily North American (including México) and West Indian taxa. In the key, it falls near Anopliomorpha, but the irregularly punctate and somewhat rugose pronotum without white patches of pubescence and alveolate punctation will separate it from Anopliomorpha.