Genus Leielmis Delève, 31964

Figs 2C, 5C, 8D, 12C, 14L

Leielmis Delève, 1964: 159.

Type species

Helmis georyssoides Grouvelle, 1890.

Differential diagnosis

Leielmis is characterized by the combination of the following characters: 1) body (Figs 2C, 8D) obovate; 2) antennae with segments 3–10 filiform; segment 11 longer; 3) surface of the pronotum (Figs 2C, 5C, 8D) moderately smooth to glabrous, micropunctured; lateral margin in some species with a row of spaced out granules; anterolateral angles feebly produced; sides broadly narrowing from base to prolonged anterior margin; carinae absent; median groove absent; 4) surface of the elytra (Figs 2C, 8D) moderately smooth to glabrous; sides broadly narrowing into rounded apex; carinae absent; intervals nearly flat; 5) prosternum moderately short in front of procoxae; anterior margin medially broadly emarginate, laterally slightly lowered, without distinct indentation; prosternal process wide, with broadly rounded apex (Fig. 12C); 6) legs with femora stout, tarsal claws (Fig. 14L) simple.

Similar genera

Leielmis could be confused with Peloriolus due to their smaller, compact body size, mostly simple pronotum, and similar moderately short, medially emarginate prosternum with a wide prosternal process. However, the sides of the pronotum in Leielmis broadly narrow from the base to the prolonged anterior margin, whereas in Peloriolus, the sides are subparallel in the basal third before narrowing.

Larva

Unknown.

Distribution

Endemic to South Africa. The record from Angola is omitted (see Discussion).

Known species

Leielmis armipes Bilton, 2018; Lei. georyssoides (Grouvelle, 1890); Lei. gibbosus Bilton, 2017; Lei. hirsutus Bilton, 2017.