Genus Leptelmis Sharp, 1888

Figs 2D, 5D, 8E, 12D, 14M

Leptelmis Sharp, 1888: 243.

Type species

Leptelmis gracilis Sharp, 1888.

Differential diagnosis

Leptelmis is characterized by the combination of the following characters: 1) body (Figs 2D, 8E) narrow, elongate; 2) antennae with segments 3–10 filiform; segment 11 longer; 3) surface of the pronotum (Figs 2D, 5D, 8E) coarse to moderately smooth; anterolateral angles moderately produced; sides arcuate before and after lateral constriction; carinae absent; median groove absent; complete transverse impression in apical half; 4) surface of the elytra (Figs 2D, 8E) moderately smooth; sides subparallel in basal 2/3, then tapered into rounded apex; carinae absent; intervals markedly impressed, nearly flat to slightly raised; 5) prosternum moderately long in front of procoxae; anterior margin almost straight, laterally lowered without distinct indentation; prosternal process wide with broadly rounded apex (Fig. 12D); 6) legs with femora stout to almost spindle-shaped, tibiae without apical fringes, tarsal claws (Fig. 14M) with one basal tooth.

Similar genera

Leptelmis is closely related to Stenelmis, sharing the lack of cleaning fringe on the inner margin of the protibia and a similar body shape. However, it is distinguished by a pronotum constricted by a complete transverse impression in the apical half, the absence of a median groove, and longer legs.

Larva

First fully described and illustrated from Japan by Hayashi & Yoshitomi (2014).

Distribution

Widespread in Côte d’Ivoire, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Gabon, Ghana, Republic of the Congo, South Africa. New country records for Kenya, Sierra Leone, Angola, Ethiopia, Nigeria, Togo, Uganda and Zambia. Occurs also in the Indomalayan and Palaearctic regions.

Included Afrotropical species

Leptelmis amoena Delève, 1966; Lep. collarti (Delève, 1937); Lep. costulata Delève, 1942; Lep. fragilis Delève, 1966; Lep. major Delève, 1966; Lep. orchymonti Delève, 1942; Lep. seydeli Delève, 1966; Lep. sobrina Delève, 1974.