Lata species group

Adult diagnosis. The Cycadophila (Cycadophila) lata species group is distinguished from other members of Cycadophila by color: body reddish-brown with dark mark along elytral suture; head dorsal surface flattened in profile; supraocular stria present, extending full length of eye; maxillary palpi normal in length, not more than 2× longer than labial palpi; ventral interocular distance <1/3 head width; submental-gular suture primarily flattened, medially with weak, darkened transverse depression with row of setose punctures; pronotal anterior angles rounded, surface near anterior angle convex; lateral carinae evenly arched most of length, basally appearing evenly sinuate; pronotal lateral carina thin in lateral view, with single row of setose punctuation on marginal surface; prosternal process narrow (<1/2 width of profemur), rounded at apex, apex depressed, in lateral view convex; protibia dilated distally, with fringe of stout setae along apical margin and a few at extreme apical-lateral margins; coxal line behind mesocoxae without punctures; male genitalia with tegmen strongly twisted basally, penile strut 3× length of median lobe; sexual dimorphism present with males having strongly dilated pro- and mesotibiae and femora.

Remarks. This species group contains three species that are similar in morphology. Current molecular data indicate the available specimens of this group to be part of a complex of species. Here we only present accounts of the two described species and one new species belonging to this group. Further work is underway to help resolve this complex.