Tychus algericus

Tychus algericus species group

Diagnosis. The species of the Tychus algericus group are characterized by the following features: body length 1.25–1.40 mm, apterous, antennal tubercles 0.125–0.140 mm wide and 0.050–0.070 mm long, eyes not very prominent, with 10–22 ommatidia, antennae relatively short, 0.560–0.700 mm long with antennomeres 4–8 wider than long, similar in male than in female. Last segment of maxillary palpi 0.160–0.200 mm long and 0.060–0.080 mm wide, with its lateral margin straight or slightly concave. Pronotum with lateral antebasal foveae large but not very impressed. Elytra with barely protruding humeri; discal fovea extended posteriorly in discal stria reaching more than half of elytral length. Abdomen with basal impression of 1st tergite exceeding 1/3 of tergite width.

Male. Colour darker, eyes larger and elytra slightly longer than in female. Metaventrite with a median impression that to its posterior margin extending at least over 1/2 of its length, femora and tibiae of all legs slightly thickened, mesotrochanters extended into median spine, more or less long and sharp. Aedeagus 0.300– 0.335 mm long, dorsal apophysis of median lobe sinuate and canaliculate, enlarged at apex which is different in shape in each species. Ventral portion of median lobe large at base, laterally curved, more or less constricted at apex and bearing one or two spine-like apophyses different in shape and position in each species.

Female. Telisternite with rounded margins and short median canal.