Key to species of the genera Aneurus and Paraneurus from Japan

As mentioned above, species of the genera Aneurus and Paraneurus are very similar in appearance. To distinguish these genera, it is necessary to confirm the presence or absence of the contergite, but identification based on specimens with closed wings is almost impossible. In order to simplify species identification, we have prepared this key to distinguish between species of Aneurus and Paraneurus occurring in Japan by morphological characteristics other than the contergite.

1. Spiracles II and VII lateral, visible in dorsal view, III–VI ventral............................................... 2

- Spiracle pattern different............................................................................... 5

2. Antenniferous tubercle acute apex....................................................................... 3

- Antenniferous tubercle rounded.......................................................................... 4

3. Pygophore pyriform, distinctly produced over dorsal external laterotergite VII; female paratergite VIII subangular at posterior angles............................................................. Aneurus (Aneurodes) taterasanus sp. nov.

- Pygophore acorn-shaped, slightly produced over dorsal external laterotergite VII; female paratergite VIII rounded at posterior angles...................................................... Paraneurus nipponicus (Kormilev & Heiss, 1976)

4. Head subangular; antennal segment II longer than III; pygophore oval, with lateral margins roundly arched in dorsal view; female paratergite VIII produced over paratergite IX........................ Paraneurus hainanensis (Kormilev, 1968)

- Head drop-shaped with rounded postocular lobes; antennal segment II shorter than III; pygophore elongate oval, with lateral margins nearly straight in dorsal view; female paratergite VIII not produced over paratergite IX.................................................................................................. Paraneurus similis (Liu, 1981)

5. Spiracles II, V–VII lateral, visible in dorsal view, III and IV ventral..............................................6

- Spiracles II, VI, VII lateral, visible in dorsal view, III–V ventral................... Paraneurus galiae (Kerzhner, 1979)

6. Genae visible in dorsal view; antenniferous tubercle acute at apex; scutellum without longitudinal rugose area; pygophore not produced over dorsal external laterotergite VII; posterior border of female sternum VI straight...................................................................................... Aneurus (Neaneurus) macrotylus Jakovlev, 1880

- Genae not visible in dorsal view; antenniferous tubercles rounded; scutellum with a longitudinal rugose area; pygophore slightly produced over dorsal external laterotergite VII; posterior border of female sternum VI tri-sinuated.......................................................................................... Paraneurus nitidulus (Kormilev, 1955)