Genus Maelodrus Fleutiaux, 1928

Diversity and distribution. Five described species and numerous undescribed species are known in the Oceanic region from the Philippines and Indonesia to Samoa. The new Central American species is present within a single province in Costa Rica. A second, undescribed species is present in Peru (Vahtera et al. 2015).

Diagnosis. Apical margin of frontoclypeal region fairly evenly rounded and more than twice as wide as the distance between antennal sockets; vaguely defined, either shallow or deep, basally opened lateral antennal grooves present; male protarsomere I simple, with straight, basal sex combs; elytral apices meeting tightly together; metacoxal plates medially at least 6.0 times wider than laterally; frons simple; last visible ventrite either rounded, emarginated or acute; simple tarsal claws; lateral surfaces of meso- and metatibiae either with setae and transverse rows of spine combs or setae and irregularly placed flat spines (Muona 2011).

These diagnostic characteristics, especially the presence of a vaguely defined lateral antennal groove and elongate form will distinguish the group from any genera within the tribe Macraulacini in Costa Rica.