A New Species of Cryptalaus from Fiji, with Taxonomic and Distributional Notes and a Key to the “Hemirhipini” of Eastern Melanesia and Polynesia (Coleoptera: Elateridae)

Abstract

Taxonomic and distributional notes are provided for species of the tribe Hemirhipini and the genus Tetrigus Candèze, subfamily Agrypninae. Species treated represent Calais Laporte, Chalcolepidius Eschscholtz, Conobajulus Van Zwaluwenburg, Cryptalaus Ôhira, and Tetrigus Candèze, that occur in Fiji, Hawaii, Marquesas Is, Samoa, and Vanuatu. Cryptalaus vitilevu new species is described from Viti Levu (Fiji). Alaus carinulatus Van Zwaluwenburg and A. samoensis Van Zwaluwenburg are transferred to Cryptalaus, and are newly reported from Espiritu Santo (Vanuatu) and Tutuila (American Samoa), respectively. The adventitious Calais speciosus (Linné) is reported from Viti Levu (Fiji), and Upolu (Western Samoa). Chalcolepidius porcatus Eschscholtz is reported as adventitious on Nuku Hiva (Marquesas Islands). Conobajulus ugiensis Van Zwaluwenburg is newly reported from Viti Levu (Fiji). Alaus costulicollis Fairmaire is treated as a species inquirendum. Tetrigus silvaticus Van Zwaluwenburg is a new synonym of T. fleutiauxi Van Zwaluwenburg. A key to the hemirhipine genera and species, and species of Tetrigus, of Polynesia and eastern Melanesia is provided.