Taxonomic placement of the genus Aporius Kuschel (Coleoptera, Curculionidae, Entiminae) with discussion about the Piazomiina subtribe of Tanymecini in South America.

Abstract

The genus Aporius Kuschel, 1955, described based on the single species Hadropus brevipennis Chevrolat, 1879 fromFrench Guiana, is herein transferred from the tribe Tanymecini, subtribe Piazomiina to the tribe Naupactini, new tribal placement, because it shares the typical characters of this tribe, except the presence of connate tarsal claws. WithinNaupactini, Aporius is probably related to Hadropus Schoenherr, 1826, based on the morphology of the rostrum, antennae,and genitalia. We redescribe and illustrate the genus Aporius and its single species, and we provide a key to separate itfrom Hadropus.We also discuss the taxonomic status of the remaining members of South American Piazomiina and assignthe genus Galenactus Kuschel to Leptopiini, new tribal placement, thus removing Piazomiina from occurrence in South America.