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Published online by Cambridge University Press: 31 January 2018
The genera Akonesis Opitz, Crusbatus Opitz, and Diutius Opitz, which comprise a monophyletic group within Peloniinae (Coleoptera: Cleridae), are discussed. The species of Akonesis are reviewed. There are five recognised species of Akonesis: A. pictipennis (Gorham), A. privoatus Opitz new species, A. ridens (Gorham), A. strictus Opitz new species, and A. vittatus (Spinola). According to the morphological analysis performed herein, the species treated in this work are thought to be predatory. Colour patterns of the elytra and field observations suggest that members of Akonesis and Diutius are involved in Batesian mimicry with Chrysomelidae (Coleoptera), and in particular with Galerucinae. Included in this treatise are: a brief discussion of the natural history and evolution of Akonesis species, one Bootstrap consensus tree, a key to Akonesis species, a phylogenetic tree generated by WINCLADA in conjunction with NONA, 15 line drawings, 10 electron micrographs, one distribution map, four photographs of male terminalia, and five colour habitus photographs.
Subject editor: Derek Sikes