Glipidiomorpha atraterga, new species, and G. rufiterga new species (Mordellidae) are described based on specimens from Yunnan Province, China. The former also occurs in Hong Kong. The two species are compared and keyed with three other mainland Chinese species. Glipidiomorpha alboscutellata (Kôno) new combination, from Taiwan, is transferred from Glipa LeConte. The genus now contains 18 species worldwide that are markedly disjunct in distribution.

This paper discusses the external and genital features of Polyphylla Harris as well as the taxonomic status of Polyphylla pubescens Cartwright, which was placed in the monotypic genus Polylamina Hardy. Likewise, Polyphylla pubescens is compared with Polyphylla varilosa Harris, Polyphylla annamensis (Fleutiaux), Hypothyce mixta Howden and Dinacoma caseyi Blaisdell, to assess the relationships of these taxa. Phyllophaga (Tostegoptera) lanceolata (Say) is considered the outgroup. The limited subset of characters used by Hardy to erect the genus Polylamina does not withstand the criterion of monophyly when it is assessed within the context of all available character data. Thus, new character systems relative to the external morphology of the adult and the male genitalia, are considered in this paper. Phylogenetic analysis show that ranking Polyphylla pubescens as a monotypic genus renders Polyphylla paraphyletic. Therefore, the placement of Polyphylla pubescens in the genus Polylamina is unacceptable.

Aquatic Coleoptera assemblages present in floating vegetation in the ecotone between subtropical forest and pampasic grassland in Punta Lara (Buenos Aires, Argentina) were characterized and compared. Four pools, one located in the forest, two in the grassland and one in the forest/grassland ecotone, were sampled during a two years period (July 1996–June 1998). For each sampling station species richness and diversity were calculated, and they were compared through two similarity coefficients (Jaccard and Winer). Aquatic species of Dryopidae, Hydrochidae, Hydrophilidae, Hydraenidae, Limnichidae, Scirtidae, Haliplidae, Gyrinidae, Dytiscidae and Noteridae were identified. Highest species richness was registered in the grasslands, and lowest in the forest/grassland ecotone. Cluster analysis showed highest similarity between grassland areas, and between these and the intermediate pool, and lowest between the forest and the other areas. Biogeographical remarks are discussed.

Publication funded by the Patricia Vaurie bequest.

The morphology and chaetotaxy of larval instars of I. biguttulus Germar, I. pleuriticus LeConte and I. discedens Sharp are described and illustrated. Identification keys are provided for these and other known larvae of North American species. Multivariate analysis showed that larvae can also be identified through the use of several mensural characters.

Nomenclatorial corrections are made for twenty-one cases of homonymy for Latin American Scydmaenidae (Coleoptera). Euconnus boavistensis O'Keefe, new name, for E. boavistae Franz, 1994; E. amazonas O'Keefe, new name, for E. beckianus Franz, 1994; E. ranchograndensis O'Keefe, new name, for E. scydmaenoides Franz, 1989; E. ranchoensis O'Keefe, new name, for E. ranchoi Franz, 1989; E. araguaensis O'Keefe, new name, for E. araguai Franz, 1989; E. paramaracayanus O'Keefe, new name, for E. maracayanus Franz, 1989; E. manaus O'Keefe, new name, for E. anophthalmus Franz, 1980; E. jamaicaensis O'Keefe, new name, for E. filicorum Franz, 1980; E. lasabejas O'Keefe, new name, for E. lanceolatus Franz, 1991; E. huijbregtsi O'Keefe, new name, for E. tenuicornis Franz, 1985; E. boliviensis O'Keefe, new name, for E. schauffusianus Franz, 1993; E. janauari O'Keefe, new name, for E. macrops Franz, 1980; E. vestitus Reitter and Croissandeau, 1890, new status, for E. globiceps Franz, 1980; E. hakgalensis O'Keefe, new name, for E. paludicola Franz, 1982; E. birgary O'Keefe, new name, for E. lothari Franz, 1974; E. mullaittivuanus O'Keefe, new name, for E. ludificans Franz, 1982; E. andranomandery O'Keefe, new name, for E. angustus Franz, 1986; E. heissi O'Keefe, new name, for E. abnormeantennatus Franz, 1987; E. imperfectus O'Keefe, new name, for E. incompletus Franz, 1977; E. kinabaluensis O'Keefe, new name, for E. fraudulentus Franz, 1992; and E. arthuri O'Keefe, new name, for E. pilosicollis (Lea), 1915 are proposed. Scydmaenus paranus Franz 1994 is considered to be the same species as S. paranus Franz 1993. These corrections are proposed here so they can be included in a catalog of New World Scydmaenidae.

The genus Hinda Mulsant is revised and illustrations of pertinent characters are provided. A new species, Hinda joeli is described. Hyperaspis terminata Gorham, Hyperaspis humerata Mulsant and Hyperaspis decemverrucata Mulsant are new combinations. Hinda guttipennis Weise is transferred to Cyra Mulsant as Cyra guttipennis Weise, new combination. A key to the species is added.

The platyscelis group of the carabid genus Agra Fabricius, an equatorially centered lineage, consists of 30 species that have a composite range extending from the isthmus of Panamá to French Guiana south into Brazil and Bolivia. The majority of species are found in the Amazon Basin. Structural features of both body and appendages are convergent with other carabid beetles that are known to dwell in ant nests, however, no life history of any Agra species is known. The following 12 specific taxa of the platyscelis group are described as new (type locality in parenthesis): A. tingo new species, (PERU, Huánuco, 13 km S Tingo Maria, Tambillo, Chico Canyon, 09°15′S, 76°23′W); A. biolat new species, (PERU, Madre de Dios, 30 air km SW Puerto Maldonado, Rio Tambopata Res., 12°50′S, 69°20′W); A. aeris new species, (PERU, Madre de Dios, BIOLAT Biodiversity Station, Pakitza, 11°56′S, 71°17′W); A. solimoes new species, (BRAZIL, Amazonas, Tefé (Ega), 3°22′S, 64°42′W); A. servatorum new species, (PERU, Loreto, 1km SW Boca del Rio Samiria, Vigilante Post No. 1, 04°40′S, 74°18′W; A. conhormigas new species, (PERU, Madre de Dios, 30 air km SW Puerto Maldonado, Rio Tambopata Res., 12°50′S, 69°20′W); A. lilu new species, (BRAZIL, Amazonas, Humaitá, 07°32′S 63°02′W); A. lindae new species, (PERU, Madre de Dios, 30 air km SW Puerto Maldonado, Rio Tambopata Res., 12°50′S, 69°20′W); A. rondonia new species, (BRAZIL, Rondonia, Ariquemes, 9°56′S, 63°03′W); A. nex new species, (BRAZIL, Amazonas, 2km N Itacoatiara-Manaus Highway, 11 km, W of Itacoatiara, Canadian Fathers' Pool, 03°08′S, 58°28′W); A. manu new species, (PERU, Madre de Dios, Manu Biosphere Res., Pakitza, 11°56′S, 71°17′W); A. dax new species, (PANAMA, Canal Zone, Barro Colorado Is., 09°10′N, 79°50′W). The females of A. iquitosana Erwin and A. sasquatch Erwin, and the male of A. varzeicola Erwin are described and illustrated for the first time.

A revised key and checklist are provided and distributions of all 33 species are dot-mapped. A general discussion for each of the new species, as well as for 12 additional species for which new locality records were found (A. klugii Brullé, A. limulus Erwin, A. varzeicola, A. iquitosana, A. tarapotana Erwin, A. titan Erwin, A. platyscelis (Chaudoir), A. caliga Erwin, A. yeti Erwin, A. semiviridis (Straneo), A. sasquatch Erwin, and A. azureipennis Erwin) is included. Remarks on systematics and biogeography based on the newly described specimens are provided.

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