Anisostena (Apostena) Staines 1993c: 186

Synonomys

None.

Type Species

Anisostena angustata Pic.

Diagnosis

Anisostena (Apostena) can be distinguished by the following combination of characters:

• · body slender, parallel
• · the lateral margins of the pronotumpronotum:
  occupies all of dorsal part of the prothorax; in anterior angles or posterior angles there may be a small tubercle or pore with a seta
  and the elytra without long, stiff spines
• · the head without a frontal horn
• · the pronotumpronotum:
  occupies all of dorsal part of the prothorax; in anterior angles or posterior angles there may be a small tubercle or pore with a seta
  with a seta in each anterior angle, finely margined, with basal impression, without lateral teeth
• · the apex of the elytra without a tooth-like projection
• · the elytra with 8 rows of punctures for entire length and 3 regular costae which do not unite near apex, humerus rounded without spine or tooth
• · the antennae thickened at apex, with 11-antennomeres, antennomeres 7 to 11 wider than preceding
• · leg with mesotibia strongly curved, with apical tarsomere bearing 2 claws, femora without large tooth
• · anterior margin of prosternumprosternum:
  contains two anterior coxal cavities
  not expanding toward mouth

Description

Body elongate, slender, coarsely punctate.

Head: medial sulcus present; apical 5 antennomeres wider than preceding; fronsfrons:
upper anterior portion of head capsule above the clypeus
medially impressed; vertexvertex:
occupies the area behind and between the eyes
with medial sulcus present or absent; eyeeye:
elongate, slightly prominent, multifaceted; usually slightly kidney-shaped
little swollen.

Antennaantenna:
3 to 11 segments, inserted in antennal pit in front of eyes
: with 11‑antennomeres; antennomere 1 subglobose; 2 cylindrical, as wide as 1; 3 to 6 gradually widening; 7 to 11 forming a club, wider than preceding.

Pronotumpronotum:
occupies all of dorsal part of the prothorax; in anterior angles or posterior angles there may be a small tubercle or pore with a seta
: basal impression present; tooth present in anterior angle.

Elytronelytron:
strongly sclerotized mesothoracic wings, remaining open during flight. When closed, they cover to the last abdominal segment.  Most genera are sculptured with large punctures usually in regular rows; with various combinations of costae, carinae, spines, or tubercles; however some genera are smooth.  Lateral and apical margins are dentate, serrate or smooth.  Humerus is usually rounded but may be produced and bear spines or expansions.
: with 8 rows of punctures plus scutellar row; tricostate; costate elytral intervals 2, 4, and 6 do not unite near apex.

Leg: mesotibia strongly curved; femora without large tooth.

Distribution

Argentina, Brazil.

World Fauna

Described species: 2 (Staines 2012). Key: Staines 1993c.

Hosts

Grasses (Poaeae).

References

Staines, C. L. 1993c. A revision of the genus Anisostena Weise (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae, Hispinae). Part I. Introduction and the subgenera Neostena and Apostena. Insecta Mundi 7:183‑190.

Staines, C. L. 2012. Tribe Chalepini. Catalog of the hispines of the world (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae: Cassidinae). http://entomology.si.edu/Collections_Coleoptera.html