Platocthispa Uhmann 1940e: 144

Synonomys

Platocthispa Uhmann 1939b: 332 Nomen nudum.

Type Species

Odontota gregorii Chapuis.

Diagnosis

Platocthispa can be distinguished by the following combination of characters:

• 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, vertexvertex:
  occupies the area behind and between the eyes
  with 3 sulci
• 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, with a basal impression
• the apex of the elytra without a tooth-like projection
• the elytra with 8 rows of punctures for entire length, scutellar row absent, with 3 regular costae, without tubercles
• the antennae thickened at apex, but not clavate, long, with 8-antennomeres, antennomere 3 with tooth-like projection near apex
• the prosternumprosternum:
  contains two anterior coxal cavities
  does not expand anteriorly to partly cover the mouth

Description

Body flattened.

Head: with 3 parallel sulci between eyes; fronsfrons:
upper anterior portion of head capsule above the clypeus
projecting.

Antenna: with 8‑antennomeres, antennomeres transverse, apical antennomeres thickened, reaches to middle of elytra; antennomere 1 slightly compressed laterally; 2 shorter and narrower than 1; 3 longer than 4 and 5, compressed laterally, tooth‑like projection on outer apical margin; 4 to 6 compressed laterally, 4 with small tooth; 7 compressed laterally; 8 elongate, as long as 5 to 7 combined.

Pronotum: wider than long; lateral margin evenly convergent from base to apex, margined laterally; tooth present in anterior angle; basal impression present; basal margin bisinuate; longitudinal sulcus present on disc.

Scutellum: quadrate.

Elytron: lateral margin dentate; apical margin more dentate, laminate; apex notched; exterior apical angle rounded; with 8 rows of punctures, scutellar row absent; tricostate, costa 1 most elevated, 3 extends from humerus to middle of elytra.

Venter: with 5 visible abdominal sterna.

Distribution

Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, México, Nicaragua, Panamá, Peru, United States.

World Fauna

Described species: 7 (Staines 2012). Key: none.

Hosts

Cassia (Caesalpiniaceae); Costus (Costaceae); Heliconia (Heliconiaceae); Calathea (Marantaceae), Piper (Piperaceae).

References

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

Uhmann, E. 1939b. Amerikanische Hispinen aus dem BritischenMuseum. IX. Teil. Die Gattung Octhispa Chap., Baliosus Ws., Probaenia Ws., Acanthodes Baly, Cnestispa Mlk., und Pentispa Chap. 77. Beitrag zur Kenntnis der Hispinen (Col.: Chrys.). Festschrift zum 60. Geburtstage von Professor Embrik Strand 5:317-345.

Uhmann, E. 1940e. Die Genotypen der von mir aufgestellten Hispinen-Gattung. 88. Beitrag zur Kenntnis der Hispinen (Col. Chrys.). Entomologisk Tidskrift 61:143-144.