14 Cc. M. F. von HAYEK 
GENERIC DIAGNOsIS. In the absence of the type-material or any other specimens 
of Elater ovalis Germar, the lectotype of Lacon occidentalis Candéze is used as the 
basis for determining the fundamental diagnostic characteristics of the genus 
Adelocera Latreille (see pp. 16-21). 
Each claw bearing a group of setae near the base (Text-fig. 11). Tibial spurs absent 
(Text-fig. 10). Mesepisternum does not form part of margin of mesocoxal cavity. Mesepimeron 
forms part of margin of mesocoxal cavity (Text-fig. 3). Second and third antennal segments 
subequal, each smaller than the fourth and following segments (Text-fig. 13). Antennal 
groove not extending beyond the anterior half of the prosternopleural suture, deep enough 
to accommodate the rolled antennae. Vestiture scale-like at least in part. Propleural tarsal 
grooves, if present, run parallel to the antennal grooves (Text-fig. 8). Metasternal tarsal 
grooves, if present, directed laterally so that the distal ends, if produced, would cut the laterai 
margin at a point at or within the anterior three-quarters of its length (Text-fig. 6). Scutellum 
variable in shape but never carinate. Tarsi with or without ventral lobes (Text-figs 15, 16). 
RANGE OF VARIATION FOUND WITHIN THE GENUS. Species possessing this 
combination of diagnostic characteristics display a wide range of variation in the 
degree of development and modification of the anterior angles, lateral margin and 
discal area of the prothorax, the appearance of the elytra, the depth of the 
propleural and metasternal tarsal grooves, the structure of the fourth tarsal segment 
and the distribution of scales and setae on the body. In some species these 
characteristics are more strongly developed in one sex than in the other (see Sexual 
Dimorphism, p. 21). Up to the present time these features have been used to 
establish a number of genera and subgenera. Examination of material from all 
parts of the world has demonstrated the existence of so many intermediate forms 
that, in my opinion, there is no justification for the retention of the genera and 
subgenera which are discussed below. 
HIsTORY OF THE GENUS. The genus Adelocera was established by Latreille 
(1829 : 457) for Elater ovalis Germar, Elater fuscus Fabricius ‘et quelques autres 
[unspecified] des Indes Orientales raportés par M. de Labilliardiere’. In a post- 
humous work Latreille (1834 :144) states that Adelocera ‘a pour types une espéce 
de Java qui me parait étre l’Elater fuscus de Fabricius et un autre de Savanah, 
trés raprochée de son E. marmoratus, si ce n’est pas lui.’ This statement is 
unacceptable and invalid as the type-designation of the type-species of Adelocera. 
Hyslop (1921 : 629) subsequently designated Elater ovalis Germar as the type- 
species of A delocera. 
Some years later Germar (1840 : 255) redefined Adelocera, presumably basing 
his interpretation on Latreille, 1834, since he credits the genus to Latreille, and 
includes marmoratus Fabricius and also lepidoptera Panzer and conspersa Gyllenhal, 
varia Olivier and pennata Fabricius, fasciata Linnaeus and senilis Germar, but not 
the species included in Adelocera by Latreille in 1829. Germar transferred E. ovalis 
to Lacon. He does not mention Elater fuscus Fabricius at all, probably because 
Eschscholtz (1829 : 32) had transferred it (erroneously, see p. 158) to Melanotus. 
Thomson (1859 : 103) subsequently designated Elater fasciatus Linnaeus as the 
type-species of Adelocera, which he credits to Latreille though there can be no 
doubt that his concept of the genus is that of Germar. 
