RECLASSIFICATION OF SUBFAMILY AGRYPNINAE 53 
Diphyaulon Arnett, 1952 : 112 [as a subgenus of Lepidotus Stephens]. Type-species: Adelocera 
pyrsolepis LeConte, by original designation. [Raised to generic status, Arnett, 1969 : 11.] 
Syn. n. 
Aulacon Arnett, 1952 : 112 [as a subgenus of Lepidotus Stephens]. Type-species: Adelocera 
nobilis Fall, by original designation. [Raised to generic status, Arnett, 1969: 11.) Syn.n. 
Zalepia Arnett, 1953: 7. [Replacement name for Lepidotus Stephens; as a subgenus of Lacon 
Castelnau. MJaised to generic status, Arnett, 1969: 11.] Syn.n. 
KKobulacon Chujo & Ohira, 1965 :2 [as a subgenus of Lacon Castelnau]. Type-species: 
Lacon quadrinodatus Lewis, by monotypy. Syn. n. 
Lepidelatey Smith, 1969: 11. Type-species: Lepidelater misticius Mignot, by monotypy. 
Syn. n. 
Arnettia Golbach, 1969 : 155. Type-secies: Adelocera aberrans Candéze, bymonotypy. Syn.n. 
Monocyrton Golbach, 1969 : 156 [as a subgenus of Lacon]. Type-species: Adelocera chabannei 
Guérin, by original designation. Syn. n. 
Cornilacon Golbach, 1969 : 158 [as a subgenus of Lacon]. Type-species: Adelocera longicornis 
Champion, by original designation. Syn. n. 
Latilacon Golbach, 1969: 158 [as a subgenus of Lacon]. Type-species: Adelocera laticollis 
Candéze, by original designation. Syn.n. 
GENERIC DIAGNOSIS. Each tarsal claw with a group of setae near the base (Text-fig. 11). 
Tibial spurs absent (Text-fig. 10). Mesepimeron forms part of margin of mesocoxal cavity; 
metepisternum does not form part of margin of mesocoxal cavity (Text-fig. 3). Second and 
third antennal segments not subequal, the third resembles the fourth in shape though it may be 
slightly smaller in size (Text-fig. 14). Antennal groove of variable depth, extending at least 
half the length of the prosternopleural suture and in many species attaining the anterior coxae. 
Body clothed with narrow scales or setae. Prothorax not constricted behind anterior angles; 
lateral carinae present. Propleurae with or without grooves or depressions for the accommo- 
dation of the anterior tarsi. Metasternum with or without depressions for the accommodation 
of the middle tarsi, but never with well defined grooves. Scutellum simple, without longitudinal 
carina. Tarsi simple, without ventral lobes. 
RANGE OF VARIATION FOUND WITHIN THE GENUS. Species possessing this 
combination of diagnostic characters display a wide range of variation in the 
appearance of the antennae and the surface of the pronotum and elytra, the type 
of body vestiture (scales or setae), its colour and distribution, the length and depth 
of the antennal and tarsal grooves or depressions and the appearance of the 
mesosternal groove. 
Up to the present time these characters have been used, either singly or in 
combination with one another, as the diagnostic features of a number of genera 
and subgenera. While these may appear justified in works dealing with restricted 
faunas, examination of material from all parts of the world has shown the existence 
of so many intermediate forms that it is clear that there is no justification for the 
retention of the 18 genera and 4 subgenera which are here newly placed in synonymy 
with Lacon. 
HISTORY OF THE GENUS. The genus Lacon was established by Castelnau in 
1836 for ‘Elater atomarius, varius, fasciatus, etc., de Fabricius [sic].’ Germar 
(1840 : 260) redefined the genus and though he credits it to ‘Lap. [Laporte de 
Castelnau]’ he does not include the three originally included species. Germar 
transferred atomarius to Agrypnus and varius and fasciatus to Adelocera. Germar’s 
_ interpretation of Lacon included E. caliginosus Boisduval, E. muticus Herbst, 
