MIMOPEUS 113 
the underside of the dorsal surface to apex. Upper and lower surfaces bear 
scattered microscopic sensilla (visible in cleared preparations under compound 
microscope at 100 xX magnification). 
Ovipositor. The ovipositors are not considered in detail at the specific level, in the 
present revision, but at the end of this description there is an indication of the 
characters subject to interspecific variation. 
The female reproductive organs of Tenebrionidae have been neglected by 
systematists. It has been found necessary to establish a simple and accurate 
terminology to replace that of Tanner (1927) which is inaccurately applied, that of 
Blaisdell (1909) which is not generally accepted, and that of Lindroth & Palmen 
(1970), which is over-simplified (see Watt 1974). 
The ovipositor of Mimopeus is a moderately elongate tube-like structure. The 
membranous base arises between tergite 8 and sternite 8, which in turn lie between 
tergite 7 and sternite 7. Tergite 7 and sternite 8 bear pubescence composed of fairly 
fine hairs, and the edge of tergite 8 bears a fringe of fine hairs. Sternite 8 is bluntly 
pointed apically. Its anterior edge bears a Y-shaped anterior extension, the 
spiculum gastrale. The intersegmental membrane arising between tergite 8 and 
sternite 8 comprises almost half the length of the extruded ovipositor. At its distal 
end arise 3 plates, a dorsal proctiger and two lateral paraprocts. The distal end of 
the proctiger bears a fringe of setae. Each paraproct is strengthened by a rod 
(baculum) running parallel to its ventral border. Arising between the paraprocts 
are a pair of fairly heavily sclerotised coxites each bearing a small stylus in a small 
hollow on its dorso-lateral surface near its apex. Each stylus bears two fine setae. 
Setiferous punctures are present in a longitudinal hollow on the dorso-lateral 
surface of each coxite, and a few fine setae are present on lateral and ventral 
surfaces. Ventrally each coxite bears two transverse shallow sulci, neither of which 
extends onto the dorsal surface. Apparently the ventral part of the base of each 
coxite represents the valvifer (Mr R.A. Crowson, pers.comm.), but the division is 
not at all obvious in Mimopeus, although clearly visible in some other 
Tenebrionidae (Uloma). Beneath the proctiger and lying above the bases of the 
coxites is the anal membrane containing the anus. The walls of the rectum are 
sclerotised and thickened longitudinally, and are visible in cleared preparations. 
The vulva opens between the apices of the coxites. 
A few setiferous punctures at present near the apices of the paraprocts. The 
chaetotaxy is not described in detail as the positions and number of setiferous 
punctures of one side differ from those of the other side of the same specimen. 
The ovipositor of M. opaculus is very similar to that of M. elongatus, differing 
mainly in the proportions of the coxites (which are relatively stouter) and of the 
proctiger (which is more sharply acuminate). Other species differ in these 
characters and in size of styli, length and stoutness of setae, and relative dimensions 
of other sclerites. The position of the ventral sulci of the coxites varies. They are 
closer together in M. rugosus and M. convexus than in other species. 
Comparison of characters. Some of the above-described morphological characters 
are compared for all species and various populations in Table 3. 
Dimensions (cf. also Table 4), Length: 8.2-25.3 mm. 
Width (of elytra): 4.2-12.8 mm. 
Distribution. Confined to New Zealand. 
