The genus Pseudolechriops was described for two specimens of a single species, P. megacephalus Champion, 1906. Collections and rearings have increased this number to nearly 20 species, 9 of which occur in Costa Rica and 5 at the La Selva Biological Station; all but P. megacephalus are undescribed. Morphologically, Costa Rican species fall into two groups, and most are more or less strongly sexually dimorphic. Larvae bore the petioles of species of Cecropia and adults are often found on the undersides of Cecropia leaves. Although species of Pseudolechriops are relatively common on their host plants, they have rarely been collected by standardized sampling methods; e.g., by the Arthropods of La Selva (ALAS) Project. More collections and rearings are needed, as are behavioral observations to determine the function of the sexual dimorphism.
Species 1: Coleoptera Curculionidae Pseudolechriops
Keywords: biological diversity, plant-insect interactions
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