Rhinomalus

Abstract: Metaxyphloeus Thomas, a new genus of rostrate Neotropical Laemophloeinae, is described. Included species are: Metaxyphloeus germaini (Grouvelle) [new combination, type species], Metaxyphloeus zeus Thomas [new species], Metaxyphloeus vicinus (Grouvelle) [new combination]; Metaxyphloeus signatus (Sharp) [new combination]; and Metaxyphloeus texanus (Schaeffer) [new combination]. The included species are illustrated and a key is provided for their identification. Affinities of Metaxyphloeus are to the Laemophloeus genus group, which is defined, and a key to the included genera is provided. Charaphloeus Casey and Phloeipsius Casey are elevated from subgenus to genus; Laemophloeus salpingoides Grouvelle is designated type species of Rhinophloeus Sharp; and phylogenetic relationships within the group and among related taxa are discussed. Several years ago I discovered specimens of 2 rostrate species of Laemophloeinae among unidentified material in the Florida State Collection of Arthropods (FSCA) and the Field Museum of Natural History (FMNH). Both keyed out to Rhinomalus germaini Grouvelle in Grouvelle's (1896) key to the species of Rhinomalus, but their external structure and male genitalia indicated that they belonged to an undescribed genus allied to Rhinomalus. An examination of the holotype of R. germaini in the Museum National d'Histoire Naturelle (MNHN) established the correct identity of one series of specimens and examination of specimens of most of the other described species of Rhinomalus revealed the polyphyletic nature of the genus as presently composed and supported the erection of a new genus.