Abstract The colorful genus Erotylina Curran was proposed to include a group of species originally described in Erotylus Fabricius but differing by the lack of three longitudinal carinae on the tibiae. The taxonomy of Erotylina is mostly based on coloration while information on mouthparts, thorax, male and female abdominal terminalia remain unknown. In addition, little is known about the factors underlying coloration in Erotylina and Erotylidae in general. Here we redescribe the type species of Erotylina, Erotylus leopardus Lacordaire providing the first descriptions of several morphological structures, and new data on its geographical distribution. Erotylus nicaraguae Crotch is proposed as new junior synonymy of E. leoparda. Lectotypes are designated for the following species: Erotylus leopardus Lacordaire, Erotylus nicaraguae Crotch and Erotylus confluens Crotch. Based on the geographical records, specimen labels, literature and online environmental databases, we show that E. leoparda includes two discrete morphs distributed across a latitudinal gradient, with intermediate and continuous variations distributed across altitudinal and temperature gradients. The present study sheds light on the taxonomy of Erotylina and provides the first clearest evidence of a relation between coloration, latitude, altitude, temperature variations and the distributional patterns of a taxon in Erotylidae.

Brachiacantha Chevrolat in Dejean, 1837, Hinda Mulsant, 1850, Cyra Mulsant, 1850 e Tiphysa Mulsant, 1850 foram estudados e é fornecida uma chave para os gêneros. Cleothera loricata Mulsant, 1850 é designada espécie-tipo de Cyra. O lectótipo de Brachiacantha sellata é designado. Três novas combinações são feitas: Cyra loricata (Mulsant, 1850), Cyra scapulata (Mulsant, 1853) e Cyra turbata (Mulsant, 1850). Estão incluídas diagnoses e ilustrações dos caracteres.

Brachiacantha Chevrolat in Dejean, 1837, Hinda Mulsant, 1850, Cyra Mulsant, 1850 and Tiphysa Mulsant, 1850 were studied, and a key to genera is added. Cleothera loricata Mulsant, 1850 is designated type species of Cyra. The lectotype of Brachiacantha sellata is designated. Three new combinations are proposed: Cyra loricata (Mulsant, 1850), Cyra scapulata (Mulsant, 1853) and Cyra turbata (Mulsant, 1850). Diagnosis and illustrations of characters are provided.

O gênero Cycloneda Crotch, 1871 e as espécies brasileiras foram estudadas, incluindo a redescrição do gênero e diagnoses das espécies: C. sanguinea (Linnaeus, 1763), C. ancoralis (Germar, 1824), C. pulchella (Klug, 1829) e C. bioculata Korschefsky, 1938. Os caracteres morfológicos do gênero e espécies foram ilustrados. Foram designados lectótipos para C. ancoralis e C. pulchella. É apresentada chave de identificação para as espécies e mapas de distribuição geográfica.

The Brazilian species of the genus Cycloneda Crotch, 1871 had been studied, including the description of the genus and diagnoses of the species: C. sanguinea (Linnaeus, 1763), C. ancoralis (Germar, 1824), C. pulchella (Klug, 1829) and C. bioculata Korschefsky, 1938. The morphological characters of the genera and species had been illustrated and lectotypes of C. ancoralis and C. pulchella are designated. A key to identify the species and maps of geographic distribution is presented.

Estudou-se, em laboratório, o efeito de quatro temperaturas constantes (22ºC, 25ºC, 28ºC e 31ºC) sobre as fases imaturas de Alphitobius diaperinus (Panzer). Houve desenvolvimento de imaturos nas quatro temperaturas estudadas, sendo que a 22ºC observou-se maior duração do desenvolvimento e menor sobrevivência. A temperatura de 31°C foi a mais favorável para o desenvolvimento dos imaturos, com alta sobrevivência. Os estágios de ovo, larva e pupa apresentaram temperatura base (Tb) de 17,8ºC, 19,2ºC e 16,5ºC, respectivamente. As constantes térmicas (K) foram de 40,09 graus-dia (GD) para ovo, 239,48 GD para larva e 59,56 GD para pupa.

The development and survival of the immature stages of the lesser mealworm Alphitobius diaperinus (Panzer) were studied at four constant temperatures (22°C, 25°C, 28°C, and 31°C). The development was completed at all temperatures. At 22°C, longer development period and lower survival were observed. The optimal temperature was 31°C which promoted shorter development and higher survival. The basal temperature and thermal constant for egg, larva and pupa development were: 17.8°C, 19.2°C, and 16.5°C and 40.09, 239.48 and 59.56 degree-days, respectively.

Some species of Cyra are described and illustrations of pertinent characters are provided. New combinations of species is done. A key to four species of Cyra are added.