Pachybrachis

Adults of Pachybrachis are characterized by a cylindrical, compact body, with the head usually retracted into the pronotum to the level of the eyes. The pronotum is margined at base, the margin often with a row of large punctures. Antennae are long and filiform. The elytral color pattern is highly variable and useful for species identification, ranging from vittate (with longitudinal stripes) to mottled or almost entirely black. Pronotal coloration varies from mottled patterns to black with yellow markings, often with an M-shaped mark. Punctures on pronotum and elytra are dense and confused in many species, but some have elytral punctures arranged in rows. Tibial spurs vary: absent, minute, or large on front legs; middle legs usually with small pointed spurs. Males are generally smaller and less robust than females, with a flat abdomen; females have a convex abdomen with a deep, round, concave depression on the last visible segment. The aedeagus is often needed for species identification, with the apical half usually bent and the tip shape diagnostic.

Literature