The first species of Cephalophanus from India (Coleoptera: Discolomatidae) resembling epilachnine ladybirds

Pages	149–152
DOI	10.37520/aemnp.2025.009
Keywords	Coleoptera, Discolomatidae, Cephalophaninae, Cephalophanus, checklist, key to species, mimetism, new species, taxonomyIndia, Oriental Region
Type of Article	Peer-reviewed
Citation	YOSHITOMI, Hiroyuki a HÁJEK, Jiří. The first species of Cephalophanus from India (Coleoptera: Discolomatidae) resembling epilachnine ladybirds. Acta Entomologica Musei Nationalis Pragae. Prague: National Museum, 2025, 65(1), 149–152. DOI: https://doi.org/10.37520/aemnp.2025.009. ISSN 0374-1036 (print) 1804-6487 (online). Also available from: https://www.nm.cz/en/periodicals/acta-entomologica-musei-nationalis-pragae/65-1/the-first-species-of-cephalophanus-from-india-coleoptera-discolomatidae-resembling-epilachnine-ladybirds

Acta Entomologica Musei Nationalis Pragae | 2025/65/1

Cephalophanus epilachnoides sp. nov. is described and illustrated from Western Ghats, southwestern India. It is the first species of the genus known from the Indian subcontinent. The new species differs from other congeners by the peculiar elytral pattern consisting of ocellate maculation (black spots bordered with pale brown rim) on elytra, strongly resembling the pattern of some epilachnine ladybird beetles (Coccinellidae). A key to identification of Cephalophanus species, and an updated checklist of the genus are provided.

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