A Revision of the New World Species of Placonotus Macleay

The New World species belonging to Placonotus Macleay are revised and keys, illustrations, and descrip­tions are provided. Thirteen species are recorded from the New World, including 6 new species and 2 Old World species. A third Old World species is included also to permit its identification should it be discovered in the New World. The following new species are describ­ed: Placonotus macrognathus (U.S.A. and Cuba), P. planifrons (Lesser Antilles), P. patruelis (Guatemala), P. arizonensis (U.S.A.), P. pseudomodestus (South America), and P. maya (Guatemala and Mexico). Laemophloeus zimmermanni LeConte is revived from synonymy and transferred to Placonotus. Other new combinations are: P. pallentipennis (Grouvelle), P. modestus (Say), and P. infimus (Sharp). The following names are synonymized: Silvanophloeus apertus Casey, S. illustris Casey, and S. sobrinus Casey ( =P. zimmer­manni (Leconte)); Laemophloeus victus Kessel and L. commixtus Grouvelle ( =P. politissimus (Wollaston)); Silvanophloeus liquidus Casey and  Laemophloeus gundlachi Grouvelle ( = P. modestus (Say)). Lectotypes are designated where possible, and one neotype, for Cucujus modestus Say, is proposed. The structure of the adults, especially that-of the male genitalia, is reviewed, species groups are characterized, and phylogenetic rela­ tionships are discussed.