THE ANTHONOMUS-PARTIARIUS SPECIES GROUP (COLEOPTERA, CURCULIONIDAE)

Twelve species of South American Anthonomini are assigned to the Anthonomus partiarius group. These are A. partiarius Boheman, A. zonarius Kirsch, and ten new species: A. auctoratis (Brazil), A. coactus (Brazil), A. dicionis (Brazil), A. gravatis (Brazil, Venezuela), A. imperium (Brazil, Venezuela), A. opis (Bolivia, Brazil), A. potens (Brazil, Venezuela), A. potestatis (Brazil), A. valentis (Brazil, Suriname, Venezuela), A. vis (Brazil). Characters of the group and of each of the species are described. The habitus and the male genitalia of each species, and the femur and tibia of some of the species are illustrated with photographs. A key to the species is also presented, and a lectotype is designated for A. zonarius Kirsch. Adults of one of the species are reported to have been reared from seeds of plants in the genus Tibauchina (Melastomataceae). The apparently close relationship to the A. partiarius group to the A. rubiginosus and A. marmoratus groups are discussed.