Weevils of the genera Archocopturus Heller and Zygopsella Champion: sibling species and mimetic homoplasy (Coleoptera: Cucurlionidae: Conoderinae)

Study of recent collections and types shows that the genus Archocopturus Heller is both more and less diverse than previously thought. Specimens included under the name Archocopturus regalis (Boheman) are a complex of species that are superficially very similar, probably because they participate in a single mimicry complex whose models are flies of the genus Medetera (Dolichopodidae). The true Archocopturus regalis is apparently limited to northern South America. Four species are described from Central America-A. laselvaensis, n. sp., A. medeterae, n. sp., A. championi, n. sp., and A. minutus, n. sp.-and others are known from South America. Archocopturus pulchellus Hustache is transferred to the previously monotypic genus Zygopsella (n. comb.) and new records are given for Zygopsella ruficauda Champion. Archocopturus basalis Hustache is transferred to Macrocopturus (n. comb.). Mimicry of Medetera in Central America involves at least 28 species in seven genera and most species are undescribed. Mimicry selects either for convergent evolution and homoplasy among less closely related species or selects against divergence of closely related, sibling species. Such homoplasy may be a significant part of tropical biodiversity.