Solariola doderoi species group (15)

(Figs 44a, 44b, 44c, 44d, 44e, 44f, 44g, 44h, 44i, 44j,44k, 44l, 44m, 44n, 44o)

Diagnosis. A Solariola group of medium or large size species (TL: 2.90–4.00 mm; BL: 2.45–3.40 mm) with body shape more or less slender. Epistome absent. Rostrum elongate (RL: 0.40–0.70 mm, RW: 0.30–0.45 mm, RL/RW: 1.25–1.67). Mesorostrum carinae generally with parallel sides, sometimes divergent. Forehead convex (FW/MW: ratio 2.20–2.60). Submentum with thick and elongate pappolepida. Antennae elongate and thin (SL: 0.50–0.75 mm, FL: 0.75–1.10 mm, SL/FL: 0.60–0.77). Pronotum as long as wide or more or less elongate (PL: 0.63–0.90 mm, PW: 0.60–0.85 mm, PL/PW: 0.95–1.15) always with many echinopappolepida at base. Elytra more or less subcylindrical, convex to sides, more or less elongate or oval (EL: 1.75–2.40 mm, EW: 0.85–1.30 mm, EL/EW: 1.82–2.15). Solariola hyblensis sp.n. is temporarily placed in this group of species pending examination of more specimens

Distribution. See Figs. 221, 221a. The species of this group are present only in Sicily (Peloritani, Nebrodi, Etna, Madonie, Sicani, Erei and Iblei Mountains).

Main soil type. Vertic Cambisol (6), Chromic Cambisol (6), Calcaro-Eutric-Cambisol (3).

Reproduction. To date all species are amphigonic or probably amphigonic (unknown males of S. benellii sp.n., S. hyblensis sp.n., S. paulimagrinii sp.n. and S. sabellai sp.n.).