Abstract
During an examination of type material of the New World endomychid genus Bystus Guerin-Meneville (Anamorphinae), the type series of Alexia hirtula Kirsch from Peru was found to contain a mixture of different taxa, none of which belong to the genus Bystus, the subfamily Anamorphinae, or even the family Endomychidae. Alexia hirtula is transferred to Del-phastus Casey (Coccinellidae: Microweiseinae: Serangiini), establishing the new combination, Delphastus hirtulus (Kirsch), and a lectotype is designated. Of the three paralectotypes, one appears to be conspecific with the lectotype, one is identified as an undescribed species of Microscymnus Champion (Coccinellidae: Cryptognathini), and one, a partial specimen lacking the head, pronotum, and one elytron, is identified as a species of Leiodidae in the tribe Scotocryptini, probably Aglyptinus Cockerell. A diagnosis and redescription of D. hirtulus is provided, and Gordon's (1994) key to Delphastus is modified to accommodate the newly transferred species. The historical classification of D. hirtulus is discussed along with characters justifying its revised placement.
NSTL