The Esphalmeninae (Dermaptera: Pygidicranidae): a group of Andean and Southern African earwigs

Abstract. The species of the genus Esphalmenus Burr, the only genus of the subfamily Esphalmeninae, are reviewed. Three new American species, E.rostratus and E.basidentatus (Argentine) and E.nigrinus (Ecuador) are described and figured. Lectotypes are designated for E.porteri Burr, E.inca (Burr) and E.perin-gueyi (Bormans). E.vulcani Bharadwaj and Kapoor does not belong to this genus and its possible systematic position is discussed. The distribution of the species is outlined and a key for their identification provided.