Two newly recorded species of tribe Cleonini (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) from Egypt

Abstract Background In the present study, two newly recorded species: Maximus absolutus (Faust, 1904) and Cyphocleonus cenchrus as reported (Pallas 1781), are added to the Egyptian fauna of tribe Cleonini (Family Curculionidae, Subfamily Lixinae). Keys to the Egyptian species of the two genera are given, and the genitalia of the two species Maximus absolutus and M. vagus are illustrated and photographed for the first time. In addition, the type information, synonymy and distribution are also given. Results Two genera of tribe Cleonini, Cyphocleonus Motschulsky and Maximus Alonso-Zarazaga & Lyal, were studied depending on the specimens deposited in the main Egyptian Reference Collections and those mentioned in the literature. This investigation marks the first record of the two species Maximus absolutus (Faust) and Cyphocleonus cenchrus (Pallas) in Egypt, accompanied by detailed diagnoses for these newly recorded species. Female terminalia and genitalia of two species of the genus Maximus, M. absolutus and M. vagus, were dissected and photographed to facilitate the diagnosis of the females of these species. Conclusions Two species Cyphocleonus cenchrus (Pallas) and Maximus absolutus (Faust) are recorded for the first time from Egyptian fauna. Also, the female genitalia of Maximus absolutus (Faust) and M. vagus Bedel are dissected and photographed for the first time.