Alitrepaninae, a new subfamily of auger beetles from mid-Cretaceous Kachin amber of northern Myanmar (Coleoptera: Bostrichidae)

A new subfamily of fossil auger beetles (Bostrichidae) is described and figured from mid-Cretaceous Kachin amber of northern Myanmar as Alitrepaninae subfam. nov., and currently including only the type genus and species: Alitrepanum aladelicatum gen. et sp. nov. The subfamily is distinguished from bostrichid lineages by a unique combination of characters relating to number of antennomeres, relative lengths of protarsomeres, and form of the pronotum and elytra. Charcoal-like fragments preserved with one of the specimens along with the fact that some modern bostrichids are associated with fire-prone habitats accords with the potential activity of devastating fires promoting the extensive production of resin flows, ultimately leading to significant amber deposits. (c) 2022 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Automated summary

A new subfamily of fossil auger beetles from the mid-Cretaceous of northern Myanmar is described. The subfamily is distinguished by unique characteristics and is currently represented by one genus and species. The presence of charcoal-like fragments with one specimen suggests a potential association with fire-prone habitats, which could have contributed to the formation of amber deposits.