Apetasimus

Sharp, 1908 

 

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Apetasimus was described as monotypic for a single series of flightless specimens collected on Kauai, Apetasimus involucer. Additional species have been collected on all of the main islands except Lanai. All of the species are extremely rare. New species from Oahu, Molokai, and East Maui are each known from a single female specimen, and a new species, from the Kohala Mountains on the Big Island, is known from a single series of three females. Internal morphology and molecular sequence data strongly supports the monophyly of this group.

Externally the species that comprise this genus are very different. One species is very large, 5-8mm, convex, narrow, and has full sized flight wings. Another group of four species are all <5 mm long, less convex, explanate, and have very small flight wings. These species also have reduced eyes, tarsal lobes, and pigmentation, suggesting a hidden lifestyle.