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Dysmorphocerinae is a subfamily of Cantharidae erected for a group of genera with a mainly gondwanan distribution whose adult forms could not be reliably assigned to any other subfamily. The systematic position and monophyly of Dysmorphocerinae remains questionable, as recent molecular and morphological studies have produced conflicting results. Despite the importance of immature morphology for characterising lineages of Cantharidae, so far, the larvae of only two dysmorphocerine species had been briefly described: Neoontelus sp., from New Zealand, and Afronycha picta (Wiedemann), from South Africa. Their morphologies considerably differ from one another, and the larvae cannot be readily attributed to any subfamily, as usually occurs with cantharid larvae. Here, we fully describe for the first time the larvae of Asilis Broun (New Zealand) and Plectonotum laterale Pic (Brazil) and redescribe Neoontelus Wittmer (New Zealand). We also diagnose larvae of Heteromastix Boheman (Australia) and A. picta. Dysmorphocerinae cannot be clearly diagnosed because each genus has a unique combination of features, though Neoontelus is the most divergent. We conclude that the Dysmorphocerinae may not be monophyletic with Plectonotum laterale, Asilis, Neoontelus, Heteromastix showing a closer relationship to Malthininae and Afronycha more aligned with Silinae or Cantharinae. The double gland openings present on the body of Neoontelus reported by Crowson (1972) are reinterpreted as a complex character involving a single posterior pore linked to a gland and an anterior sensillum that may serve as a trigger for the release of defensive chemicals. These are also reported in Asilis and Heteromastix and may be a potential synapomorphy for part of the Dysmorphocerinae. Neoontelus has a series of unique features, including a cotyliform glandular pore on abdominal segment IX. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The tribe Sisyphini sensu stricto Mulsant, 1842 comprises only three genera, the widespread Sisyphus Latreille, 1807 and Neosisyphus Müller, 1942 , and the Mauritius endemic, Nesosisyphus Vinson, 1946. In southern Africa, Sisyphus and Neosisyphus are represented by five species groups in each genus. Together, they comprise a total of 33 valid species, of which six are new: Sisyphus auricomus sp. n; Sisyphus australis sp. n ; Sisyphus bicuariensis sp. n ; Sisyphus inconspicuus sp. n ; Sisyphus swazi sp. n ; and Neosisyphus tembyi sp. n. A further Southern African species, Sisyphus crispatus Gory, 1833 , is proposed as a nomen dubium. Sisyphus natalensis Balthasar, 1968 (syn. n), and Sisyphus bornemisszanus Endrödi, 1983 (pars) (syn. n) are made synonyms of Sisyphus sordidus Boheman, 1857. Lectotypes and paralectotypes are designated for Sisyphus costatus (Thunberg, 1818); Sisyphus seminulum Gerstaecker, 1871 ; Sisyphus nanniscus Péringuey, 1901 ; Sisyphus transvaalensis Péringuey 1901 ; Neosisyphus spinipes (Thunberg, 1818) and Neosisyphus barbarossa (Wiedemann, 1823). Diagnoses, photographs of habitus and male genitalia, lists of examined material and distribution maps are presented for all species. An identification key to the southern African sisyphine species is provided. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The tribe Sisyphini sensu stricto Mulsant, 1842 comprises only three genera, the widespread Sisyphus Latreille, 1807 and Neosisyphus Müller, 1942 , and the Mauritius endemic, Nesosisyphus Vinson, 1946. In southern Africa, Sisyphus and Neosisyphus are represented by five species groups in each genus. Together, they comprise a total of 33 valid species, of which six are new: Sisyphus auricomus sp. n; Sisyphus australis sp. n ; Sisyphus bicuariensis sp. n ; Sisyphus inconspicuus sp. n ; Sisyphus swazi sp. n ; and Neosisyphus tembyi sp. n. A further Southern African species, Sisyphus crispatus Gory, 1833 , is proposed as a nomen dubium. Sisyphus natalensis Balthasar, 1968 (syn. n), and Sisyphus bornemisszanus Endrödi, 1983 (pars) (syn. n) are made synonyms of Sisyphus sordidus Boheman, 1857. Lectotypes and paralectotypes are designated for Sisyphus costatus (Thunberg, 1818); Sisyphus seminulum Gerstaecker, 1871 ; Sisyphus nanniscus Péringuey, 1901 ; Sisyphus transvaalensis Péringuey 1901 ; Neosisyphus spinipes (Thunberg, 1818) and Neosisyphus barbarossa (Wiedemann, 1823). Diagnoses, photographs of habitus and male genitalia, lists of examined material and distribution maps are presented for all species. An identification key to the southern African sisyphine species is provided. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]