Review of the genus Brachycerus Olivier in Israel (Coleoptera: Curculionoidea: Brachyceridae: Brachycerinae)

Ten species of Brachycerus are recorded from Israel and keyed, of which Brachycerus hermoniacus n. sp., Brachycerus groneri n. sp., and Brachycerus wizeni n. sp. are described as new. A review of the morphology of Palaearctic Brachycerus species and redescriptions of several poorly known East Medi- terranean species are provided. Taxonomic problems in several species are resolved: the status of Brachycerus aegyptiacus Olivier, B. cinereus Olivier, and B. cribrarius Olivier is clariied; the name Brachycerus junix Lichtenstein is rejected as nomen dubium. A lectotype is designated for B. orbipennis Reiche and de Saulcy. A division of the Palaearctic Brachycerus species into four groups is suggested.