The first species of Cephalophanus from India (Coleoptera: Discolomatidae) resembling epilachnine ladybirds

Cephalophanus epilachnoides sp. nov. is described and illustrated from Western Ghats, southwestern India. It is the first species of the genus known from the Indian subcontinent. The new species differs from other congeners by the peculiar elytral pattern consisting of ocellate maculation (black spots bordered with pale brown rim) on elytra, strongly resembling the pattern of some epilachnine ladybird beetles (Coccinellidae). A key to identification of Cephalophanus species, and an updated checklist of the genus are provided.