Microdytes maximiliani Wewalka & Okada sp. nov.

Figs 4, 9, 14, 38

Type locality.

Laos, Louang Namtha Province, 10 km E Muang Sing, 21°09-10'N, 101°13-15'E, alt. 750-1400 m.

Type material.

Holotype (NMB): ♂, "Laos, Louang Namtha prov., 10 km E Muang Sing, 750-1400 m, Ban Oudonsinh B. Nam Det \ B. Nam Mai, 21°09-10'N \ 101°13-15'E, 14.-20.V.2011" \ "NHMB Basel Laos 2011 Expedition D. Hauk & M. Geiser" [printed white labels] \ "HOLOTYPUS Microdytes maximiliani sp. nov. Wewalka & Okada 2022" [printed red label]. Paratypes (4 exs.): 2♂♂, 1♀, with same data as the holotype (CGW, NMB, NMP); 1♀, China: Yunnan, Xishuangbanna, ca. 10 km NW Menglun, ca. 700-800 m, 7.XI.1999, M. Jäch et al. (CWBS 360) (NMW). All paratypes are provided with printed red paratype labels.

Diagnosis.

Microdytes maximiliani sp. nov. resembles M. satoi Wewalka, 1997 in coloration of pronotum and elytra but differs from this species by darker head, larger size, a distinct impression on lateral side in anterior third of elytron (Fig. 38) and male genitalia. It is similar to M. paoloi Wewalka, 2011 in size and coloration of pronotum but can be distinguished by elytral markings, the impression on lateral side of elytron and male genitalia. The shape of median lobe of aedeagus of M. maximiliani is very similar to that of M. schoenmanni Wewalka, 1997, but this species is much smaller and differs in coloration, punctation and a missing impression on lateral side of elytron.

Description.

Measurements. TL = 1.60-2.00 mm (1.86 mm), TL-h = 1.40-1.80 mm (1.61 mm), MW = 1.30-1.35 mm (1.30 mm), TL/MW = 1.23-1.43 (1.43). Body broad and regularly oval, quite convex (Figs 4, 38).

Coloration. Head dark reddish brown, darker on vertex and along eyes. Pronotum dark brown. Elytron dark brown with yellowish brown markings forming a distinct transverse band near base not reaching suture and lateral margin, a post-median lateral spot often connected with a triangular spot near apex (Figs 4, 9). Elytral epipleuron and ventral surface dark brown to black. Legs, antennae and palpi reddish brown.

Sculpture and structure. Head finely and sparsely punctured, stronger punctures along eyes and on vertex; with fine microreticulation missing on vertex; clypeus not bordered. Pronotum irregularly punctured with sparse fine punctures and strong punctures concentrated along posterior margin and sparsely on disc; without microreticulation; lateral margins finely bordered, scarcely rounded. Elytron quite regularly, moderately densely and fairly strongly punctured, with traces of two longitudinal rows of punctures; highly polished and shining; without microreticulation; with a distinct impression on lateral side in anterior third (Fig. 38). Ventral surface: metacoxae, metasternum and abdomen moderately strongly but very sparsely punctured; without microreticulation.

Male. Median lobe of aedeagus in ventral aspect slightly tapered from base to apex, expanded before apex, apex truncate (Fig. 14A); in lateral aspect straight, tapered in apical ninth, apex bent downwards (Fig. 14B). Parameres narrow triangular in lateral aspect (Fig. 14C, D).

Female. Without secondary sexual characters. Sclerotized spermatheca not found.

Variation.

Variation of markings is shown in Fig. 9.

Etymology.

This species is dedicated to Maximilian Bramböck, Vienna, Austria. The species epithet is a name in the genitive singular.

Habitat.

The species was collected in Yunnan in a 1-2-m wide stream flowing through dense primary forest ( Jäch and Ji 2003).

Distribution.

Laos: Louang Namtha Province; China: Yunnan Province.