Zarcosia bedosae n. sp.

(Figures 1; 3m; 4b; 6i)

Etymology. The species is named after Anne Bedos in recognition of her efforts to collect material for others.

Type locality. Laos: Khammouan province, Ban Thôngkha, Tham Thon [17°58’ N 104°31’ E] .

Distribution. Laos (Figure 1).

Description. (Figure 3m). Female unknown. Body length. ♂ holotype: 2.5 mm. Black, mat, covered with very short, pulverulent, silver pubescence. Appendages brown.

Head. Moderately transverse, wider than pronotum. Palpi yellowish, last article securiform. Integument mat, coarsely rugose, grainy. Occiput lined with a fringe of dense and short silver hairs posteriorly.

Antennae. A fifth longer than elytra, entirely dark brown, filiform.

Pronotum (Figure 6i). Convex, slightly longer than wide, sides parallel from the base to the posterior two thirds, then progressively convergent anteriorly. Sides marked with lateral impressions and callosities.

Elytra. Length: 1.75 mm. Punctation regular, as dense as on the pronotum, with larger points. Space between points mat, alutaceous. Disc subconvex, with two broad depression in the anterior third. Pubescence dense and short, comprised of very short hairs borne from the points and interspersed pulverulent hairs.

Legs. Particularly elongated. No other notable modifications.

Aedeagus (Figure 4b). Sturdy, sides weakly convergent in dorsal view and suddenly tapered apically. Strongly convex in lateral view, bent upward at apex.

Type material. Holotype (♂, MNHN). Laos: Khammouan province, Ban Thôngkha, Tham Thon (230 m), cave, by hand, 17°58’ N 104°31’ E (L. Deharveng & A. Bedos) 12.II.1998.

Note. The extremely thin and elongated appendages of species likely represent adaptations to life in caves.