Tachinus tachyporoides Horn, 1877.

Species of the genus are similar to those of allied genera Tachinus and Leucotachinus, but differ mainly in follows (Campbell 1993).

Body flatter, strongly shining. Ocular puncture obsolete; mentum with a pair of long apical setae and frequently a pair of basal setae; submentum setae; antennae elongate, with subapical segments at least 1.5 times as long as wide, with only first and second segments lacking dense pubescence; mandible narrowly elongate, with prostheca reduced, not extending beyond middle of mandible. Surface of pronotum almost impunctate, at most with minute fine punctures; mesocoxal cavities contiguous, with apex of mesosternal intercoxal process not reaching posteriorly to apex of metasternal intercoxal process. Abdominal tergites devoid of pruinose spots; posterior lateral corners of fouth–sixth tergites each with a long, projecting bristle. The empodial setae much longer than those of Tachinus and Leucotachinus.

Holotype:China: male, Mt. Longwang Reserve (alt. 950–1200m), Anji County, Zhejiang Prov., 25.IV.2004, Jing-Wen Zhu leg. Paratypes:China: 3 males, same date and locality as holotype, Li-Long Zhu leg.; 1 male, same date and locality as holotype, Jing Chen leg.; 1 male, same date and locality as holotype, Shan-Jia Shen leg.; 2 females, same date and locality as holotype, Jin-Wen Li leg.

Body (Fig. 1A) medium in size, 4.2–5.2 mm (total length); 2.8–2.9 mm (length of forebody). Color dark brown with shine; head black; first and second antennal segments, mouthparts, margins of pronotum, narrow apical margins of both elytra and abdominal segments, and legs yellowish red; disc of pronotum, third to apical antennal segments dark reddish brown.

Figure 1. 

Habitus of Nitidotachinus spp. A N. capillosus sp. n. B N. brunneus sp. n. C N. dui D N. xiangi sp. n. E N. anhuiensis sp. n. F N. bini sp. n. G N. excellens H N. excellens concolor (paratype). Scale: 2 mm.

Head subtriangular, 0.49 times as wide as pronotum; surface very finely and sparsely punctate, with dense and coarse microsculpture consisting mostly of irregular meshes and transverse wave lines. Antennae long, extending backward beyond the middle of elytra; first and second segments glabrous except for a few long setae, third to 11th densely pubescent; the relative length of each segment from base to apex: 11.0 : 6.0 : 14.0 : 11.0 : 13.0 : 13.0 : 13.0 : 12.5 : 12.0 : 11.0 : 17.0; 10th segment 1.69 times as long as wide. Maxillary palpus moderately long, relative lengths of 4th and 3rd segments: 15.0 : 8.5.

Pronotum broad, transverse, 0.66 times as long as wide, widest at basal third. Surface with dense and fine microsculpture consisting of transverse wave lines; punctures similar to those on head.

Elytra in sutural length 0.67 times as long as wide; 1.09 times as long as the median length of pronotum; sides gradually widened posteriad; apical margins sinuate; apical angles sharp. Surface with punctures and microsculpture similar to those on pronotum.

Abdomen gradually narrowed from base to apex. Surface with many long bristles which are becoming denser towards anal apex, finely and sparsely punctate and pubescent, with minute microsculpture only at sides of third tergite.

Male: Fore tarsal segments I–IV dilated; the relative lengths of hind tarsal segments from base to apex: 14.0 : 5.0 : 4.0 : 4.0 : 9.0. Eighth tergite (Fig. 2C) 4-lobed; inner lobes separated from each other by a V-shaped emargination, much longer than outer lobes. Sixth sternite (Fig. 2A) slightly and arcuately emarginate at middle in apical margin, with 10–12 peg setae on each side of the emargination. Seventh sternite (Fig. 2B) subtriangularly depressed at middle in posterior part, roundly and deeply emarginate in apical margin, covered with a lot of peg setae and dense fine pubescence in the depression, densely bordered by long black spiniform setae on posterior margin. Eighth sternite (Fig. 2D) 2-lobed apically, deeply incised between the lobes, the depth 0.36 times as long as the length of sternite. Aedeagus (Figs 2G–H) with parameres much longer than median lobe, narrowed apicad and slightly curved ventrad near apices.

Figure 2. 

Nitidotachinus capillosus sp. n. A male 6th sternite B male 7th sternite C male 8th tergite D male 8th sternite E female 8th tergite F female 8th sternite G aedeagus in lateral view H aedeagus in ventral view. Scale: 0.3 mm.

Female: Fore tarsal segments I–IV normal. Eighth tergite (Fig. 2E) 4-lobed; inner lobes distinctly shorter than outer lobes. Eighth sternite (Fig. 2F) 6-lobed; inner lobes much broader than intermediate lobes, separated from each other by a deep subtriangulate emargination.

China (Zhejiang Province).

This new species is similar to Nitidotachinus anhuiensis and N. xiangi by the median portion of male seventh sternite with distinct pubescence, but can be separated from N. anhuiensis by median portion of seventh sternite densely pubescent. It differs from N. xiangi by the male seventh sternite with short peg setae area reaching the apical margin of sternite.

The specific name is derived from a Latin word “capillosus” (= hairy), which refers to male seventh sternite with dense pubescence on disc.

Holotype:China: male, Mt. Longwang Reserve (alt. 950–1200m), Anji County, Zhejiang Prov., 25.IV.2004, Li-Long Zhu leg. Paratypes:China: 1 female, same data as holotype; 2 males, same locality as holotype, Liang Tang leg.; 1 male, 1 female, same locality as holotype, Jia-Jie Huang leg.; 1 male, same locality as holotype, Jia-Yao Hu leg.; 1 male, same locality as holotype, 25.IV.2006, Liang Tang leg.; 1 female, same locality as holotype, 25.IV.2006, Shan-Jia Shen leg.

Body (Fig. 1B) medium in size, 5.4–5.7 mm (total length); 2.9–3.2 mm (length of forebody). Color dark reddish brown with shine; first and second segments of antennae, mouthparts, sides of pronotum, and legs dark red.

Head subtriangular, 0.47 times as wide as pronotum. Surface finely and sparsely punctate, with dense and coarse microsculpture consisting mostly of irregular meshes. Antennae moderately long, reaching the apical third of elytra; 1st and 2nd segments glabrous except for a few long setae, 3rd to 11th densely pubescent; the relative length of each segment from base to apex: 13.0 : 8.0 : 16.0 : 13.0 : 14.0 : 15.0 : 14.0 : 13.0 : 13.0 : 13.0 : 17.0; the 10th segment 1.86 times as long as wide. Maxillary palpus moderately long, relative lengths of 4th and 3rd segments: 16.5 : 9.0.

Pronotum broad, transverse, 0.64 times as long as wide, widest at basal third. Surface with dense and fine microsculpture consisting of transverse wave lines, punctures slightly sparser and finer than those on head.

Elytra in sutural length 0.69 times as long as wide; 1.06 times as long as the median length of pronotum; sides gradually widened posteriad; apical margins sinuate; apical angles sharp. Surface with punctures much coarser than, and microsculpture similar to those on pronotum.

Abdomen gradually narrowed from base to apex. Surface with many long bristles which are becoming denser towards anal apex, very finely and sparsely punctate and pubescent, with minute microsculpture only at sides of third tergite.

Male: Fore tarsal segments I–IV dilated; the relative lengths of hind tarsal segments from base to apex: 13.0 : 6.0 : 4.5 : 4.0 : 10.0. Eighth tergite (Fig. 3C) 4-lobed; inner lobes separated from each other by a V-shaped emargination and much longer than outer lobes. Sixth sternite (Fig. 3A) slightly emarginate at middle in apical margin, with 7–8 granules on each side of the emargination. Seventh sternite (Fig. 3B) subtriangularly depressed at middle in posterior part, deeply and sinuately emarginated in apical margin, symmetrically covered with some short peg setae near posterior margin; densely bordered by long black spiniform setae on posterior margin. Eighth sternite (Fig. 3D) 2-lobed, deeply incised between two lobes, the depth 0.28 times as long as the median length of sternite; Aedeagus (Figs 3G–H) moderate in size; parameres longer than median lobe, strongly narrowed apicad, slightly curved ventrad in apical fourth.

Figure 3. 

Nitidotachinus brunneus sp. n. A male 6th sternite B male 7th sternite C male 8th tergite D male 8th sternite E female 8th tergite F female 8th sternite G aedeagus in lateral view H aedeagus in ventral view. Scale: 0.3 mm.

Female: Fore tarsal segments I–IV normal. Eighth tergite (Fig. 3E) 4-lobed; inner lobes deeply separated with each other, much narrower and slightly shorter than outer lobes. Eighth sternite (Fig. 3F) 6-lobed; inner lobes much broader than intermediate lobes, separated from each other by a shallow, “V” shaped emargination.

China (Zhejiang Province).

This new species can be easily separated from the other species from Mainland China by the area of short peg setae on male seventh sternite smaller, about 1/6 times as long as entire sternite.

The specific name is derived from a Latin word “brunneus” (= brown), which refers to the body color.

China: 1 male (holotype), 1 female (paratype), Mt. West Tianmu Reserve, Lin’an City, Zhejiang Prov., 6–12.V.1998, Li-Zhen Li leg.; 1 male, 8 females, same locality as above, (alt. 300–400m), 11–15.VI.2006, Jia-Yao Hu and Liang Tang leg.; 1 female, Mt. Longwang Reserve (alt. 300–500m), Anji County, Zhejiang Prov., 24.IV.2004, Liang Tang leg.; 4 males, 7 females, Danzhu (alt. 450–600m), Xianju County, Zhejiang Prov., 2.VI.2006, Jin-Wen Li and Shan-Jia Shen leg.; 1 male, Mt. Dapan Reserve (alt. 550–700m), Pan’an County, Zhejiang Prov., 7.VI.2006, Jin-Wen Li and Shan-Jia Shen leg.; 3 female, same locality and collectors as above, 6.VI.2006; 1 female, Qingliangfeng (alt. 1050–1070m), Lin’an City, Zhejiang Prov., 9.V.2005, Li-Long Zhu and Li-Zhen Li leg.

Body (Fig. 1C) relative small in size, 4.8–5.0 mm (total length); 2.6–2.8 mm (length of forebody). Color piceous, shining; head black; 1st and 2nd antennal segments, mouthparts, lateral margins of pronotum, narrow apical margins of abdominal segments, and tarsi light reddish brown; disc of pronotum, 3rd to 11th antennal segments, and legs except for tarsi dark reddish brown.

Head subtriangular, 0.48 times as wide as pronotum; surface finely and sparsely punctate, with dense microsculpture consisting of irregular meshes and transverse wave lines. Antennae moderately long, reaching backward to the apical third of elytra; 1st and 2nd segments glabrous except for a few long setae, 3th to 11th densely pubescent; the relative length of each segment from base to apex: 12.0 : 7.0 : 17.0 : 12.0 : 15.0 : 14.0 : 14.0 : 13.0 : 13.0 : 12.5 : 17.0; the 10th segment twice as long as wide. Maxillary palpus moderately long, relative lengths of 4th and 3rd segments: 2.0 : 1.0.

Pronotum broad, transverse, 0.63 times as long as wide, widest at basal third. Surface with dense and fine microsculpture consisting of transverse wave lines; punctures similar to those on head.

Elytra in sutural length 0.73 times as long as wide; 1.17 times as long as the median length of pronotum; sides gradually widened posteriad; apical margins sinuate. Surface with punctures courser and microsculpture somewhat finer than those on pronotum.

Abdomen gradually narrowed from base to apex. Surface sparsely and finely punctate and pubescent, with short transverse microsculpture only at sides of third tergite.

Male: Fore tarsal segments I–IV dilated; the relative lengths of hind tarsal segments from base to apex: 14.0 : 5.0 : 4.0 : 4.0 : 9.0. Eighth tergite (Fig. 4C) 4-lobed; inner lobes much longer than outer lobes. Sixth sternite (Fig. 4A) arcuately emarginate at middle in apical margin, with nine peg setae on each side of the emargination. Seventh sternite (Fig. 4B) subtriangularly depressed at middle in posterior part, deeply and sinuately emarginated in apical margin, sparsely covered with some peg setae near middle of the subtriangular depression, densely bordered by long black spiniform setae on posterior margin. Eighth sternite (Fig. 4D) 2-lobed, deeply incised between the lobes, the depth 0.33 times as long as the median length of sternite. Aedeagus (Figs 4G–H) moderate in size, with parameres and median lobe fused, asymmetrical, narrowed apicad, distinctly widened and truncated at apices in ventral view.

Figure 4. 

Nitidotachinus dui. A male 6th sternite B male 7th sternite C male 8th tergite D male 8th sternite E female 8th tergite F female 8th sternite G aedeagus in lateral view H aedeagus in ventral view. Scale: 0.3 mm.

Female: Fore tarsal segments 1–4 normal. Eighth tergite (Fig. 4E) 4-lobed; inner lobes slightly longer than outer lobes. Eighth sternite (Fig. 4F) 6-lobed; inner lobes much broader than intermediate lobes, fimbriate apically, separated from each other by a “V” shaped emargination.

China (Zhejiang Province).

This species can be easily recognized from the others of the genus by parameres and median lobe of aedeagus being fused and the asymmetrical truncated apices of parameres.

Holotype:China: male, Houhe Conv., Wufeng County, Hubei Prov., 1.V.2004, Li-Zhen Li leg. Paratypes:China: 1 female, same locality as holotype, 30.IV.2004, Li-Zhen Li leg.

Body (Fig. 1D) relative large in size, 5.7–6.0 mm (total length); 2.9–3.1 mm (length of forebody). Color dark reddish brown with shine; head black; first and second antennal segments, mouthparts, lateral margins of pronotum, narrow apical margins of both elytra and abdominal segments, and legs yellowish red; disc of pronotum, 3rd to apical segments of antennae reddish brown.

Head subtriangular, 0.48 times as wide as pronotum; surface finely and sparsely punctate, with dense microsculpture consisting mostly of transverse wave lines. Antennae long, extending backward beyond the middle of elytra; 1st and 2nd segments glabrous except for a few setae, 3rd to 11th densely pubescent; the relative length of each segment from base to apex: 11.5 : 7.0 : 16.0 : 12.0 : 14.0 : 14.0 : 13.0 : 13.0 : 13.0 : 13.0 : 16.5; the 10th segment 1.71 times as long as wide. Maxillary palpus moderately long, relative lengths of 4th and 3rd segments: 16.0 : 9.0.

Pronotum broad, transverse, 0.66 times as long as wide, widest at basal third. Surface with dense and fine microsculpture consisting of transverse wave lines; punctures similar to those on head.

Elytra in sutural length 0.62 times as long as wide; 1.02 times as long as the median length of pronotum; sides gradually widened posteriad; apical margins sinuate; apical angles sharp. Surface with punctures much courser, and microsculpture somewhat finer than those on pronotum.

Abdomen gradually narrowed from base to apex. Surface with many long bristles which are becoming denser towards apex, finely and sparsely punctate and pubescent, with minute microsculpture only at sides of third tergite.

Male: Fore tarsal segments I–IV dilated; the relative lengths of hind tarsal segments from base to apex: 14.5 : 6.0 : 4.5 : 4.0 : 16.0. Eighth tergite (Fig. 5C) 4-lobed; inner lobes separated from each other by a V-shaped emargination, much longer than outer lobes. Sixth sternite (Fig. 5A) slightly and roundly emarginate at middle in apical margin, with 9–11 peg setae on each side of the emargination. Seventh sternite (Fig. 5B) subtriangularly depressed at middle in posterior part, deeply and sinuately emarginated in apical margin, symmetrically covered with a lot of short peg setae in median part of the depression, densely pubescent in the depression before the area of peg setae, and densely bordered by long black spiniform setae on posterior margin. Eighth sternite (Fig. 5D) 2-lobed apically, deeply incised between the lobes, the depth 0.32 times as long as the median length of sternite. Aedeagus (Figs 5G–H) somewhat elongate; parameres much longer than median lobe, arrowhead-shaped at apices in ventral view, slightly curved ventrad at apical third.

Figure 5. 

Nitidotachinus xiangi sp. n. A male 6th sternite B male 7th sternite C male 8th tergite D male 8th sternite E female 8th tergite F female 8th sternite G aedeagus in lateral view H aedeagus in ventral view. Scale: 0.3 mm.

Female: Fore tarsal segments I–IV normal. Eighth tergite (Fig. 5E) 4-lobed; inner lobes slightly longer than outer lobes. Eighth sternite (Fig. 5F) 6-lobed; inner lobes much broader than intermediate lobes, distinctly separated from each other.

China (Hubei Province).

This new species is similar to Nitidotachinus capillosus and N. anhuiensis. But it can be easily separated from them by the male seventh sternite with short peg setae area distinctly separated from the apical margin of sternite.

The specific name is derived from the name of Prof. Jia-Xiang Xiang, the vice-president of Shanghai Normal University, who helped us in many ways during our studies.

Holotype:China: male, Mt. Tianzhu (alt. 960m), Anhui Prov., 23.IV.2005, Jia-Yao Hu and Liang Tang leg. Paratypes:China: 1 male, 4 females, same data as holotype.

Body (Fig. 1E) medium in size, 4.5–5.7 mm (total length); 2.8–3.2 mm (length of forebody). Color dark brown with shine; the first and second segments of antennae and mouthparts, sides of pronotum, posterior margins of elytra, and legs reddish brown.

Head subtriangular, 0.48 times as wide as pronotum. Surface finely and sparsely punctate, with dense and coarse microsculpture consisting of irregular meshes and transverse wave lines. Antennae moderately long, reaching the apical third of elytra; 1st and seconf segments glabrous except for a few long setae, 3rd to 11th densely pubescent; the relative length of each segment from base to apex: 11.5 : 7.0 : 14.0 : 10.5 : 12.0 : 12.0 : 12.0 : 11.5 : 11.5 : 11.5 : 15.0; the 1tenth segment 1.92 times as long as wide. Maxillary palpus moderately long, relative lengths of 4th and 3rd segments: 15.5 : 9.0.

Pronotum broad, transverse, 0.65 times as long as wide, widest at basal third. Surface with microsculpture finer and punctures slightly sparser and shallower than those on head.

Elytra in sutural length 0.68 times as long as wide; 1.10 times as long as the median length of pronotum; sides gradually widened posteriad; apical margins sinuate; apical angles sharp. Surface with punctures coarser than, and microsculpture similar to those on pronotum.

Abdomen gradually narrowed from base to apex. Surface with many long bristles which are becoming denser towards anal apex, very finely and sparsely punctate and pubescent, with minute microsculpture only at sides of third tergite.

Male: Fore tarsal segments I–IV dilated; the relative lengths of hind tarsal segments from base to apex: 14.0 : 5.0 : 4.5 : 3.5 : 9.0. Eighth tergite (Fig. 6C) 4-lobed; inner lobes separated from each other by a V-shaped emargination and distinctly longer than outer lobes. Sixth sternite (Fig. 6A) slightly emarginate at middle in apical margin, with seven short peg setae on each side of the emargination. Seventh sternite (Fig. 6B) subtriangularly depressed at middle in posterior part, very deeply and sinuately emarginated at the middle in apical margin, symmetrically covered with many short peg setae in apical half and fine setae in basal half of the depression respectively; densely covered with long black spiniform setae on posterior margin. Eighth sternite (Fig. 6D) 2-lobed, deeply incised between two lobes, the depth 0.31 times as long as the median length of sternite. Aedeagus (Figs 6G–H) moderately long, with parameres longer than median lobe, narrowed apicad and slightly curved ventrad at apical portions.

Figure 6. 

Nitidotachinus anhuiensis sp. n. A male 6th sternite B male 7th sternite C male 8th tergite D male 8th sternite E female 8th tergite F female 8th sternite G aedeagus in lateral view H aedeagus in ventral view. Scale: 0.3 mm.

Female: Fore tarsal segments I–IV normal. Eighth tergite (Fig. 6E) 4-lobed; inner lobes deeply separated from each other, distinctly shorter than outer lobes. Eighth sternite (Fig. 6F) 6-lobed; inner lobes much broader than intermediate lobes, separated from each other by a shallow, “V” shaped emargination.

China (Anhui Province).

This new species is similar to Nitidotachinus capillosus and N. xiangi. But can be easily separated from N. capillosus by the median portion of male seventh sternite sparsely pubescent. It differs from N. xiangi by the male seventh sternite with short peg setae area reaching the apical margin of sternite.

The specific name is named after Anhui Province, where the type specimens were collected.

Holotype:China: male, Qingliangfeng Reserve (alt.1080m), Zhejiang Prov., 10.V.2005, Li-Long Zhu & Li-Zhen Li leg. Paratypes:China: 3 males, 1 female, same data as holotype, but data from 8–10.V.2005; 1male, 2 females, Mt. Dapan Reserve (alt.550–800m), Pan’an County, Zhejiang Prov. 6–7.VI.2006, Li-Zhen Li & Shan-jia Shen leg.

Male (Fig. 1F): Body medium in size, 5.7–6.0 mm (total length); 2.8–2.9 mm; 2.5–2.8 mm (length of forebody). Color reddish brown with shine; head black, the 1st and 2nd segments of antennae, mouthparts, sides of pronotum, posterior margins of elytra, and legs light reddish brown.

Head 0.47 times as wide as pronotum. Surface finely and sparsely punctate, with dense and coarse microsculpture consisting of irregular meshes and transverse wave lines. Antennae long, reaching the apical third of elytra; the relative length of each segment from base to apex: 13.0 : 8.0 : 16.0 : 11.0 : 13.0 : 13.0 : 13.0 : 13.0 : 13.0 : 12.0 : 17.0; the 10th segment 1.60 times as long as wide. Maxillary palpus with relative lengths of 4th and 3rd segments: 16.5 : 9.0.

Pronotum 0.63 times as long as wide; microsculpture shallower and punctures slightly sparser than those on head.

Elytra in sutural length 0.67 times as long as wide; 1.05 times as long as the median length of pronotum; punctures coarser than, and microsculpture similar to those on pronotum.

Abdomen sparsely and finely punctate and pubescent, with minute microsculpture only at sides of third tergite.

Male: Fore tarsal segments I–IV dilated; the relative lengths of hind tarsal segments from base to apex: 15.0 : 5.0 : 4.5 : 4.0 : 9.0. Eighth tergite (Fig. 7C) 4-lobed; inner lobes separated from each other by a V-shaped emargination, much longer than outer lobes. Sixth sternite (Fig. 7A) slightly emarginate at middle in apical margin, with 6–8 short peg setae on each side of the emargination. Seventh sternite (Fig. 7B) subtriangularly depressed at middle in posterior part, roundly emarginated at middle in apical margin, symmetrically covered with some short peg setae in apical half of the depression, densely covered with long black spiniform setae on apical margin. Eighth sternite (Fig. 7D) 2-lobed, deeply incised between two lobes, the depth 0.30 times as long as the median length of sternite. Aedeagus (Figs 7G–H) with parameres longer than median lobe, tapered apicad.

Figure 7. 

Nitidotachinus bini sp. n. A male 6th sternite B male 7th sternite C male 8th tergite D male 8th sternite E female 8th tergite F female 8th sternite G aedeagus in lateral view H aedeagus in ventral view. Scale: 0.3 mm.

Female: Fore tarsal segments I–IV normal. Eighth tergite (Fig. 7E) 4-lobed; inner lobes deeply separated with each other, about as long as outer lobes. Eighth sternite (Fig. 7F) 6-lobed; inner lobes distinctly separated from each other.

China (Zhejiang Province).

This new species is similar to Nitidotachinus taiwanensis. But can be separated from it by the shape of peg setae area of male seventh sternite; female eighth tergite with emargination between the inner lobes is distinctly shallower than those between inner and outer lobes; and parameres of aedeagus a little narrower in apical parts.

The specific name is named after the nick name of Xiao-bin Song.

China: 5 males, 5 females Mt. Xiaowutai Reserve (alt. 1300–1600m), Wei County, Hebei Prov., 22.VIII.2005, Li-Zhen Li leg.; 1 male, 1 female, Jinhekou (alt. 1300m), Wei County, Hebei Prov., 23.VIII.2005, Li-Zhen Li leg.; 11 males, 10 females, Labahe Reserve (alt. 1900m), Tianquan County, Sichuan Prov., 29.VII.2006, Jia-Yao Hu and Liang Tang leg.; 1 male, 5 females, Labahe Reserve (alt. 2000m), Tianquan County, Sichuan Prov., 30.VII.2006, Jia-Yao Hu and Liang Tang leg.; 1 males, 1 females, Foping Conv. (alt. 1400–1800m), Shaanxi Prov., 19.VII.2004, Jia-Yao Hu, Liang Tang and Li-Long Zhu leg.; 1 male, ditto, but (alt.1250–1400m), 18.VII.2004; 1 female, Yangjiaping (alt.830m), Zhulu Couty, Hebei Prov., 4.VIII.2005, Li-Zhen Li leg.; 1 female (paratype), with labels as: CHINA: S-Sichuan 1999, Ya’an Prefecture, Shimian Co., Xiaoxiang Ling, Pass zw. Shimian u., Ganluo, 27 km SE Shimian, 29°03N, 102°31E, 2450m, Quellsumpf, Bachufer, 8. VII., leg. M/ Schülke (white) / Sammlung M. Schülke, Berlin (green) / PARATYPUS, Nitidotachinus exellens subspec. concolor n., det. M. Schülke, 2000 (red).

Body (Fig. 1G–H) medium in size, 4.5–5.9 mm (total length); 3.1–3.4 mm (length of forebody). Color dark brown with shine; the first and second segments of antennae, mouthparts, sides and posterior margin of pronotum, posterior margins of elytra, and legs yellowish red.

Head 0.48 times as wide as pronotum. Surface finely and sparsely punctate, with dense and coarse microsculpture consisting of irregular meshes and transverse wave lines. Antennae moderately long, reaching the middle of elytra; the relative length of each segment from base to apex: 11.5 : 7.0 : 15.0 : 12.0 : 14.0 : 14.5 : 13.0 : 13.0 : 13.0 : 13.0 : 16.0; the tenth segment 1.73 times as long as wide. Maxillary palpus with relative lengths of 4th and 3rd segments: 15.5 : 8.0.

Pronotum 0.65 times as long as wide; microsculpture shallower and punctures much finer and sparser than those on head.

Elytra in sutural length 0.72 times as long as wide; 1.15 times as long as the median length of pronotum; punctures and microsculpture a little courser than those on pronotum.

Abdomen sparsely and finely punctate and pubescent, with minute microsculpture only at sides of third tergite.

Male: Fore tarsal segments I–IV dilated; the relative lengths of hind tarsal segments from base to apex: 14.0 : 7.5 : 5.0 : 4.0 : 10.0. Eighth tergite (Fig. 8C) 4-lobed; inner lobes separated from each other by a V-shaped emargination and distinctly longer than outer lobes. Sixth sternite (Fig. 8A) without short peg seta. Seventh sternite (Fig. 8B) subtriangularly depressed at middle in posterior part, roundly emarginated at middle in apical margin, symmetrically covered with sparse short peg setae in the depression before posterior margin, densely covered with long black spiniform setae on posterior margin. Eighth sternite (Fig. 8D) 2-lobed, deeply incised between two lobes, the depth 0.35 times as long as the median length of sternite. Aedeagus (Figs 8G–H) medium in size; parameres shorter than median lobe, each with a spindly projection near apex.

Figure 8. 

Nitidotachinus excellens. A male 6th sternite B male 7th sternite C male 8th tergite D male 8th sternite E female 8th tergite F female 8th sternite G aedeagus in lateral view H aedeagus in ventral view. Scale: 0.3 mm.

Figure 9. 

Nitidotachinus excellens. A Pronotum, specimen collected from Labahe, Tianquan, Ya’an, Sichuan B ditto. Scale: 0.5 mm.

Female (Fig. 8): Fore tarsal segments I–IV normal. Eighth tergite (Fig. 8E) 4-lobed; inner lobes relatively shallowly separated with each other, distinctly longer than outer lobes. Eighth sternite (Fig. 8F) 6-lobed; inner lobes almost fused with each other, slightly emarginate at middle in posterior margins.

China (Hebei, Shaanxi, Sichuan, Heilongjiang, Jilin, Liaoning, Beijing); Japan; Far East Russia; Korea.

Figure 10. 

Distribution of Nitidotachinus species from Mainland China: 1 N. capillosus sp. n. 2 N. brunneus sp. n. 3 N. dui 4 N. xiangi sp. n. 5 N. anhuiensis sp. n. 6 N. bini sp. n. 7 N. excellens.

This new species is similar to Nitidotachinus impunctatus and N. japonicus. But can be easily separated from them by the different shape of aedeagal parameres.

Nitidotachinus excellens concolor was described by Schülke in 2000 from Xiaoxiang Ling, Shimian, Ya’an, Sichuan Province. The characters separating it from the nominal subspecies were mentioned to be almost total black pronotum, darker elytra and inner emargination of female eighth tergite slightly deeper and wider. Though a paratype (Fig. 1H) of it also shows the broad yellowish brown lateral margins on pronotum. With more material collected in recent years, those diagnosis characters mentioned above are now considered as variability within Nitidotachinus excellens and the distribution gap between two subspecies are totally filled. Thus N. excellens concolor has to be synonymized with N. excellens, which is also fully agreed by M. Schülke (personal communication).