A taxonomic revision of the Neoserica (sensu lato) pilosula group (Coleoptera, Scarabaeidae, Sericini)

Abstract Nine new species of the Neoserica (sensu lato) pilosula Moser, 1915, group are described from China: Neoserica curvipenis sp. n., N. emeishanensis sp. n., N. lincangensis sp. n., N. ludingensis sp. n., N. lushuiana sp. n., N. rangshuiensis sp. n., N. shennongjiaensis sp. n., N. tianeana sp. n., and N. weibaoshanica sp. n. The lectotype of Neoserica pilosula Moser, 1915, is designated. Habitus and male genitalia are illustrated, a key to the species of the group and a map of species distribution are given.


Introduction
Neoserica Brenske, 1897 is one of the most species-rich groups of Sericini. It comprises nearly 200 taxa. Since the designation of the type species of Neoserica (Pope 1960) and the redefinition of the genus based on a first revision of close allies of the type species (Ahrens 2003), many species are so far grouped under Neoserica being not directly related to Neoserica sensu stricto (Ahrens 2003). We preliminarily consider them in Neoserica sensu lato (e.g. Ahrens 2004), a collective group that was found to be neither monophyletic (Ahrens and Vogler 2008) nor related to Neoserica sensu stricto (Ahrens 2003). The current study continues a series of the taxonomic revisions of Neoserica species groups (Ahrens et al. 2014a, Ahrens et al. 2014b based on which hopefully their relationship and their right classification can be subsequently established. In the present paper we explore the taxonomy of the representatives related to Neoserica pilosula Moser, 1915, originally described from Yunnan (China). According to our present knowledge, the species group is restricted to the mountain areas of Southwest China. The species of this group are characterised by a bidentate protibia, an antennal club composed of four antennomeres in both sexes, a short labrum that bears a transverse rim of very dense, short and robust setae, and by a densely setose dorsal surface of the body. The Neoserica pilosula group shares the transverse rim of setae on labrum with most species of the Neoserica (s.l.) lubrica group (Ahrens 2004). The species of the latter group, however, have a glabrous dorsal surface and an antennal club composed of three antennomeres in females. Here, nine new species are described, all originating from Southwest China.

Material and methods
The terminology and methods used for measurements, specimen dissection and genital preparation follow Ahrens (2004). Data from specimens examined are cited in the text with original label contents given in quotation marks verbatim, multiple labels are separated by a "/". Descriptions, if not otherwise stated, are based on the holotype specimen. Male genitalia were glued to a small pointed card and photographed in both lateral and dorsal view using a stereomicroscope Leica M125 with a Leica DC420C digital camera. A number of single images were combined in order to obtain an entirely focused image using the automontage software as implemented in Leica Application Suite (V3.3.0). The resulting images were subsequently digitally edited to eliminate background using Artweaver software. Based on the geographical coordinates obtained from the labels and Google map (https://www.google.de/ maps/), the distribution map was generated using Q-GIS 2.0.1 and Adobe Photoshop CS4 software.
Type specimens and additional material examined are deposited in the following institutions: Antennal club of males with 7, 6 or less antennomeres . Redescription of lectotype. Body length: 7.5 mm, length of elytra: 5.7 mm, width: 4.2 mm. Body oblong, reddish brown, antennal club yellowish brown, dorsal surface shiny, densely covered with fine, semi-erect setae (Fig. 1D).
Labroclypeus subtrapezoidal, widest at base; lateral margins weakly convex and moderately convergent towards moderately rounded anterior angles; anterior margin shallowly sinuate medially; margins moderately reflexed; surface moderately elevated medially, coarsely and densely punctate, densely setose. Frontoclypeal suture finely incised, weakly elevated and moderately angled medially. Smooth area anterior to eye three times as wide as long. Ocular canthus moderately long, finely and sparsely punctate, with a few setae. Frons with coarse and moderately dense punctures, with dense setae being bent posteriorly. Eyes large, ratio diameter/interocular width: 0.76. Antenna with ten antennomeres, club with four antennomeres and straight, as long as remaining antennomeres combined. Mentum elevated and slightly flattened anteriorly. Labrum short and almost straight anteriorly, with a transverse rim of very dense, short and robust setae.
Pronotum widest at base, lateral margins evenly convex and convergent anteriorly; anterior angles distinctly produced and sharp; posterior angles blunt, rounded at tip; anterior margin with fine, complete marginal line, weakly produced medially; surface densely and finely punctate, densely setose; anterior and lateral borders with sparse but longer setae; hypomeron carinate at base. Scutellum with fine, dense punctures and a few fine setae, on basal midline punctures less dense.
Elytra oblong, widest behind middle, striae weakly impressed, finely and densely punctate, intervals nearly flat, with fine, dense punctures, densely covered with fine, moderately long setae. Epipleural edge fine, ending at moderately curved external apical angle of elytra; epipleura densely setose, apical border with a wide membranous rim of microtrichomes (visible at magnification 100×).
Ventral surface shiny, finely and densely punctate. Metasternum with short, fine setae. Metacoxa glabrous, with a few single setae laterally. Abdominal sternites finely and densely punctate and finely setose, with a transverse row of coarse punctures each bearing a robust long seta. Mesosternum between mesocoxae as wide as mesofemur. Ratio of length of metepisternum/metacoxa: 1/1.74. Pygidium moderately convex and shiny, finely and densely punctate, without smooth midline; shortly and densely setose, with sparse long and erect setae on disc and beside the apical margin.
Legs slender; femora with two longitudinal rows of setae, finely and densely punctate. Anterior margin of metafemur acute, without adjacent serrated line; posterior margin of metafemur smooth, dorsally and ventrally, in apical half moderately widened. Metatibia wide and moderately long, widest at two thirds of metatibial length; ratio of width/length: 1/2.86; dorsal margin sharply carinate, with two groups of spines; basal group at half of metatibial length, apical group at three quarters of metatibial length; basally with a few strong short single setae; lateral face densely and coarsely punctate, shortly setose; ventral edge finely serrated, with four robust equidistant setae; medial face impunctate; apex weakly truncate interiorly near tarsal articulation. Tarsomeres ventrally with sparse, short setae; not carinate laterally, impunctate dorsally; metatarsomeres with a strongly serrated ventral ridge; first metatarsomere distinctly shorter than following two tarsomeres combined and as long as dorsal tibial spur. Protibia moderately long, bidentate; anterior claws symmetrical, basal tooth of inner claw sharply truncate at apex.
Labroclypeus subtrapezoidal, widest at base; lateral margins weakly convex and moderately convergent towards moderately rounded anterior angles; anterior margin shallowly sinuate medially; margins moderately reflexed; surface moderately elevated medially, coarsely and densely punctate, densely setose. Frontoclypeal suture finely incised, weakly elevated and moderately angled medially. Smooth area anterior to eye 2.5 times as wide as long. Ocular canthus moderately long, impunctate, with one or two single setae. Frons with coarse and moderately dense punctures, with dense setae being bent posteriorly. Eyes moderately large, ratio diameter/interocular width: 0.6. Antenna with ten antennomeres, club with four antennomeres and straight, as long as remaining antennomeres combined. Mentum elevated and slightly flattened anteriorly. Labrum short and almost straight anteriorly, with a transverse rim of very dense, short and robust setae.
Pronotum widest at base, lateral margins evenly convex and convergent anteriorly; anterior angles distinctly produced and sharp; posterior angles blunt, rounded at tip; anterior margin with fine, complete marginal line, weakly produced medially; surface densely and finely punctate, densely setose; anterior and lateral borders with sparse but longer setae; hypomeron carinate at base. Scutellum with fine, dense punctures and a few fine setae, on basal midline punctures less dense.
Elytra oblong, widest behind middle, striae weakly impressed, finely and densely punctate; intervals nearly flat, odd ones slightly convex; intervals with fine, dense punctures, densely covered with fine, moderately long setae. Epipleural edge fine, ending at moderately curved external apical angle of elytra; epipleura densely setose, apical border with a wide membranous rim of microtrichomes (visible at magnification 100×).
Ventral surface shiny, finely and densely punctate. Metasternum with short, fine setae. Metacoxa glabrous, with a few single setae laterally. Abdominal sternites finely and densely punctate, finely setose, with a transverse row of coarse punctures each bearing a long seta. Mesosternum between mesocoxae as wide as mesofemur. Ratio of length of metepisternum/metacoxa: 1/1.35. Pygidium moderately convex and shiny, finely and densely punctate, without smooth midline; shortly and densely setose, with sparse long and erect setae on disc and beside the apical margin. Legs slender; femora with two longitudinal rows of setae, finely and densely punctate. Anterior margin of metafemur acute, without adjacent serrated line; posterior margin of metafemur smooth, dorsally and ventrally, in apical half moderately widened. Metatibia wide and moderately long, widest at two thirds of metatibial length; ratio of width/length: 1/3.2; dorsal margin sharply carinate, with two groups of spines; basal group shortly behind middle of metatibial length, apical group at three quarters of metatibial length; basally with a few strong short single setae; lateral face densely and coarsely punctate, sparsely and shortly setose; ventral edge finely serrated, with four robust equidistant setae; medial face impunctate; apex weakly truncate interiorly near tarsal articulation. Tarsomeres ventrally with sparse, short setae; not carinate laterally, impunctate dorsally; metatarsomeres with a strongly serrated ventral ridge; first metatarsomere distinctly shorter than following two tarsomeres combined and slightly longer than dorsal tibial spur. Protibia moderately long, bidentate; anterior claws symmetrical, basal tooth of inner claw sharply truncate at apex. Female unknown.
Aedeagus: Fig. 1E-G. Diagnosis. Neoserica ludingensis sp. n. differs from N. pilosula by the slightly smaller eyes and by the shape of the aedeagus: the median lobe between the parameres is shorter and thicker, the left paramere is in lateral view nearly straight.
Etymology. The new species is named after its occurrence in Luding county area. Description. Body length: 7.5 mm, length of elytra: 5.0 mm, width: 3.8 mm. Body oblong, reddish brown, antennal club yellowish brown, dorsal surface shiny, densely covered with fine, semi-erect setae (Fig. 1L).
Labroclypeus short and subtrapezoidal, widest at base; lateral margins weakly convex and moderately convergent towards strongly rounded anterior angles; anterior margin shallowly sinuate medially; margins moderately reflexed; surface moderately elevated medially, coarsely and finely but densely punctate, sparsely setose. Frontoclypeal suture finely incised, weakly elevated and moderately angled medially. Smooth area anterior to eye 2.5 times as wide as long. Ocular canthus narrow and moderately long, sparsely punctate, with one or two single setae. Frons with coarse and moderately dense punctures, with dense setae being bent posteriorly. Eyes large, ratio diameter/ interocular width: 0.76. Antenna with ten antennomeres, club with four antennomeres and straight, 1.2 times as long as remaining antennomeres combined. Mentum elevated and slightly flattened anteriorly. Labrum short and almost straight anteriorly, with a transverse rim of very dense, short and robust setae.
Pronotum widest at base, lateral margins evenly convex and moderately convergent anteriorly; anterior angles moderately produced and sharp; posterior angles blunt, rounded at tip; anterior margin with robust, complete marginal line, weakly produced medially; surface densely and finely punctate, densely setose; anterior and lateral borders with sparse but longer setae; hypomeron carinate at base. Scutellum with fine, dense punctures and a few fine setae.
Elytra oblong, widest behind middle, striae weakly impressed, finely and densely punctate; intervals nearly flat, odd ones slightly convex; intervals with fine, dense punctures, densely covered with fine, moderately long setae. Epipleural edge fine, ending at moderately curved external apical angle of elytra; epipleura densely setose, apical border with a wide membranous rim of microtrichomes (visible at magnification 100×).
Ventral surface shiny, finely and densely punctate. Metasternum with short, fine setae. Metacoxa glabrous, with a few single setae laterally. Abdominal sternites finely and densely punctate, finely setose, with a transverse row of coarse punctures each bearing a long seta. Mesosternum between mesocoxae as wide as mesofemur. Ratio of length of metepisternum/metacoxa: 1/1.59. Pygidium moderately convex and shiny, finely and densely punctate, without smooth midline; with dense, moderately long setae on disc and beside the apical margin.
Legs slender; femora with two longitudinal rows of setae, finely and densely punctate. Anterior margin of metafemur acute, without adjacent serrated line; posterior margin of metafemur smooth, dorsally and ventrally, in apical half moderately widened, dorsal posterior margin with dense and thick, evenly long setae. Metatibia wide and moderately long, widest at two thirds of metatibial length; ratio of width/length: 1/3.0; dorsal margin sharply carinate, with two groups of spines; basal group shortly behind middle of metatibial length, apical group at three quarters of metatibial length; in basal half with a continuously serrated line and some single punctures each bearing a short seta; lateral face densely and coarsely punctate, densely and shortly setose; ventral edge finely serrated, with four robust equidistant setae; medial face impunctate; apex weakly truncate interiorly near tarsal articulation. Tarsomeres ventrally with sparse, short setae; not carinate laterally, impunctate dorsally; metatarsomeres with a strongly serrated ventral ridge; first metatarsomere distinctly shorter than following two tarsomeres combined and slightly longer than dorsal tibial spur. Protibia moderately long, bidentate; anterior claws symmetrical, basal tooth of inner claw sharply truncate at apex.
Aedeagus: Fig. 1I-K. Diagnosis. Neoserica weibaoshanica sp. n. differs from N. pilosula by the longer antennal club, the shorter labroclypeus, and the shape of trifid median lobe of aedeagus bearing a long filiform process on the left side shortly after the base and a short spine on the right side before the apex.
Etymology. The new species is named after its type locality in Weibaoshan Mts. Variation. Body length: 6.9-7.9 mm, length of elytra: 4.4-5.5 mm, width: 3.6-4.4 mm. Female: antennal club composed of four antennomeres, as long as the remaining antennomeres combined.
Labroclypeus subtrapezoidal, widest at base; lateral margins weakly convex and moderately convergent towards moderately rounded anterior angles; anterior margin shallowly sinuate medially; margins moderately reflexed; surface moderately elevated medially, coarsely and finely, densely punctate, densely setose. Frontoclypeal suture finely incised, weakly elevated and moderately angled medially. Smooth area anterior to eye three times as wide as long. Ocular canthus moderately long, impunctate, with two or three setae. Frons with coarse and dense punctures, with dense setae being bent posteriorly. Eyes large, ratio diameter/interocular width: 0.75. Antenna with ten antennomeres, club with four antennomeres and straight, as long as remaining antennomeres combined. Mentum elevated and slightly flattened anteriorly. Labrum short and almost straight anteriorly, with a transverse rim of very dense, short and robust setae.
Pronotum widest at base, lateral margins weakly convex and convergent anteriorly; anterior angles distinctly produced and moderately sharp; posterior angles blunt, rounded at tip; anterior margin with fine, complete marginal line, weakly produced medially; surface densely and finely punctate, densely setose; anterior and lateral borders with sparse but longer setae; hypomeron carinate at base. Scutellum with fine, dense punctures and a few fine setae.
Elytra oblong, widest behind middle, striae weakly impressed, finely and densely punctate; intervals nearly flat, odd ones slightly convex; intervals with fine, dense punc- tures, densely covered with fine, moderately long setae. Epipleural edge fine, ending at moderately curved external apical angle of elytra; epipleura densely setose, apical border with a wide membranous rim of microtrichomes (visible at magnification 100×).
Ventral surface shiny, finely and densely punctate. Metasternum with short, fine setae. Metacoxa glabrous, with a few single setae laterally. Abdominal sternites finely and densely punctate, finely setose, with a transverse row of coarse punctures each bearing a long seta. Mesosternum between mesocoxae as wide as mesofemur. Ratio of length of metepisternum/metacoxa: 1/1.73. Pygidium strongly convex and shiny, finely and densely punctate, without smooth midline; shortly and densely setose, with sparse long and erect setae on disc and beside the apical margin.
Legs slender; femora with two longitudinal rows of setae, finely and densely punctate. Anterior margin of metafemur acute, without adjacent serrated line; posterior margin of metafemur smooth, dorsally and ventrally, in apical half moderately widened. Metatibia wide and moderately long, widest at middle; ratio of width/length: 1/2.7; dorsal margin sharply carinate, with two groups of spines; basal group at middle, apical group at three quarters of metatibial length; in basal half with a few strong and short single setae in coarse punctures beside a undulated serrated line; lateral face densely and coarsely punctate, densely and shortly setose; ventral edge finely serrated, with four robust equidistant setae; medial face impunctate; apex weakly truncate interiorly near tarsal articulation. Meso-and metatarsomeres of holotype also missing. Protibia moderately long, bidentate; anterior claws symmetrical, basal tooth of inner claw sharply truncate at apex. Female unknown.
Labroclypeus subtrapezoidal, widest at base; lateral margins weakly convex and moderately convergent towards strongly rounded anterior angles; anterior margin distinctly sinuate medially; margins moderately reflexed; surface moderately elevated medially, coarsely and finely but densely punctate, sparsely setose. Frontoclypeal suture finely incised, weakly elevated and moderately angled medially. Smooth area anterior to eye 2.5 times as wide as long. Ocular canthus narrow and moderately long, sparsely punctate, with one or two single setae. Frons with coarse and moderately dense punctures, with dense setae being bent posteriorly. Eyes large, ratio diameter/interocular width: 0.73. Antenna with ten antennomeres, club with four antennomeres and straight, 1.2 times as long as remaining antennomeres combined. Mentum elevated and slightly flattened anteriorly. Labrum short and almost straight anteriorly, with a transverse rim of very dense, short and robust setae.
Pronotum widest at base, lateral margins evenly convex and moderately convergent anteriorly; anterior angles moderately produced and sharp; posterior angles blunt, rounded at tip; anterior margin with fine, complete marginal line, weakly produced medially; surface densely and finely punctate, densely setose; anterior and lateral borders with sparse but longer setae; hypomeron carinate at base. Scutellum with fine, dense punctures and a few fine setae.
Elytra oblong, widest behind middle, striae weakly impressed, finely and densely punctate; intervals nearly flat, odd ones slightly convex; intervals with fine, dense punctures, densely covered with fine, moderately long setae. Epipleural edge fine, ending at moderately curved external apical angle of elytra; epipleura densely setose, apical border with a wide membranous rim of microtrichomes (visible at magnification 100×).
Ventral surface shiny, finely and densely punctate. Metasternum with short, fine setae. Metacoxa glabrous, with a few single setae laterally. Abdominal sternites finely and densely punctate, finely setose, with a transverse row of coarse punctures each bearing a long seta. Mesosternum between mesocoxae as wide as mesofemur. Ratio of length of metepisternum/metacoxa: 1/1.62. Pygidium weakly convex and shiny, finely and densely punctate, without smooth midline; with dense, long setae on disc and beside the apical margin.
Legs slender; femora with two longitudinal rows of setae, finely and densely punctate. Anterior margin of metafemur acute, without adjacent serrated line; posterior margin of metafemur smooth, dorsally and ventrally, in apical half moderately widened, dorsal posterior margin with fine setae. Metatibia wide and moderately long, widest at two thirds of metatibial length; ratio of width/length: 1/2.7; dorsal margin sharply carinate, with two groups of spines; basal group shortly behind middle of metatibial length, apical group at three quarters of metatibial length; in basal half with a continuously serrated line and some single punctures each bearing a short seta; lateral face densely and coarsely punctate, densely and shortly setose; ventral edge finely serrated, with four robust equidistant setae; medial face impunctate; apex weakly truncate interiorly near tarsal articulation. Tarsomeres ventrally with sparse, short setae; not carinate laterally, impunctate dorsally; metatarsomeres with a strongly serrated ventral ridge; metatarsomeres 2-5 and dorsal tibial spur of holotype also missing. Protibia moderately long, bidentate; anterior claws symmetrical, basal tooth of inner claw sharply truncate at apex. Aedeagus: Fig. 2E-G. Diagnosis. Neoserica shennongjiaensis sp. n. differs from N. tianeana sp. n. by the significantly longer right paramere.
Labroclypeus subtrapezoidal, widest at base; lateral margins weakly convex and moderately convergent towards strongly rounded anterior angles; anterior margin distinctly sinuate medially; margins moderately reflexed; surface moderately elevated medially, coarsely and finely but densely punctate, sparsely setose. Frontoclypeal suture finely incised, weakly elevated and moderately angled medially. Smooth area anterior to eye twice as wide as long. Ocular canthus narrow and moderately long, sparsely punctate, with two long setae. Frons with coarse and moderately dense punctures, with dense setae being bent posteriorly. Eyes large, ratio diameter/interocular width: 0.74. Antenna with ten antennomeres, club with four antennomeres and straight, as long as remaining antennomeres combined. Mentum elevated and slightly flattened anteriorly. Labrum short and almost straight anteriorly, with a transverse rim of very dense, short and robust setae.
Pronotum widest at base, lateral margins evenly convex and moderately convergent anteriorly; anterior angles moderately produced and sharp; posterior angles blunt, rounded at tip; anterior margin with fine, complete marginal line, weakly produced medially; surface densely and finely punctate, around midline punctures very dense, partly fusing with each other transversely, densely setose; anterior and lateral borders with sparse but longer setae; hypomeron carinate at base. Scutellum with fine, dense punctures and a few fine setae.
Elytra oblong, widest behind middle, striae weakly impressed, finely and densely punctate; intervals nearly flat, odd ones slightly convex; intervals with fine, dense punctures, densely covered with fine, moderately long setae. Epipleural edge fine, ending at moderately curved external apical angle of elytra; epipleura densely setose, apical border with a wide membranous rim of microtrichomes (visible at magnification 100×).
Ventral surface shiny, finely and densely punctate. Metasternum with short, fine setae. Metacoxa glabrous, with a few single setae laterally. Abdominal sternites finely and densely punctate, finely setose, with a transverse row of coarse punctures each bearing a long seta. Mesosternum between mesocoxae as wide as mesofemur. Ratio of length of metepisternum/metacoxa: 1/1.57. Pygidium weakly convex and shiny, finely and densely punctate, without smooth midline; with dense, long setae on disc and beside the apical margin. Legs slender; femora with two longitudinal rows of setae, finely and densely punctate. Anterior margin of metafemur acute, without adjacent serrated line; posterior margin of metafemur smooth, dorsally and ventrally, in apical half moderately widened, dorsal posterior margin with fine setae. Metatibia wide and moderately long, widest at two thirds of metatibial length; ratio of width/length: 1/2.7; dorsal margin sharply carinate, with two groups of spines; basal group shortly behind middle of metatibial length, apical group at three quarters of metatibial length; in basal half with a undulated, nearly continuously serrated line and beside it some single punctures each bearing a short seta; lateral face moderately densely and coarsely punctate, shortly setose; ventral edge finely serrated, with four robust equidistant setae; medial face impunctate; apex weakly truncate interiorly near tarsal articulation. Tarsomeres ventrally with sparse, short setae; not carinate laterally, impunctate dorsally; metatarsomeres with a strongly serrated ventral ridge; first metatarsomere distinctly shorter than following two tarsomeres combined and slightly longer than dorsal tibial spur. Protibia moderately long, bidentate; anterior claws symmetrical, basal tooth of inner claw sharply truncate at apex.
Aedeagus: Fig. 3A-C. Diagnosis. Neoserica lincangensis sp. n. is most similar to N. shennongjiaensis sp. n. but differs from it by the shorter antennal club and the shape of the parameres: the right paramere is basally strongly enlarged and abruptly curved at apex.

Neoserica
Labroclypeus subtrapezoidal, widest at base; lateral margins weakly convex and moderately convergent towards moderately rounded anterior angles; anterior margin shallowly sinuate medially; margins moderately reflexed; surface convexly elevated medially, coarsely and finely but densely punctate, sparsely setose. Frontoclypeal suture finely incised, weakly elevated and moderately angled medially. Smooth area anterior to eye 2.5 times as wide as long. Ocular canthus narrow and moderately long, sparsely punctate, with a single short terminal seta. Frons with coarse and sparse punctures, with numerous setae being bent posteriorly. Eyes large, ratio diameter/interocular width: 0.78. Antenna with ten antennomeres, club with four antennomeres and straight, 1.2 times as long as remaining antennomeres combined. Mentum elevated and slightly flattened anteriorly. Labrum short and almost straight anteriorly, with a transverse rim of very dense, short and robust setae.
Pronotum widest at base, lateral margins nearly straight and convergent, slightly convex anteriorly and moderately convergent towards moderately produced and sharp anterior angles; posterior angles blunt, rounded at tip; anterior margin with fine, com-plete marginal line, weakly produced medially; surface densely and finely punctate, except on disc (probably abraded) densely setose; anterior and lateral borders with sparse but longer setae; hypomeron carinate at base. Scutellum with fine, dense punctures and a few fine setae.
Elytra oblong, widest behind middle, striae weakly impressed, finely and densely punctate; intervals nearly flat, odd ones slightly convex; intervals with fine, dense punctures, punctures on odd intervals concentrated along striae, densely covered with fine, moderately long setae. Epipleural edge fine, ending at moderately curved external apical angle of elytra; epipleura densely setose, apical border with a wide membranous rim of microtrichomes (visible at magnification 100×).
Ventral surface shiny, finely and densely punctate. Metasternum with short, fine setae. Metacoxa glabrous, with a few single setae laterally. Abdominal sternites finely and densely punctate, finely setose, with a transverse row of coarse punctures each bearing a long seta. Mesosternum between mesocoxae as wide as mesofemur. Ratio of length of metepisternum/metacoxa: 1/1.57. Pygidium strongly convex and shiny, finely and densely punctate, without smooth midline; with dense, long setae on disc and beside the apical margin.
Legs slender; femora with two longitudinal rows of setae, finely and densely punctate. Anterior margin of metafemur acute, without adjacent serrated line; posterior margin of metafemur smooth, dorsally and ventrally, in apical half moderately widened, dorsal posterior margin with fine setae. Metatibia wide and moderately long, widest at two thirds of metatibial length; ratio of width/length: 1/2.7; dorsal margin sharply carinate, with two groups of spines; basal group shortly behind middle of metatibial length, apical group at three quarters of metatibial length; in basal half with a undulated, nearly continuously serrated line and beside it single coarse punctures each bearing a short robust seta; lateral face moderately densely and coarsely punctate, shortly setose; ventral edge finely serrated, with four robust equidistant setae; medial face impunctate; apex weakly truncate interiorly near tarsal articulation. Tarsomeres ventrally with sparse, short setae; not carinate laterally, impunctate dorsally; metatarsomeres missing in holo-and paratype. Protibia moderately long, bidentate; anterior claws symmetrical, basal tooth of inner claw sharply truncate at apex. Aedeagus: Fig. 3E-G. Diagnosis. Neoserica rangshuiensis sp. n. is most similar to N. lincangensis sp. n. but differs from it by the slightly longer antennal club and the shape of the parameres: the right paramere is only in the basal third strongly enlarged (not in basal half as in N. lincangensis sp. n.) and slightly bent at the apex only (not curved); the left paramere is evenly curved (not straight or double-bent).
Etymology. The new species is named after its type locality, Rangshui. Variation. Body length: 7.3-7.4 mm, length of elytra: 5.2-5.3 mm. Metatarsomeres of the paratype with a strongly serrated ventral ridge; first metatarsomere distinctly shorter than the following two tarsomeres combined and slightly longer than the dorsal tibial spur. Type material examined. Holotype: ♂ "Lushui, Yunnan, 9.VI.1981.
Labroclypeus subtrapezoidal, widest at base; lateral margins weakly convex and moderately convergent towards moderately rounded anterior angles; anterior margin shallowly sinuate medially; margins moderately reflexed; surface moderately convex medially, coarsely and finely but densely punctate, sparsely setose. Frontoclypeal suture finely incised, weakly elevated and moderately angled medially. Smooth area anterior to eye 2.5 times as wide as long. Ocular canthus narrow and moderately long, sparsely punctate, with a single short terminal seta. Frons with coarse and dense punctures, with dense setae being bent posteriorly. Eyes large, ratio diameter/interocular width: 0.71. Antenna with ten antennomeres, club with four antennomeres and straight, 1.2 times as long as remaining antennomeres combined. Mentum elevated and slightly flattened anteriorly. Labrum short and almost straight anteriorly, with a transverse rim of very dense, short and robust setae.
Pronotum widest at posterior third, lateral margins evenly convex, moderately convergent posteriorly and towards moderately produced and sharp anterior angles; posterior angles blunt, rounded at tip; anterior margin with fine, complete marginal line, weakly produced medially; surface densely and finely punctate, densely setose; anterior and lateral borders with dense, long setae; hypomeron carinate at base. Scutellum small, with fine, dense punctures and a few fine setae.
Elytra oblong, widest behind middle, striae weakly impressed, finely and densely punctate; intervals flat, odd ones slightly convex; intervals with fine, dense punctures, punctures on odd intervals concentrated along striae, densely covered with fine, moderately long setae. Epipleural edge fine, ending at moderately curved external apical angle of elytra; epipleura densely setose, apical border with a wide membranous rim of microtrichomes (visible at magnification 100×).
Ventral surface shiny, finely and densely punctate. Metasternum with short, fine setae. Metacoxa glabrous, with a few single setae laterally. Abdominal sternites finely and densely punctate, finely setose, with a transverse row of coarse punctures each bearing a long seta. Mesosternum between mesocoxae as wide as mesofemur. Ratio of length of metepisternum/metacoxa: 1/1.55. Pygidium moderately convex and shiny, finely and densely punctate, without smooth midline; with dense, long setae on disc and beside the apical margin.
Legs slender; femora with two longitudinal rows of setae, finely and densely punctate. Anterior margin of metafemur acute, without adjacent serrated line; posterior margin of metafemur smooth, dorsally and ventrally, in apical half moderately wid- ened, dorsal posterior margin with sparse, fine setae. Metatibia wide and moderately long, widest at two thirds of metatibial length; ratio of width/length: 1/3.0; dorsal margin sharply carinate, with two groups of spines; basal group shortly behind middle of metatibial length, apical group at three quarters of metatibial length; in basal half with a slightly undulated, nearly continuously serrated line and beside it single coarse punctures each bearing a short robust seta; lateral face moderately densely and coarsely punctate, shortly setose; ventral edge finely serrated, with four robust equidistant setae; medial face impunctate; apex weakly truncate interiorly near tarsal articulation. Tarsomeres ventrally with sparse, short setae; not carinate laterally, impunctate dorsally; metatarsomeres with a strongly serrated ventral ridge; first metatarsomere distinctly shorter than following two tarsomeres combined and slightly longer than dorsal tibial spur. Protibia moderately long, bidentate; anterior claws symmetrical, basal tooth of inner claw sharply truncate at apex. Female unknown.
Labroclypeus subtrapezoidal, widest at base; lateral margins weakly convex and moderately convergent towards moderately rounded anterior angles; anterior margin distinctly sinuate medially; margins moderately reflexed; surface moderately convex medially, coarsely and finely but densely punctate, sparsely setose. Frontoclypeal suture finely incised, weakly elevated and moderately angled medially. Smooth area anterior to eye twice as wide as long. Ocular canthus narrow and moderately long, sparsely punctate, glabrous. Frons with coarse and dense punctures, with a few moderately long setae beside eyes. Eyes moderately large, ratio diameter/interocular width: 0.68. Antenna with ten antennomeres, club with four antennomeres and straight, 1.2 times as long as remaining antennomeres combined. Mentum elevated and slightly flattened anteriorly. Labrum short and almost straight anteriorly, with a transverse rim of very dense, short and robust setae.
Pronotum widest at base, lateral margins evenly convex, moderately convergent towards moderately produced and sharp anterior angles; posterior angles blunt, rounded at tip; anterior margin with fine, complete marginal line, weakly produced medially; surface densely and finely punctate, sparsely setose; anterior and lateral borders with sparse, long setae; hypomeron carinate at base. Scutellum small, with fine, dense punctures and a few fine setae.
Elytra oblong, widest behind middle, striae weakly impressed, finely and densely punctate; intervals flat, odd ones slightly convex; intervals with fine, dense punctures, punctures on odd intervals concentrated along striae, densely covered with fine, moderately long setae. Epipleural edge fine, ending at moderately curved external apical angle of elytra; epipleura densely setose, apical border with a wide membranous rim of microtrichomes (visible at magnification 100×).
Ventral surface shiny, finely and densely punctate. Metasternum with short, fine setae. Metacoxa glabrous, with a few single setae laterally. Abdominal sternites finely and densely punctate, finely setose, with a transverse row of coarse punctures each bearing a long seta. Mesosternum between mesocoxae as wide as mesofemur. Ratio of length of metepisternum/metacoxa: 1/1.61. Pygidium moderately convex and shiny, shortly and densely punctate, without smooth midline; with dense, long setae beside the apical margin.
Legs slender; femora with two longitudinal rows of setae, finely and densely punctate. Anterior margin of metafemur acute, without adjacent serrated line; posterior margin of metafemur smooth, dorsally and ventrally, in apical half moderately widened, dorsal posterior margin with sparse, fine setae. Metatibia wide and moderately long, widest at two thirds of metatibial length; ratio of width/length: 1/2.85; dorsal margin sharply carinate, with two groups of spines; basal group shortly behind middle of metatibial length, apical group at three quarters of metatibial length; in basal half with a slightly undulated, nearly continuously serrated line and beside it single coarse punctures each bearing a short robust seta; lateral face moderately densely and coarsely punctate, shortly setose; ventral edge finely serrated, with four robust equidistant setae; medial face impunctate; apex weakly truncate interiorly near tarsal articulation. Tarsomeres ventrally with sparse, short setae; not carinate laterally, impunctate dorsally; metatarsomeres missing in holotype. Protibia moderately long, bidentate; anterior claws symmetrical, basal tooth of inner claw sharply truncate at apex. Female unknown.
Labroclypeus subtrapezoidal, widest at base; lateral margins convex and convergent towards moderately rounded anterior angles; anterior margin distinctly sinuate medi-ally; margins moderately reflexed; surface weakly convex medially, coarsely and finely but densely punctate, densely setose. Frontoclypeal suture finely incised, weakly elevated and moderately angled medially. Smooth area anterior to eye 1.5 times as wide as long. Ocular canthus narrow and moderately long, sparsely punctate, with a few long seta. Frons with coarse and dense punctures mixed with sparse, fine ones, with dense setae being bent posteriorly. Eyes large, ratio diameter/interocular width: 0.71. Antenna with ten antennomeres, club with four antennomeres and straight, as long as remaining antennomeres combined. Mentum elevated and slightly flattened anteriorly. Labrum short and almost straight anteriorly, with a transverse rim of very dense, short and robust setae.
Pronotum widest at base, lateral margins evenly convex and moderately convergent towards moderately produced and sharp anterior angles; posterior angles blunt, rounded at tip; anterior margin with fine, complete marginal line, weakly produced medially; surface densely and finely punctate, densely setose; anterior and lateral borders with dense, long setae; hypomeron carinate at base. Scutellum small, with fine, dense punctures and dense, fine setae.
Elytra oblong, widest behind middle, striae weakly impressed, finely and densely punctate; intervals flat, odd ones slightly convex; intervals with fine, dense punctures, punctures on odd intervals concentrated along striae, densely covered with fine, moderately long setae. Epipleural edge fine, ending at moderately curved external apical angle of elytra; epipleura densely setose, apical border with a wide membranous rim of microtrichomes (visible at magnification 100×).
Ventral surface shiny, finely and densely punctate. Metasternum with short, fine setae. Metacoxa glabrous, with a few single setae laterally. Abdominal sternites finely and densely punctate, finely setose, with a transverse row of coarse punctures each bearing a long seta. Mesosternum between mesocoxae as wide as mesofemur. Ratio of length of metepisternum/metacoxa: 1/1.74. Pygidium moderately convex and shiny, finely and densely punctate, without smooth midline; with dense, long setae on disc and beside the apical margin.
Legs slender; femora with two longitudinal rows of setae, finely and densely punctate. Anterior margin of metafemur acute, without adjacent serrated line; posterior margin of metafemur smooth, dorsally and ventrally, in apical half moderately widened, dorsal posterior margin with sparse, fine setae. Metatibia wide and moderately long, widest at two thirds of metatibial length; ratio of width/length: 1/3.33; dorsal margin sharply carinate, with two groups of spines; basal group shortly behind middle of metatibial length, apical group at three quarters of metatibial length; basally with a few strong short single setae in coarse puncture with serrated borders; lateral face moderately densely and coarsely punctate, shortly setose; ventral edge finely serrated, with four robust equidistant setae; medial face impunctate; apex weakly truncate interiorly near tarsal articulation. Tarsomeres ventrally with sparse, short setae; not carinate laterally, impunctate dorsally; metatarsomeres with a strongly serrated ventral ridge; first metatarsomere distinctly shorter than following two tarsomeres combined and slightly longer than dorsal tibial spur. Protibia moderately long, bidentate; anterior claws symmetrical, basal tooth of inner claw sharply truncate at apex. Aedeagus: Fig. 4I-K. Diagnosis. Neoserica curvipenis sp. n. differs from the two previous species by the extremely widely curved right paramere exceeding significantly beyond the level of the left paramere (in dorsal view).
Etymology. The name of the new species is derived from the combined Latin words, curvi -curved, and penis -aedeagus, with reference to the curved shape of the right paramere.