This genus is distinguished from other genera of Scydmaeninae by the following combination characteristics: body flattened and elongated (Figs 1A, 2A); procoxal cavities broadly open (Fig. 1E); prosternum with a narrow intercoxal carina (Fig. 1E); each elytron with a setose basal fovea (Figs 1B, 2B). For more detailed diagnostic characters and phylogenetic information on this genus, refer to Jałoszyński (2014b).

Figure 1. 

Veraphis odaesanensis sp. nov. A male habitus, dorsal view B male head and pronotum, dorsal view C male protibia D female protibia E meso-, metaventrite.

Figure 2. 

Veraphis myeonggiensis sp. nov. A male habitus, dorsal view B male head and pronotum, dorsal view C male protibia D meso-, metaventrite.

Northern Hemisphere (China, Japan, Korea, USA, Finland, Sweden, Mongolia, Russia (Far East, East Siberia)).

According to Jałoszyński 2024, this genus is primarily found in leaf litter and soil, and all species discovered in China inhabit alpine regions at altitudes above 2000 m. Additionally, species found in Japan are also thought to be distributed in cooler climates. These species are very similar in external morphology, making examination of the aedeagus crucial for species identification. In some species, modifications of the male legs are present, which can be useful for distinguishing species.

Holotype • ♂ NIBR: “Korea: Gangwon Prov. Mt. Odae, Dongsan-ri, Jinbu-myeon, Pyeongchang-gun, 17.VIII.2022, 37°47'14.2"N, 128°33'56.2"E, 897 m, sifting leaf & soil litter, J.-W. Seo, J.-I. Shin” Paratypes Korea: Gangwon Prov. • 1♂1♀ (1♂ genitalia dissected; CBNUIC), Pyeongchang-gun, Jinbu-myeon, Dongsan-ri, 21.IX–02.XI.2022, 37°47'14.2"N, 128°33'56.2"E, 897 m, F.I.T, J.-W. Kang, J-I. Shin • 1♀ (CBNUIC), 02.XI.2022, 37°47'14.2"N, 128°33'56.2"E, 897 m, F.I.T, J.-W. Kang, J-I. Shin • 1♀ (CBNUIC), 17.VIII.2022, 37°47'14.2"N, 128°33'56.2"E, 897 m, sifting soil & leaf litter, J.-W. Seo, J-I. Shin • 8♀♀ (7♀♀ 95% EtOH in tube; CBNUIC), Odaesan-ro 1211-14, Mt. Odae, Sangwonsa, 17.VIII–21.IX.2022, 37°47'14.2"N, 128°33'56.2"E, 897 m, F.I.T, J-I. Shin U.-J. Hwang.

Vertex with two shallow longitudinal grooves extending from posterior margin to posterior 1/2; area between grooves relatively flattened and impressed (Fig. 1B). Protibiae of male with small subapical pin-like projection (Fig. 1D). Metaventrite with shallow longitudinal impression (Fig. 1E). Aedeagus (Fig. 3A–D) strongly elongated and symmetrical, length 0.24 mm. In ventral view, lateral margins of median lobe somewhat parallel, middle of apex weakly protruding, with small shallow punctures in subapical region in ventral view; in lateral view, slightly curved near base and subapical region with strong ventral indentation. Endophallus symmetrical, U-shaped structured. Parameres slender, reaching middle of median lobe; each paramere with two short apical setae and one subapical seta.

Figure 3. 

Aedeagus of Veraphis odaesanensis sp. nov. (A–D) and V. myeonggiensis sp. nov. (E–H) A, C, E, G ventral view B, D, F, H lateral view.

Body length 1.27–1.32 mm; reddish-brown, appendages lighter; flattened and elongated; surface covered yellow hairs (Fig. 1A). Head wider than long, widest across eyes; punctures of surface inconspicuous; hairs short and sparse (Fig. 1B). Temples nearly 1/4 length of eyes, with shorter hairs than those on surface (Fig. 1B). Vertex with small pits on medioposterior margin; two shallow longitudinal grooves extending from posterior margin to posterior 1/2 present; area between grooves relatively flattened and impressed (Fig. 1B). Antennae with distinct distal three-segmented club; antennomere 1 strongly elongate, 2 elongate but weaker than 1, 3 slightly wider than long, 4–6 as long as wide, 5 slightly larger than 4, 6 slightly smaller than 5, 7 subpentagonal, 8 distinctly wider than long, 9–11 forming club (Fig. 1A). Pronotum distinctly wider than head, as long as wide, widest near middle; anterior margin somewhat rounded, lateral margins strongly rounded in anterior 1/3, somewhat parallel in posterior 1/3, posterior angles somewhat right-angled, posterior margin weakly sinuate; pronotal base with shallow median pits and transverse impression, lateral pits distinct; punctures of surface inconspicuous; hairs short and sparse (Fig. 1B). Elytra slightly wider than pronotum, distinctly longer than wide, widest near middle; lateral margins and posterior margin relatively rounded; punctures of surface inconspicuous; hairs short and sparse; each elytron with distinct humeral denticle (Fig. 1A, B). Hind wings well-developed. Metaventrite with shallow longitudinal impression (Fig. 1E). Legs moderately long and slender. Protibiae with small subapical pin-like projection (Fig. 1C). Aedeagus (Fig. 3A–D) strongly elongated and symmetrical, length 0.24 mm. In ventral view, lateral margins of median lobe somewhat parallel, middle of apex weakly protruding, with small shallow punctures in subapical region in ventral view; in lateral view, slightly curved near base and subapical region with strong ventral indentation. Endophallus symmetrical, U-shaped. Parameres slender, reaching middle of median lobe; each paramere with two short apical setae and one subapical seta.

Protibiae without subapical pin-like projection (Fig. 1D).

South Korea (Fig. 4).

Figure 4. 

Distribution map.

The specific epithet is an adjective derived from the type locality ‘Mt. Odaeʼ.

This species was collected from relatively high-altitude mountains in South Korea, at elevations above 800 m. It was frequently captured using flight intercept traps, indicating its ability to fly with well-developed wings. Additionally, it was also collected from soil and leaf litter.

Veraphis odaesanensis can be classified within the japonicus species group based on the characteristics of the male leg, antennae, and aedeagus (Jałoszyński and Hoshina 2005). This species shows clear differences in the aedeagus from the Japanese species. In China, it shares a similar aedeagus with V. assingi Jałoszyński, but the apex of the median lobe is more pointed, and there are significant differences in the morphology of the endophallus and the median lobe in lateral view.

Holotype • ♂ NIBR: “Korea: Gyeonggi Prov. Mt. Myeonggi, 520, Nonnamgi-gil, Buk-myeon, Gapyeong-gun, 5.X.2023, 37°58'12.2"N, 127°24'18.7"E, 402 m, sifting leaf litter & soil, J.-W. Kang, J.-I. Shin”.

Vertex with two shallow longitudinal grooves extending from posterior margin to posterior 1/2; area between grooves relatively flattened and impressed (Fig. 2B). Protibiae of male with small subapical pin-like projection (Fig. 2C). Metaventrite with shallow longitudinal impression (Fig. 2D). Aedeagus (Fig. 3E–H) strongly elongated and symmetrical, length 0.23 mm. In ventral view, median lobe gradually widening from base to apical 1/4, widest at apical 1/4, then slightly narrowing; sides from base to middle somewhat parallel; apex rounded; in lateral view, slightly curved near base and subapical region with strong ventral indentation. Endophallus symmetrical, structure complex. Parameres slender, reaching middle of median lobe; each paramere with two short apical setae and one subapical seta.

Body length 1.14 mm; reddish-brown, appendages lighter; flattened and elongated; surface covered yellow hairs (Fig. 2A). Head wider than long, widest across eyes; punctures of surface inconspicuous; hairs short and sparse (Fig. 2B). Temples nearly 1/4 length of eyes (Fig. 2B). Vertex with small pits on medioposterior margin; two shallow longitudinal grooves extending from posterior margin to posterior 1/2 present; area between grooves relatively flattened and impressed (Fig. 2B). Antennae with distinct distal three-segmented club; antennomere 1 strongly elongate, 2 elongate but less so than 1, 3 slightly wider than long, 4–6 as long as wide, 5 slightly larger than 4, 6 slightly smaller than 5, 7 subpentagonal, 8 distinctly wider than long, 9–11 forming a club (Fig. 2A). Pronotum distinctly wider than head, as long as wide, widest near middle; anterior margin somewhat rounded, lateral margins strongly rounded in anterior 1/3, somewhat parallel in posterior 1/3, posterior angles somewhat right-angled, posterior margin weakly sinuate; pronotal base with shallow median pits and transverse impression, lateral pits distinct; punctures of surface inconspicuous; hairs short and sparse (Fig. 2B). Elytra slightly wider than pronotum, distinctly longer than wide, widest near middle; lateral margins and posterior margin relatively rounded; punctures of surface inconspicuous; hairs short and sparse; each elytron with distinct humeral denticle (Fig. 2A, B). Hind wings well-developed. Metaventrite with shallow longitudinal impression (Fig. 2D). Legs moderately long and slender. Protibiae with small subapical pin-like projection (Fig. 2C). Aedeagus (Fig. 3E–H) strongly elongated and symmetrical, length 0.23 mm. In ventral view, median lobe gradually widening from base to apical 1/4, widest at apical 1/4, then slightly narrowing; sides from base to middle somewhat parallel; apex rounded; in lateral view, slightly curved near base and subapical region with strong ventral indentation. Endophallus symmetrical, complex structured. Parameres slender, reaching middle of median lobe; each paramere with two short apical setae and one subapical seta.

Unknown.

South Korea (Fig. 4).

The specific epithet is an adjective derived from the type locality ‘Mt. Myeonggiʼ.

This species was collected from soil and leaf litter in mixed forest at relatively low altitudes, unlike other previously known species.

Veraphis myeonggiensis can be classified within the japonicus species group based on the characteristics of the male leg, antennae, and aedeagus (Jałoszyński and Hoshina 2005). The aedeagus of this species is similar to that of V. tottoriensis Jałoszyński & Hoshina from Japan. However, the apex of the median lobe is more strongly curved ventrally, and the central structure of the endophallus is absent. Additionally, the parameres are slightly shorter. It also shares a similar aedeagus with V. modestus Jałoszyński but differs in the apex of the median lobe and the structure of the endophallus. Moreover, the overall morphology in lateral view is clearly distinct. Also, this species is externally very similar to E. odaesanensis, but it is smaller in size and clearly differed in the aedeagus.