New record of the cockroach genus Pseudophoraspis (Blaberidae, Epilamprinae) from China with descriptions of three new species

Abstract The genus Pseudophoraspis Kirby, 1903 with three new species, Pseudophoraspis clavellata sp. n., Pseudophoraspis recurvata sp. n. and Pseudophoraspis incurvata sp. n., are reported from China for the first time. This extends the range of this genus northward from Vietnam. Species studied in the present paper are illustrated and described, and a key to these species based on males is provided.

Female. Usually shorter and wider than male (Figs 3-4). Eyes smaller and widely separated, distance between eyes about 0.39 times width of head (Fig. 4). Pronotum, tegmina and abdomen brownish-yellow, covered with scattered brown spots (Fig. 3). Facial part of head with large brown spot same as the male (Fig. 4). Dorsal part of body more convex than in male. Tegmina and wings shorter than the male, with posterior margin slightly emarginate (Figs 3-4). Description. Body yellowish-brown. Head yellowish-brown, the dark spots on facial part same as Pseudophoraspis fruhstorferi (Figs 5-6). Pronotum and tegmina densely scattered with small brown spots (Fig. 5). Tegmina pale brown with half of radius vein from base yellowish white and scattered with dark brown spots (Fig. 5). Coxae and anterior margin of femora dark brown (Fig. 6). Middle part of abdomen with two brown stripes ( Fig. 6). Hypandrium with large brown spots (Fig. 6).
Distance between eyes about 0.4 times width of head. Ocellus slightly smaller than scrobe and ocellus width slightly narrower than interocular width (Fig. 6). Pronotum completely covering vertex, rhomboidal, smooth and impunctate (Fig. 5). Tegmina and wings well-developed, exceeding the abdomen and with posterior margin rounded (Figs 5-6). Fore femur with 7 spines along anterior margin and 2 apical spines. 1st segment of hind tarsus with plantula occupied apically and spines along most of its length.
Distribution. China (Yunnan); Vietnam. Remarks. Apodema of complex L1 of this species is short and approximately triangular, which is obviously different from others, whose apodemas of complex L1 are longer and approximately rectangular.
Vertex completely concealed by pronotum (Figs 11, 12). Distance between eyes about 0.2 times width of head. Ocellus same as scrobe and ocellus width equal to interocular width (Fig. 12). Pronotum broad and rhomboidal, with anterior margin curved and posterior margin obtusely produced; with punctures and two crescentic depressions on disc (Fig. 11). Tegmina and wings fully-developed, exceeding the abdomen and with apex rounded (Figs 11-12). Fore femur with 5 or 6 spines along anterior margin and one single apical spine. First segment of hind tarsus with spines along most part of its length; plantula apically occupying the terminal.
Etymology. The specific epithet "recurvatus" is derived from Latin, referring to apical outgrowth of sclerite L2d bending outwards.
Vertex completely concealed by pronotum (Figs 13-14). Distance between eyes about 0.2 times width of head. Ocellus same as scrobe and ocellus width equal to interocular width (Fig. 14). Pronotum punctured and with two crescentic depressions on disc, rhomboidal, broader than long; with anterior margin curved and posterior margin obtusely produced (Fig. 13). Tegmina and wings fully-developed, apex rounded . Fore femur with 5 or 6 spines along anterior margin and 2 apical spines. First segment of hind tarsus with spines along most of its length and plantula occupying the terminal. Each tergite with a small ridge in the middle.
Distribution. China (Hainan). Remarks. The species is similar to Pseudophoraspis recurvata sp. n., but can be distinguished by characters as follows: 1) the body larger than that of the latter, 2) apical outgrowth of sclerite L2d rough and bending inwards, while the latter straight and with apex slightly bending outwards.
Etymology. The specific name is from the Latin word "incurvatus", referring to apical outgrowth of sclerite L2d bending inwards.
Vertex completely covered by pronotum. Distance between eyes at vertex is 0.3 times the width of head. Ocellus oval, much smaller than scrobes and ocellus width equal to interocular width (Fig. 10). Pronotum rhomboidal and with anterior margin curved, posterior margin obtusely produced; with punctures and two crescentic depressions on disc (Fig. 9). Tegmina and wings fully-developed, apex rounded (Figs 9-10). Fore femur with 4 or 6 spines along anterior margin and 1 apical spine. First segment of hind tarsus with 2 rows of spines along most of its length and plantula occupying the terminal (Fig. 58).

Remarks.
Pseudophoraspis clavellata sp. n. is similar to Pseudophoraspis incurvata sp. n., but can be distinguished by the following characters: 1) ocellus small (larger in Pseudophoraspis incurvata sp. n.); 2) tegmina variegated with irregular brown spots (tegmina yellowish brown scattered with regular and round brown spots in Pseudophoraspis incurvata sp. n.); 3) apical outgrowth of sclerite L2d more or less straight and slender (bending inwards and with apex pointed in Pseudophoraspis incurvata sp. n.).
Etymology. The specific epithet is derived from the Latin word "clavellatus", referring to apical outgrowth of sclerite L2d being nearly straight and slender.