Haliplus (Haliplus) morii sp. nov.

Figs 7, 8, 9, 10, 18D Japanese name: Mizonashi-kogashira-mizumushi

Type series.

Holotype (Fig. 7) [EUMJ] 1 male Ochifushi, Yuza-machi, Yamagata Pref., Japan, 21.II.1993, M. Takahashi leg. Paratypes [EUMJ, HOWP] 11 exs. (male and female) Same data as holotype.

Description.

TL 3.0-3.3 mm, EW 1.5-1.6 mm. Body oval, tapering backwards, widest before the middle (Fig. 7).

Head. Black, strongly and densely punctured, labrum dark yellow. Distance between eyes 1.7-2.0 × width of one eye. Antennae yellow. Palpi yellow.

Pronotum. Yellow to yellowish-brown. Plicae lacking (Fig. 8C). Coarsely punctate near base. Lateral sides margined, nearly straight.

Elytra. Yellow to yellow-brown, dark interrupted lines on primary puncture rows, darkened along suture, sometime indistinct marks connecting primary puncture rows. Completely margined. Primary puncture rows moderately strong, dense in first rows, ~ 36 or 37 punctures in first row. Secondary punctures moderately strong and dense along suture, moderately strong and sparse on intervals. All punctures darkened.

Ventral side. Yellow-brown, legs yellow-brown, slightly darkened towards coxae, elytral epipleura yellow-brown with strong punctures, reaching to sixth sternite. Prosternal process narrowed near coxae, grooved along each side, anterior edge weakly margined, moderately strongly punctured. Metasternal process flat or even slightly bulbous with a row of strong punctures on each side, else moderately punctured, emarginate in apical margin (Fig. 8F). Metacoxal plates reaching to fifth sternite, moderately strongly punctured, near suture weakly punctured, row of setae on posterior edge (Fig. 9C, D). Third and fourth sternites not fused with well indicated depression and around ridge. Fifth and sixth sternite with sparse transverse puncture row, last sternite weakly punctured in apical part. No setiferous striole on dorsal face of hind tibia, longer tibial spur of hind legs 2⁄3 length of first tarsal segment (Fig. 8D).

Male genitalia. Penis carved in apical and basal part; slender and round in apex (Fig. 10A). Right paramere triangular, apex with long setae and lacking small segment (Fig. 10C).

Similar species.

This species may be confused with H. japonicus, but the latter has plicae on the pronotum.

Biology.

The type locality is dominated by rice paddy fields in the plains.

Distribution.

Japan (Tohoku Region).

Etymology.

The species name is dedicated to Mr. Masato Mori, who first noticed the existence of this species.