Key to species of genus Pristosia from the Nepal Himalaya with regard to species of adjacent mountains

1 Species with hind wings fully developed, and with metathoracic episterna distinctly longer than wide; elytral striae punctate. Habitus see Fig. 1. Widely distributed species along southern slopes of Himalaya to Burma and China ...... .................................................................................................................................. Pristosia crenata (Putzeys, 1873)

- Species with hind wings reduced to small scales, and with metathoracic episterna approximately as long as wide. Elytral striae impunctate ............................................................................................................................................... 2

2 Amara -like species, with pronotal sides not or only slightly constricted toward base, and with pronotal base as broad as elytral base (Figs. 2, 12). Surface of elytra with a slightly greenish or bluish metallic tinge. Species from Eastern Himalaya (Eastern Nepal to Bhutan) .................................................................... Pristosia amaroides (Putzeys, 1877)

- Body form not Amara -like, with pronotal sides distinctly constricted toward base (Figs. 3, 4). Body surface +/- shiny black or dark brown, without metallic tinge ................................................................................................................. 3

3 Third elytral interval usually with two (seldom one) setigerous pore punctures behind middle of elytra ................... 4

- Third elytral interval without setigerous pore punctures .............................................................................................. 5

4 Meshes of female elytral microsculpture as long as wide and scale-like in anterior 2/3, but slightly transverse with surface of sculpticells flat in posterior 1/3. Aedeagal median lobe, in dorsal view, more slender, with sides parallel in middle and with apical lamella shorter (Figs. 16, 17). Species from eastern Kumaon Himalaya close to the Nepalese border ................................................................................................................ Pristosia championi (Andrewes, 1934)

- Mesh pattern of female elytral microsculpture isodiametric throughout, with surface of sculpticells flat, not scalelike. Aedeagal median lobe, in dorsal view, somewhat broader, with sides only subparallel but with apical lamella longer (Figs. 18–19). Species from Api Himal, Far Western Nepal ..................................... Pristosia nepalensis sp. n.

5 Pronotal hind angles almost rectangular (Fig. 13). Species from eastern Kumaon Himalaya close to the Nepalese border ...................................................................................................................... Pristosia atrema (Andrewes, 1926)

- Pronotal hind angles completely rounded. Species from Western and Far Western Nepal .......................................... 6

6 Eyes somewhat larger, as long as antennal scapus, and with temporae about 2/3 of eye diameter. Aedeagal internal sac, in dorsal view, with longitudinal folding on right side of ostium not connected with the transverse folding of median lobe middle (Fig. 24). Species from Saipal Himal, Far Western Nepal ....................... Pristosia similata sp. n.

- Eyes smaller, distinctly shorter than antennal scapus, and with temporae about 3/4 of eye diameter. Aedeagal internal sac, in dorsal view, with longitudinal folds connected with the transverse folding of middle of aedeagal median lobe on both sides of ostium (Figs. 30–40)................................................................................................................... 7

7 Aedeagal median lobe more slender with apical lamella longer; internal sac with sclerotized folding in distal portion shorter (Fig. 40). Species from south slope of Api Himal, Far Western Nepal ....................... Pristosia glabella sp. n.

- Aedeagal median lobe broader with apical lamella shorter, internal sac more extensively sclerotized (Figs. 30–38). Species from southern and western slopes of Kanjiroba massif and Sisne Himal, Western Nepal. Pristosia dahud Morvan, 1994 ................................................................................................................................................................8

8 Female elytra dull in anterior half due to scale-like micro meshes. Pronotum usually more slender, almost as long as wide, with lateral gutter very narrow and only slightly expanded toward base (Figs. 6, 7, 9, but see also transition to ssp. polita in a population of Khari Lagna range, Fig. 8). Aedeagal median lobe usually distinctly smaller, in lateral view with ventral side almost straight toward apex (Figs. 34–38, but see also transition to ssp. polita in a population of Khari Lagna range, Figs. 32, 33) .................................................................... Pristosia dahud dahud Morvan, 1994

- Female elytra similar to male, shiny throughout due to weakly engraved meshes of microsculpture; mesh pattern slightly transverse or isodiametric. Pronotum broader, somewhat wider as long, with lateral gutter more strongly expanded toward base (Fig. 5). Aedeagal median lobe larger, in lateral view with ventral side convexly rounded before apex (Figs. 30, 31) ................................................................................................ Pristosia dahud polita ssp. n.