Laena gialaica n. sp. (Fig. 2)

Holotype (Ψ): C Vietnam, Gialai/Kontum Prov., Ngoc Linh Mts., Dak Pek, 1100–2200 m, 22.–30.I.1997, leg. L. & R. Businský, CSBC.

Etymology: Named after the Gialai Province in the central highlands of Vietnam, where the holotype was collected in the Kontum Province boundary region.

Diagnosis: Can be recognized by the disc­like flat pronotum with the somewhat protruding anterior corners and distinctly bordered lateral margins, distinctly shagreened surface on the pronotum and elytra, the naked elytra and unarmed legs. Laena thailandica Kaszab & Chûjô, 1966 from southern Thailand is somewhat similar, but differs in the shape of the pronotum, the larger dorsal punctures, dorsal surface shining (compare Figs 2, 16). Other known species from northern Vietnam show no similarities to Laena gialaica n. sp.

Description: Body length 4.5 mm. Eyes not prominent. Pronotum (Fig. 2) with fine, scattered punctures, distance between 2–6 diameters, a few punctures bearing long seta; surface flat, shagreened; lateral margin distinctly bordered, crenulate; propleura with similar punctation. Elytra (Fig. 2) with complete rows of dense punctures without striae, equal in size to pronotal punctures, without setae; intervals without punctures; all intervals slightly convex, shagreened; anterior part of interval 5 with 5 indistinct setiferous pores, humeral region of interval 7 with 2 indistinct setiferous pores, interval 9 with 5 distinct setiferous pores. Femora without distinct tooth or other modification. Sexual dimorphism unknown. Aedeagus unknown, only female available.

Remarks: This is the only as yet known species from the central highlands, whereas all other Vietnamese species originate from the northern mountains.