Epilachna echinata Pang et Ś lipi ń ski sp. nov. (Figs. 26 a–j)

Etymology. The species epithet is derived from the Latin echinatus, meaning prickly, referring to several thorns in the subapical part of the penis.

Diagnosis. The peculiar penis, bearing several subapical thorns of E. echinata is practically identical to E. siphonechinulata Zeng, 1996, but the new species differs in the pronotum having two separate spots, a broad and apically incised penis guide, and parameres about as long as the penis guide.

Description. Length 6.9 mm. TL/EW=1.57; PL/PW=0.57; EL/EW=1.20; EL/PL=3.31. Body oval. Dorsum yellowish brown or brown; pronotum with two separate spots. Elytra with 5 pairs of black spots, arranged as 2-2-1 on each elytron; none of the spots reach anterior edge of elytron, lateral margin or elytral suture; median spots usually connected, forming transverse band (Figs. 26 a-c). Abdominal postcoxal line incomplete, extending posteriorly to 0.7 of ventrite length (Fig. 26 e).

Male genitalia (Figs. 26 f-j): Penis weakly sclerotised, with distinct T-shaped capsule; apical part with several thorns, as in Fig. 26 i. Female genitalia: ovipositor narrow, coxites elongate, as in Fig. 26 d.

Types. Holotype (male), Sichuan: Jinfoshan, 1998.vi.24.29, J. Schneider (NHMB) (No. CHC-0207). Paratypes: Shaanxi: Qinling mts., 1998.v.23–vi.13, I.H. Marshal (2, NHMB; 1, SYSM).

Distribution. Shaanxi, Sichuan.