Pseudolathra ivani nov.sp.

(Figs 7 fb, 7 s7, 7 al, 7av)

Material examined: Holotype: INDIA 39 Madras, Anaimalai H., Valparai 1100 m, 20-11-72, Besuchet Löbl Mussard [MHNG]; 1 paratype: INDIA, Madras, 18 km N de Valparai, 18-XI.72, Besuchet Löbl Mussard [MHNG]; 1 paratype: INDIA, Madras, Nilgiri, 2150-2200 m, Ootacamund, 21-XI-72, Besuchet Löbl Mussard [MHNG]; 2 paratypes: INDIA, Kerala, Cardamon H., entre Pambanar et Peerunade, 950 m., 9-XI-72, Besuchet Löbl Mussard [MHNG, 1 paratype in CRO]

Description: Length: 8.8 mm; length of fore-body: 4.4 mm. Body black, elytra and abdomen pitch-black, mouthparts, antennae and legs reddish-brown. Fore-body: Fig. 7 fb. Head transverse (1.2 x 1.4 mm), eyes large, longer than temples, the latter parallelsided, the posterior margin concave so that postero-lateral angles project behind occiput; surface with 2 punctures on anterior margin, 2 punctures on inner margins of eyes, 2 punctures one behind the other on disc at the level of the anterior half of eyes. a large puncture near posterior ocular puncture, a further 4-5 small punctures in postero-lateral area and the usual transverse row of punctures along posterior margin. Pronotum very slightly broader than long (1.5 x 1.6), broader than head, the sides slightly and evenly rounded, widest at middle; discal series of 5 punctures, lateral series of 4 punctures, with an additional puncture near antennal tubercles and a series of 3 closely spaced punctures on deflexed sides. Elytra as long as broad (1.8 mm), the sides slightly rounded, widest a little behind middle; discal series of ca. 9 punctures, lateral series of 10-12 punctures. Puncturation of abdomen averagely dense, the punctures coarser and denser on tergites III-V, finer anad sparser on following tergites.

Male: sternite VII (Fig. 7 bs7) of characteristic shape, broadly emarginate, the centre of emargination produced into a lobe; puncturation on this lobe and on the areas on either side of it denser that on rest of sternite; margins of the emargination bearing many longer, slightly curling black setae and four short stiff spiniform black setae at the sides; emargination of sternite VIII extending to 3/8 ths the length of sternite; aedoeagus: Figs 7 al, 7av.

This new species resembles other entirely black members of the Nigerrima group; it is larger and broader than P. nigerrima with a more transverse head and coarser pronotal punctures. P. ivani nov.sp. is most obviously characterised by the unusual modification of the male sternite VII and by the aedoeagus.

Etymology: named after Ivan Löbl, who gathered this and other species described in this paper.