A new species of Meligethes Stephens from China and additional data on members of the M. chinensis species-complex (Coleoptera: Nitidulidae, Meligethinae)

Abstract

<em>Meligethes</em> (<em>Odontogethes</em>) <em>inexpectatus</em> sp. n. is described from China, Sichuan Province. The new species is based on a female specimen previously incorrectly referred to as <em>Meligethes</em> <em>scrobescens</em> Chen, Lin, Huang & Yang, 2015, which was recently described from a series of male specimens collected in the same area. Both species belong to the taxonomically difficult species-group related to M. chinensis Kirejtshuk, 1979, including a dozen closely related species distributed throughout Nepal and SW and Central China. The true female of <em>Meligethes scrobescens</em> is also described, based on recently collected material from China (Hubei and Chongqing), including a series of male and female specimens. Diagnostic characters distinguishing the new species from all other known members of the<em> M. chinensis</em> species-group and species-complex are discussed, and their overall range distribution are depicted. Additional data on geographic distribution and larval ecology of some of the closely related species are also reported.