Species of Parallelodemas can be recognized by characteristically elongate body (Fig. 1), medially notched epistome (which often is worn in females) and exodontous mandibles with evenly convex inner face (Fig. 3). Superficially, they resemble species of the conoderine subtribe Phaenomerina (see Morimoto 1961), but those have incrassate, ventrally dentate femora and larger eyes. The characters on the mandible and epistome separate Parallelodemas from certain grass- and sedge-associated, primarily Palaeotropical Baridinae with similarly slender rostrum and elongate body. The latter complex includes Eumycterus Schönherr, 1838; Trephognathus Marshall, 1945; Neosharpia Hoffmann, 1956; Caenobaris Nasreddinov, 1980; Lepidomyctides Yoshihara & Morimoto, 1994 and several species currently placed in other genera.

Figure 1. 

Parallelodemas docile, dorsal habitus (length 5.2 mm).

Yoshihara and Morimoto (1994) recognized that Parallelodemas tarsale Voss, 1937 is a species near Eumycterus and Lepidomyctides but they had very little material of those genera. We studied five Oriental species near P. tarsale (BPBM, IZCAS, SNSD, ZIN) and several species of Caenobaris, Eumycterus, Neosharpia and Trephognathus Marshall from Africa, Central Asia and India. While Eumycterus and its probable synonym Trephognathus can be distinguished by vertically moving mandibles (Marshall 1945; Korotyaev 2002), we were unable to recognize or to confirm the generic limits of the remaining species. We transfer here P. tarsale to Lepidomyctides in the widest sense, as Lepidomyctides tarsalis (Voss), new combination.

Habitus: Total length 3.0–7.8 mm, width 0.8–2.2 mm; body slender subcylindrical (Fig. 1); integument black or brown, appendages and ventrites sometimes rufous; vestiture uniform or locally condensed to short vittae, setae either simple, squamiform, scalloped, deeply split or plumose. Head: Subspherical, contour often slightly warped at rostral base; eyes large, slightly encroaching on rostrum, bulging or flush with head contour, dorsally separated by width of rostrum at base; frontal fovea small to moderate; rostrum moderately elongate and slender, slightly curved, female with apical portion slightly inflated (Fig. 2); epistome produced and more or less notched, often worn off in females (Fig. 3); scrobe laterally descending, antenna inserted between midlength and apical fourth; funicle with 7 desmomeres; club compact, spindle-shaped, basal article approximately as long as remainder of club, not annexed to distal desmomere; mandibles with apparently abducent movement (away from center line and slightly ventrad), outer face with 1 large and 1–2 small secondary teeth, inner face convex and without teeth (Fig. 3). Prothorax: Barrel-shaped, elongate, nearly as wide as elytra. Anterior margin of pronotum not projected over frons, subapical constriction absent; basal margin bisinuous to accommodate projecting base of elytron; postoccular lobe feeble or absent. Prosternum without median channel, rarely slightly depressed in front of coxae; subapical constriction slight to moderate; basal lobe partially projected over mesosternum, with basal margin bifurcate or (rarely) truncate. Pterothorax: Mesoscutellum visible, trapezoid to subquadrate. Mesosternum unmodified. Mesepimeron smaller and narrower than mesepisternum, ascending between pronotum and elytron and visible in dorsal view. Metasternum medially depressed in male, flat or convex in female. Elytra: Elongate, sides subparallel, apices rounded individually, humerus developed, subapical callus feeble or absent, base at interstriae 3–6 slightly depressed and somewhat projected; striae 10, narrow but distinct, strial punctures not or slightly affecting edge of interstriae, strial setae absent; interstriae flat, punctate to transversely rugose, interstrial setae uniform or heterogeneous, modified setae restricted to basal and submedian vittae if present. Hindwings: Fully developed, length-width ratio 3.4–3.7, fore margin basally concave, anal lobe moderate, hind margin with setal fringe; venation agreeing with modal arrangement of subfamily (Zherikhin and Gratshev 1995). Abdomen: Ventrites unmodified, not or indistinctly sexually dimorphic. Sclerolepidia small to medium-sized, densely packed, digitate. Stridulatory devices absent. Male genitalia and associated structures: Tergite VII without plectra for stridulation; tergite VIII shorter than wide, distally without transverse carina; sternite VIII laterally with sclerotized pyriform area, medially desclerotized; sternite IX variously strongly curved, distal prongs narrowly to widely diverging but always symmetrical; penis dorsoventrally depressed, longer than basal apodemes; internal sac extending approximately to midlength of apodemes when inverted, with sclerite at insertion of duct or with pigmented flagellum; tegmen with ring dorsally closed, basal apodeme obsolete, parameroidal lobes developed. Female genitalia and associated structures: Tergite VII longer than wide, without transverse carina, setal vestiture squamiform basally and piliform distally, plectra for stridulation absent; sternite VIII distally forked into weakly sclerotized, widely dilated, U-shaped arms; hemisternite pigmented, stylus 1.9–2.2× as long as wide, distal setae half as long as stylus; bursa pouch-like, half as long as vagina; spermatheca sclerotized, collum short, often somewhat bulbous, ramus inserted on outer face of collum (facing away from cornu), rudimentary to long; spermathecal duct unpigmented, at most slightly longer than spermatheca, inserted distally in bursa. Legs: Procoxae separated by less than 1/3 diameter of coxa; pro- and mesofemora clavate, hindfemur less expanded and often partially sulcate ventrally; tibiae straight to curved (depending on ventral profile of femur), ventrodistal spine spiniform, robust and large on pro- and mesotibiae but somewhat smaller on metatibia; tarsus with 5 segments, third with anterior margin faintly to deeply excised, fifth long to greatly reduced, claws flat and basally fused, or miniaturized and medially fused to single blade.

Figure 2. 

Rostrum of P. impar, male (left) and female (right), lateral view.

Figure 3. 

Rostrum of P. plumosum, male (left) and female (right), dorsal view, showing apex with epistome and mandibles.

With the six new species described in this study, Parallelodemas includes now a total of twelve. The scarce material gives an unrepresentative picture of the distributional ranges of individual species. Species of Parallelodemas have been found in China, India, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Taiwan and Vietnam. Their distribution is primarily Oriental but several reach the Palaeartic part of China, northward up to Shaanxi and Zhejiang.

The host plant of Parallelodemas apparently is unknown. One specimen of P. docile is labeled as being taken from Buttontree, Anogeissus acuminata (Roxburgh ex Candolle) Guillemin et al. (Combretaceae). Other specimens were swept from low vegetation. Females with fully developed eggs occur from late April to early June.

Rostrum. Species of Parallelodemas exhibit marked sexual dimorphism of characters on the rostrum. Females generally have a longer and smoother rostrum than males, with a more basally inserted antenna and slightly inflated apical portion (Fig. 2). Gender-related differences in the basal width of the rostrum (Fig. 8) are apparent but often inconspicuous. The ventral side of the rostrum is setose in male P. impar, P. petilum and P. plumosum. However, the most striking difference, the length and shape of the epistome, may be acquired secondarily rather than being truly sexually dimorphic. Nearly all examined males have a projected, medially notched epistome, whereas it is almost always short and truncate in females (Fig. 3). However, the presence of projected epistomes in some female P. feae, P. impar, P. imperfectum and P. setifrons suggests a secondary loss, probably through abrasion during the preparation of oviposition sites, because the distally divergent mandibles afford no protection of the epistome as in other weevils. However, this needs to be confirmed with freshly emerged specimens and field observations.

Antenna. Males generally have a longer scape than females (usually as long as the funicle). The distal margins of the male scape can be setose, such as in P. impar (Fig. 2).

Mandible. At a first glance, it appears as if Parallelodemas has swapped the left with the right mandible or rotated them by 180 degrees (Fig. 3). The inner face not only lacks any trace of incisors, it also is evenly convex from base to apex and seems therefore dysfunctional. Moreover, the outer face is concave and armed with two apparently ordinary incisors, just like the inner mandibular face of most baridine weevils. However, three landmarks on the mandible leave no doubt that the seemingly abducent mandibular movement evolved by reversing the function of the abductor and adductor tendons rather than by rotating the mandible, a trend seen in some weevils with a very slender rostrum (Marshall 1945): (1) The dorsal and ventral mandibular sockets (preartis and postartis) are formed and located as in other Baridinae; (2) the mandibular setae are located on the outer face (between the basal incisors); and (3) the pharyngeal process is attached to the inner basal angle of the mandible. From this it follows that the incisors on the outer face are secondarily evolved structures and analogous to the inner incisors of other weevils. Morimoto and Yoshihara (1996) suggested an inversion of the mandibular movement from adducent to abducent. The laterally deeply excised mandibular articulation and widely divergent mandibles in many mounted specimens support this conclusion. Unfortunately, we could obtain neither direct field observations nor fresh specimens for scanning the abductor and adductor tendons.

Eye. While almost all Baridinae have eyes that are flush with the head contour, they are protruded in several Parallelodemas species. The eyes of male P. setifrons protrude more than those of females (Fig. 8), but the dorsal and ventral distance between them and their circumference are not affected. The increased eye surface affords more facets in the male but facet diameter is the same.

Leg. Several Parallelodemas species have large, deviant setae on the mesotarsus which crowd toward the distal (outer) half. These setae are arranged asymmetrically on the fifth (claw-bearing) tarsite and are much larger and more numerous in males than in females (Figs 6, 7). The individual tarsites, in particular the fifth, are often more elongate in males than in females. Males often have faintly thicker pro- and mesofemora than females.

Figures 4–7. 

Left mesotarsus of Parallelodemas, dorsal view: 4. P. docile; 5. P. imperfectum; 6. P. vicinum, male; 7. P. vicinum, female. Not to scale.

Figure 8. 

Parallelodemas setifrons, dorsal view of head showing sexually dimorphic protrusion of eyes and rostral width (left male, right female).

Tergites. Like in other Baridinae, the eighth tergite is developed in males but internalized in females. Because the distal external tergite protrudes beyond the elytral apex well enough to expose the suture between the seventh and eighth tergites in males, this character is very useful for sexing specimens.

Ventrites. The male metaventrite is medially depressed and, together with the first abdominal ventrite, may have less setae than the female’s. Voss (1941) mentioned a sexually dimorphic basal process on the prosternum of P. impar, but he either had a mixed series or his observation was incorrect.

This small species can be recognized by the presence of slender, bi- or trifid setae on the thoracic ventrites and ventrally glabrous male rostrum. Parallelodemas petilum is the only other known species with such setae but the male rostrum is hirsute.

Length 3.6–4.3 mm, width 1.0–1.2 mm; integument dark brown, antenna, tarsus, apex of female rostrum and often other parts of leg brown or rufous; ventral side and pygidium with simple, slender setae, thoracic sterna also with bi- and some trifid setae, basic vestiture of fine setae on pronotum and elytron, somewhat larger white setae at base of elytral interstria 3 and postmedially on interstriae 3 and 4; eyes slightly bulging; frons and base of rostrum with some recumbent setae; male rostrum 1.07× as long as pronotum, ventrally without setae, prorostrum 0.41–0.42× rostral length, slightly spatulate and apically diverging in dorsal view, epistome slightly notched, antennal scape with a few long setae, club 1.7× as long as wide; female rostrum 1.02–1.11× as long as pronotum, prorostrum 0.47–0.51× rostral length; prosternum gradually sloping in front of coxa, basal lobe notched; all femora hirsute ventrally; tarsus with tarsite 3 relatively small and excised to basal third, tarsite 5 shorter than 2+3 and distinctly protruding beyond anterior margin of 3, male mesotarsus with long, distally pointed setae; penis 2.5× as long as wide, apex roundly narrowed and slightly projected medially (Fig. 12), internal sac with harpoon-like sclerite and small sclerotized area near duct; spermatheca with nodulus and ramus short (Fig. 21).

The species is known only from China (Guizhou).

Holotype: China, Guizhou Province, Suiyang County, Kuankuoshui [宽阔水] Natural Reserve, Xiangguang Village [香广山村], 27.9798 N 107.1661 E, 1550 m, 4.vi.2010 [#1500871], Wang Zhiliang [王志良], male (IZCAS). Paratypes (3 males, 10 females): CHINA. Guizhou: Suiyang, Kuankuoshui Natural Reserve, Forestry Station Holiday Center, 1206 m, 5.vi.2010 [#1500879], Wang Zhiliang (IZCAS 1); Suiyang, Kuankuoshui Natural Reserve, Gongtong ravine, 6.vi.2010 [#1500880], Nie Cuie (IZCAS 1); Suiyang, Kuankuoshui Natural Reserve, Jinzi Village, 3.vi.2010 [#1500876–78], Wang Zhiliang (IZCAS 3); Suiyang, Kuankuoshui Natural Reserve, Xiangguang Village, 4.vi.2010 [#1500872–74], 8.vi.2010 [#1500875], Wang Zhiliang (IZCAS 4); Suiyang, Kuankuoshui Natural Reserve, 3.vi.2010 [#1500867–68], 4.vi.2010 [#1500869], Liu Wangang (IZCAS 3); Suiyang, Kuankuoshui Natural Reserve, Baishao ravine, 8.vi.2010 [#1500882], Nie Cuie (IZCAS 1).

The name is a participle presence active of dimeto (=to delimit, to mark-off; Latin).

Our material includes seven small specimens from three sites (3 Shaanxi, 1 Sichuan, 3 Vietnam), which form a close-nit complex of probably three species. They have bulging eyes, thoracic ventrites with bifid setae, a ventrally setose male rostrum and a slender penis with very long flagellum. Differences occur in the apical shape of the penis (Shaanxi – triangular; Sichuan – narrowly rounded; Vietnam – slightly projected) and the first abdominal ventrite (Vietnamese specimens with a pair of tubercles between the metacoxae). We describe the three specimens from Shaanxi as P. petilum and informally assign to this complex the four others. Similar species are P. dimetans (with nearly flush eyes) and P. setifrons (with plumose setae).

Length 3.0–3.7 mm, width 0.8–1.0 mm; integument dark brown to nearly black, appendages partially light brown; meso- and metathoracic sternites with bi- and trifid setae, pronotum and elytron with basic vestiture of very fine setae; eyes bulging; frons and base of rostrum with recumbent setae; male rostrum 0.93–1.12× as long as pronotum, ventrally with long setae, prorostrum 0.39–0.40× rostral length, slightly spatulate and apically diverging in dorsal view, epistome moderately deeply notched, antennal scape with a few long setae, club 2.6× as long as wide; female rostrum 1.14× as long as pronotum, prorostrum 0.50× rostral length; prosternum gradually sloping in front of coxa, basal lobe moderately notched; all femora hirsute ventrally; tarsus with tarsite 3 excised to basal third, tarsite 5 as long as 2 and distinctly protruding beyond anterior margin of 3, male mesotarsus with moderately long, clavate, outward directed setae; penis 7× as long as wide, apex triangularly narrowed (as P. plumosum, Fig. 14), with sclerotized flagellum almost as long as penis and apodemes combined; spermatheca with collum and nodulus forming poorly differentiated bulbous unit, ramus as long as wide (Fig. 22).

The species (in the strict sense) is known from the Chinese province Shaanxi.

Holotype: China, Shaanxi Province, Huoditang forest farm [火地塘林场], 1559 m, 33.4343 N 108.4480 E, 14.viii.2013, Jiang Chunyan [姜春燕], male, dissected, #1941160 (IZCAS). Paratypes (1 male, 1 female): same data as holotype, male, #1941162 (IZCAS 1), female, #1941161 (IZCAS 1). Other material: CHINA. Sichuan: Mount E’mei, Jiulao cave, 1800–1900 m, 1.viii.1957 [#1500865], Lu Youcai, male (IZCAS 1). VIETNAM. Cao Bang Prov.: Mount Pia Oac, 7.vi.2011, S. Lingafelter, 2 males, 1 female (IZCAS 1, JPPC 2).

The name is a Latin adjective for slender or gaunt.

This species can be distinguished from P. setifrons, the other known species with plumose setae, by glabrous frons and slightly protruding eyes in both sexes. Parallelodemas dimetans and P. petilum have at most trifid setae.

Length 3.6–5.4 mm, width 1.0–1.4 mm; integument black, antenna and tarsi dark brown; ventral side with plumose setae, pygidium with bifid setae, pronotum and elytron with basic vestiture of very fine setae, elytron also with short vittae of plumose white setae at base of interstria 3 and postmedially on interstriae 3–5; eyes very slightly bulging; frons and base of rostrum with a few recumbent setae; male rostrum 0.94–1.06× as long as pronotum, ventrally without setae, prorostrum 0.40–0.43× rostral length and slightly spatulate in dorsal view, epistome moderately notched, antennal scape with a few long setae, club 1.8× as long as wide; female rostrum 1.00–1.04× as long as pronotum, prorostrum 0.49–0.51× rostral length; prosternum gradually sloping in front of coxa, basal lobe truncate; pro- and mesofemora hirsute ventrally; tarsus with tarsite 3 moderately large and excised to basal third, tarsite 5 nearly as long as 1 and distinctly protruding beyond anterior margin of 3, with long, distally unmodified setae in both sexes; penis 3× as long as wide, roundly narrowed to subtriangular tip (Fig. 14), internal sac with harpoon-like sclerite; spermatheca with nodulus short and thick, ramus as long as wide (Fig. 24).

The species occurs in China (Fujian, Hainan) and Taiwan.

Holotype: China, Fujian Province, Jianyang [建阳], Chong’an Xin Village [崇安星村], Sangang [三港], 740 m, 27.7489 N 117.6831 E, Pu Fuji [蒲富基], 14.v.1965, male, dissected, #1799537 (IZCAS). Paratypes (13 males, 6 females): CHINA. Fujian: Jianyang, Chong’an Xin Village, Qili Bridge, 12.vii.1963 [#1500864], Zhang Youwei (IZCAS 1); Jianyang, Chong’an Xin Village, Sangang, 29.v.1960 [#1799132], 4.vi.1960 [#1500862], 7.vi.1960 [#1799540], Jiang Shengqiao (IZCAS 3), 6.vii.1960 [#1799529], Pu Fuji (IZCAS 1), Zhang Yiran (IZCAS 1), 14.v.1965 [#1500863]; Jianyang, Chong’an Tongmuguan Guanping, 22.v.1960 [#1799136], Jiang Shengqiao (IZCAS 1); Mount Wuyi, Guadun, 3.vii.1982 [#1500861], Jiang Fan (IZCAS 1). Hainan: Qiongzhong, Mount Wuzhi, ancient plant path, 29.vii.2009 [#1500852], Liang Hongbin (IACAS 1), 30.xi.2009 [#1879661–62, #1879689], Zhang Kuiyan & Lin Meiying (IZCAS 3); Qiongzhong, Mount Wuzhi, main peak, 28.xi.2009 [#1879660], Huang Lina (IZCAS 1); Qiongzhong, Mount Wuzhi, Shuiman Village, 30.vii.2009 [#1500853–54], Huang Xinglei (IZCAS 2); Mount Diaoluo, Holiday Village, 12.xii.2008 [#1500851], Wang Zhiliang (IZCAS 1). TAIWAN. Nanjing: Wushe, 3.v.1983 (2×), 10.v.1983, H. Townes (CMNC 3).

The name is a Latin adjective meaning plumed, or with feathers.

Useful characters for identification are plumose setae, hirsute frons and sexually dimorphic eyes. Parallelodemas petilum is similar but has at most trifid setae and a ventrally hirsute male rostrum.

Length 3.0–3.9 mm, width 0.9–1.0 mm; integument dark brown, antenna, legs and apex of rostrum light brown; meso- and metathoracic sterna with plumose setae (condensed on metepisternum), prosternum, abdominal ventrites and pygidium mostly with bi- and trifid setae, pronotum and elytron with basic vestiture of fine setae, elytron also with short vittae of white, moderately wide, simple or bifid setae at base and postmedially on interstriae 3–5; eyes distinctly (male) or slightly (female) bulging; frons and base of rostrum with recumbent setae; male rostrum 0.84–0.90× as long as pronotum, ventrally with long setae, prorostrum 0.43–0.48× rostral length and slightly spatulate in dorsal view, epistome slightly notched, antennal scape without long setae, club 1.4–2.4× as long as wide (depending on length of rostrum); female rostrum 0.84–1.00× as long as pronotum, prorostrum 0.49–0.57× rostral length; prosternum gradually sloping in front of coxa, basal lobe notched; all femora hirsute ventrally; tarsus with tarsite 3 relatively small and excised to basal third, tarsite 5 nearly as long as 1 and distinctly protruding beyond anterior margin of 3, male mesotarsus with moderately long, clavate, outward directed setae; penis 2.5× as long as wide, with small, apically rounded projection (Fig. 15), internal sac medially with small, fennel-seed-like sclerite and with sclerotized area with spinose lateral projection near duct; spermatheca (Fig. 24) with nodulus as long as wide and perpendicular to long axis of collum, ramus as long as nodulus.

The species is known from China (Fujian, Guangdong, Guizhou, Hunan).

Holotype: China, Fujian, Jianyang, Chong’an Xin Village [崇安星村], Sangang [三港], 27.7489 N 117.6831 E, 740 m, 29.v.1960, Zuo Yong [左永], male, dissected, #1799533 (IZCAS). Paratypes (5 males, 14 females): CHINA. Fujian: Dazhulan, Shaowu, 19.–25.v.1945 [#1941180] (IZCAS 1); Kuatun [=Guatun], 5.v.1938 (2×), 5.vi.1938, J. Klapperich (AKMB 3); Jianyang, Huangkeng Changba, 8.iv.1960 [#1500856], Jiang Shengqiao (IZCAS 1); Jianyang, Huangkeng Guilin, 5.iv.1960 [#1799536, #1799549], 14.iv.1960 [#1799139, #1799158], Jiang Shengqiao (IZCAS 4); Jianyang, 17.v.1965 [#1500855] (IZCAS 1); Jianyang, Sangang, Chong’an Xin Village, 14.v.1960 [#1799135], Pu Fuji (IZCAS 1), 29.v.1960 [#1799533], Zuo Yong (IZCAS 1). Guangdong: Ruyuan, Huangling, Mount Xiaohuang, 18.vii.2008 [#1799020], Li Yingchao (IZCAS 1); Nanling, Ruyang Natural Reserve Station, 19.vii.2008 [#1799016], Li Yingchao (IZCAS 1). Guizhou: Kuankuoshui Natural Reserve, Gongtong ravine, 7.vi.2010 [#1500866], Nie Cuie (IZCAS 1); Suiyang, Kuankuoshui Natural Reserve, Jinzi Village, 3.vi.2010 [#1500859], Wang Zhiliang (IZCAS 1); Suiyang, Kuankuoshui Natural Reserve, Xiangguang Village, Suiyang, 4.vi.2010 [#1500857–58], Wang Zhiliang (IZCAS 2); Suiyang, Kuankuoshui Natural Reserve, 4.vi.2010 [#1500860], Liu Fanggang (IZCAS 1). Hunan: Yizhang, Mount Mang, forest park west gate, 17.vii.2008 [#1799015], Li Yingchao (IZCAS).

The name is a Latin noun in apposition composed of seta and frons.

The large, subcordate third and relatively short fifth tarsite (Fig. 4) are diagnostic for this species. Parallelodemas imperfectum Faust, the only other species with enlarged third tarsite, has an extremely miniaturized fifth tarsite (incorrectly stated to be absent by Faust 1894). Other useful characters are the short male rostrum and presence of dense vestiture on the distal three fourths of the metepisternum.

Length 4.5–6.2 mm, width 1.1–1.6 mm; integument black, teneral specimens with ventrites and legs partially dark rufous; ventral side with undivided setae, basic vestiture inconspicuous on pronotum and elytron, imbricate white squamiform setae at base of elytral interstria 3, postmedially on interstriae 3–5, on dorsal apex of mesepimeron, distal 3/4 of metepisternum, flank of prosternum, ventral face of pro- and mesofemora, dorsal face of metafemur and occasionally on basolateral angles of pronotum; eyes flush with head contour; frons and base of rostrum glabrous; male rostrum 0.78–0.83× as long as pronotum, ventrally without setae, prorostrum 0.38–0.41× rostral length and subcylindrical in dorsal view, epistome very slightly notched, antennal scape ventrally without long setae, club 1.6× as long as wide; female rostrum 1.02–1.13× as long as pronotum, prorostrum 0.50–0.53× rostral length; prosternum gradually sloping in front of coxa, basal lobe slightly notched; pro- and mesofemora ventrally with recumbent squamiform setae; tarsus with tarsite 3 moderately large, subcordate and excised to middle, tarsite 5 as long as 3 and only moderately protruding beyond anterior margin of 3 (Fig. 4), inconspicuously setose in both sexes; penis 2.5× as long as wide, apex subtriangular (Fig. 16), internal sac without discernible sclerite; spermatheca with nodulus and ramus short (Fig. 25).

The species is known from China (Yunnan) and Myanmar.

CHINA. Yunnan: Xishuangbanna Prefecture, Menglun, 12.iv.1994, 13.vi.1994 [#1799526, #1941179], Yang Long (IZCAS 2); Xishuangbanna Prefecture, Menglun, Highway G213, 21.xi.2009 [#1500899–901], 22.xi.2009 [#1500902–05], 26.xi.2009 [#1500906–07], Tang Guo & Yao Zhiyuan (IZCAS 9); Xishuangbanna Prefecture, Tropical Plant Garden, 19.viii.2007 [#1500898], Zheng Guo (IZCAS 1]. MYANMAR. Kaya: Karen Hills, Iadó [=Yahku?], XII/1887 (MSNG 2). Kayin: Karen Hills, Leitó [=Leiktho], V/1888, L. Fea (MSNG 2, SFFM 1, SNSD 1).

This species can be recognized by its characteristic tarsus: the enlarged third tarsite is barely excised anteriorly and the fifth is greatly reduced (Fig. 5). Parallelodemas docile has a larger fifth tarsite and is more elongate.

Length 5.4–6.4 mm, width 1.5–2.1 mm; integument black, antenna and sometimes parts of legs and ventrites brown; ventral side with undivided setae, basic vestiture on pronotum and elytron absent, imbricate yellowish white squamiform setae at base of elytral interstria 3, postmedially on interstriae 3–4, ventrally and laterally on thorax and abdomen (including basolateral angles of pronotum) and on ventral face of pro- and mesofemora; eyes flush with head contour; frons and base of rostrum glabrous; male rostrum 0.94× as long as pronotum, ventrally without setae, prorostrum 0.35× rostral length and slightly spatulate in dorsal view, epistome moderately notched in 1 female [worn in other specimens including male], antennal scape ventrally without long setae, club 1.4× as long as wide; female rostrum 1.02–1.07× as long as pronotum, prorostrum 0.50× rostral length; prosternum gradually sloping in front of coxa, basal lobe slightly notched; pro- and mesofemora ventrally with recumbent squamiform setae; tarsus with tarsite 3 moderately enlarged, subcordate, anterior margin straight and only indistinctly excised, tarsite 5 minute (Fig. 5); penis 3.0× as long as wide, slightly tapering in apical third as in P. docile (Fig. 16) but with apex more pointed, internal sac with Y-shaped sclerite; spermatheca with nodulus and ramus short (as P. docile, Fig. 25).

The species is known from one site in Myanmar.

MYANMAR. Kayin: Karen Hills [ca. 25–35 km NE of Taungoo, 900–1100 m], V/1888, L. Fea (MSNG 2, SNSD 1).

The ventrally hirsute male rostrum separates P. impar from all other Chinese species with simple, undivided setae. Another good character is the absence of wide setae on elytron and metepisternum.

Length 4.4–5.8 mm, width 1.0–1.5 mm; integument dark brown, antenna, tarsus and apex of female rostrum light brown; vestiture consisting of inconspicuous, evenly distributed, simple, cupreous setae; eyes slightly bulging; frons and base of rostrum with recumbent setae; male rostrum 0.98–1.07× as long as pronotum, ventrally with long setae, prorostrum 0.28–0.30× rostral length and spatulate in dorsal view, epistome deeply notched, antennal scape ventrally with long, cupreous setae, club 2.0× as long as wide; female rostrum 1.13–1.16× as long as pronotum, prorostrum 0.48–0.49× rostral length; prosternum gradually sloping in front of coxa, basal lobe notched; all femora hirsute ventrally; tarsus with tarsite 3 relatively small and excised to basal third, tarsite 5 as long as 1 and moderately protruding beyond anterior margin of 3, male mesotarsus with long, clavate, outward directed setae; penis 3.0× as long as wide, apex with narrowly rounded, subtriangular projection (Fig. 17), internal sac with thick, tubular, basally curved sclerite; spermatheca with nodulus long and perpendicular to long axis of collum, ramus obsolete (Fig. 26).

The species is known from China (Sichuan, Yunnan, Zhejiang) and Laos. The record from Guatun in Fujian, by Voss (1956), applies to P. setifrons.

CHINA. Sichuan: Wushan County, Liziping, 2.vii.1993 [#1941174] (IZCAS 1). Yunnan: Xishuangbanna Prefecture, Menghun, 17.v.1958 [#1500892], Meng Xuwu (IZCAS 1). Zhejiang: West Lin’an, Mount Tianmu, 15.6.1957 [#1799534], 28.6.1957 [#1500891, #1500893, #1799531] (IZCAS 4), 9.vi.2012 (ZAFU 1); Kaishanlaodian, Mount Tianmu, 23.vi.1998 [#1941175–76] (IZCAS 2); Mount Tianmu (NHMB 1). LAOS. Luang Prabang: Ban Kiukacham env., 19.vi.2009, M. Geiser & D. Hauck (NHMB 5). Xieng Khouang: Phonsavan to Phu Padaeng, 30/31.v.2009, M. Geiser (NHMB 2).

Two of the eight known species with undivided setae have an unmodified male mesotarsus, i.e., they lack special setae and the fifth tarsite is not enlarged. One is P. tardum described from Myanmar, the other is P. tumens from China. Parallelodemas tardum is larger than P. tumens (5.4–6.6 mm vs. 3.8–4.8 mm) and has a shorter rostrum with a more distally inserted antenna. The females may be distinguished by body length. A difference between female P. perfectum and P. tardum is not apparent (each with one known specimen). Female P. feae are very similar but have ventrally hirsute femora.

Length 5.4–6.6 mm, width 1.6–1.9 mm; integument black; ventral side and pygidium with undivided setae, basic vestiture of fine setae on pronotum and elytron, moderately wide white setae at base of elytral interstria 3 and postmedially on interstriae 3–5, on metepisternum and basolateral angles of pronotum; eyes flush with head contour; frons and base of rostrum glabrous; male rostrum 0.89–0.94× as long as pronotum, ventrally without setae, prorostrum 0.32–0.33× rostral length, apically slightly diverging in dorsal view, epistome short and slightly notched, antennal scape glabrous, club 1.8× as long as wide; female rostrum 1.04× as long as pronotum, prorostrum 0.50× rostral length; prosternum slightly tumescent in front of coxae (apparently not in female), basal lobe notched; pro- and mesofemora ventrally with erect squamiform setae; tarsus with tarsite 3 of moderate size and excised to basal third, tarsite 5 slightly longer than 3 and distinctly protruding beyond anterior margin of 3, male mesotarsus without specialized setae; penis 2.3× as long as wide, apex lancet-shaped and broadly rounded (as P. tumens, Fig. 18), internal sac with 2 small sclerites (hook and paired hook); spermatheca with collum bulbous, ramus short, nodulus obsolete (as P. dimetans, Fig. 21).

Besides the type series from Myanmar, we have seen one female from India that might be this species.

INDIA. Sikkim: Gopaldhara, Rungbong Valley, H. Stevens (BMNH 1). MYANMAR. Kayin: Karen Hills [ca. 25–35 km NE of Taungoo, 900–1100 m], V/1888, L. Fea (MSNG 3, SNSD 1).

Besides P. tardum, this is the only known species without split setae on the metepisternum and without a modified male mesotarsus. Parallelodemas tumens is smaller (<5 mm) than P. tardum and has a longer rostrum with a more basally inserted antenna. Differences in the genitalia are not apparent. Female P. tumens may be distinguished from female P. perfectum and P. tardum by smaller body size. All three species have specimens with a more or less tumescent prosternum.

Length 3.8–4.8 mm, width 1.1–1.3 mm; integument black, antenna, tarsus, apex of female rostrum and often other parts of leg brown or rufous; ventral side and pygidium with undivided setae, basic vestiture of fine setae on pronotum and elytron, moderately wide white setae at base of elytral interstria 3 and postmedially on interstriae 4 and 5, on thoracic flank and basolateral angles of pronotum; eyes flush with head contour; frons and base of rostrum glabrous; male rostrum 1.06–1.08× as long as pronotum, ventrally without setae, prorostrum 0.41–0.42× rostral length, slightly spatulate and apically diverging in dorsal view, epistome short and truncate, antennal scape glabrous, club 1.8× as long as wide; female rostrum 1.20× as long as pronotum, prorostrum 0.53× rostral length; prosternum tumescent in front of coxae, basal lobe notched; pro- and mesofemora hirsute ventrally; tarsus with tarsite 3 of moderate size and excised to basal third, tarsite 5 slightly longer than 3 and distinctly protruding beyond anterior margin of 3, male mesotarsus without specialized setae; penis 2.5× as long as wide, apex lancet-shaped and broadly rounded (Fig. 18), internal sac with 2 small sclerites (hook and paired hook); spermatheca with nodulus and ramus short (as P. dimetans, Fig. 21).

The species is known from the Chinese province Guizhou.

Holotype: China, Guizhou Province, Libo County, Banzhai Village [板寨村], 24.v.1998, Zhang Runzhi [张润志], #1500884, male, dissected (IZCAS). Paratypes (2 males, 1 female): CHINA. Guizhou: Libo County, Banzhai Village, 24.v.1998, Zhang Runzhi [#1500883] (IZCAS 1); Yunyi Prefecture, Suiyang County, Kuankuoshui Natural Reserve, 3.vi.2010 [#1500881], 4.vi.2010 [#1500870], Nie Cuie (IZCAS 2).

The name is a participle presence active of tumeo (=to inflate, to distend; Latin).

From other species with undivided setae, P. feae can be separated by having ventrally hirsute femora and nearly flush eyes. Female P. tardum and P. tumens are very similar but have shorter and wider setae on the pro- and mesofemora.

Length 4.9–6.5 mm, width 1.3–1.8 mm; integument dark brown to black, antenna and tarsus brown; ventral side and pygidium with undivided setae, basic vestiture of fine setae on pronotum and elytron, moderately wide white setae at base of elytral interstria 3, postmedially on interstriae 3 and 4 and on thoracic flank; eyes very slightly bulging; frons and base of rostrum glabrous; male rostrum 1.02–1.20× as long as pronotum, ventrally without setae, prorostrum 0.39–0.42× rostral length, slightly spatulate and apically diverging in dorsal view, epistome slightly notched, antennal scape with long setae, club 1.8× as long as wide; female rostrum 1.04–1.20× as long as pronotum, prorostrum 0.50–0.54× rostral length; prosternum gradually sloping in front of coxa, basal lobe notched; all femora hirsute ventrally; tarsus with tarsite 3 relatively small and excised to basal third, tarsite 5 nearly as long as 2+3 and distinctly protruding beyond anterior margin of 3, male mesotarsus with clavate, outward directed setae; penis 3.5× as long as wide, apex roundly narrowed and medially projected (Fig. 19), internal sac with thick, rod-like sclerite; spermatheca with nodulus long and perpendicular to collum (Fig. 27).

The species is known from China (Fujian, Guangxi, Hainan, Hunan, Yunnan), India, Laos and Vietnam.

Holotype: China, Hainan Province, Jianfeng [尖峰], Tianchi [天池], 18.iii.1980, Wang Shuyong [王书永], #1799133, male, dissected (IZCAS). Paratypes (9 males, 10 females): CHINA. Fujian: Jiangle County, Mount Longxi, 21.i.1991 [#1500887], Yang Longlong (IZCAS 1), 19.v.1991 [#1500886], Zhang Runzhi (IZCAS 1); Jianyang, Chong’an Xin Village Longdu, 7.v.1960 [#1799553], Ma Youcai (IZCAS 1); Jianyang, Chong’an Xin Village Sangang, 17.vi.1960 [#1799530], Jiang Shengqiao (IZCAS 1), 26.vi.1960 [#1799542], Zuo Yong (IZCAS 1); Jianyang, Huangkeng Dazhulan, 11.vi.1960 [#1500885], Zuo Yong (IZCAS 1), 24.vii.1960 [#1799535], Jiang Shengqiao (IZCAS 1); Jianyang, Huangkengguilin, 14.iv.1960 [#1799157], Zhang Yiran (IZCAS 1). Guangxi: Jinxiuhuawang Mountain Village, 20.v.1999 [#1799153], Han Hongxiang (IZCAS 1). Hainan: Jianfeng, Tianchi, 18.iii.1980 [#1500888], Wang Shuyong (IZCAS 1); Ledong County, Jianfengling Natural Reserve, 10.iv.1980 [#1500890], Wang Shuyong (IZCAS 1), 4.v.2007 [#1500889, #1854471], Ge Deyan (IZCAS 2); Gaotuo Shan [高陀山, not located], 17.v.1963 [#1799532], Zhou Yao (IZCAS 1). Hunan: Yanling County, Shidu Shennong Valley waterfall, 7.vii.2008 [#1799013], Jiao Tianyang (IZCAS 1). Yunnan: Xishuangbanna Prefecture, Meng’a, 11.v.1958 [#1799522], Hong Chunpei (IZCAS 1). LAOS. Houa Phan: Phou Pane Mountains, 1350–1500 m, 1.–16.vi.2009, M. Brancucci (NHMB 1). Xieng Khouang: Phou Sane Mountains, 30 km NE Phonsavan, 1400–1500 m, 10.–30.v.2009, Z. Kraus (NHMB 1). VIETNAM. Tinh Vinh Phuc: Tam Dao, 25.v.1995, A. V. Gorochov (ZIN 1).

The name is a patronym honoring the Italian zoologist and artist Leonardo Fea.

A generally useful character for recognizing P. vicinum is the presence of imbricate squamiform setae on the distal half of the metepisternum. Parallelodemas docile has similar vestiture on the distal two thirds and an enlarged third tarsite. Small P. vicinum with more widely spaced setae on the metepisternum differ from the otherwise very similar P. perfectum by the apically truncate aedeagus and less curved female rostrum. These two and P. feae, a species with ventrally hirsute femora, are the only known species with undivided setae, flush eyes and clavate setae on the male mesotarsus.

Length 6.4–7.8 mm, width 1.6–2.2 mm; integument black, teneral specimens with ventrites and legs partially dark rufous; ventral side with undivided setae, basic vestiture inconspicuous on pronotum and elytron, imbricate white squamiform setae at base of elytral interstria 3, postmedially on interstriae 3 and 4, on dorsal apex of mesepimeron, distal half of metepisternum, flank of prosternum, ventral face of pro- and mesofemora, dorsal face of metafemur and occasionally on basolateral angles of pronotum; eyes flush with head contour; frons and base of rostrum glabrous; male rostrum 1.06–1.15× as long as pronotum, ventrally without setae, prorostrum 0.36–0.38× rostral length and spatulate in dorsal view, epistome very slightly notched, antennal scape with long, cupreous setae, club 1.6× as long as wide; female rostrum 1.14–1.24× as long as pronotum, prorostrum 0.57–0.58× rostral length; prosternum gradually sloping in front of coxa, basal lobe notched; pro- and mesofemora ventrally with slender (male) or squamiform (female) setae; tarsus with tarsite 3 relatively small and excised to basal third, tarsite 5 as long as 2+3 and distinctly protruding beyond anterior margin of 3, male mesotarsus with moderately long, clavate, outward directed setae; penis 2.5× as long as wide, apex bottle-shaped (Fig. 9), internal sac with thick, tubular, basally curved sclerite; spermatheca with nodulus long and usually perpendicular to collum, ramus similarly long (as Fig. 27).

Figures 9–11. 

Male terminalia of P. vicinum: 9. Penis, dorsal view; 10. Tegmen; 11. Sternites 8 and 9, ventral view.

The species is known from China (Yunnan), India and Myanmar.

CHINA. Yunnan: Xishuangbanna Pref., Anma Xinzhai, 26.iv.2009 [#1941164], Meng (IZCAS 1); Xishuangbanna Pref., Menglun, Highway G213, 21.xi.2009 [#1500895–96]; 22.xi.2009 [#1500894], Tang Guo & Yao Zhiyuan (IZCAS 3); Xishuangbanna Pref., Menglun, 12.iv.1994 [#1500897], Chen Xiaolin (IZCAS 1); Xishuangbanna Pref., Meng’a, 6.vi.1958 [#1799544–45], Wang Shuyong (IZCAS 2); Cangyuan County, Banlao township, Dongnanhai, 2.v.2011 [#1941163], Huang Xinlei (IZCAS 1). INDIA. Sikkim: Gopaldhara, Rungbong Valley, H. Stevens (BMNH 3). West Bengal: Namsu River, 21.vi.1918, H. Stevens (BMNH 1); Nurbong [Estate], 1910s, W. K. Webb (BMNH 1). MYANMAR. Kachin: Teinthaw, V/1886, L. Fea (MSNG 1). Kayah: Carin Ghecú [between Taó and Chialá, II–IV/1888] (MSNG 1). Kayin: Karen Hills [ca. 25–35 km NE of Taungoo], V/1888, L. Fea (MSNG 3, SFFM 2, SNSD 3).

Only two specimens of the sexually dimorphic P. perfectum are known, one of each gender. The species forms a complex with P. feae, P. tardum, P. tumens and P. vicinum, all of which have flush eyes, thoracic ventrites with undivided setae and a male mesotarsus with outward-directed clavate setae (Fig. 6). The profemur of the male P. perfectum is ventrally more expanded than in the other species. Parallelodemas feae has ventrally hirsute femora; P. tardum has a shorter male rostrum; P. tumens is smaller (<5 mm); P. vicinum usually has denser vestiture on the mesepisternum and a less curved female rostrum. The few available female P. perfectum and P. tardum could not be distinguished with confidence.

Length 7.0–7.8 mm, width 1.8–1.9 mm; integument black; ventral side with undivided setae, basic vestiture inconspicuous on pronotum and elytron, white squamiform setae at base of elytral interstriae 3 and 4, postmedially on interstriae 3–5, on dorsal apex of mesepimeron, metepisternum, prosternum, ventral face of pro- and mesofemora, dorsal face of metafemur and occasionally on basolateral angles of pronotum; eyes flush with head contour; frons and base of rostrum glabrous; male rostrum 1.06× as long as pronotum, ventrally without setae, prorostrum 0.36× rostral length and slightly spatulate in dorsal view, epistome very slightly notched, antennal scape with long, cupreous setae, club 1.6× as long as wide; female rostrum 1.02× as long as pronotum, prorostrum 0.58× rostral length; prosternum slightly tumescent (male) or gradually sloping (female) in front of coxa, basal lobe notched; pro- and mesofemora ventrally with slender (male) or squamiform (female) setae, male profemur somewhat angularly produced ventrally; tarsus with tarsite 3 relatively small and excised to basal third, tarsite 5 longer than 3 and distinctly protruding beyond anterior margin of 3, male mesotarsus with moderately long, clavate, outward directed setae; penis 3.1× as long as wide, apex roundly narrowed with slightly produced tip (as P. feae, Fig. 19), internal sac with short, complex sclerite (double hook); spermatheca with nodulus long and perpendicular to long axis of collum, ramus obsolete (as P. impar, Fig. 26).

Figures 12–20. 

Male genitalia of Parallelodemas, apex of penis, dorsal view: 12. P. dimetans; 13. P. petilum; 14. P. plumosum; 15. P. setifrons; 16. P. docile; 17. P. impar; 18. P. tumens; 19. P. feae; 20. P. vicinum. Not to scale.

Figures 21–27. 

Female genitalia of Parallelodemas, spermatheca: 21. P. dimetans; 22. P. petilum; 23. P. plumosum; 24. P. setifrons; 25. P. docile; 26. P. impar; 27. P. feae. Not to scale.

The species is known from one site in Myanmar.

MYANMAR. Kayin: Karen Hills [ca. 25–35 km NE of Taungoo], V/1888, L. Fea (MSNG 1, SNSD 1).