Vanuatiella tishechkini sp. nov.

(Figs. 4, 9, 10)

Type material (1 J 2 ♀♀). HOLOTYPE: J, VANUATU: ESPIRITU SANTO I.: Cumberland Peninsula, Saratsi Range at 14.9673°S 166.6787°E. 1200m. Flight intercept FL 12B-7. 20-21.Nov 2006. A. K. Tishechkin. AT748 (MNHN). PARATYPES: 2 ♀♀, the same data as holotype (MHNG, PHKS).

Description. Body (Fig. 4) 1.37–1.47 mm long. Head elongate, about 1.3–1.4 times as long as wide. Terminal antennomere as long as head, median opening of terminal antennomere located just before middle. Pronotum about 1.3 times as wide as long, and about 1.22–1.25 times shorter than head. Elytra wide, 1.3–1.4 times as wide as long at suture, sutural striae well-defined, parallel to suture along whole length of suture. Mesotibiae with minuscule, sharp spine located in apical fourth. Aedeagus as in Figs. 9–10, 0.23 mm long.

Sexual dimorphism. Mesotibiae of female simple, lacking spines in apical fourth.

Etymology. This new species is named in honour of Alexey Tishechkin, a well-known specialist on Histeridae and the collector of the type series.

Biology. Host ant unknown. All four specimens were collected by flight intercept trap, together with myrmecophilous species of the Histeridae: Chlamydopsinae (TISHECHKIN 2009).

Distribution. Vanuatu: Espiritu Santo Island.