Pediacus australis Marris & Ślipiński, sp. nov.

Figs. 2 A–H.

Diagnosis. Recognisable by the combination of the following characters: body colour pale orange-brown, eyes large and coarsely faceted, pronotum with weakly produced denticles.

Description. Body length 2.6–3.4 mm (n=7), elongate, 3.13× longer than wide, colour orange-brown, legs slightly paler; pubescence long, pale, appressed and moderately conspicuous; surface moderately glossy. Head transverse, 1.78× wider than long; puncturation moderately impressed and moderately dense medially, increasing in size and density laterally with punctures separated by about their diameter; setae long and appressed, conspicuous; microsculpture absent, surface glossy; eyes very large, strongly projecting, ocular index 0.63, coarsely faceted, postocular denticle absent; antennae as in Figs. 2 C, D, antennomere VII larger than VI and VIII. Pronotum weakly transverse, 1.19× wider than long, widest at about anterior 1/3, sides subparallel; lateral margins moderately explanate and reflexed basally, denticles small and broadly obtuse; disc faintly impressed; puncturation, setation and microsculpture as for head, impunctate median strip faint to absent. Elytra elongate, 2.04× longer than wide, sides subparallel, epipleura weakly explanate; puncturation moderately dense but weakly impressed basally, becoming more dense and deeply impressed laterally, puncturation faint on disc; setation long, appressed and conspicuous; microsculpture coriaceous. Genitalia for male as in Figs. 2 G, H, parameres strongly elongate, tapering apically; internal sac with tooth-like projections basally and a weakly sclerotized apical section.

Type material. Holotype (male): “[Australia] N.E. QLD. Hinchinbrook Is., Upper Gayundah Ck. 10–11 Nov 1984 G. Monteith & D.J. Cook // Q.M. BERLESATE NO. 673 18.22S x 146.15E Rainforest, 850m Sieved litter // Queensland Museum Loan No. 93. 27 Date: Nov. 1993 [green label] // HOLOTYPE Pediacus australis Marris & Ślipiński 2013 ”. Specimen on card point with genitalia mounted in DHMF on card below; deposited in QM.

Paratypes. AUSTRALIA: Queensland: Bulburin State Forest, via Many Peaks, Qld. 17–19.x.1972 B.K. & J.A. Cantrell (1, ANIC); Millaa Millaa, 9.i.1964, N. Qld. G. Monteith (1, UQIC); AUSTRALIA: n. Qld 7km NE of Tolga 7.ix.1987 Storey & De Faveri light trap (1, QDPI); Hambledon XI–1921 Queensland, Aus. (1, BPBM). PAPUA NEW GUINEA: PAPUA NEW GUINEA Wau, 4000 ft. 1–3.VII.1974 H.F. Howden (1, CNC). PHILIPPINES: PHILIPPINES: MOUNTAIN PROV., Abatan, Buguias 60km S of Bontoc, 1800–2000m, 24.IV.1964, H.M. Torrevillas Collector (1, BPBM). THAILAND: NW Thailand, 19.19N, 97.59E Mae Hong Son, 1991 Ban Huai Po, 1600–2000m 17.–23.5., L. Dembický leg. (2, NHMW); NW THAILAND, 9.–16.5. Mae Hong Son 1991 Ban Huai Po, 1600–2000m leg. J. Horak (1, NHMW); NW-THAILAND; 1.–5.5. Mae Hong Son 1992 Ban Huai Po, 1600–2000m leg. J. Strnad (1, NHMW).

Distribution. Australia, Papua New Guinea, Philippines, Thailand.

Etymology. The species epithet refers to the southern distribution of this species within the Asian and Australasian regions. It is the only Pediacus species recorded from Australasia.