Laena champasaka n. sp. (Fig. 1)

Holotype (Ψ): S Laos, Champasak Prov., Bolaven Plateau, route no. 23 from Pakse to Paksong, Ban Itou at km 35, 800 m, 10.–18.IV.1999, leg. E. Jendek & O. Šauša, CSBC.

Etymology: Named after the Champasak Province, where the holotype was collected.

Diagnosis: Laena champasaka n. sp., Laena kurbatovi n. sp. from Myanmar and Laena vietnamica Masumoto, 1995 from northern Vietnam share similar body size and shape, bordered lateral margins of the pronotum, and unarmaed legs, but can be recognized by a relatively long, narrow pronotum (compare Figs 1, 8, 15) and having the elytral intervals nearly naked (with only few scattered punctures, not distinct rows of punctures with long setae).

Description: Body length 4.2 mm. Eyes not prominent. Pronotum (Fig. 1) with large punctures, distance between 1–4 diameters, most punctures bearing long erect seta; surface flat, shining; lateral margin distinctly bordered, somewhat crenulate; propleura with similar punctation, setation to disc. Elytra (Fig. 1) with complete rows of punctures without striae, punctures equal in size to pronotal punctures, most bearing long, erect seta; intervals with few scattered fine punctures each bearing erect seta of similar length, anterior of interval 9 with some setiferous pores so that the shoulder looks dentate; all intervals distinctly convex, shining. Femora without distinct tooth or other modification. Sexual dimorphism unknown. Aedeagus unknown, only female available.

Remarks: This is the only as yet known species from southern Laos, whereas the following two new species originate from northeastern Laos. Additionally, the type locality of Laena champsaka n. sp. is quite disjunct from both similar species from Myanmar and northern Vietnam. Therefore I decided to describe this species, although only a single female was available.