Veraphis odaesanensis Byeon & Park, 2025, sp. nov.

Veraphis odaesanensis sp. nov. Figs 1, 3 A – D, 4 Type material designated. Holotype • ♂ NIBR: “ Korea: Gangwon Prov. Mt. Odae, Dongsan-ri, Jinbu-myeon, Pyeongchang-gun, 17. VIII. 2022, 37°47'14.2"N, 128°33'56.2"E, 897 m, sifting leaf & soil litter, J.-W. Seo, J.-I. Shin ” Paratypes Korea: Gangwon Prov. • 1 ♂ 1 ♀ (1 ♂ genitalia dissected; CBNUIC), Pyeongchang-gun, Jinbu-myeon, Dongsan-ri, 21. IX – 02. XI. 2022, 37°47'14.2"N, 128°33'56.2"E, 897 m, F. I. T, J.-W. Kang, J-I. Shin • 1 ♀ (CBNUIC), 02. XI. 2022, 37°47'14.2"N, 128°33'56.2"E, 897 m, F. I. T, J.-W. Kang, J-I. Shin • 1 ♀ (CBNUIC), 17. VIII. 2022, 37°47'14.2"N, 128°33'56.2"E, 897 m, sifting soil & leaf litter, J.-W. Seo, J-I. Shin • 8 ♀♀ (7 ♀♀ 95 % EtOH in tube; CBNUIC), Odaesan-ro 1211-14, Mt. Odae, Sangwonsa, 17. VIII – 21. IX. 2022, 37°47'14.2"N, 128°33'56.2"E, 897 m, F. I. T, J-I. Shin U.-J. Hwang. Diagnosis. Vertex with two shallow longitudinal grooves extending from posterior margin to posterior 1 / 2; area between grooves relatively flattened and impressed (Fig. 1 B). Protibiae of male with small subapical pin-like projection (Fig. 1 D). Metaventrite with shallow longitudinal impression (Fig. 1 E). Aedeagus (Fig. 3 A – D) strongly elongated and symmetrical, length 0.24 mm. In ventral view, lateral margins of median lobe somewhat parallel, middle of apex weakly protruding, with small shallow punctures in subapical region in ventral view; in lateral view, slightly curved near base and subapical region with strong ventral indentation. Endophallus symmetrical, U-shaped structured. Parameres slender, reaching middle of median lobe; each paramere with two short apical setae and one subapical seta. Male description. Body length 1.27–1.32 mm; reddish-brown, appendages lighter; flattened and elongated; surface covered yellow hairs (Fig. 1 A). Head wider than long, widest across eyes; punctures of surface inconspicuous; hairs short and sparse (Fig. 1 B). Temples nearly 1 / 4 length of eyes, with shorter hairs than those on surface (Fig. 1 B). Vertex with small pits on medioposterior margin; two shallow longitudinal grooves extending from posterior margin to posterior 1 / 2 present; area between grooves relatively flattened and impressed (Fig. 1 B). Antennae with distinct distal three-segmented club; antennomere 1 strongly elongate, 2 elongate but weaker than 1, 3 slightly wider than long, 4–6 as long as wide, 5 slightly larger than 4, 6 slightly smaller than 5, 7 subpentagonal, 8 distinctly wider than long, 9–11 forming club (Fig. 1 A). Pronotum distinctly wider than head, as long as wide, widest near middle; anterior margin somewhat rounded, lateral margins strongly rounded in anterior 1 / 3, somewhat parallel in posterior 1 / 3, posterior angles somewhat right-angled, posterior margin weakly sinuate; pronotal base with shallow median pits and transverse impression, lateral pits distinct; punctures of surface inconspicuous; hairs short and sparse (Fig. 1 B). Elytra slightly wider than pronotum, distinctly longer than wide, widest near middle; lateral margins and posterior margin relatively rounded; punctures of surface inconspicuous; hairs short and sparse; each elytron with distinct humeral denticle (Fig. 1 A, B). Hind wings well-developed. Metaventrite with shallow longitudinal impression (Fig. 1 E). Legs moderately long and slender. Protibiae with small subapical pin-like projection (Fig. 1 C). Aedeagus (Fig. 3 A – D) strongly elongated and symmetrical, length 0.24 mm. In ventral view, lateral margins of median lobe somewhat parallel, middle of apex weakly protruding, with small shallow punctures in subapical region in ventral view; in lateral view, slightly curved near base and subapical region with strong ventral indentation. Endophallus symmetrical, U-shaped. Parameres slender, reaching middle of median lobe; each paramere with two short apical setae and one subapical seta. Sexual dimorphism. Protibiae without subapical pin-like projection (Fig. 1 D). Distribution. South Korea (Fig. 4). Etymology. The specific epithet is an adjective derived from the type locality ‘ Mt. Odaeʼ. Habitat. This species was collected from relatively high-altitude mountains in South Korea, at elevations above 800 m. It was frequently captured using flight intercept traps, indicating its ability to fly with well-developed wings. Additionally, it was also collected from soil and leaf litter. Remarks. Veraphis odaesanensis can be classified within the japonicus species group based on the characteristics of the male leg, antennae, and aedeagus (Jałoszyński and Hoshina 2005). This species shows clear differences in the aedeagus from the Japanese species. In China, it shares a similar aedeagus with V. assingi Jałoszyński, but the apex of the median lobe is more pointed, and there are significant differences in the morphology of the endophallus and the median lobe in lateral view.