Luffy nika sp. nov.Fig. 3Material examined.Holotype: • male, Laos, NW., Kiolom, 1050 m alt., 36 km NW from L N. Louang Namtha, 11. V. 2004, Y. Shibata leg. / NSMT -I-C Shibata C No. SBC 006913 (NSMT).Paratype: • 1 male, same data as the holotype, but NSMT -I-C Shibata C No. SBC 006914 (NSMT).Diagnosis and comparison.Luffy nika sp. nov. is very similar to L. schillhammeri sp. nov. It can be distinguished from L. schillhammeri sp. nov. by differences in pronotal shape: L. nika sp. nov. has a slightly longer pronotum (PL / PW = 1.41), distinctly narrowing basad from the anterior third of its length (Fig. 3 A), whereas L. schillhammeri sp. nov. has a slightly shorter and more gradually narrowing pronotum (PL / PW = 1.32) (Fig. 1 A). More reliable identification of the two species requires examination of the aedeagus: L. nika sp. nov. has a deeper apical emargination of the median lobe (Fig. 3 D), a thinner paramere (Fig. 3 D, E) with a rounded apex (Fig. 3 E), and a more symmetrical transverse area of its articulation to the median lobe (Fig. 3 E); whereas L. schillhammeri sp. nov. has a shallower apical emargination of the median lobe (Fig. 1 D), and a wider paramere (Fig. 1 D, E) with a subtriangular apex (Fig. 1 E), and a distinct asymmetrical area of its articulation to the median lobe (Fig. 1 E).Description.Measurements (given in mm, average provided in brackets): Male, WL: 16.39–17.36 (16.88); FL: 8.64–8.95 (8.8); EL: 0.8 (0.8); EW: 0.4 (0.4); HL: 2.5 (average 2.5); HW: 2.7 (2.7); TL: 1 (1); PL: 3.1 (3.1); PW: 2.2 (2.2).Habitus (Fig. 3 A, B). Body black, without metallic lustre. Head, pronotum and elytra densely punctate with long black setae; punctures mostly rounded, more irregular on vertex area.Head slightly transverse, without impunctate midline. Eyes large and protruding. Antennae rufotestaceous to black, first five antennomeres darker than others; all antennomeres distinctly longer than wide. Head with patches of white setae on tempora, with sparse white setae on disc.Pronotum pyriform, longer than wide, distinctly narrowing basad from one-third of its length; densely punctate, with rounded punctures; with small patches of white setae at midlength; without impunctate midline. Elytra and scutellum densely covered with black setae; elytra with a distinct, transverse, curved stripe of white setae. Legs covered with dense white setae.Abdomen tergites black; tergites III – V each with accessory basal ridges. Tergites III – VII densely covered with long, black setae; tergites III – V each with paired patches of white setae antero-laterally, extending to paratergites; tergites VI – VII with transverse stripe of white setae across anterior margin; tergite VIII with mixture of white and black setae. Sternites III – VIII black; sternites III – IV densely covered with white setae; sternite V with white setae on anterior and posterior margins, with brown setae in the middle portion; sternites VI – VIII with white setae in the anterior portion and brown setae in the posterior portion.Male sternite VIII with a moderately deep, subtriangular emargination at midpoint of posterior margin. Aedeagus slender, asymmetrical; median lobe parallel-sided in basal portion in parameral view, apex with a shallow emargination (Fig. 3 C – F). Paramere thin, slightly twisted to the left, apex rounded; underside with rather sparse and not strongly pigmented peg setae forming an apical cluster, with a few additional ones sparse in anterior portion (Fig. 3 C – F). Underside of paramere with a distinct, narrow, transverse symmetrical area of its articulation to the median lobe (Fig. 3 F).Female unknown.Etymology.The specific epithet nika is derived from the Devil Fruit of the main character, Luffy, in the famous manga One Piece, in reference to the genus name. It also alludes to the pale hairs of the new species, reminiscent of Luffy’s “ Nika ” form, in which his clothing and hair turn white. It is a noun in apposition.Ecology.Nothing is known about the habitat or collecting circumstances for L. nika sp. nov.Distribution.The species is known from the type locality in Louang Namtha in northwestern Laos.Remarks.The terminal segment of the maxillary and labial palps in both specimens of L. nika sp. nov. bears a protruding membranous structure, although it is less pronounced in one specimen. We are uncertain whether this represents a species-specific character or an artefact resulting from specimen preparation. Therefore, this character was not included in the diagnosis, pending examination of additional material in the future.