Review of the Lycocerus pallidulus group (Coleoptera, Cantharidae), with descriptions of six new species from China

The Lycocerus pallidulus subgroup, originally placed in the L. maculicollis group, is suggested as an independent species group herein and its diagnosis is redefined. Ten previously known species of Lycocerus are attributed to this group, including L. centrochinensis (Švihla, 2004), L. genaemaculatus (Wittmer, 1951), L. hubeiensis (Švihla, 2004), L. kubani (Švihla, 2004), L. zdeneki (Švihla, 2004), L. bilineatus (Wittmer, 1995), L. jelineki (Švihla, 2004), L. putzi Švihla, 2011, L. pictipennis (Wittmer, 1995), and L. curvatus (Wittmer, 1995). Additionally, six new species of this group are described from China, including L. laterophysus sp. nov. , L. flavipennis sp. nov. , L. putzimimus sp. nov. , L. maoershanensis sp. nov. , L. chongqingensis sp. nov. , and L. bispermathecus sp. nov. These species are illustrated with photographs of habitus, aedeagi, abdominal sternites VIII, and reproductive systems of female. In addition, an identification key and a distribution map of the L. pallidulus group are provided.