Lepisiota thepthepae

The type series of this species, only known from Thailand, was collected from soil in a grassland.

Identification
Lepisiota thethepae is most similar to Lepisiota reticulata from China in having a slender body, punctate head, reddish mesosoma and dark and smooth gaster. However, it can be easily separated from the latter by the following characteristics:
 * 1) ventral surface of head smooth and shiny (weakly striate in L. reticulata)
 * 2) propodeum in profile with straight dorsal outline (weakly convex in L. reticulata)
 * 3) anterodorsal corner of propodeum strongly convex and narrowly rounded (sloped and not convex in L. reticulata)
 * 4) gaster with dense standing hairs (gaster with very sparse standing hairs in L. reticulata).

The new species is also similar to Lepisiota bicolor (see that species for details).

Distribution
Thailand: Chiang Mai and Sisaket Provinces.

Distribution based on Regional Taxon Lists
Oriental Region: Thailand.

Nomenclature

 * . Lepisiota thepthepae Jarernkong et Jaitrong, in Jarernkong et al., 2023: 9, figs. 3, 4 (w.q.) THAILAND.

Type Material

 * Holotype – worker (THNHM-I-26848, THNHM), NE Thailand: Srisaket Province, Khun Harn District, Bak Dong Subdist, Phanom Dong Rak, Kraban Krabai, 13.IX 2018, W. Jaitrong leg., WJT-130918-38.
 * Paratypes: 9 workers (THNHM-I-26849 to THNHM-I-26857, THNHM) and 1 queen (THNHM-I-26858, THNHM), same data as holotype.