Subgenus Protoapterodela Matalin & Wiesner, subgen. nov.

Type species. Cicindela shirakii W. Horn, 1927: 41 .

Differential diagnosis. A new subgenus is clearly distinguished from the nominotypical one by distinctly transverse pronotum and rectangular shoulders (Fig. 273) as well as by developed wings (Figs 144, 145 vs. Fig. 143) and blunt mt of the internal sack (Figs 242, 243, 256, 257, 263, 264 vs. Figs 237–241, 251–255, 258–262).

Description. TL = 12.5–18.0 mm (mean = 13.68 mm, n = 17).

Labrum clearly (Figs 97, 102) or slightly (Figs 96, 101) tridentate, with 4–8 long submarginal setae.

Pronotum distinctly transverse (Figs 136, 137, 141, 142)—PW/PL = 1.1–1.22 (mean = 1.17, n = 34) (Fig. 273). Macropterous (Figs 144, 145).

Elytra with wide and rectangular shoulders, EW/EHW = 1.2–1.4 (mean = 1.28, n = 34) (Fig. 273); lacking subapical notch (Figs 180–182, 190–192). White elytral pattern distinctly or largely reduced and presented by basal portion of apical lunule (supra-apical spot), and by relatively long, smoothly curved centro-lateral or small often virtually invisible marginal or apical portion of middle band; humeral lunule absent (Figs 180–182, 190–192), rarely as indistinct, small sub-humeral spot.

Internal sac of aedeagus with relatively short, flat, and blunt mt (Figs 242, 243, 249, 250, 256, 257, 263, 264).