Chirotica genus group

(subtribe Chiroticina sensu Townes (1970))

Two genera, Chirotica Förster, 1869 and Paraphylax Förster, 1869, have been recorded from Japan. In addition, I found Bentyra from Japan. In this study, I newly record this genus from Japan and review Chirotica and Paraphylax . The Japanese genera can be distinguished by the following key.

Key to Japanese genera of Chirotica genus group

1. Upper tooth of mandible longer than lower tooth. Mesoscutum with a median longitudinal groove on the median lobe in Japanese species (Fig. 63G). ……………………..… Bentyra Cameron, 1905

-. Upper tooth of mandible as long as or slightly shorter than lower tooth. Mesoscutum with or without a median longitudinal groove on the median lobe. ……………………………………………………… 2

2. Median part of face relatively strongly convex. Area superomedia longitudinally elongate (Fig. 65F). Vein 2rsm indistinct or absent (Fig. 20C). Mesoscutum without a median longitudinal groove on the median lobe in Japanese species. ……………………………… Chirotica Förster, 1869

-. Median part of face relatively weakly convex or flat. Area superomedia not longitudinally elongate (Figs 65G–J). Vein 2rs-m short but distinct (e.g., Fig. 21C). Mesoscutum with a median longitudinal groove on the median lobe in Japanese species. ………….....…………… Paraphylax Förster, 1869