S. Mahunka szerk.: Folia Entomologica Hungarica 44/1. (Budapest, 1983)

Microsculpture on head isodiametric, coarser than in other species, on pronotum consisting of short transverse meshes, on elytra meshes wider and larger. Sternits 3-5 with proportion of setae 2+2, 3+2, 3+3, rarely 1+2. Aedeagus (Figs 96, 97) larger and longer, right paramere (Figs 103, 104) longer than in other species. Length 10.3-11.5 mm. Width 3.8-4.3 mm. From other species of the group N. kubanensis Lutshn. differs in large size, dark colour, narrow and long pronotum and elytra, coarser isodiametric microsculpture on head, longer aedeagus and right paramere. Typical series of N. kubanensis Lutshn. is kept in ZIL. Holotype, 2, with label: Teberda, health resort, 7000 ft, VI.

1915, leg. BOGDANOV-KATJKOV. Paratypes: 1 9, Kuban district, Khatipara river, 10262 ft, VI.

1915, leg. BOGDANOV-KATJKOV; 1 2, Kuban district, Gonachkhir river, 7000 ft, VI, 1915, leg. BOGDANOV-KATJKOV; 1 ç, Kuban district, Mukhinskij pass, 9000 ft, VI. 1915, leg. BOGDANOV-KATJKOV. Moreover in the same series are two specimens, labelled as ideotypes: 1 g, Kuban district, Murudzhinskije ozera, 10640 ft, VI. 1915, leg. BOGDANOV-KATJKOV; 1 cf, Kuban district, Badukskije ozera, 10843 ft, VI. 1915, leg. BOGDANOVKATJKOV. Material. Sofiya Mt., vicinity of Arkhyz, 2000 m; Swanetia, Chabukhava, Bassa pass; Makharskij pass; glacier in the source of Kuban river, Ulukam-Karach and Ulu-ozen; Teberda, 9000 ft; Megrelskij ridge, source of Khob river, Satkheno Mt., 2500 m; Donguzorun pass; West Caucasus, Aishkha Mt.; Tskhalmagar pass, Racha (ZIL). "Cauc. sept., Teberda, 9000 ft, leg. A. ZOLOTAREW" (MB). Identification key to the species and subspecies of N. caucasica group 1 (2) Pronotum (Figs 83, 84) more cordiform, strongly sinuated before acute hind angles. Aedeagus (fig. 94) stout, right paramere (fig. 102) long and wide. Sternits 3-5. unisetose, more rarely proportion of setae 1+2, 2+2, 10.6-11.3 mm N. caucasica Mén. 2 (1) Pronotum less cordiform, hardly sinuated before hind angles. 3 (4) Pitchy black, rarely dark piceous. Microsculpture on head coarser, isodiametric. Pronotum (fig. 85) 1.18-1.30 times as wide as long, with acute strongly prominent hind angles. Aedeagus (Figs 96, 97) large, right paramere (Figs 103-104) long and narrow. 10.3-11.5 mm N. kubanensis Lutshn. 4 (3) Dark piceous or piceous, rarely pitchy black (N. tenella megrelica)

. Microsculpture on head very fine, consisting of short transverse meshes. Pronotum 1.22-1.60 times as long as wide, with less prominent hind angles. Aedeagus smaller (Figs 90-93, 95), right paramere shorter (Figs 98-101). 5 (6) Shorter and wider. Pronotum (Figs 86, 87) 1.50-1.60 times as wide as long, elytra 1.52-1.62 times as long as wide. Sternits 3-5 unisetose, very rarely with proportion of setae 1+2, 2+2. Aedeagus (fig. 95) stouter. 9.1-10.6 mm N. retrospinosa Heyd. 6 (5) Longer and narrower. Pronotum (figs 80-82) 1.22-1.45 times as wide as long, elytra 1.61-1.82 times as long as wide, sternits 3-5 with 2-3 setae on each side, rarely with proportion 1+2. Aedeagus (Figs 90-93) more slender N. tenella Mötsch. a (b) Body pitchy black. Basal side of pronotum strongly bisinuate (fig. 82). Elytra 1.79-1.82 times as long as wide, widest in apical quarter, with more prominent shoulders, striae rather coarsely punctate,, microsculpture on disk strongly reduced. 10.0-10.9 mm N. tenella megrelica ssp.n. b (a) Body dark piceous. Basal side of pronotum less sinuated before hind angles (Figs 80, 81). Elytra 1.61-1.77 times as long as wide, widest in apical third, with less prominent shoulders, striae finely punctate or almost smooth, microsculpture on distk quite distinct. c (d) Smaller (8.4-9.3 mm). Pronotum (fig. 81) 1.24-1.29 times as wide as long. Elytra stronger narrowed towards base, striae somewhat deeper punctate, interval 3 with 2-3 pores apically N. tenella saridaghensis ssp.n. d (c) Larger (8.6-11.1 mm). Pronotum (fig. 80) 1.29-1.45 times as wide as long. Elytra somewhat more parallel, striae shallower punctate, interval 3 without or with 1-2 small pores apically N. tenella tenella Mötsch,