Similar but diverse: New species and distribution pattern of the pleasing lacewing genus Dilar Rambur, 1838 (Neuroptera, Dilaridae) from China

The pleasing lacewing genus Dilar Rambur, 1838, albeit possessing largely similar external characters, is the most species-rich genus of the family Dilaridae. This genus is particularly diverse in China, previously with 41 species recorded. Herein, we report eight new species of Dilar from China, namely Dilar jiquanyui sp. nov., Dilar lanlingensis sp. nov., Dilar lulanae sp. nov., Dilar puerensis sp. nov., Dilar qiongduensis sp. nov., Dilar tuyuezhengi sp. nov., Dilar weiningensis sp. nov. and Dilar yangyingae sp. nov.

All these new species occur in the Oriental China and six of them are distributed from southwestern China, reinforcing this region as a key distribution centre of species diversity in Dilar. We also summarise the distribution pattern of this genus in China, showing the faunal affinities across different zoogeographic regions within the country. In addition, a key to all Chinese Dilar species is provided.