Leocrates bitungensis, new species, is described based on a single specimen collected from an intertidal reef at Lembeh Strait, Bitung City, North Sulawesi Province. It represents the first discovery of a new hesionid species in Indonesian waters in over 50 years. This species is distinguished from all other Leocrates species in having: (1) small anterior eyes (about 1/15 of the prostomial width) that are larger than the posterior ones, (2) notoacicular lobes that are blunt at their distal end, (3) scarce neurochaetae (about 20 per bundle), (4) lateral antennae with indistinct ceratophores, (5) no pharyngeal lateral vesicles, (6) noticeable lateral cushions situated at the base of parapodia, (7) projected neuroacicular lobes with a blunt tip that is wider than long, and (8) body colour (in alcohol) that is shiny pale yellow with a more intense colouration on the dorsum. A distributional map and a key to all hesionid species occurring in Indonesian waters are also provided.
