Thysanoplisna hoenei sp. nov.

(Figs 33, 34, 52, 67)

Paratypes. CHINA: 2 ♂♂, 5 ♀♀, same locality and collector as holotype: 11.vi.1932 (2 ♀♀, gen. prep. No.: MWM 35.974), 14.vi.1932 (♂), 1.vii.1932 (♂), 2.vii.1932 (♀), 20.viii.1932 (♀), and 21.viii.1932 (♀) (MWM/ ZSM) ; 1 ♂, same data as previous, 4.vi.1932, unique ID: NHMUK010606152, gen. prep. No.: NHMUK010313551 (NHMUK); 1 ♂, [China, Zhejiang Prov., eastern peak of Tianmu Mt.] Berg Ost-Tien-mi-shan, b. Lingtan (1500m), Prov. Chekiang, 19.vi.[19]31, H. Höne [leg.] (MWM/ ZSM) ; 1 ♀, same data as previous but 20.vi.1931 (MWM/ ZSM); 1 ♂, [China, Zhejiang Prov., eastern peak of Tianmu Mt.] Ost Tien-mu-shan, Prov. Chekiang, 4.vii.1931, H. Höne [leg.] (MWM/ ZSM) ; 3 ♀♀, East Tienmu Shan Mt., 700[m], Zhejiang Prov., 1. VI .2010, A. Floriani leg. (AFM).

Diagnosis. The forewing length is 18.0–20.0 mm in males and 20.0–22.0 mm in females. Thysanoplisna hoenei sp. nov. differs clearly from two other species in the species group in its broad, nearly round medial forewing spot and the very limited sexual dimorphism. The new species is most superficially similar to Th. signata, which is also found in Zhejiang Province, but can be distinguished by the longer costal forewing spot in both sexes, and the somewhat larger and more rounded medial forewing spot in the female. The male genital capsule of Th. hoenei sp. nov. differs from Th. directa and Th. tenebrosa sp. nov. in the markedly broader valva with a thicker distal saccular process. The phallus of the new species displays no remarkable differences from both similar congeners. Compared to Th. directa and Th. tenebrosa sp. nov., the vesica of Th. hoenei sp. nov. is longer, has a markedly longer and broader basal diverticulum, a considerably longer, broader and medially twisted distal section bearing larger, bladelike cornuti (they are claw-shaped in the congeners), and a shorter dorsal medial diverticulum. The female genitalia of the new species differ from Th. directa and Th. tenebrosa sp. nov. in the remarkably smaller signum bursae. Additionally, compared to Th. directa, Th. hoenei sp. nov. has longer and broader posterior gelatinous protrusion of the corpus bursae, and a broader appendix bursae; and unlike Th. tenebrosa sp. nov., the female genitalia of Th. hoenei sp. nov. are characterised by the posteriorly narrower ductus bursae, and the shorter posterior gelatinous protrusion of the corpus bursae less protruding laterally.

Distribution. Eastern China (Zhejiang Province) (Daniel 1954 (partim., as ‘ Lithosia signata ssp. signata ’).

Etymology. The new species is named after Hermann Höne, renowned explorer of Lepidoptera fauna of China and collector of most of the type series. The name is a noun in the genitive case.