Socifera Liu & Li, 2022

Liu, Tengteng & Li, Houhun, 2022, A new genus Socifera gen. nov. of Argyresthiidae (Lepidoptera: Yponomeutoidea) from Hainan Island, China, Zootaxa 5155 (2), pp. 280-288 : 281-282

Socifera Liu & Li , gen. nov.

LSID urn:lsid:zoobank.org:act:62F7AB90-4972-4F29-8206-727A3A292F87

Chinese name: 毛ffiẘoi

Type species: Socifera asymmetra Liu & Li , sp. nov., present designation by monotypy.

The association of the new genus with Argyresthiidae is primarily based on the autapomorphies proposed by Kyrki (1984): 1) vinculum with anterior protrusion of lateral angle (saccus), and 2) the V or Y-shaped eighth sternite in male.

Diagnosis. The new genus is similar to the genus Argyresthia in external morphology. It can be distinguished from the latter in the male genitalia by the clavate socius bearing spine-like setae, the dense and long setae of the valva and the saccus much longer than the valva; while in Argyresthia , the flat socius is covered with scale-like setae, the valva is covered with sparse setae along margin (subgenus Blastotere ), or with a clump or a row of long and thick setae in disc, or with dense short setae (subgenus Argyresthia ), and the saccus is shorter than the valva. In the female genitalia, Socifera gen. nov. has a ductus seminalis originated from near the base of the ductus bursae, and has a smooth signum with smooth horns; while in Argyresthia , the ductus seminalis is originated from the posterior 1/6 to anterior 1/3 of the ductus bursae, the signum and its horns are both denticulated, except smooth on horns of some individuals of A. (Blastotere) laevigatella ( Heydenreich, 1851) and A. (B.) sevenssoni Bengtsson et Johansson, 2011.

Adult. Medium size. Glossy. Occiput with piliform scales appressed, similar to several tropical species of Argyresthia .

Venation ( Fig. 1 ). Forewing with Sc to middle of costa, R 1 originated from middle of upper margin of cell, R 2 from before upper angle of cell, R 3 from upper angle of cell, R 4 and R 5 separate; stem of M and accessory cell visible; M 2 from near lower angle of cell, M 3 and CuA 1 connate and from lower angle of cell, CuA 2 from near lower angle of cell; CuP visible distally; 1A + 2A with short basal fork. Hindwing with Rs to before apex, M 1 and M 2 stalked, M 3 and CuA 1 stalked.

Male genitalia. Tuba analis stubby. Socius clavate, with piliform and spine-like setae, but without scale-like setae as in Argyresthia . Valva densely covered with strong and long setae. Vinculum heavily sclerotized. Saccus extremely long. Phallus slender, endophallus or vesica formed by cornuti with strong spines distally, ductus ejaculatorius extremely long.

Female genitalia. Ductus bursae slender; ductus seminalis from near base of ductus bursae. Signum smooth, with horns separated from each other.

Abdominal structure. Second sternite with a pair of short sclerotized ridges at middle near anterior margin.

Etymology. The generic name is derived from the prefix “ soci -” of the Latin words “ socius ”, and the suffix “- fera ” meaning setae, indicating the socius with piliform and spine-like setae that are obviously different from the scale-like setae in Argyresthia . The generic name is interpreted as feminine in gender.

Figures

FIGURE 1. Venation of S. asymmetra sp. nov., paratype, female, slide No. LTT12483W (Scale bar = 1.0 mm).