Pollanisus trimacula (Walker, 1854)

Mollet, Bernard & Tarmann, Gerhard M., 2023, Revision of the genus Pollanisus Walker, 1854 (Lepidoptera: Zygaenidae: Procridinae), Zootaxa 5281 (1), pp. 1-72 : 36

Pollanisus trimacula

Published data ( Tarmann 2004) and new localities.

Material examined ( Table 8). Eggs and larvae collected on Hibbertia scandens (Dilleniaceae) .

Queensland. 1 ♁, Littabella N. P., 24°36′S, 152°07′E, 10.XI.2007, S. & B. Mollet leg. ( BMC) ; 6 ♁, Great Sandy N. P., Fraser Island, Ocean Lake campground, 24°55′S, 153°17′E, 20/ 21.IV.2008, S. & B. Mollet leg. ( BMC) ; 3 ♁, Lamington N. P, Green Mounts campground, 28°13′48.6″S, 153°07′56.8″E, 921 m, S. & B. Mollet leg. ( BMC) . New South Wales. 6 ♁, SW Port Macquarie, E. of Elands , 31°37′S, 152°19′E, 656 m, 18.XI.2007, S. & B. Mollet leg. ( BMC) ; 1 ♁, Track Comboyne to Elands , 31°37′51.0″S, 152°24′06.3″E, 662 m, 21.II.2013, S. & B. Mollet leg. ( BMC) ; 1 ♁ (984) ( Figs 117, 120 ), Huskisson , 35°02′43.8″S, 150°40′33.1″E, 5 m, 1.III.2013, S. & B. Mollet leg. ( BMC) ; 1 ♁, Murramarang N. P., Depot Beach , 35°37′42.4″S, 150°19′24.8″E, 25 m, 3.III.2013, S. & B. Mollet leg. ( BMC) .

Discussion and differential diagnosis.Although Pollanisus trimacula is easy to determine by the dark proboscis ( Tarmann 2004) and the presence of ochreous spots on the narrow forewing, in some populations the ochreous spots are very difficult to discern and only few ochreous scales are visible under high magnification ( Tarmann 2004). Some populations have been overlooked completely so far, because of the total lack of the spots in some localities (e. g. in 1 of 9 males inspected from Elands and 2 of 24 males from Great Sandy N. P.)

Females are excluded from this diagnosis, due to the possible confusion with females of other Pollanisus species. Moreover in males the narrow forewing can be broader in some population (Elands) and the colour of the proboscis is slightly variable and can be very close to that of P. subdolosa and P. contrastus . The strong bluish green bands on the underside of the wings can be missing (e. g. Lamington N. P.). The only character that can separate P. trimacula from the other closely related species, P. worimi sp. n. and P. kalliesi sp. n., is the head ratio data ( Table 8) as the darker proboscis in P. trimacula is not always easy to distinguish from the slightly yellow brown of the other two species. P. trimacula (without ochreous spots) has a similar head ratio as P. edwardsi and species 2 ( Table 4 ), but differs in its habitus by narrower wings and the presence of a medial translucent area on the hindwing.

P. trimacula (without ochreous spots) shares a similar habitus with P. commoni , P. contrastus , P. yugambeh , P. horakae , P. subdolosa clara , P. jirrbal and P. incertus , but differs in the head ratio data ( Table 17 ).

Phenology and bionomics. Pollanisus trimacula was mainly collected as larvae ( Figs 124, 125 ) on Hibbertia scandens or flying in the daytime. The larvae are of creamy colour with lateral and dorsal rows of circular brown designs on each segment and the length is about 13 mm at last instar. The larva of P. trimacula differs from all the other known larvae by the two dorsal rows of circular brown drawings.

Figures

FIGURES 117–123. Pollanisus species, upperside and frontal view. P. trimacula. 117, 120. male, Huskisson. P. worimi sp. n.. 118, 121. Holotype male, Barrington Tops. P. kalliesi sp. n.. 119, 122. Holotype male, Barrington Tops, Polblue; 123, Paratype female, same locality as holotype. (scale bars: 1 mm).

FIGURES 124–126. Pollanisus trimacula, larvae. 124. At Lamington N. P. 125. At Huskisson. P. worimi sp. n., larva. 126. At Barrington Tops N. P.