Promalactis (Wang et Li, 2001)

Wang, Shuxia & Liu, Chen, 2020, Taxonomic study of the genus Promalactis Meyrick, 1908 (Lepidoptera: Oecophoridae) IX. The maculosa species-group, with descriptions of eighteen new species, Zootaxa 4890 (1), pp. 38-66 : 39

The maculosa group

Diagnostic characters. Moths of the maculosa species-group are characterized by the forewing having a white costal spot with dense dark scales on both inner and outer margins anteriorly, sometimes forming ill-defined dark spots or patches ( Figs 2–13 ), or by the forewing having a black costal spot often edged with a white line on the outer margin ( Figs 14–18 ), the cell with a white stripe near base, the fold usually with 2–3 and the dorsum often with 3–4 white markings, and the apex and termen each with a white spot. The male and female genitalia are highly diverse, and no unique characters were found that could separate them from most other Promalactis species-groups.

This group includes a total of 50 species, including 32 previously described species and 18 new species described below.

Figures

FIGURES 1‒6. Adults of Promalactis spp. 1, P. coloristigmosa, paratype, ♂; 2, P. cruciate, holotype, ♂; 3, P. lateridentalis, holotype, ♂; 4, P. latispinata, holotype, ♂; 5, P. lonchodes, holotype, ♂; 6, P. magnispina, holotype, ♂. Scales = 2 mm.

FIGURES 7‒12.Adults of Promalactis spp. 7, P. plicata, holotype, ♂; 8, P. bomiensis, paratype, ♂; 9, P. fasciserrata, holotype, ♀; 10, P. brevipalpa, holotype, ♂; 11, P. libona, holotype, ♂; 12, P. medilargissima, holotype, ♂. Scales = 2 mm.

FIGURES 13‒18. Adults of Promalactis spp. 13, P. ramivalvata, holotype, ♂; 14, P. aculeiformis, holotype, ♂; 15, P. apicitriangula, paratype, ♂; 16, P. curvispinosa, paratype, ♂; 17, P. medimacularis, holotype, ♂; 18, P. serraticostalis, holotype, ♂. Scales = 2 mm, except 15 scale = 1 mm.