Prabadra Dubatolov, Volynkin, N. Singh, Joshi & Černý, 2021

Dubatolov, Vladimir V., Volynkin, Anton V., Singh, Navneet, Joshi, Rahul & Černý, Karel, 2021, On the taxonomy of the Prabhasa / Zadadra generic complex with descriptions of two new genera and two new species (Lepidoptera, Erebidae, Arctiinae, Lithosiini), Zootaxa 4966 (5), pp. 519-534 : 522-523

Genus Prabadra Dubatolov, Volynkin, N. Singh, Joshi & Černý , gen. nov.

Type species: Prabadra occidentalis sp. nov.

Diagnosis. The new genus is closely similar to the genera Zadadra and Chinasa . Adults ( Figs 3–6 ) are externally similar to those of Chinasa ( Figs 7, 8 ). The sexual dimorphism is limited than in Zadadra ( Figs 11–18 ) due to the less modified forewing shape and venation of male. The male genital capsule of the new genus ( Figs 23–25 ) is similar to that of Zadadra ( Figs 27–32 ), but in Prabadra gen. nov. the intervalval commissura is longer, the sacculus is less prominent ventrally, the distal saccular process is club-shaped and its distal dilated section is heavily setose (an autapomorphic feature).Additionally, the cucullus of Prabadra gen. nov. is dilated, with a ventral plate covering the distal saccular process outwardly (an autapomorphic feature), whereas the cucullus and the distal saccular process of Zadadra are well-separated from each other. The aedeagus vesica of Prabadra gen. nov. bears a stick-like cornutus, whereas in Zadadra , cornutus is absent. Compared to Chinasa ( Fig. 26 ), the male genital capsule of Prabadra gen. nov. is characterized by the shorter intervalval commissura, the dilated cucullus having a ventral plate covering the club-shaped distal saccular process outwardly (whereas in Chinasa , the cucullus is tapered distally and rounded apically and well-separated from the blade-shaped distal saccular process). The aedeagus vesica of Prabadra gen. nov. bears a stick-like cornutus, whereas the vesica of Chinasa lacks cornuti. The female genitalia of the new genus ( Fig. 34 ) are very similar to those of Chinasa ( Fig. 35 ) and Zadadra ( Fig. 37, 38 ) but the sclerotized pockets of the 7 th sternite of Prabadra gen. nov. are large, triangular and connected to each other, whereas in Chinasa , such structure is absent and in Zadadra , they are smaller, rounded and far apart from each other.

Description. Adult. Forewing length 9.5– 10 mm in males and 12 mm in females. Male antenna ciliate, female antenna filiform. Sexual dimorphism moderate: male ( Figs 3–5 ) has less elongate forewing with nearly straight costa and rounded apex, whereas, female ( Fig. 6 ) has forewing with costa slightly convex post-medially and apex pointed. Male forewing cell with elongate narrow area of androconial scales along the vein R. Forewing ochreous brown with paler costal margin, diffuse brown apical streak and dark brown postmedial costal spot. Hindwing monotonous brownish grey. Male genitalia ( Figs 23–25 ). Uncus elongated, narrow, dorso-ventrally flattened, apically tapered. Tegumen narrow, short. Vinculum short, weak, more or less U-shaped. Valvae fused to each other in basal two thirds by intervalval commissure. Juxta narrow, somewhat broadened basally, its distal end connected to intervalval commissure by membrane. Valva wide and relatively short, its costal margin convex medially. Cucullus broad, weakly setose, with tip slightly curved dorsally and rounded ventral plate covering the distal saccular process outwardly. Sacculus moderately prominent ventrally; distal saccular process short, club-like, with heavily setose distal dilated section. Aedeagus straight, with narrow and elongate coecum; main chamber of aedeagus vesica membranous, globular, with one narrow, slightly curved, stick-like cornutus with rounded tip; vesica ejaculatorius originates from subbasal section of vesica. Female genitalia ( Fig. 34 ). Papillae anales broad, trapezoidal with rounded corners. Apophyses anteriores long and thin, slightly longer than apophyses posteriores. Ostium bursae narrow, with membranous margins. Ductus bursae narrow, elongate, dorso-ventrally flattened, tapered at ostium bursae, moderately sclerotized. Corpus bursae membranous, without sclerotized elements, its posterior section narrow and tubular, anterior section broad, globular. Appendix bursae shortly conical, membranous, situated postero-laterally.

Etymology. The genus name is an aggregate of the genus group names Prabhasa and Zadadra . Gender feminine.

Figures

FIGURES 1–10. Lithosiina spp.: adults. Depositories of the specimens: 1, 2 and 9 in NHMUK (© The Trustees of the Natural History Museum); 3 and 8 in SZMN; 4 in NZCZSI; 5 and 6 in CKC; 7 and 10 in ZFMK.

FIGURES 11–18. Zadadra spp.: adults. Depositories of the specimens: 11 in OUMNH; 12 in NHMUK (© The Trustees of the Natural History Museum); 13–18 in MWM/ZSM.

FIGURES 23–26. Lithosiina spp.: male genitalia. Depositories of the specimens: 23 in NZCZSI; 24 in CKC; 25 in SZMN; 26 in MWM/ZSM.

FIGURES 27–30. Zadadra spp.: male genitalia. Depositories of the specimens: 27 in OUMNH; 28–30 in MWM/ZSM.

FIGURES 31–32. Zadadra spp.: male genitalia. The specimens are deposited in MWM/ZSM.

FIGURES 33–38. Lithosiina spp.: female genitalia. Depositories of the specimens: 33 and 36 in NHMUK (© The Trustees of the Natural History Museum); 34 and 38 in CKC; 35 and 37 in MWM/ZSM.