Polyptychia fasciculosa, Felder, 1868

Miller, James S, 2009, Generic Revision Of The Dioptinae (Lepidoptera: Noctuoidea: Notodontidae) Part 2: Josiini, Bulletin of the American Museum of Natural History 2009 (321), pp. 675-1022 : 720

Polyptychia fasciculosa C. and R. Felder Figure 302 ; plate 27

Polyptychia fasciculosa C. and R. Felder, 1874: pl. 104, fig. 7.

TYPE LOCALITY: Colombia, ‘‘ Bogotá ’’.

TYPE: Holotype 3 ( BMNH).

Thyrgis ceron Druce, 1899: 295 .

TYPE LOCALITY: Colombia, San Martín, Llanos of Río Meta.

TYPE: Syntype ♀, leg. G.D. Child ( BMNH).

DISCUSSION: All previous authors have recognized a single species of Polyptychia — fasciculosa —occurring throughout South America. It was not until I located the Felder type of fasciculosa at the BMNH (pl. 27) that the existence of two species became clear. The type is interesting for several reasons: First, it is large (FW length 5 23.0 mm) compared to most examples of so-called fasciculosa in collections. Second, the Felder specimen is almost certainly the corresponding male of ceron Druce (1899) , the female BMNH type of which is also large (FW length 5 25.0 mm). Their wing patterns and body coloration are identical. The type locality of P. fasciculosa , ‘‘ Bogotá ’’, is widely cited in Felder descriptions, but many Lepidopterists doubt the veracity of this report. According to them, the true provenance of Felder types could encompass a range of Colombian localities. However, the BMNH type of ceron provides more detail. That specimen was collected in Colombia at San Martín (‘‘Llanos of Río Meta’’). This locality is at 400 meters elevation near the headwaters of the Río Meta, which eventually joins the Orinoco in Venezuela.

With the identity of P. fasciculosa firmly established, I then compared dissections of so-called ‘‘ fasciculosa ’’ across numerous South American localities. These revealed the existence of a second Polyptychia species, described below as Polyptychia hermieri , sp. nov. My research suggests that P. fasciculosa occurs in the Upper Amazon Basin of Brazil, from the headwaters of the Amazon north to the Llanos drainage of the Meta and Orinoco rivers, through Colombia and Venezuela. Polyptychia hermieri , on the other hand, occurs from Trinidad and French Guiana south to the lower portion of the Amazon River. Its western limits in Brazil, though not precisely known, extend upriver at least as far as Santarém. Means for separating the two taxa are provided in the Polyptychia species key (above). Their male genitalia are dramatically different.

Adding to the complexity, a third species of Polyptychia exists. I know this taxon from a single male collected at Rondônia, Brazil. Label data for that specimen are as follows: Brazil, Rondônia, 62 km S Ariquemes, 165 m, Faz. Rancho Grande, 10 ° 32 9 S, 62 ° 48 9 W, 27 Aug–8 Sep 1994, leg. Ron Leuschner, LACM (genitalia slide no. JSM-1739). I refrain from describing this taxon until additional material becomes available.

DISTRIBUTION: Brazil (AMNH, BMNH, CMNH, CUIC, LACM, USNM, ZMH); Peru (MPM, BMNH); Colombia (BMNH, USNM, ZMH) ; Venezuela (BMNH, USNM).

DISSECTED: 3, Venezuela, Suapure , 25 Apr 1900, USNM (genitalia slide no. JSM-1359 , wing slide no. JSM-1361 ) ; 3, Brazil, São Paulo de Olivença, Mar 1883, leg. M. de Mathan, BMNH (genitalia slide no. JSM-1504 ) ; 3, Venezuela, 14 Apr 1899, USNM (genitalia slide no. JSM-1506 ) ; ♀, Colombia, Muzo, 1915 , Apollinaire Coll., USNM (genitalia slide no. JSM-1508 ) ; ♀, Venezuela, Suapure , 11 Jul 1899, USNM (genitalia slide no. JSM-1742 ) .

Figures

Fig. 302. Genitalia of Polyptychia fasciculosa (3 JSM-1359, ♀ JSM-1360). A, 3 genitalia; B, 3 St8; C,