Miltochrista ranonga, Volynkin & Černý, 2023

Volynkin, Anton V & Černý, Karel, 2023, Three new species of the genus Miltochrista Hübner from Thailand (Lepidoptera: Erebidae: Arctiinae: Lithosiini), Ecologica Montenegrina 69, pp. 1-9 : 4-8

Miltochrista ranonga sp. n.

https://zoobank.org/ urn:lsid:zoobank.org:act:371C7BBD-013E-4E91-8582-5DBC845DC8E0

( Figs 5–7 , 18 , 19 )

Type material. Holotype ( Figs 5 , 18 ): male, “SW Thailand | Ranong-prov , Ranong, 380m | 10°01'32''N, 98°40'13'' E | 3.–4. XII.2005 leg. K. Černý ” / “Slide | AV2594 ♂ | A. Volynkin ” (MWM/ ZSM, ex CKC).

Paratypes. THAILAND: 6 males, the same data as in the holotype, gen. prep. Nos.: AV2595 ♂, AV3409 ♂ ( CKC) ; 1 female, Ranong [ Prov. ], Ranong, 380m, 10°01'32''N 98°40'13''E, 17, 20.XI.2006, K. Černý leg. ( CKC) .

Diagnosis. The forewing length is 7.0–7.5 mm in males. The typical specimens of M. ranonga sp. n. ( Figs 5, 6 ) are externally very similar to M. banlanga sp. n. but differ in the discal spot of the forewing separated from the medial line. The reliable identification of the form lacking the medial line ( Fig. 7 ) requires the examination of the genitalia structures. The male genital capsule of the new species ( Figs 18 , 19 ) can easily be distinguished from M. banlanga sp. n. ( Fig. 17 ) due to the strongly shield-like dilated proximal section of the uncus, which is only slightly dilated in the congener. The similarly proximally dilated uncus is known in the externally dissimilar M. roseogrisea ( Figs 8, 9 , 21 , 25 ), M. uncalis ( Figs 10, 11 , 22 , 26 ), and M. asphida (illustrated by Volynkin et al. (2023)), but the new species differs clearly from these species in many aspects of its male genitalia structures. Additionally, unlike M. banlanga sp. n., the valva of M. ranonga sp. n. has a somewhat thicker distal costal process. The phallus of M. banlanga sp. n. is somewhat longer and broader than in M. ranonga sp. n. Compared to M. ranonga sp. n., the vesica of the new species is somewhat shorter, and has a larger lateral diverticulum bearing a markedly longer cornutus.

The female is unknown.

Distribution. Southern Thailand (Ranong Province).

Etymology. The specific epithet is derived from the province of Ranong in Southern Thailand, where the new species is found. The name is a noun in nominative singular in apposition to the generic name.

Figures

Figures 1–14. Miltochrista ssp.: adults. Depositories of the specimens: 1, 4 and 5 in MWM/ZSM (ex CKC); 2, 3, 6, 7, and 12–14 are in CKC.

Figures 15–18. Miltochrista ssp.: male genitalia. Depositories of the specimens dissected: 15, 17 and 18 in MWM/ZSM (ex CKC); 16 in CKC.

Figures 19–22. Miltochrista ssp.: male genitalia. Depositories of the specimens dissected: 19 and 20 in CKC; 21 in NHMUK (©The Trustees of NHMUK); 22 in OUMNH.

Figures 23–26. Miltochrista ssp.: female genitalia. Depositories of the specimens dissected: 23 and 24 in CKC; 25 in NHMUK (©The Trustees of NHMUK); 26 in OUMNH.