Orthobrachia simpliciata Yazaki, 2002

Huang, Guo-Hua, Su, Zi-You & Stuening, Dieter, 2016, Taxonomic notes on the genus Orthobrachia Warren, with description of a new species from China and Thailand (Lepidoptera, Geometridae), ZooKeys 609, pp. 121-137 : 129-130

Taxon classification Animalia Lepidoptera Geometridae

Orthobrachia simpliciata Yazaki, 2002 Figures 3 C–D, 4E, 5E

Orthobrachia simpliciata Yazaki, 2002, Tinea, 17 (1): 32. Type locality: Taiwan, China.

Diagnosis.

This species is characterized in appearance by rather long antennal rami in the male, less yellowish (rather creamy white) wings, especially in the distal third of the hindwing, somewhat ill-defined transverse fasciae, and in the hindwing-pattern consisting of an incomplete postmedial line only. In the male genitalia the valva is simple, almost not curved dorsad at apex and any costal ornamentation, such as small processes, present in latifasciata and tenebrosa , or the large dorsal expansions in flavidior and owadai , are absent. The saccular process is small and situated close to the base of valva. The aedeagus is unique in having a large row of small cornuti on vesica, together with a terminal, stronger and straight cornutus. Female genitalia are very different compared to latifasciata , flavidior , tenebrosa and owadai (" latifasciata -group"). The distinctive differences unite simpliciata with maoershanensis and hirowatarii (the simpliciata -group): with an arcuate, narrow lamella antevaginalis instead of a spined antrum, without long sclerotized bands and with an asymmetric, stellate signum. Orthobrachia simpliciata exhibits the most plesiomorphic characters in the female, but also in the male genitalia.

Material examined.

TAIWAN: 1♂, Holotype, Taichung, Mt. Anmashan, 2350 m altitude, 1.IV.1996, H.R. Tzuoo leg., NMNS; Paratypes 1♂2♀♀, same data as holotype, 1♂ same locality as holotype except for 9.III.1996, Fu leg., NSMT.

Biology.

The species was flying in spring at the type-locality.

Distribution.

China (Taiwan).

Remarks.

This species is endemic to Taiwan.