Miltochrista straminea Walker, 1856

Volynkin, Anton V., Singh, Navneet, Černý, Karel, Kirti, Jagbir Singh & Datta, Harvinder Singh, 2022, Three new species of Miltochrista Hübner from India, Myanmar, Nepal and China (Lepidoptera: Erebidae: Arctiinae: Lithosiini), Zootaxa 5168 (3), pp. 319-331 : 323-327

Miltochrista straminea Walker, 1856 , stat. rev.

( Figs 9–13 , 21, 22 , 27, 28 )

Miltochrista straminea Walker, 1856 , List of the specimens of lepidopterous insects in the collection of the British Museum, 7: 1685 (Type locality: “Hindostan”).

Type material examined. Lectotype (designated herein) ( Figs 11 , 27 ): female, “ TYPE LEP: No. 445 Miltochrista straminea Walker HOPE DEPT.OXFORD ” / A Walker’s type ♀ Miltochrista straminea ” / “Type.” / “Ind[ia]” / “473” / “ straminea n.” / “= excurrens Walk.” / “Slide AV6525 ♀ A. Volynkin ” ( OUMNH).

Additional material examined. INDIA: 5 males, Sikkim, Gangtok , 23.iv.2009, Rahul Joshi leg. ( NZCZSI) ; 7 males, Sikkim, Mangan , 23.iv.2009, Rahul Joshi leg. ( NZCZSI) ; 5 males, Sikkim, Mangan , 12.iv.2010, Rahul Joshi leg. ( NZCZSI) ; 2 males, Sikkim, Golitar , 20.iv.2010, Rahul Joshi leg. ( NZCZSI) ; 1 female, Sikkim, Chungthang , 28.iv.2014, Davinder Singh leg. ( NZCZSI) ; 3 females, Sikkim, Aritar , 29.iv.2009, Rahul Joshi leg. ( NZCZSI) ; 10 males, 14 females, Sikkim, Mt. Kangchenjunga SE, 27°30’N, 88°20’E, 2000 m, 22–31.VII.1995, E. Afonin & V . Sinyaev leg., gen. prep. Nos.: MWM 33.606, ZSM Arct. 2019-612, ZSM Arct , 2019-613 (males), MWM 33.607 (female) (prepared by Volynkin) (MWM/ ZSM) ; 3 males, 4 females, Sikkim, Pemayangtse Umg., Geysing , 1400 m, light trap, 24.VIII.1988, Dr. W. Thomas leg. (MWM/ ZSM) ; 1 male, 1 female, Sikkim, Legship , 800m, 24– 28.VII.1990, Werner Thomas leg., gen. prep. Nos.:AV5470 (male), AV5471 (female) (prepared by Volynkin) ( CKC) ; 1 female, Sikkim, Pemayangtse, 1200 m, below Rimbi , light trap, 26.VIII.1988, Dr. W. Thomas leg. (MWM/ ZSM) ; 1 male, 1 female, W.B., Darjeeling , 2000m, 12–20.VIII.1985, W. Thomas leg., gen. prep. Nos.: ZSM Arct. 2019-620 (male), ZSM Arct. 2019-621 (female) (prepared by Volynkin) (MWM/ ZSM) ; 1 male, W.B., 650m, Darjeeling , Manjitar, 5.IV.1986, W. Thomas leg., gen. prep. No.: ZSM Arct. 2019-622 (prepared by Volynkin) (MWM/ ZSM) ; 1 male, same data as previous but 28. VI .1986, gen. prep. No.: ZSM Arct. 2019-624 (prepared by Volynkin) (MWM/ ZSM) ; 1 male, W.B., 850m, Darjeeling, Pashok , 29.III.1986, W. Thomas leg., gen. prep. No.: ZSM Arct. 2019-623 (prepared by Volynkin) (MWM/ ZSM) ; 8 females, W.B., Darjeeling, Mangpu Road , 1900 m, light trap, 29. VI .1987, Dr. W. Thomas leg. (MWM/ ZSM); 1 male, W.B., Darjeeling , 2100m, 29.VII.–1.VIII.1990, W. Thomas leg., gen. prep. No.: AV5481 (prepared by Volynkin) ( CKC) ; 1 female, Assam, [W Meghalaya], Garo Hills, Nokrek National Park , 25°40’N, 91°04’E, 1150m, 2–13.VII.1997, Afonin & Sinyaev leg., gen. prep. No.: ZSM Arct. 275/2017 (prepared by Volynkin) (MWM/ ZSM) ; 1 male, 3 females, Mizoram, Reiek , 19.iv.2017, H.S. Datta leg. ( NZCZSI) ; 1 male, 1 female, Mizoram, Reiek , 20.iv.2017, H.S. Datta leg. ( NZCZSI) ; 2 females, Mizoram, Jowai , 8.ix.2009, Rahul Joshi leg. ( NZCZSI) ; 1 male, 3 females, Nagaland, Wokha , 30.v.2010, Rahul Joshi leg. ( NZCZSI) ; 2 males, 1 female, Nagaland, Kohima , 23.iv.2017, H.S. Datta leg. ( NZCZSI) ; 1 female, Nagaland, Kohima , 24.iv.2017, H.S. Datta leg. ( NZCZSI) ; 1 female, Arunachal Pradesh, Khonsa , 4.ix.2005, N. Singh leg. ( NZCZSI) ; 1 female, Arunachal Pradesh, Raga , 5.v.2016, H.S. Datta leg. ( NZCZSI) ; 1 female, Arunachal Pradesh, Bomdila , 11.v.2016, H.S. Datta leg. ( NZCZSI) ; 2 female, Arunachal Pradesh, Tippi , 15.v.2016, H.S. Datta ( NZCZSI) , 2 males, 1 female, Uttarakhand, Nainital , 29–30.vi.1994, APS Kaleka leg. ( NZCZSI) ; 1 male, Meghalaya, Jowai , 08.ix.2009, Rahul Joshi leg. ( NZCZSI) ; 1 male, Kumaon-Himalaya, Nainital Distr., Bhimtal , 1500 m, Smetacek leg., 21–23.VIII.1977 (MWM/ ZSM) ; 1 female, same data as previous but 25.IX.1977 (MWM/ ZSM) ; 1 female, same data as previous but 14.IX.1979 (MWM/ ZSM) ; 1 male, same data as previous but 12. VI .1979, gen. prep. No.: ZSM Arct. 2019-615 (prepared by Volynkin) (MWM/ ZSM) ; 2 males, same locality as previous but 3.VII.1971, de Freina leg., gen. prep. Nos.: ZSM Arct. 2019-614, ZSM Arct. 2019-616 (prepared by Volynkin) (MWM/ ZSM) ; 1 male, same data as previous but 28–29. V .1971, gen. prep. Nos.: ZSM Arct. 2019-617, ZSM Arct. 2019-618 (prepared by Volynkin) (MWM/ ZSM) ; 1 male, NW Himalaya, 1500 m, Uttar Pradesh, Kumaon Dist. , Bhimtal, Nainital, VI.1974, F. Smetacek leg., light trap (MWM/ ZSM) ; 1 female, U.P., Bhimtal , 1500m, 11–20. VI .1975, W. Thomas leg., gen. prep. No.: ZSM Arct. 2019-619 (prepared by Volynkin) (MWM/ ZSM) ; 1 male, T . [amil] N.[adu], Palani Hills, Perumalmalay , 1500m, 14.VII.1990, W. Thomas leg., gen. prep. No.: AV5480 (prepared by Volynkin) ( CKC) ; PAKISTAN: 1 male, Prov. NW-Frontier, 35km N of Murree, Ayubia NP, 2300m, 1.VIII.1998, Tibor Csővári & László Mikus leg., gen. prep. No.: ZSM Arct. 2019-675 (prepared by Volynkin) (MWM/ ZSM) ; 2 females, Pakistan, Kashmir, Himalaya Mts. , 30 km N Muree, near Nathia Ghali, Aybia, 2600 m, 25–27. VI .1998, Gy. Fábián & B. Herczig leg. (MWM/ ZSM); NEPAL: 1 female, 1615 m, Taplejung area, Shimbu ( Pakora ), 11.X.1994, M. Hreblay & T . Csővári leg. (MWM/ ZSM); 1 female, Taplejung area, Tambowa , 2115 m, 12.X.1994, M. Hreblay & T . Csővári leg. (MWM/ ZSM); 15 females, Koshi, Taplejung area, Tawa , 1200 m, 87°49’E, 27°30’N, 1.IV.1996, G. Csorba & S. T . Kovacs leg. (MWM/ ZSM); 8 males, 2 females, Koshi, Taplejung area, Tapethok , 1600 m, 87°52’E, 27°32’N, 2.IV.1996, G. Csorba & S. T . Kovács leg. (MWM/ ZSM); 3 males, 2 females, Koshi, Taplejung area , SW of Mamankhe, 1700 m, 87°57’E, 27°26’N, 6–7.IV.1996, Csorba & Ronkay leg. (MWM/ ZSM) ; 2 females, Koshi, Taplejung area, Mitlung , 1100 m, 87°48’E, 27°27’N, 31.III.1996, G. Csorba & S. T . Kovács leg. (MWM/ ZSM); 1 female, Koshi, Taplejung area, above Yamphudin , 2600 m, 87°59’E, 27°28’N, 5.IV.1996, G. Csorba & S. T . Kovács leg. (MWM/ ZSM); 1 female, Mechi, Taplejung area, between Mamankhe and Anpang , 2000 m, 87°54’E, 27°26’N, 01.XI.1996, Gy. M. László & G. Ronkay leg. (MWM/ ZSM) ; 1 male, Mechi, Taplejung area, Nesum village , 1550 m, 87°29’E, 27°17’N, 21.X.1996, Gy. M. László & G. Ronkay leg. (MWM/ ZSM) ; 2 females, Ganesh Himal , 2165 m, 2 km W of Thangjet, 85’17’E, 28’10’ N, M. Hreblay & T . Csővári leg., 17–18.IX.1994 (MWM/ ZSM) ; 3 males, Ganesh Himal, 1700 m, 3 km W Gogne, Mailung Khola , 85°12’E, 28°05.5’N, 25.III.1995, Gy. M. László & G. Ronkay leg. (MWM/ ZSM) ; 1 male, Ganesh Himal, 2000 m, near Nesim , 85°17’E, 28°08’N, 22.III.1995, Gy. M. László & G. Ronkay leg. (MWM/ ZSM) ; 1 female, Ganesh Himal , 3 km NE of Sunpati, 2330 m, 13. VI .1993, M. Hreblay, G. Csorba leg. (MWM/ ZSM); 5 males, 2 females, Annapurna Himal, Poon Hill , 2700 m, 13–15.VII.1998, Sinyaev & Afonin leg. (MWM/ ZSM) ; 1 male, 1250 m, Annapurna Region, Sudame , 24–25.III.95, 83°45’E, 28°20’N, M. Hreblay & L. Nemeth leg. (MWM/ ZSM) ; 4 males, 4 females, Annapurna Himal , 2 km N Landrung, 1540 m, 83°49’E, 28°23’N, 8.IV.1995, Gy. M. László & G. Ronkay leg. (MWM/ ZSM) ; 8 males, Annapurna Himal , 2 km S Bichowk, 1400 m, 83°48’E, 28°20’N, 10.IV.1995, Gy. M. László & G. Ronkay leg. (MWM/ ZSM) ; 1 male, 2 females, Annapurna Himal, Ulleri , 1900 m, 83°43’E, 28°23’N, 3.X.1994, Csorba & Ronkay leg., gen. prep. Nos.: ZSM Arct. 2019-456 (male), ZSM Arct. 2019-457 (female) (prepared by Volynkin) (MWM/ ZSM) ; 1 male, 2 females, Annapurna Himal valley of Kali Gandaki, 2080 m, near Ghasa , 83°39,5’E, 28°36’N, 04. VI.1996, Gy. M. László & G. Ronkay leg. gen. prep. No.: ZSM Arct. 49/2017 (male) (prepared by Volynkin) (MWM/ ZSM) ; 2 females, same data as previous but 18– 19. VI .1996 (MWM/ ZSM) ; 1 female, same data as previous but 21.VII.1995 (MWM/ ZSM) ; 1 male, Annapurna Himal valley of Kali Gandaki, Kokethanti village , 1650m, 17. VI.1996, Gy. M. László & G. Ronkay leg., gen. prep. No.: ZSM Arct. 48/2017 (prepared by Volynkin) (MWM/ ZSM) ; 1 male, Annapurna Himal, near Geirigan , 1340 m, 83°45’E, 28°20’N, 31.III.1995, Gy. M. László & G. Ronkay leg. (MWM/ ZSM) ; 1 female, Annapurna Himal , 1 km NW Chitre, 2300 m, 83°41’E, 28°25.5’N, 23.VII.1995, Gy. M. László & G. Ronkay leg. (MWM/ ZSM) ; 2 males, East Nepal, Milke Danda, Nesum , 1500 m, 2.VIII.2000, Csővári & Hreblay leg. (MWM/ ZSM) ; 1 female, East Nepal, Milke Danda, Gursa , 2100 m, 3.VII.1998, Márton Hreblay & Balázs Benedek leg. (MWM/ ZSM) ; 1 male, East Nepal, Surke Danda , 1 km W of Kesawa, 2000 m, 30.X.1999, Yangzi Sherpa leg. (MWM/ ZSM) ; 1 female, same locality as previous but 17. V .1997, Hreblay & Scecsenyi leg. (MWM/ ZSM); 1 male, Langtang, 5 km NNE of Dunche, Barkhu , 28°08’N, 85°18’E, 1835m, 16.IX.1994, Márton Hreblay & Tibor Csővári leg., gen. prep. No.: ZSM Arct. 2019-458 (prepared by Volynkin) (MWM/ ZSM) ; 1 male, Katmandu , 1235m, 6–7.X.1994, Márton Hreblay & Tibor Csővári leg., gen. prep. No.: ZSM Arct. 2019-459 (prepared by Volynkin) (MWM/ ZSM) ; 1 female, 500 m, Dhumre, Bimal Nager , 26–28.III.1995, 84’26’’E, 27’55’ N, M. Hreblay & L. Nemeth leg. (MWM/ ZSM) ; 2 females, Nepal occ., Surkhet , 25.VII.1996, 1000 m, Hreblay & Szin leg. (MWM/ ZSM) ; 1 male, West Nepal , 10 km N of Surkhet, 2000 m, 7.VIII.1996, M. Hreblay & B. Szin leg. (MWM/ ZSM) ; 1 female, Nepal, Kathmandu , 1350 m, 4.VIII.1995, M. Hreblay & T . Csővári leg. (MWM/ ZSM); 2 males, East Nepal, Nesum , 1200 m, 28.X.1999, Yangzi Sherpa leg. (MWM/ ZSM) ; 1 female, East Nepal, Deorali Danda , 1 km N of Yamphudin, 2000 m, 7.VIII.2000, Csővári & Hreblay leg. (MWM/ ZSM) ; 2 males, 1 female, 2 km WNW of Muldi ( Murre ), 2200 m, 11.10.95 (85°54’E, 27°20’N), M. Hreblay & L. Bodi leg. (MWM/ ZSM) ; 1 male, Langtang , 1950 m, 1.5 km NE Dhunche, 85°18’E, 28°06’N, 24.IX.1994, Csorba & Ronkay leg. (MWM/ ZSM) ; 1 female, Godawani , W. Thomas leg., gen. prep. No.: AV5468 (prepared by Volynkin) ( CKC) ; BHUTAN: 1 male, 1 female, 4 km W Singor , 27°21’N, 91°02’E, 25.X. 2009, 2420m, Yury Bezverkhov & Viktor Sinyaev leg., gen. prep. Nos.: AV2785 (male), AV2786 (female) (prepared by Volynkin) ( CKC) .

Remark. Walker (1856) described only female of the species but did not specify a number of specimens therefore an existence of female syntypes is possible. In order to stabilize the nomenclature, we hereby designate the female specimen deposited in OUMNH as lectotype.

Diagnosis. The forewing length is 9–10 mm in males and 12–13 mm in females. Males of M. straminea ( Figs 9, 10 ) are very similar to M. idiomorfa sp. n. ( Figs 1–3 ), M. dankana sp. n. ( Figs 6, 7 ) and M. etalina sp. n. ( Fig. 14 ) and reliable identification of them in most cases requires the examination of the genitalia. Female of M. straminea ( Figs 11–13 ) is somewhat larger than in the similar species ( Figs 4, 5, 8 ) and has slightly longer dentation of the postmedial line. The male genital capsule ( Figs 21, 22 ) of the species clearly differs from those of the similar congeners ( Figs 17–20 , 23 ) in the strongly distally dilated valva with medially swollen costa and a relatively short, clawshaped distal saccular process. In the female genitalia, the two serrulate and weakly sclerotised plates in the corpus bursae are characteristic for M. straminea ( Figs 27, 28 ). The ostium bursae structure of M. straminea is similar to M. dankana sp. n. ( Fig. 26 ) but the ventral margin of the ostium is rectangular (trapezoid in M. dankana sp. n.) and the postvagianl dorsal area bears a triangular weakly sclerotised plate whereas it is rugose in the congener.Additionally, the appendix bursae of M. straminea originates from the anterior end of the ductus bursae and is directed anteriorly whereas appendices bursae of the similar congeners originate laterally ( Fig. 25 ) or postero-laterally ( Fig. 26 ).

Distribution. Known from Pakistan, Nepal, India and Bhutan.

Figures

FIGURES 9–16. Miltochrista spp.: adults. Depositories of the specimens: 9, 10, 12–14 in MWM/ZSM; 11 in OUMNH; 15 and 16 in CKC.

FIGURES 21–24. Miltochrista spp.: male genitalia. Depositories of the specimens dissected: 21–23 in MWM/ZSM; 24 in CKC.

FIGURES 25–28. Miltochrista spp.: female genitalia. Depositories of the specimens dissected: 25 and 28 in MWM/ZSM; 26 in MfN; 27 in OUMNH.

FIGURES 1–8. Miltochrista spp.: adults. Depositories of the specimens: 1 and 6 in NZCZSI; 2–4 in MWM/ZSM; 5 in CKC; 7 and 8 in MfN.

FIGURES 17–20. Miltochrista spp.: male genitalia. Depositories of the specimens dissected: 17 and 19 in NZCZSI; 18 in MWM/ZSM; 20 in MfN.