Endotricha similata ( Moore, 1888: 206 )

Ranjan, Rahul, Singh, Navneet & Kirti, Jagbir Singh, 2023, On the taxonomy of genus Endotricha Zeller (Pyralinae, Pyralidae, Lepidoptera) with description of three new species from India, Zootaxa 5323 (1), pp. 56-70 : 63-64

Endotricha similata ( Moore, 1888: 206)

( Figs 9 , 22 )

Type locality: [ India,] Darjeeling [Darjiling]

Material examined: India, Sikkim: Ribdi , 1 ♁, 22.ix.2014 (8778/H10), R. Ranjan leg. (NZCZSI) .

Diagnosis: Endotricha similata is closely similar to E. dumalis , the diagnosis is discussed under the latter. Another closely similar species to E. similata is the new species described hereafter. Diagnosis is discussed under the new species.

Distribution: India (Darjeeling ( Moore 1888), Sikkim (present study)), Burma [ Myanmar], China, Sri Lanka ( Wang & Li 2005).

Endotricha fuscosimilata Ranjan, N. Singh & Kirti , sp. nov.

( Figs 10 , 23 )

Type locality: Yuksom (Sikkim, India)

Material examined:

Holotype (♁). India, Sikkim: Yuksom , 20.ix.2013 (13270/H10), R. Ranjan leg. (NZCZSI).

Paratype. 1 ♁ (13271/H10), data same as holotype.

Diagnosis: Morphologically, E. fuscosimilata sp. nov. ( Fig. 10 ) is closely similar to E. similata but is fuscous in colour, and the wing markings are less expressive. In male genitalia, the apico-lateral lobes of uncus are less produced and almost straight, gnathos apically narrower and more oval, socii larger, phallus larger, more robust (whereas in E. similata , the apico-lateral lobes of uncus are more produced and curved, gnathos apically rounded, socii are comparatively shorter).

Description: Male. Forewing length 9 mm. Labial palpi upturned, reaching up to vertex of head. Antenna basally swollen with a bunch of scales arising from basal segment. Forewing with some rusty scales on fuscous ground colour; costa fuscous beyond middle, spotted with white; subcostal area beyond antemedial curved line with rusty brown scales; outer area having pinkish scales. Underside with discocellular spot conspicuous. Hindwing with inner and outer area speckled with rusty pink scales posterior to median nervure.

Male genitalia with uncus ‘T’-shaped, having apico-lateral arms almost straight, socii upwardly directed. Gnathos apically rounded. Dorsal portion of valva membranous, inner wall bearing anteriorly directed long setae; costal band pronounced, sclerotised, ventral valva edge convexly curved in ‘C’-shape; sacculus broad at base, saccular process robust and broad medially, approximately 1/4 th length of valva, apex pointed. Tegumen broad, as long as uncus. Transtilla sclerotised and basally broad. Juxta elongate tongue-shaped, apical half ornamented with small spines. Vinculum longer than tegumen, notched ‘U’-shaped anteriorly. Phallus as long as the width of the whole apparatus, apodeme largely sclerotised, cornutus absent.

Female unknown.

Distribution: So far, the new species is only known from its type locality i.e., Sikkim.

Etymology: The species epithet refers to its more fuscous appearance than the closely similar species E. similata , meaning “a fuscous similata ”. A noun in the nominative singular standing in apposition to the generic name.

Figures

FIGURES 9–16. Adult of Endotricha spp. (All India). 9, Sikkim, Ribdi (8778/H10); 10, Sikkim, Yuksom, HT (13270/H10); 11, Sikkim, Dodak, HT (13272/H10); 12, Sikkim, Mangan (8772/H10); 13, Mizoram, Hmuifang (8775/H10); 14, Meghalaya, Cherrapunji (8844/H10); 15, Sikkim, Dodak (8839/H10); 16, Sikkim, Dzongu, HT (13283/H10). Scale bar = 5 mm.

FIGURES 17–22. Male genitalia of Endotricha spp. 17, Sikkim, Yuksom (8762/H10); 18, Sikkim, Golitar (8765/H10); 19, Sikkim, Yuksom (8763/H10); 20, Sikkim, Dodak (8768/H10); 21, Sikkim, Mangan (13259/H10); 22, Sikkim, Ribdi (8778/ H10).

FIGURES 23–28. Male genitalia of Endotricha spp. 23, Sikkim, Dzongu, HT (13270/H10); 24, Sikkim, Dodak, HT (13272/ H10); 25, Sikkim, Mangan (8772/H10); 26, Mizoram, Hmuifang (8775/H10); 27, Meghalaya, Cherrapunji (8844/H10); 28, Sikkim, Dzongu, HT (13283/H10).