Araragi panda sichuanensis Hsu & Li, 2019

Hsu, Yu-Feng & Li, Ai-Min, 2019, A new subspecies of Araragi panda Hsu & Chou (Lepidoptera, Lycaenidae, Theclini) from Sichuan, western China, Zootaxa 4701 (3), pp. 296-300 : 297-298

Araragi panda sichuanensis Hsu & Li , subsp. nov.

Type materials. Holotype. ♂: CHINA: SICHUAN Prov., Yaan Shi, Baoxing Xian , 1400 m, reared from Cyclocarya paliurus , emgd. 9. V. 2019, Coll. A. Li & Y. F. Hsu ( IOZ).

Paratypes. 2♂ 6♀, same locality as for holotype, reared from Cyclocarya paliurus , emgd. 9. V/ 12. VI. 2019, Coll. A. Li & Y. F. Hsu ; 2♂ 1♀, VII. 26. 2018, Coll. Y. F. Hsu, 7♂ 7♀, 3–31. VIII. 2018, Coll. A. Li. ( IOZ, FNNR, NTNU) .

Male ( Figs. 1–2 ): FL 16.5–21.3 mm (mean 19.5± 1.2 mm, n=12); female ( Figs. 3–4 ): FL: 17.5–21.3 (mean 19.9±1.0 mm, n=14).

Diagnosis. The distinction between subspecies sichuanensis Hsu & Li, subsp. nov. and nominotypical A. panda is mainly on markings of wing undersides: 1) M1 and M2 spots of the distal band of central symmetry system on forewing underside are detached from R5 spot in the nominotypical subspecies, whereas they are conjoined with R5 spot in ssp. sichuanensis ; 2) proximal band of central symmetry system is large, with width much broader than cell bar in the nominotypical subspecies, whereas that is small, narrower or as wide as cell bar in ssp. sichuanensis ; 3) three spots of the proximal band of central symmetry system near wing base on hindwing underside are conjoined into a bar in the nominotypical subspecies, whereas they are separated, notably the posterior spot, in ssp. sichuanensis ; 4) ground color of wing undersides is overlaid with prominent gray scalings in ssp. sichuanensis , whereas it is paler with gray scalings poorly developed in the nominotypical subspecies. Ssp. yunnanensis is different from ssp. sichuanensis and the nominotypical subspecies by the greatly reduced proximal band of central symmetry system on forewing underside.

Hostplant. Cyclocarya paliurus (Juglandaceae) .

Bionomics. Adults were observed staying on foliage of the hostplants, descending to understory vegetation when sunshine was intensive with high temperature in fair weather. Ova ( Figs. 5–6 ) were mostly found on naked leaflet in dormancy, but occasionally on small twig. Green larva ( Fig. 7 ) devours young tissue of the hostplant such as new buds and soft leaves. Brown pupa ( Fig. 8 ) is girdled.

Distribution. Araragi panda sichuanensis Hsu & Li , subsp. nov. has been so far found in a few canyons in Baoxing area in Sichuan Province, belonging to north-south oriented Qionglai Mountain Range. This mountain range is approximately 400 kilometers distant from east-west oriented Qingling Mountain Range in Gansu and Shaanxi Province, where the nominotypical subspecies of A. panda inhabits.

Figures

FIGURES 1–4. Araragi panda sichuanensis Hsu & Li, subsp. nov. 1–2. male, holotype, 3–4. female, paratype. Scale bar = 1 cm.

FIGURES 5–8. Immatures Araragi panda sichuanensis Hsu & Li, subsp. nov. 5, lateral view of ovum, 6, dorsal view of ovum, 7, final instar larva, 8, pupa (all photos taken from the type locality).