Miltochrista madathumala, Singh & Kirti & Joshi & Singh, 2023

Singh, Santosh, Kirti, Jagbir Singh, Joshi, Rahul & Singh, Navneet, 2023, Taxonomic review of the Miltochrista hollowai and M. curvifascia species-groups with descriptions of two new species from India (Erebidae: Arctiinae: Lithosiini), Zootaxa 5315 (2), pp. 150-160 : 151-153

Miltochrista madathumala sp. nov.

( Figs 3, 4 , 19, 20 )

urn:lsid:zoobank.org:act:08B6F783-357D-417E-B57C-8D6BB948AA3C

Type material. Holotype, ♂, India, Kerala: Ranipuram , 21.xi.2017, S. Singh leg. (13472/H10) .

Paratypes: 1 ♂, data same as holotype (13473/H10).

Diagnosis. Adults of M. hollowai and other species in the group, M.madathumala sp. nov. and M.kumarkaustubhi sp. nov. are remarkably variable in their wing markings therefore, the reliable identification requires the examination of the genitalia structures. Miltochrista madathumala sp. nov. is closely similar to M. hollowai but is externally distinct by the forewing having a marginal series of black spots which are absent in M. hollowai . In the male genitalia of M. madathumala sp. nov. ( Figs 19, 20 ), the uncus is shorter and subbasally dilated (it is medially dilated in M. hollowai ), and the costa is basally setose, almost straight, apically rounded and lacking a subapical spine whereas, it is slightly convex subbasally and bearing a short ventro-subapical spine in M. hollowai . The sacculus of the new species is proximally broader and its dorsal margin is more densely covered with shorter setae than in M. hollowai , and the distal saccular process is moderately sclerotised, trapezoidal with a dentate ventral margin whereas, it is heavily sclerotised, leaf-shaped and densely serrulate in M. hollowai . Compared to M. hollowai , the aedeagus of M. madathumala sp. nov. is longer, narrower and bearing a larger distal crest, and the vesica is more weakly scobinated and bearing a small and slender cornutus whereas, M. hollowai has two robust cornuti of different sizes. Another species closely similar to M. madathumala sp. nov. is M. kumarkaustubhi sp. nov., the detailed comparison is provided below in its diagnosis.

Etymology. The specific epithet is homonymic of Madathumala, the historical name of Ranipuram, Kerala.

Distribution. Currently known only from its type locality in the state of Kerala, South India.

Figures

FIGURES 1–8. Miltochrista spp. adults. 1, M. hollowai ♂, India, Gujarat, Saputara (NZCZSI); 2, M. hollowai, ♂, India, Gujarat, Waghai (NZCZSI); 3, M. madathumala holotype ♂, India, Kerala, Ranipuram (NZCZSI); 4, M. madathumala paratype ♂, India, Kerala, Ranipuram (NZCZSI); 5, M. kumarkaustubhi holotype, ♂, India, Karnataka, Ganeshgudi (NZCZSI); 6, M. curvifascia ♂, India, Tamil Nadu, Thalamalai (NZCZSI); 7, M. curvifascia ♂, India, Odisha, Gajapati, Gumma (NZCZSI); 8, M. curvifascia ♀, India, Tamil Nadu (NZCZSI).

FIGURES 17–20. Miltochrista spp.: male genitalia. 17, M. hollowai ♂, India, Gujarat, Saputara; 18, M. hollowai, ♂, India, Gujarat, Waghai; 19, M. madathumala holotype ♂, India, Kerala, Ranipuram; 20, M. madathumala paratype ♂, India, Kerala, Ranipuram (NZCZSI).