Cinctosesia polistiformis, Bartsch, 2018

Bartsch, Daniel, 2018, Taxonomic changes in Synanthedonini from Madagascar, with description of two new genera and species (Lepidoptera: Sesiidae), Zootaxa 4433 (1), pp. 174-186 : 181

Cinctosesia polistiformis sp. nov.

Figs 20–22 , 26 , 28

Holotype ♂: Madagascar Est: Moramanga, Andasibe, vic. Anevoka , Foret Pluviale de Maromiza NR., secondary shrub / quarry near disturbed primary forest [ Carriere ], 18°57’44’’S, 48°27’07’’E, 27.XI.2004, 1100 m, at pheromone, leg. D. Bartsch & J. Berg ( SMNS).

Paratypes (31): 1 ♂, same data as holotype ; 1 ♂, ibid., 17.XI.2004 ; 2 ♂, ibid., 23.XI.2004 ; 2 ♂, ibid., 1150 m, mountain ridge in primary forest [Bellevue / Camp I], 18°58’33‘‘S, 48°27’45‘‘E , 15.XI.2004 (1 ♂, gen. prep. Bartsch 2006–09, Fig. 25 ); 6 ♂, ibid., 20.XI.2004 ; 1 ♂, ibid., 24.XI.2004 ; 1 ♂, ibid., 26.XI.2004 ; 1 ♂, ibid., 2.XII.2006 ; 1 ♂, ibid., 18.XII.2006 ; 3 ♂, ibid., 950-1010 m, trail in disturbed primary forest [between col / Camp II], 18°58'18-24‘‘S, 48°27'48-54‘‘E, 14.XI.2004 ; 1 ♂, ibid., 24.XI.2004 ; 1 ♂, ibid., 26.XI.2004 ; 2 ♂, ibid., 100 0m, slashed and burned place near disturbed primary forest [ Pl. de Banane ], 18°58’57‘‘S, 48°27’52‘‘E , 16.XI.2004; 3 ♂, 1000-1150 m, mountain ridge in disturbed primary forest [Indri-trail], 18°58’33‘‘S, 48°27’45‘‘E, 11.XII.2006; 4 ♂, ibid., 15.XII.2006 ; 1 ♂, 1100-1150 m, mountain ridge in primary forest [Bleubleu], 18°58’12-18‘‘S, 48°27’18- 54‘‘E, 14.XII.2006. All specimens at pheromone, leg. D. Bartsch & J. Berg (SMNS).

Etymology. This species is named after its remarkable mimicry with species of the wasp genus Polistes Latreille, 1802 ( Hymenoptera , Vespidae ).

Description. Alar expanse 23–31 mm, forewings 10–13 mm, antennae 6–7 mm, body 13–19 mm. Head with labial palpi dorsally crimson-red, ventrally and laterally brownish-grey, mixed with crimson-red, most densely basally, second palpomere dorso-distally orange-yellow, third palpomere brownish-grey throughout; frons glossy silver-grey; vertex brownish-grey, laterally and occipitally mixed with dark crimson-red; antennae black, scape laterally silver-grey brightened; pericephalic hairs dark crimson-red, dorsally mixed with light grey. Thorax, legs and abdomen monochrome anthracite-grey, spurs somewhat lighter grey; abdominal sternites 1–4 white, medially mixed with black; analtuft laterally narrow white. Forewing with longitudinal transparent area extending up to somewhat distal of discal spot, directly adjacent to external transparent area, the latter consists of 6 sub-cells; wing base black, costal area dark brown, blackish basally; veins, margins and discal spot brownish-grey; apical area between veins somewhat paler, semitransparent. Hindwing with veins, narrow margins and very small discal spot pale brownish-grey. Fringes of all wings pale grey. Variation insignificant, except for size. Female unknown.

Male genitalia. Gnathos distally forming a transverse edge, flaps broad, rounded, laterally protruding; valva approximately half as broad as long, apex obtuse, nearly right-angled; crista sacculi with basal part slightly ventrad bend, proximal part parallel to ventral margin, distally approximated; saccus basally broad, apically narrow with rounded tip; cornutus of vesica small.

Diagnosis. An unmistakable species due to its unusual shape, relative large size and unique coloration. Dark species of Tipulamima and Lolibaia salimi are somewhat similar, but differ by the short and smoothly scaled labial palpi, the longer and thinner antennae, the extremely long hindlegs, the much broader forewing discal spots, the different shapes of the abdomen and the very different structures of the genitalia (see diagnosis part of the genus).

Habitat and behaviour. Males were attracted unspecifically to artificial pheromones. They were active from the late morning hours to midday, appearing in rapid flight near the pheromones and starting to search in slow flight. All specimens were found inside or nearby disturbed primary forest, such as clearings and mountain-ridges, but also in small slash-and-burn fields.

Figures

FIGURE 28. Wing venation of Cinctosesia polistiformis sp. nov., male paratype.

FIGURES 13–24. Adult specimens of Madagascan Synanthedonini: 13–14. Malgassesia lemur (Le Cerf, 1957) comb. nov., male holotype. 15–16. Malgassesia ferdinandi nom. nov., male holotype. 17–19. Epitarsipus rufithorax Le Cerf, 1922 comb. rev. (17–18) male, Madagascar, Bekily, Region sud de l’Ile. (19) female, same data. 20–22. Cinctosesia polistiformis sp. nov. (20–21) male holotype (freshly emerged specimen). (22) male paratype (older specimen). 23–24. Nesosphecia mystica sp. nov., male holotype. Scale bars 10 mm, ventral view right.

FIGURES 25–27. Genitalia structures. 25. Malgassesia andrianony (Viette, 1982) comb. nov., male holotype. 26. Cinctosesia polistiformis sp. nov., male paratype. Terminal abdominal segments framed. 27. Nesosphecia mystica sp. nov., male paratype. Scale bars 1 mm.