Thysanoptyx anomala, Volynkin, 2021

Volynkin, Anton V., 2021, Thysanoptyx anomala, a new species from south-western China (Lepidoptera: Erebidae: Arctiinae: Lithosiini), Ecologica Montenegrina 48, pp. 34-38 : 35-37

Thysanoptyx anomala sp. n.

http://zoobank.org/ urn:lsid:zoobank.org:act:4C3E92CD-8860-425E-ACC5-153C50EEB020

( Figs 1, 2 , 5, 7 )

Type material. Holotype ( Figs 1 , 5 ): male, “ China / Yunnan- prov. ( NW), Nuijang [ Nujiang ] Lisu and auton. pref. Fugong county , Lishadi (= Walo), 42 km N of Fugong, 1390 m, 12–16.V.1999, 27.15°N / 98.55°E, leg. / ex coll. Dr. R. Brechlin”, gen. prep. No.: MWM 35970 (prepared by Volynkin) (MWM/ ZSM).

Paratypes. CHINA: 12 males, 12 females with the same data as in the holotype, gen. prep. Nos.: MWM 35969 (male), MWM 35971, MWM 36031 (females) (prepared by Volynkin) ; 1 male, 2 females, the same locality and collector but 6–8. VI.1999 ; 1 male, 1 female, Yunnan Prov., Fugong County, Lishadi (= Walo ), 15–27.X.1999, 27°15'N, 98°55'E, 1390m, 42 km N of Fugong, leg./ex coll. Dr. R. Brechlin, gen. prep. No.: MWM 36030 (male) (prepared by Volynkin) ; 1 female, W Yunnan Prov., Xishuangbanna Dai auton. pref., Puwen , 30 km SSW of Simao, 900m, 22°30'N, 100°02'E, 16.III.–10.IV.2000, Brechlin’s local collector leg. (all in MWM/ ZSM) .

Diagnosis. The new species ( Figs 1, 2 ) is most externally reminiscent of T. brevimacula ( Figs 3, 4 ) but is recognised by the somewhat larger size, the wider forewing in both sexes, the larger and more posteriorly narrowed medial black spot on the forewing, and the darker, bluish-grey forewing ground colour whereas the forewing ground colour of T. brevimacula is pale grey. The male genital capsule of T. anomala sp. n. ( Fig. 5 ) clearly differs from that of T. brevimacula ( Fig. 6 ) in the longer uncus, the shorter vinculum, the markedly longer valva with an extremely elongate, apically pointed and downcurved dorsal section, and the longer and thinner distal saccular process curved inwards (whereas it is upcurved in T. brevimacula ). The phallus of the new species is conspicuously narrower and somewhat shorter than in T. brevimacula . The vesica of T. anomala sp. n. is markedly shorter and narrower than in T. brevimacula , has a conspicuously shorter and narrower dorsal diverticulum, and bears two short claw-shaped cornuti whereas the vesica of T. brevimacula bears one long thorn-like cornutus. The female genitalia of the two species are similar but the ductus bursae of T. anomala sp. n. ( Fig. 7 ) is narrower than in T. brevimacula ( Fig. 8 ), the posterior gelatinous section of the corpus bursae is longer and broader, and the appendix bursae is conspicuously shorter and narrower. Additionally, the anterior section of the corpus bursae of the new species is somewhat shorter and narrower than in T. brevimacula .

Description. Adults ( Figs 1, 2 ). Forewing length 16–17 mm in males and 19–20 mm in females. Antenna filiform in both sexes. Head ochreous-yellow. Patagia ochreous-yellow. Tegula black with ochreous-yellow margins. Thorax black. Sexual dimorphism limited: female somewhat larger than male and having somewhat longer forewing and smaller, more rounded and posteriorly wider medial spot. Forewing triangular with somewhat postmedially convex costal margin and distally concave anal margin. Forewing ground colour bluish-grey, subbasal and antemedial areas with intense ochreous-yellow suffusion. Medial area with large more or less trapezoid black medial spot and small trapezoid costal black spot. Hindwing pale ochreous-yellow with grey suffusion along costal margin at apex. Abdomen brownish-grey with suffusion of ochreous-yellow hair-like scales medially and distally. Male genitalia ( Fig. 5 ). Uncus long, thin, dorso-ventrally flattened, apically rectangular. Tegumen short and weakly sclerotised. Vinculum equal in length to tegumen, with thin arms, more or less rectangular anteriorly. Valva elongate, medially tapered. Dorsal section strongly elongate and distally tapered, apically pointed, downcurved. Sacculus narrow, with long and thin, apically pointed distal process curved inwards. Juxta trapezoid, weakly sclerotised. Phallus cylindrical, somewhat dilated distally, with short and apically rounded coecum. Vesica sack-like, directed dorsad, with short, elliptical, membranous dorsal diverticulum, larger sack-like, densely setose dorso-lateral diverticulum medially, and two short conical distal diverticula bearing short but robust claw-shaped cornutus each. Vesica ejaculatorius narrow, tubular, directed dorsad. Female genitalia ( Fig. 7 ). Papilla analis trapezoid with rounded corners. Apophyses long and thin, more or less equal in length. Ductus bursae short, broad, dorso-ventrally flattened, somewhat dilated anteriorly, sclerotised. Corpus bursae subdivided into two sections by medial constriction. Posterior section of corpus bursae sack-like, gelatinous. Anterior section teardropshaped, broad, membranous with small elliptical signum. Appendix bursae short, conical and apically rounded, positioned postero-dorsally on left side, directed postero-laterally, membranous.

Distribution. The new species is known from north-western Yunnan Province of China.

Etymology. The specific epithet refers to the unusual, extremely elongate and narrow dorsal section of the valva in the male genitalia.

Figures

Figures 1–4. Thysanoptyx spp.: adults. Depositories of the specimens: 1–3 in MWM/ZSM; 4 in NHMUK (©The Trustees of NHMUK).

Figures 5–8. Thysanoptyx spp.: male (5, 6) and female (7, 8) genitalia. Depositories of the specimens dissected: 5–7 in MWM/ZSM; 8 in NHMUK (©The Trustees of NHMUK).