Euphlyctinides pseudolaika, Wu & Solovyev & Han, 2022

Wu, Jun, Solovyev, Alexey V. & Han, Hui-Lin, 2022, Four new species and two newly recorded species of Limacodidae (Lepidoptera, Zygaenoidea) from China, ZooKeys 1123, pp. 205-219 : 205

publication ID

https://dx.doi.org/10.3897/zookeys.1123.77217

publication LSID

lsid:zoobank.org:pub:C890909D-0AD5-4E5C-ADB4-1129BBECE4FF

persistent identifier

https://treatment.plazi.org/id/EAC31D21-0F9B-4E28-A702-F4B93A7A0084

taxon LSID

lsid:zoobank.org:act:EAC31D21-0F9B-4E28-A702-F4B93A7A0084

treatment provided by

ZooKeys by Pensoft

scientific name

Euphlyctinides pseudolaika
status

sp. nov.

Euphlyctinides pseudolaika sp. nov.

Figs 7 View Figures 7–14 , 8 View Figures 7–14 , 21 View Figures 21–28 , 22 View Figures 21–28

Material examined.

Holotype. ♂, China, Prov. Yunnan, Pu’er City, Manxieba Village , 3.VIII.2018, HL. Han, J. Wu, and MR. Li legs., genit. prep. WuJ-177-1 (NEFU) . Paratype. 1♂, China, Prov. Yunnan, Baoshan City, Mangkuan Village , 30.VII-2.VIII.2014, HL. Han leg., genit. prep. WuJ-702-1 (NEFU) .

Diagnosis.

The new species is similar in appearance to E. laika Solovyev & Witt, 2009 (Fig. 9 View Figures 7–14 ), but can be separated from the latter by the almost invisible subterminal line, and the weakly sinuous outer margin of the hindwing.

It can also be easily distinguished from the latter by the characters of the male genitalia. In E. pseudolaika sp. nov. (Figs 21 View Figures 21–28 , 22 View Figures 21–28 ), the basal flap of the costa in the valva is small, with distinct apical and subapical spines; the juxta is slightly forked apically; the apical process of aedeagus is short and blunt. However, in E. laika (Fig. 23 View Figures 21–28 ), the basal flap of costa is elongate, from the medial part of the valva to its basal, with tiny teeth apically; the apex of juxta is divided into two slender finger-shaped processes; the apical spur of aedeagus is long and acute.

Description.

Adult (Figs 7 View Figures 7–14 , 8 View Figures 7–14 ). Forewing length 10.5-11.0 mm, wingspan 23.0-24.5 mm. Head brown; labial palpus brown; antennae filiform, brown. Thorax brown to pale brown. Forewing elongate, ground colour brown, covered with sparse dark scales; anterior basal patch distinct, dark brown; medial fascia sinuous, dark brown, running from ca 2/3 of the costal margin to ca 1/3 of the inner margin from wing base, with large patches on basal, median, and apical area; subterminal line almost invisible; fringe brown. Hindwing reddish brown, with weakly sinuous outer margin; venation distinctly dark brown; fringe brown. Scales on legs brown.

Male genitalia (Figs 21 View Figures 21–28 , 22 View Figures 21–28 ). Uncus elongate, with a strongly sclerotized, acute subapical spur. Gnathos slender, hooked. Valva elongate; base of costa with a distinct flap, which is covered with sparse short spines on the surface and bears a cluster of strongly sclerotized, various-sized, apically acute spines; sacculus slightly inflated at base, lacking sacculus process; cucullus rounded. Juxta flattened, nearly oblong, slightly forked apically. Aedeagus slender, slightly curved near caecum, with a short, blunt apical process coiled in half a turn.

Female. Unknown.

Bionomics.

The two specimens were collected in late July to early August using a light trap in a coniferous forest; the main vegetation around the collecting site of the holotype consisted of Pinus yunnanensis Franch. ( Pinaceae ) (Fig. 33 View Figures 30–33 ).

Distribution

(Fig. 29 View Figure 29 ). China (Yunnan).

Etymology.

The name, a noun in apposition, is a combination of the Greek adjective “pseudes” (= false) with the specific name " Euphlyctinides laika ", showing the similarity with E. laika .

Remarks.

Although only two males have been collected, the appearance differs from other congeners, particularly in the male genitalia. Hence, in this study, we formally describe them as a new species.