Hesperolyra diskusi (Puplesis & Robinson, 2000) Puplesis & Robinson, 2000

van Nieukerken, Erik J., Doorenweerd, Camiel, Nishida, Kenji & Snyers, Chris, 2016, New taxa, including three new genera show uniqueness of Neotropical Nepticulidae (Lepidoptera), ZooKeys 628, pp. 1-63 : 39-42

Taxon classification Animalia Lepidoptera Nepticulidae

Hesperolyra diskusi (Puplesis & Robinson, 2000) comb. n.

Fomoria diskusi Puplesis & Robinson, 2000: 43. Holotype ♂: BELIZE: Cayo Distr., Chiquibul For. Res., Las Cuevas, 3-16.iv.1998, R. Puplesis & S. Hill, Genitalia slide BM28844 (BMNH). [examined]

Differential diagnosis.

Hesperolyra diskusi is easily recognisable by its striking pattern: the pale costal streak that turns into an outward oblique fascia at 2/3. In the male genitalia the characteristic long spines separate it from congeners.

Redescription.

Male (Fig. 117). Frontal tuft yellow to orange; scape shining yellowish white, antenna with 37-39 segments. Collar of hairscales similar to frontal tuft. Thorax and forewing fuscous; yellowish white pattern comprising a costal streak running from wing base to slightly over 1/2, then changing into an outwards oblique fascia running to 2/3 of dorsum, and becoming narrower towards dorsum; scales along costa stronger yellow; terminal cilia yellowish white beyond an irregular cilia line. Thorax anteriorly pale, posteriorly fuscous, in rest joining to the forewing pattern. Forewing under fold with a conspicuous row of special scales, only visible in descaled wings (Figs 126, 127).

Female (Fig. 118). Antenna with 33 segments. Otherwise as male.

Measurements. Male: forewing length 1.8-2.3 mm (n=2), wingspan 4.0-5.0 mm. Female: forewing length 2.1 mm (n=1), wingspan 4.6 mm.

Male genitalia (Figs 121-125, 128) (n=3). Total length capsule ca 330-350 µm. Vinculum long, anteriorly with small excavation; tegumen in middle with excavation, resulting in bilobed pseuduncus; uncus inverted Y-shaped; gnathos almost similar in shape to uncus. Valva 165-190 µm, elaborate bilobed structure, with curved outer lobe and rather straight flat inner lobe, and three elaborate long and curved spines that attach to the anellus; transtilla without sublateral processes, transverse bar extending anteriorly in a lyre-shaped plate. Phallus ca 320-350 µm long, tapering anteriorly, posteriorly attached to the long valval spines, some of which may actually be carinal processes.

Female genitalia (Figs 129-131). T9 forming broad pair of anal papillae with each ca 15 setae. T8 with rather square posterior margin, some setae on either side. Anterior apophyses narrow, posterior apophyses slightly widened, of about same length. Total length of bursa 460 µm. Bursa without signa or other ornamentation. Ductus spermathecae distinct and longer than corpus bursae, with 7 convolutions and ending in wide and pointed vesicle.

Biology.

Host plant unknown. Collected at light in April, during the dry season in secondary forest ( Puplesis and Robinson 2000).

Distribution.

Only known from Belize (ca. N16.732, W88.988).

DNA barcode.

We barcoded one paratype (RMNH.INS.24501), BOLD:ACY4502.

Other material examined.

4♂, 1♀, paratypes: Belize: Cayo District, Chiquibul Forest Reserve, Las Cuevas, 3-16.iv.1998, R. Puplesis & S. Hill, Genitalia slides ♂ EvN4501 (+ wings), BM28845, BM29130, ♀ BM28846, wing slide BM28847, resp. RMNH.INS.24501 (RMNH), BMNH(E)1625433, 1625439, 1625481, 1625477 (♀) (BMNH).