Choristoneura ribhoiensis, Naik & Shashank, 2024

Naik, Santhosh & Shashank, P. R., 2024, Discovery of two new species and three new records of the tribe Archipini (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae) from India, Zootaxa 5492 (3), pp. 409-420 : 410-412

Choristoneura ribhoiensis sp. nov. Shashank & Santhosh

( Figs. 1A , 2A , 3A–B , 4A–D )

Type locality: India (Ri Bhoi, Meghalaya)

Holotype: INPC (♂)

Diagnosis. Choristoneura ribhoiensis sp. nov., is closely related to Choristoneura chapana Razowski, 2008 but differ in genitalia characters. Male genitalia of C. ribhoiensis have the uncus longer, tegumen relatively smaller, well developed transtilla process, and sacculus not prominent. Whereas genitalia of C. chapana have the uncus relatively smaller, tegumen wider and bigger, poorly developed transtilla process and prominent sacculus running up to the outer margin of valva. Fifty-three species of Choristoneura are currently recognised globally ( Gilligan et al., 2018), out of which six species are recorded from India, namely: C. colyma Razowski, 2006 ; C. ferrugininotata Obraztsov, 1968 ; C. griseicoma (Meyrick, 1924) ; C. neurophaea (Meyrick, 1932) ; C. propensa Razowski, 1992 and C. pseudofumiferana Ganai & Khan, 2017 [nomen nudum] ( Pathania et al., 2020). These species are different from C. ribhoiensis sp. nov but present some similar elements, such as an an incomplete transtilla divided in two labies and gnathos moderately sclerotized lateral bands with well-developed sclerotised gnathal hooks arises from tegumen shoulder and are connected medially.

Description. Head: Ocellus moderate, well developed and brownish compound eyes. Head whitish dusted with light grey, face fuscous. Vertex and dorsal part of frons clothed with long pale ochreous rough, upwardly projected scales. Ventral part of frons region covered with small, flat, upwardly raised pale ochreous scales. Labial palpi clothed with forwardly projected pale yellowish ochreous scales; first segment short, ochreous, tinged with whitish cream; second segment long and broad, ochreous interspersed with pale yellow along dorsal margin from base to near apex; small third segment, porrect with long ochreous scale. Antenna filiform, pale ochreous, cilia not visible. Chaetosemata present.

Thorax: Smooth, pronotal collar, tegulae, mesonotum, and posterior crest grey mixed with dark brown scales; legs unmodified, middle legs with a pair of tibial spurs; hind tibia covered with dense white scales interspersed with light grey scales, inner margin with tuft of ochreous grey scales. Wings: Forewing (wingspan 14 mm) sub rectangular, slightly widening distally, slightly sinuate and slightly convex in outer half, apex falcate, with cream ochreous scales as background interspersed with dark grey, tinged with brown ochreous and orange-grey scales; Hindwing subtriangular, dark brown, with pale brownish grey apex and greyish brown cilia along the apical and anal margin. Wing venation: Forewing with all the veins separated beyond the discal cell, R4 and R5 stalked, CuP remain at margin. Hindwing with Rs and M1 connate basally, M3 and CuA2 connate basally, CuP distinct.

Abdomen: Light grey ochreous brown. Male genitalia: Uncus long, subtriangular, broad base obtuse apically; tegumen broad, subrectangular; socius not prominent; gnathos moderately sclerotized, lateral bands; gnathal hooks sclerotized, from tegumen shoulder, connected medially; valva medium, ovate, spinose; sacculus small sclerotized with minute setae; transtilla incomplete, formed by two sclerotized lobes with minute spines, connected medially; juxta rather small, round basally; vinculum medium sclerotized. Phallus broad base tapering towards apex; vesica usually with three lanceolate cornuti, caulis short.

Female. Unknown.

Material studied. India: Meghalaya: Ri Bhoi: CPGSAS, Umiam (25°03’22’’N, 91°54’42’’E, 1520 MSL), 1♂, 16.iii.2021 , Mercury vapour lamp coll. Santhosh Naik G & Sunil; genitalia slide no. L00051352 (♂).

Etymology. The new species Choristoneura ribhoiensis sp. nov., is named after the type locality, Ri Bhoi, Meghalaya, India.

Distribution: India (Meghalaya).

Remarks: This new species is placed in Choristoneura based on adult resemblance and male genitalia characters. The holotype was collected from a deciduous forest in Meghalaya, India.

Figures

FIGURE 1. Dorsal habitus illustrations. A. Choristoneura ribhoiensis sp. nov. (holotype, male); B. Clepsis laetornata (male); C. Clepsis laetornata (female); D. Diplocalyptis ferruginimixta (male); E. Diplocalyptis operosa (male); F. Terthreutis subrectangulus sp. nov. (holotype, male). Scale bar = 2 mm.

FIGURE 2. Labial palpi. A. Choristoneura ribhoiensis sp. nov. (holotype, male); B. Clepsis laetornata (male); C. Diplocalyptis ferruginimixta (male); D. Diplocalyptis operosa (male); E. Terthreutis subrectangulus sp. nov. (holotype, male). Scale bar = 0.5 mm.

FIGURE 3. Wing venation; Choristoneura ribhoiensis sp. nov. (holotype, male) (A. Forewing, B. Hindwing); Clepsis laetornata (C. Forewing, D. Hindwing)); Diplocalyptis ferruginimixta (E. Forewing, F. Hindwing); Diplocalyptis operosa (G. Forewing, H. Hindwing); Terthreutis subrectangulus sp. nov. (holotype, male) (I. Forewing, J. Hindwing). Scale bar = 1 mm.

FIGURE 4. Choristoneura ribhoiensis sp. nov. (A. Male genitalia, B. Uncus, C. Transtilla process, D. Phallus); Clepsis laetornata (E. Male genitalia, F. Female genitalia). Scale bar A, E, F= 0.5 mm; B, C, D= 0.1 mm.