Manulea (Manulea) salweena, Volynkin & Saldaitis & Huang, 2022

Volynkin, Anton V., Saldaitis, Aidas & Huang, Si-Yao, 2022, Taxonomic review of Manulea (M.) tienmushanica (Daniel), comb. nov., and its allies with descriptions of two new species from mainland China (Lepidoptera Erebidae: Arctiinae), Zootaxa 5182 (4), pp. 389-398 : 394

Manulea (Manulea) salweena sp. n.

( Figs 5, 6 , 13 , 15 )

Type material. Holotype ( Figs 5 , 13 ): male, “ China, NW. Yunnan | Nu Jiang valley | 42km S.from Fugong | H- 2100 m | N °32.29'' | E 98°55.25 '' | 18.v.2018 | Butvila & Saldaitis leg.” / “Slide | AV6778 ♂ | A. Volynkin” ( WIGJ).

Paratypes: MAINLAND CHINA: 2 males, 1 female, same data as holotype, gen. prep. No.: AV4777 (prepared by Volynkin ) ( AFM, ASV) ; 1 female, China, SW Yunnan, Nujiang valley , S from Gongshan, H- 2100–2400m, N27°43.42 '', E98°45.15 '' E , 15–16. V .2018 , Butvila & Saldaitis leg., gen. prep. No.: AV4778 (prepared by Volynkin ) ( ASV); 4 males, 7 females, China, NW Yunnan Prov., Nujiang Lisu and Dulong auton. pref., Fugong County, Lishadi (= Walo ), 42 km N of Fugong, 1390m, 12–16. V.1999, 27.15°N 98.55°E, leg./ex coll. Dr R. Brechlin, gen. prep. No. : ZSM Arct. 2021-191 (male) (prepared by Volynkin ) ( MWM / ZSM) .

Diagnosis. The forewing length is 15.5–17.0 mm in males and 16.0– 16.5 mm in females. The new species ( Figs 5, 6 ) is superficially reminiscent of M. nigripuncta ( Fig. 4 ) but distinguished by the more elongate forewing, and the pale ochreous-grey body and wings colouration with contrast paler veins whereas the body and the forewing ground colour of the congener is pale ochreous with markedly less contrast paler veins. The male genital capsules of the two species are similar ( Figs 12, 13 ), but the uncus of M. salweena sp. n. is thicker than in M. nigripuncta , the valva is slightly broader (the length to width ratio is 2.28:1 vs. 2.43: 1 in the congener), and the distal saccular process is markedly longer (in proportion to the valva length). The phallus of M. salweena sp. n. is somewhat shorter than in M. nigripuncta . The vesica configuration of the new species is similar to that of M. nigripuncta but the medial chamber of the former species is markedly narrower and bearing a short diverticulum ventrally, the ventral diverticulum is narrower, and the dorsal diverticulum is markedly longer (in proportion to the phallus size). Since the females of M. nigripuncta and M. tienmushanica are unknown, the female copulatory organ of M. salweena sp. n. is compared only to M. diaforetica sp. n. (the comparison of male genitalia of the two species is provided below in the diagnosis of the latter species). The female genitalia of M. salweena sp. n. ( Fig. 15 ) differ clearly from M. diaforetica sp. n. ( Fig. 16 ) in the markedly broader, longer and more rugose ductus bursae in the former. The corpus bursae of the new species is globular with three band-like and serrulate sclerotised transverse plates posteriorly and a round serrulate signum bursae anteriorly. Unlike M. salweena sp. n., the corpus bursae of M. diaforetica sp. n. is elliptical with a slightly dilated, gelatinous and rugose posterior section, the medial section of the corpus bursae is somewhat constricted with a heavily sclerotised right side bearing a large, triangular and apically rounded lateral protrusion which is basally fused with the appendix bursae, and the anterior section of the corpus bursae bears two elliptical signa laterally. The appendix bursae of the new species is membranous, broadly conical and apically rounded whereas it is markedly shorter and narrower and heavily sclerotised in M. diaforetica sp. n. Additionally, the apophysis anterioris of M. salweena sp. n. is somewhat longer (in proportion to the ovipositor size) than in the congener.

Distribution. Known only from Nujiang Valley in north-western Yunnan Province of mainland China.

Etymology. The specific epithet originates from the Salween (=Nujiang) River, upper stream of which the type locality is in. The name is a noun in apposition.

Figures

FIGURES 1–8. Manulea spp.: adults. Depositories of the specimens: 1 in ZFMK; 2–4, 7 and 8 in MWM/ZSM; 5 in WIGJ; 6 in AFM.

FIGURES 12–14. Manulea spp.: male genitalia. Depositories of the specimens dissected: 12 and 14 in MWM/ZSM; 13 in WIGJ.

FIGURES 15–16. Manulea spp.: female genitalia. Depositories of the specimens dissected: 15 in ASV; 16 in MWM/ZSM.