Miltochrista diasticta, Volynkin & Černý, 2022

Volynkin, Anton V. & Černý, Karel, 2022, On the taxonomy of Miltochrista dagmarae Černý with descriptions of a new species and a new subspecies (Lepidoptera: Erebidae: Arctiinae), Ecologica Montenegrina 60, pp. 25-31 : 30

Miltochrista diasticta sp. n.

https://zoobank.org/ urn:lsid:zoobank.org:act:292404A5-70FA-4E09-9352-A902D0D5F733

( Figs 7, 8 , 13, 14 )

Type material. Holotype ( Figs 7 , 13 ): male, “N- E. India | Assam, Nambor Reserv [e] | Forest , Garampani, H= 100 m | 26°30'N, 93°55'E. 21–29. Nov. 1997. | lg. V.Siniaev & M.Murzin ” / “Slide | ZSM Arct. | 2021- 242♂ | A. Volynkin ” (MWM/ ZSM).

Paratype: INDIA: male, the same data as in the holotype, gen. prep. No.: ZSM Arct. 346 / 2017 (prepared by Volynkin) (MWM/ ZSM).

Diagnosis. The forewing length is 8.0–9.5 mm in males. Miltochrista diasticta sp. n. ( Figs 7, 8 ) is externally reminiscent of M. dagmarae anaptigmena ssp. n. ( Figs 3–6 ) but distinguished by the somewhat more tapered forewing apex and the presence of the subapical grey suffusion on the hindwing. The male genital capsule of the new species ( Figs 13, 14 ) differs from M. dagmarae ( Figs 9–12 ) in the longer and proximally narrower uncus, the longer, more distally downcurved and thinner distal costal process, and the markedly thinner and symmetrical distal saccular processes whereas in the congener, the left process is remarkably longer than the right one. Additionally, in M. diasticta sp. n., the tegumen is longer than in M. dagmarae and the dorsal margin of the valva is more medially convex. The phallus of the new species is narrower than in the congener. Compared to M. dagmarae , the vesica of M. diasticta sp. n. is longer, broader and distally dilated, lacks the subbasal ventral and the subapical diverticula, and bears a longer medial cornutus, and a markedly longer distal cornutus situated more ventrally.

The female is unknown.

Distribution. The new species is known from Northeast India (Assam).

Etymology. The specific epithet originates from the Greek ‘διάστικτος’ meaning ‘speckled’ and refers to the forewing pattern consisting of diffuse spots.

Figures

Figures 1–8. Miltochrista spp.: adults. Depositories of the specimens: 1, 7 and 8 in MWM/ZSM; 2–6 in CKC.

Figures 13–16. Miltochrista spp.: male (13, 14) and female (15, 16) genitalia. Depositories of the specimens dissected: 13 and 14 in MWM/ZSM; 15 and 16 in CKC.

Figures 9–12. Miltochrista spp.: male genitalia. Depositories of the specimens dissected: 9 and 11 in MWM/ZSM (11 – ex CKC); 10 and 12 in CKC.