Miltochrista primaria, Volynkin & Černý & Huang & Saldaitis, 2023

Volynkin, Anton V, Černý, Karel, Huang, Si-Yao & Saldaitis, Aidas, 2023, Thirteen new species of the genus Miltochrista Hübner from Indochina, China, Myanmar and India (Lepidoptera: Erebidae: Arctiinae: Lithosiini), Ecologica Montenegrina 68, pp. 12-37 : 17

Miltochrista primaria sp. n.

https://zoobank.org/ urn:lsid:zoobank.org:act:C4CC542E-2806-4F52-8089-9443B0ED4126

( Figs 30, 31 , 67 )

Type material. Holotype ( Figs 30 , 67 ): male, “N. Vietnam | Mt. Fan-si-pan N. Side | 1600m 22°17'N 103°44'E | primary forest 20.–30.x.1995. | leg. V. Sinjaev [recte: Sinyaev] & E. Afonin | ex coll. A. Schintlmeister ” / “Slide | ZSM Arct. | 294/2017 ♂ | A. Volynkin ” ( MWM / ZSM).

Paratypes. VIETNAM: 1 male, the same data as in the holotype ( MWM / ZSM) ; 1 male, the same locality and collectors as in the holotype but 1–7.XI.1995, gen. prep. No.: ZSM Arct. 349/2017 ♂ ( MWM / ZSM) .

Diagnosis. The forewing length is 11.0–12.0 mm in males. Miltochrista primaria sp. n. ( Figs 30, 31 ) is externally similar to the sympatric M. ehyrosta sp. n. ( Figs 16–19 ) but differs in the somewhat more elongate forewing apex, the paler forewing ground colour, and the more diffuse forewing markings. The male genital capsule of the new species ( Fig. 67 ) can easily be distinguished from M. ehyrosta sp. n. ( Figs 58–61 ) by the shorter and broader uncus, the markedly shorter and medially dilated valva, and the shorter, broadly triangular distal saccular process, which is distally slenderer and more upcurved in the congener. The phallus of M. primaria sp. n. is somewhat longer and anteriorly broader than in M. ehyrosta sp. n., and has a broader carinal process. Compared to M. ehyrosta sp. n., the vesica of the new species is considerably broader, has a longer basal section, and bears a markedly shorter distal cornutus. The male genitalia structure of M. primaria sp. n. is more similar to the Indian M. aureata Rothschild, 1913 ( Figs 24 , 69 ) but the genital capsule of the new species is distinguished by the broader uncus, the dorsal protrusion of the costa situated more distally, the shorter and less downcurved distal costal process, and the longer and apically pointed distal saccular process (it is apically rounded in the congener). The phallus of M. primaria sp. n. is markedly longer and broader than in M. aureata . The vesica configurations of the two species are similar but that of M. primaria sp. n. is considerably broader, and bears a markedly longer lateral and a somewhat shorter distal cornuti.

The female is unknown.

Distribution. Northern Vietnam (Lào Cai Province).

Etymology. The specific epithet refers to fact that the new species inhabits primary forests. The name is a noun in the nominative singular in apposition to the generic name.

Figures

Figures 27–38. Miltochrista spp.: adults. Depositories of the specimens: 27 and 28 in CKC; 29 in NHMUK (©The Trustees of NHMUK); 30–33, 35, 37 and 38 in MWM/ZSM; 34 in WIGJ (ex CAV); 36 in OUMNH.

Figures 66–69. Miltochrista spp.: male genitalia. Depositories of the specimens dissected: 66 in CKC; 67 in MWM/ZSM; 68 and 69 in NHMUK (©The Trustees of NHMUK).

Figures 16–26. Miltochrista spp.: adults. Depositories of the specimens: 16 in WIGJ (ex CAV); 17 in CAV; 18 and 19 in CKC; 20–22, 25 and 26 in MWM/ZSM; 23 in GMF-B; 24 in NHMUK (©The Trustees of NHMUK).

Figures 58–61. Miltochrista spp.: male genitalia. Depositories of the specimens dissected: 58 in WIGJ (ex CAV); 59 and 61 in MWM/ZSM; 60 in CKC.