Teliphasa similalbifusa Li

Liu, Linjie, Wang, Yiping & Li, Houhun, 2016, Taxonomic review of the genus Teliphasa Moore, 1888 from China, with descriptions of four new species (Lepidoptera, Pyralidae, Epipaschiinae), ZooKeys 554, pp. 119-137 : 124-127

Taxon classification Animalia Lepidoptera Pyralidae

Teliphasa similalbifusa Li sp. n. Figs 6, 14

Type material.

Holotype ♂ - CHINA, Mt. Daming (23.40°N, 108.48°E), Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, 1250 m, 20.v.2011, leg. Linlin Yang and Yinghui Mou, genitalia slide No. LLJ13039.

Diagnosis.

This species is similar to Teliphasa albifusa superficially, but can be separated from the latter by the gnathos about 3/5 the length of the scaphium, the costa without process near base on the ventral margin, and the phallus with two cornuti in the male genitalia. In Teliphasa albifusa , the gnathos is about 3/4 the length of the scaphium, the costa is protruding subtriangularly near base on the ventral margin, and the phallus has a single cornutus in the male genitalia. In addition, Teliphasa similalbifusa sp. n., Teliphasa hamata sp. n. and Teliphasa sakishimensis are much similar in the male genitalia by the subtrapeziform uncus, the approximately rhombic valva, the broadly banded transtilla, the irregularly shaped juxta, the separated saccus, and one of the paired cornuti stretching out from before the apex of the phallus. However, the gnathos is hooked apically, and the stretching out cornutus is stout and shorter than 1/3 the length of the phallus in Teliphasa similalbifusa sp. n.; the gnathos is obtuse apically, and the stretching out cornutus is slender and longer than 1/2 the length of the phallus in Teliphasa hamata sp. n.; the gnathos is also obtuse apically, but the stretching out cornutus is horned and slightly longer than 1/3 the length of the phallus in Teliphasa sakishimensis .

Description.

Adult (Fig. 6): Wingspan 34.0 mm. Head white, mixed with yellowish brown and black scales. Male labial palpus white mixed with dense yellowish brown; second segment strong; third segment short, apex pointed. Antenna with scape white, mixed with yellowish brown and black scales; flagellum alternate ly pale yellowish brown and deep brown. Thorax white, with scattered black and brown scales. Tegula blackish brown, mixed with white scales, with long brown scales distally. Forewing with basal area pale ocherous brown, mixed with black and white scales; median area white mixed with pale yellow and yellowish brown scales, with dense yellowish brown scales from costa scattered to above cell; distal area yellowish brown, mixed with black scales; antemedian line black, ill-defined anteriorly, extending distinctly from black scale tuft near base obliquely outward to below 1A+2A, then straightly reaching dorsal 1/3; postmedian line black, extending from costal 3/4 obliquely outward to M2, then arched and extending inward along CuA1, forming a blunt angle, finally straight to dorsal 2/3, its inner margin serrated; costa with a blackish brown spot at basal 1/3 diffused to above cell, with a white spot at outside of postmedian line spreading to R5; discal spot small, black surrounded by pale yellowish brown, with raised white scales on its outer margin; discocellular spot nearly rectangular, relatively large, surrounded by pale yellowish brown scales; terminal line yellowish white, spots ill-defined along its inner side; cilia yellowish white mixed with pale brown, blackish brown along extension of veins. Hindwing with basal 3/4 white mixed with pale yellow; distal 1/4 grayish brown, deepening from costa to dorsum; discocellular spot pale grayish brown; cilia yellowish white, blackish brown along extension of veins, with a brown line near base. Legs yellowish white, mixed with blackish brown and grayish white scales; tarsi blackish brown, white at apex of each tarsomere except black at apex of last tarsomere.

Male genitalia (Fig. 14). Uncus nearly trapeziform, rounded on posterior margin. Gnathos slightly dilated at base, gradually narrowed to hooked apex; about 3/5 length of scaphium. Valva approximately rhombic. Costa narrow, elongate triangular, smoothly arched dorsally, reaching before apex of valva. Sacculus narrowly banded, not reaching apex of valva. Transtilla joined in a semicircular protrusion. Juxta irregular in shape, heavily sclerotized. Saccus separated. Phallus dilated in basal 1/5, protruding at dorsal 1/2, relatively narrow distally; two cornuti present: one a long plate, serrated along dorsal margin distally; another stout, heavily sclerotized, stretching out of phallus from before apex, shorter than 1/3 length of phallus, narrow basally, broad distally, hooked apically.

Female unknown.

Distribution.

China (Guangxi).

Etymology.

The specific name is derived from the Latin simil- (similar), and the specific name of another species albifusa, in reference to the similarity of the two species in the superficial morphology.