Barsaurea, Volynkin & Huang, 2019

Volynkin, Anton V., Huang, Si-Yao & Ivanova, Maria S., 2019, An overview of genera and subgenera of the Asura / Miltochrista generic complex (Lepidoptera, Erebidae, Arctiinae). Part 1. Barsine Walker, 1854 sensu lato, Asura Walker, 1854 and related genera, with descriptions of twenty new genera, ten new subgenera and a check list of taxa of the Asura / Miltochrista generic complex, Ecologica Montenegrina 26, pp. 14-92 : 65-66

Genus Barsaurea Volynkin & Huang, gen. nov.

https://zoobank.org/ urn:lsid:zoobank.org:act:5A0B46A9-893D-42BB-BAE0-E595E5EAFC33 ( Figs 96, 97 , 154, 155 , 209 )

Type species: Miltochrista phaeoxanthia Hampson, 1900 .

Etymology. The generic name is a combination of the generic name Barsine and the Latin word ‘aureus’ meaning ‘golden’. The name refers to the golden forewing ground colour of species of the genus. Gender feminine.

Diagnosis. Small moths with narrow and elongated forewing, golden colouration and brown diffuse pattern. The male genitalia are characterised by the combination of the following features: (1) the massive, laterally flattened and setose uncus; (2) the presence of an androconial gland in inner membrane of vinculum (an autapomorphic feature); (3) the presence of a round lobe-like medial costal process (an autapomorphic feature); (4) the absence of a distal membranous lobe of valva; (5) the narrowed valva apex with one or two apical processes; (6) the short sacculus without a distal process; and (7) the aedeagus vesica having elongated diverticula bearing patches of robust spines. The female genitalia of Barsaurea are characterised by the combination of the following features: (1) the very broad, rectangular papillae anales; (2) the sclerotised, dorso-ventrally flattened and narrowed posteriorly ductus bursae; (3) the narrow posterior section of corpus bursae with a rounded sclerotised lateral protrusion; (4) the large elliptical membranous anterior section of corpus bursae; (5) the small elliptical and heavily sclerotised appendix bursae having a huge sack-like bulla, which is setose basally and membranous distally, and connected with the appendix bursae by the narrow membranous tube (an autapomorphic feature).

Distribution. The genus is widespread from northeastern India through Indochina to Malay Peninsula and Sumatra Island, but absent from Borneo and other Greater Sunda Islands.

Number of species. The genus comprises two valid species.

Figures

Figures 82–103. Type species of genera and subgenera of the Asura / Miltochrista generic complex: adults. Depositories of specimens: 82, 84, 85, 90–93, 98, 99 – NHMUK; 83, 88, 89, 97, 100, 101 – MWM/ZSM; 86, 87, 94, 95 – CKC; 96, 102, 103 – ZFMK.

Figures 152–155. Members of the Asura / Miltochrista generic complex: male genitalia. 152–154 – type species of genera.

Figures 205–211. Type species of genera of the Asura / Miltochrista generic complex: female genitalia.