Teulisna thomasi, Volynkin, 2023

Volynkin, Anton V., 2023, Taxonomic review of the Teulisna pallida (Moore) species-group with descriptions of two new species from the Himalayas (Lepidoptera: Erebidae: Arctiinae: Lithosiini), Ecologica Montenegrina 63, pp. 15-23 : 21

Teulisna thomasi sp. n.

https://zoobank.org/ urn:lsid:zoobank.org:act:3D71CA5E-54E6-4482-A11F-C9631523F2B5

( Figs 5, 6 , 12 , 16 )

Type material. Holotype ( Figs 5 , 12 ): male. “Indien [ India] | Sikkim | Pemayangtse | 2000m | 23.– 28.VII.1990 | leg. Dr. W. Thomas ” / “Slide | ZSM Arct. | 2021- 375♂ | A. Volynkin ” ( MWM / ZSM).

Paratypes. INDIA: 1 female, the same data as holotype ; 120 specimens of both sexes, Sikkim, SE Kanchenjunga Mt. , 27°30'N 88°20'E, 2000m, 22–31.vii.1995, Afonin & Sinyaev leg., ex coll. Schintlmeister, gen. prep. No.: ZSM Arct. 2021-372 (female) (prepared by Volynkin) (all in MWM / ZSM) .

Diagnosis. The forewing length is 12.5–13.5 mm in males and 15.0–16.0 mm in females. Teulisna thomasi sp. n. is externally reminiscent of T. quadrisignata but distinguished by the somewhat larger size, the broader forewing with a markedly paler, deep ochreous ground colour (it is brown in the congener), the less intense dark suffusion in the medial area, the paler subterminal area with a distinct submarginal line, and the smaller proximal costal spot in the male. Additionally, the female of the new species has a remarkably paler hindwing than in T. quadrisignata . In the male genital capsule, T. thomasi sp. n. differs from T. quadrisignata in the downcurved clasper, the broader distal saccular process with a larger ventral lobe, and the somewhat longer vinculum. The phallus of the new species is proximally broader than in T. quadrisignata . The vesica of T. thomasi sp. n. is markedly broader than in the similar congener, and having a shorter proximal ventral diverticulum, lacking the proximal dorsal diverticulum, and having a shorter and medially curved terminal cornutus (it is almost straight in T. quadrisignata ). Additionally, compared to T. quadrisignata , the medial ventral diverticulum of T. thomasi sp. n. is shorter and narrower. As the female genitalia of T. quadrisignata are unknown, the female genitalia of T. thomasi sp. n. were compared with the most similar T. ganesha sp. n. instead, from which the current new species is distinguished by the longer and narrower ductus bursae, the markedly larger postero-lateral diverticulum of the corpus bursae, and the proximally narrower and sack-like appendix bursae which is conical in the aforementioned congener.

Distribution. The new species is currently known from two localities in Sikkim (Northeast India).

Etymology. The new species is named after the late Dr Werner Thomas, a renowned German lepidopterist and collector of a part of the type series.

Figures

Figures 1–8. Teulisna spp.: adults. Depositories of the specimens: 1–6 in MWM/ZSM; 7 and 9 in MfN.

Figures 12–13. Teulisna spp.: male genitalia. Depositories of the specimens dissected: 12 in MWM/ZSM; 13 in MfN.

Figures 14–16. Teulisna spp.: female genitalia. The specimens dissected are deposited in MWM/ZSM.