Nephelomilta, Hampson, 1900

Huang, Si-Yao, Volynkin, Anton V., Xiong, Yun, Li, Ying-Chun, Saldaitis, Aidas & Li, Xian-Fu, 2023, Contribution to the knowledge of the genus Nephelomilta Hampson, 1900 (Lepidoptera, Erebidae, Arctiinae) from China with descriptions of two new species, Zootaxa 5351 (5), pp. 534-542 : 536-537

Nephelomilta nu Huang, Volynkin & Saldaitis, sp. n.

( Figs 2–3 , 16 )

http://zoobank.org/ urn:lsid:zoobank.org:act:689C636B-F8AC-49F0-A947-CA28FDDF6F95

Type material. Holotype ( Figs 2 , 16 ): male, 27. VII. 2021, Qiunatong Village , Bingzhongluo Town , Gongshan County, Nujiang Lisu Autonomous Region, Yunnan Province, China, Si-yao Huang leg., slide NGS01 (Coll. SCAU) . Paratype: male, same data as in holotype (Coll. CHSY) .

Diagnosis. The forewing length is 12.5–13.5 mm (12.5 mm in the holotype). According to the male genitalia structure, N. nu sp. n. is hereby assigned with the pusilla species group (erected and characterised by Volynkin & Černý 2018) due to the presence of the apical costal lobe, the ventral-apical costal process, the distal membranous lobe, and the subapical saccular process. Nephelomilta nu is most reminiscent of N. hortensis fansipana Volynkin & Černý, 2018 ( Figs. 5 , 18 ), but can easily be distinguished from it by the larger size, the narrower and more elongated forewing with a pattern lacking reddish tint (whereas it is orange-reddish in N. hortensis fansipana ), and the markedly larger and more rectangular proximal cellular spot. In the male genitalia capsule, N. nu differs from N. hortensis fansipana in the distally broader and less prominent apical costal lobe, the slightly narrower and longer ventral-apical costal process, and the somewhat shorter subapical saccular process. The phalli of the two species display no remarkable differences. Compared to N. hortensis fansipana , the vesica of N. nu has a shorter basal section, a slightly shorter and broader medial diverticulum bearing a larger apical cluster of cornuti, and a distal diverticulum covered with larger cornuti. Nephelomilta nu is also similar to the recently described N. vinhphuciensis Bayarsaikhan & Bae, 2023 ( Figs. 6 , 19 ), but can easily be distinguished from it by the slightly larger size, the narrower transverse lines on the forewing, the larger proximal cellular spot and the more distantly placed antemedial and medial lines. In the male genitalia capsule, N. nu differs from N. vinhphuciensis in the distally narrower uncus, the narrower ventral-apical costal process, the broader and blunter ampulla, and the shorter subapical saccular process. The phalli of the two species are largely similar except in N. nu the sclerotized plate of carina lacks spines. Compared to N. vinhphuciensis , the vesica of N. nu has a shorter and basally broader medial diverticulum and a distal diverticulum covered with stouter cornuti.

Distribution. The new species is currently known only from its type locality in Nujiang Valley, Gongshan County in western Yunnan Province in southwestern China.

Etymology. The new species is named after the Nu people inhabiting Nujiang Valley. The name is a noun in the nominative singular in apposition.

Figures

FIGURES 1–14. Nephelomilta spp.: adults. Depositories of the specimens: 1, 2 and 7 in SCAU; 3, 8–10 in CHSY; 6 in INU (after Bayarsaikhan et al. 2023); 4, 5, 11, 12 in MWM/ZSM, 13 in NHMUK (©The Trustees of NHMUK), 14 in CKC.

FIGURES 15–19. Male genitalia of Nephelomilta spp.: Depositories of the slides: 15, 16 in SCAU; 17, 18 in MWM/ZSM; 19 in INU.