Cibyra denise, Mielke & Grehan & Koike, 2025

Mielke, Carlos G. C., Grehan, John R. & Koike, Ricardo M., 2025, Review of the genus Cibyra Walker (Lepidoptera: Hepialoidea: Hepialidae) with descriptions of twenty-four new species from Brazil and Argentina, Zootaxa 5709 (1), pp. 1-74 : 16

Cibyra denise sp. nov.

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Pl. 2 : Fig. 12 , Pl. 10: Fig. 9 , Pl. 14: Fig. 9 , Pl. 19: Fig. 9

Type material. Holotype ♂ ( Pl. 2 : Fig. 12 ): / Brasil — PR [ Paraná] 12.II.2005 (4), Pontal do Itararé , 900 m, Guaratuba, O. Rank leg./ BC-CGCM/ 23.315 Col. C. Mielke [ GU661530 ]/ DZ 52.658 / HOLOTYPUS, Cibyra denise C. Mielke, Grehan & Koike, 2024 / ( DZUP) .

Paratypes (in total 3 ♂). Brazil. Paraná. Same data as holotype: 3 ♂ ( CGCM 23.988 [ GU661529 ], 23.347 [ GU661531 ], 22.941; CGCM) .

Diagnosis. The sclerotised fultura superior is unique within the monoargenteus species-group. In addition, the male FW ground colour of the new species is orangish-brown in all the type-series, a condition not found in all the previous species, despite the similar male genitalia of C. tessellata , C. elyana sp. nov., and C. regina sp. nov. Compared to the three previous species, the digitiform valvae of C. denise sp. nov. are thinner than in C. tessellata and C. elyana sp. nov. The pseudotegumen is not reinforced anteriorly as in C. tessellata (Pl. 14: Fig. 5 ; see arrow) but similar to C. elyana sp. nov. and C. regina sp. nov. (Pl. 14: Fig. 6–7 ). The protruding tergal lobes are also diagnostic (Pl. 14: Fig. 9 ; see arrow) with a posterior triangular process on each side, while flattened and lacking protrusion in the three previous species.

Description. Male ( Pl. 2 : Fig. 12 , Pl. 10: Fig. 9 ). Forewing length: 12–15 mm, wingspan: 28–32 mm. Epiphysis present.

Male genitalia (Pl. 14: Fig. 9 , Pl. 19: Fig. 9 ). Saccus with posterior edge concave, posterior portion slightly pronounced. Tergal lobes protruded with a posterior and triangular processes. Pseudotegumen less reinforced anteriorly. Fultura superior reduced, weakly sclerotised. Fultura inferior bilobed dorsally, rectangular, twice as wide as long. Valvae with apex rounded.

Female. Unknown.

Distribution. Known from the type locality only (Pl. 25: Fig. 2 ).

Etymology. Homonym in honour of Denise da Rosa Rank, feminine. It is treated as a noun in the nominative singular in apposition.

Remarks. The presence of the fultura superior in C. denise sp. nov. is surprising, as this character is found only in this species and all members of olinda species-group. The new species is sympatric to C. tessellata and C. monoargenteus within this species-group. All records are from a single night in summer, an interesting result considering the extensive collecting efforts applied in this locality.

Figures

PLATE 1. FIGURES 1−12. Cibyra spp. of ferruginosa species-group. Adults (dorsal): 1 (CGCM 33.377), 2 (CGCM 35.939), 3 (type no. 18604), 4 (CGCM 10.168), 5 (CGCM 27.547), 6 (CGCM 26.691), 7 (CGCM 23.321), 8 (CGCM 30.335), 9 (CGCM 30.343), 10 (CGCM 23.937), 11 (CGCM 42.000), 12 (CGCM 29.967). Depositories of the specimens: 1–2, 4–12 in CGCM; 3 in USNM.

PLATE 2. FIGURES 1−15. Cibyra spp. of monoargenteus species-group. Adults (dorsal): 1 (CGCM 25.160), 2 (CGCM 22.636), 3 (CGCM 24.860), 4 (CGCM 27.289), 5 (CGCM 36.137), 6 (CGCM 35.529), 7 (CGCM 35.658), 8 (CGCM 49.783), 9 (CGCM 49.833), 10 (CGCM 49.965), 11 (CGCM 45.284), 12 (CGCM 23.315), 13 (CGCM 43.815), 14 (CGCM 42.861), 15 (CGCM 23.483). Depositories of the specimens: 1–6, 13–15 in CGCM; 7, 12 in DZUP; 8–11 in CEIOC.