Meleonoma sinuaclavata Wang, 2021

Wang, Shuxia, Zhu, Xiaoju & Tao, Zhulin, 2021, Study of the genus Meleonoma Meyrick, 1914 (Lepidoptera: Autostichidae) from China (III), with descriptions of eighteen new species, Zootaxa 4995 (2), pp. 303-333 : 324-325

Meleonoma sinuaclavata Wang , sp. nov.

( Figs 17 , 35 )

Type material. CHINA, Yunnan: Holotype • ♂, Taiyanghe (25.05°N, 102.70°E), 1450 m, 17.V.2014, leg. Z.G. Zhang, slide No. YAH15396.

Diagnosis. The new species is similar to M. tenuiclavata sp. nov. in the male genitalia. It can be distinguished by the valva with a clavate process arising from base of the ventral margin, the sacculus without a clavate process at base of the dorsal margin and the aedeagus without a spine-like process at basal 3/4; in M. tenuiclavata , the valva lacks a clavate process at base of the ventral margin, the sacculus has a clavate process arising from base of the dorsal margin and the aedeagus has a spine-shaped process at basal 3/4.

Description. Adult ( Fig. 17 ). Forewing length 5.8 mm.

Head yellow, mixed with greyish-brown scales. Labial palpus yellow; second segment with a greyish-brown line in distal 1/3 on ventral surface, with a greyish-brown apical ring; third segment 2/3 length of second segment, with a greyish-brown line from near base to before apex on ventral surface. Antenna: scape yellow mixed with greyish-brown scales; flagellum greyish brown annulated with yellow.

Thorax and tegula greyish brown. Forewing with costal margin arched; ground color greyish brown; median fascia yellow, from before middle of costal margin gradually widened to before tornus; distal spot near apex, yellow, inverted triangular; plical spot black, placed at distal 1/3 of fold; discal and discocellular spots black, placed on inner and outer margins of median fascia respectively; fringe greyish brown. Hindwing and fringe greyish brown. Legs pale yellow; on ventral surface, foreleg with scattered greyish-brown scales, femur of midleg greyish brown apically, tibia greyish brown except pale yellow at middle and at apex, tarsus greyish brown except pale yellow at apices, hindleg with scattered greyish-brown scales, forming a spot on basal tarsomere.

Male genitalia ( Fig. 35 ). Uncus broad lanceolate, slightly narrower at base, concave at basal 1/4 laterally, with dense long setae in distal 3/4. Tegumen inverted V-shaped, slightly narrowed medially; lateral arm gradually narrowed to apex. Valva triangular, narrow at base, widened to obtuse apex, with a narrow carina extending from near base below costa reaching before middle, paralleled to costa; ventral margin with a curved clavate process from base extending outward and exceeding apex of valva apically, wide basally, curved in S shape, pointed at apex; costa almost straight, with long setae medially; transtilla elongately triangular, narrowed toward middle, pointed at apex, distinctly slender distally. Sacculus sub-quadrate, shorter than its basal width, dorsoapically produced to a free clavate process narrowed from wide base to about middle, its distal half evenly slender, rounded dorsoapically, with a denticle ventroapically. Saccus triangular, narrowed from wide base to rounded apex. Juxta U-shaped, weakly joined at base; lateral arm wide basally, spine-like distally, narrowly rounded apically. Aedeagus 1.5 times length of valva, basal 3/5 tubular, stout; distal 2/5 membranous, with a curved belt; cornutus being a large spine, with a large irregularly shaped basal plate ( Fig. 35a ).

Female unknown.

Distribution. China (Yunnan).

Etymology. The specific epithet is derived from the Latin sinua- and clavatus, referring to the curved process at base of the ventral margin of the valva in the male genitalia.

Figures

FIGURES 15‒20. Adults of Meleonoma spp. 15, M. grandivalvula sp. nov., holotype, ♂; 16, M. medispinea sp. nov., holotype, ♂; 17, M. sinuaclavata sp. nov., holotype, ♂; 18, M. tenuiclavata sp. nov., holotype, ♂; 19, M. tetrodonta sp. nov. holotype, ♂; 20, M. ventrisinuata sp. nov., paratype, ♀. Scales = 2.0 mm.

FIGURES 33‒38. Male genitalia of Meleonoma spp. 33, M. grandivalvula sp. nov., holotype, slide No. YAH12218, 33a, enlarged cornuti; 34, M. medispinea sp. nov., paratype, slide No. ZXJ19336, 34a, enlarged cornuti; 35, M. sinuaclavata sp. nov., holotype, slide No. YAH15396, 35a, enlarged cornutus; 36, M. tenuiclavata sp. nov., holotype, slide No. YAH15388; 37, M. tetrodonta sp. nov., paratype, slide No. YAH15261, 37a, enlarged cornuti; 38, M. ventrisinuata sp. nov., holotype, slide No. YAH15385. Scales = 0.2 mm, except 33a, 35a, 37a = 0.1 mm.