Subleuconycta calonesiota Kiss, Wu & Matov

Kiss, Ádám, Wu, Shipher & Matov, Alexei Yu., 2017, A new Subleuconycta (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae: Acronictinae) species from Taiwan, Zootaxa 4237 (3), pp. 593-600 : 593-597

Subleuconycta calonesiota Kiss, Wu & Matov , sp. n.

( Figs 1–4 , 9–12 , 21 , 24, 25 )

Subleuconycta palshkove (sic!): Chang 1991: 43, fig. 26 (nec Filipjev, 1937). Subleuconycta palshkovi: Fu & Tzuoo 2002: 77 , pl. 23: 20; pl. 36: 3 (nec Filipjev, 1937).

Type material. Holotype. TAIWAN: male, Taitung Co., Hsiangyang , police station, 2320 m, 29-30.iv.1997, leg. Gy. Fábián, & S. T. Kovács, slide No.: KA 1046m (deposited in the collection of HNHM) . Paratypes. TAIWAN, HUALIEN Co.: 3 females, Ci'en , 1950m, 28.vi.2012, 19.vii.2012, 14.viii.2012, leg. S. Wu & W. C. Chang (coll. TFRI) ; 1 male, Heping Logging Road , 1400m, 16.vi.1992, leg. Y. B. Fan (coll. TFRI) ; 2 males, Taroko NP at sacred Pilu tree, 2000 m, 24°14’N, 121°24’E, 10.iv.2002, leg. Gy. Fábián (coll. HNHM, GR) ; HSINCHU Co.: 4 males, Guanwu , 2000m, 29.iv.2011, 29.vii.2011, leg. S. Wu & W. C. Chang (coll. TFRI) ; NANTOU Co.: 4 males, Biluxi , 2100m, 28.v.1987, 13.vi.1990, leg. Y. B. Fan, 23.vi.2009, leg. L. M. Juang, slide No.: TFRI 453 (coll. TFRI) ; 12 males, 1 female, Hohuachi , 1950 m, 24°13’N, 121°16’E, 31.iii.2000, leg. A. Kun, L. Peregovits & L. Ronkay, slide No.: KA1047f (coll. HNHM, GR) ; 5 males, 3 females, Meifeng , ca. 2100 m, 24°05’55”N, 121°10’48”E, LF, 01.iv.2003, leg. M.- Y. Chen & U. Buchsbaum (coll. GB) ; 07.iv.2003, 19.iv.2003, 23.iv.2003, 08.v.2003, 11.v.2003, 23.vii.2003, leg. M.-Y. Chen (coll. GB, ZSM); 20.vii.2012, leg. S. Wu, 14.viii.2012, leg. S. Wu & W. C. Chang, slide No.: TFRI177668 (coll. TFRI); 1 male, Meifeng , ca. 2150 m, 27-30.iv.1999, leg. Mey & Egbert (coll. MfN) ; 1 male, Meifeng , ca. 2200 m, 24°05’25”N, 121°10’23”E, LF, 26.v.2005, leg. M.- Y. Chen & U. Buchsbaum (coll. ZSM) ; 1 female, near Puli , Lushan Hot Spring, LF, 09.v.2006, leg. M.- Y. Chen & U. Buchsbaum (coll. ZSM) ; 4 males, Tayuling , 2750 m, 24°10’N, 121°18’E, 09.iv.2002, leg. Gy. Fábián (coll. HNHM, GR) ; 2 males, 3 km SW of Tsuifeng , 2100 m, 24°06’N, 121°10’, 27.iii.1996, leg. T. Csȏvári & P. Stéger, 25-26.vi.1997, leg. T. Csȏvári & L. Mikus, ex coll. M. Hreblay (coll. HNHM) ; TAITUNG Co.: 2 females, 2 km E of Hsiangyang , 2000 m, 20.v.1997, leg Gy. M. László & G. László (coll. GR) ; 3 males, 1 female, Mt. Yushan , 2300m, Hsiangyang-Yakou, 29-30.iv.1997 (coll. STK) ; 1 male, 1 female, Mutien , 1500 m, 21.v.1997, leg. Gy. M. László & G. László (coll. GR).

Diagnosis. Adult ( Figs 1–4 ). Subleuconycta calonesiota externally resembles S. sugii ( Figs 7–8 ) and especially S. palshkovi ( Figs 5–6 ). Reliable separation of the three taxa does not require the study of the genitalia, since S. calonesiota exhibits unique external characteristics: much expanded dark line and patch between the orbicular spot and reniform stigmata and more apically elongated hindwing. Subleuconycta calonesiota can be distinguished from S. palshkovi by its more contrasting wing patterns; slightly darker coloured forewing with whitish suffusion; more visible antemedial, postmedial and terminal lines; the slightly disrupted white subterminal line with dark arrows; much expanded dark line and spot between the orbicular spot and reniform stigmata; the somewhat thicker, rather parallel dark spots on the costal margin; the apically elongated, angulate hindwing with more visible postdiscal line. The new species strongly differs from S. sugii by its average smaller size, finer body; the lighter, greyish coloured forewing, suffused with yellowish scales; the somewhat darker antemedial, postmedial and terminal lines; largerly expanded dark line and spot between the orbicular spot and reniform stigmata; the rather diffused orbicular spot and reniform stigmata, the latter white outlined; the slightly angulate, greyish-brownish hindwing with more or less evenly curved postdiscal line. Male genitalia ( Figs 9–12 ). The relationship with S. palshkovi ( Figs 13–16 ) and S. sugii ( Figs 17–20 ) is evident. The uncus and juxta of the S. calonesiota is similar to S. palshkovi but differing from S. sugii by the medially broadening uncus and the basally narrower juxta. The new species has somewhat narrower, rather parallel and straighter valvae. The distal part of the valvae is more rounded than in S. palshkovi and straighter than S. sugii . The valvae of S. calonesiota and S. palshkovi are widest in the basal second fourth; in S. sugii in the basal first fourth. Subleuconycta calonesiota has shorter and broader saccular processus than S. palshkovi and much broader, terminally rounded than S. sugii . The new species has slightly narrower and slender aedeagus than S. palshkovi and S. sugii . The distal diverticulum of the vesica is slightly smaller than in S. palshkovi and more developed than in S. sugii . Male 8th abdominal segments ( Fig. 21 ). The shape of the 8th abdominal segments shows a closer relationship between S. calonesiota and S. palshkovi ( Fig. 22 ) and much less with S. sugii ( Fig. 23 ). The chiasma-shaped tergite is widening evenly in both three species; the broadest, triangular-shaped in S. calonesiota , oval-like in S. palshkovi and rather straight, slightly broadening in S. sugii . The connection of the arms is narrow, “X”-like in S. calonesiota and S. palshkovi and broad, rectangular in S. sugii . The “window” on the tergite is in S. calonesiota smaller, rounded with a narrow, unsclerotized part distally; in S. palshkovi it is rounded with a broader, unsclerotized part distally; and in S. sugii is more prominent, more or less rounded. The proximal section of sternite is finely curved in all three species. The two lateral section of sternite is parallel, evenly broadening in S. calonesiota and S. palshkovi , in the latter species slightly broader; in S. sugii narrowing, evenly broad. Subleuconycta sugii has bigger, rather rounded sclerotized region in the distal part of the sternite. Female genitalia ( Figs 24, 25 ). The new species has a somewhat longer ductus bursae; rather quadrangular corpus bursae and globular appendix bursae than S. palshkovi ( Fig. 26 ) and S. sugii ( Figs 27, 28 ). Furthermore, S. calonesiota can be distinguished from S. sugii by the prominent, long tubular part of the corpus bursae and the presence of the signum.

Description. Wingspan 33–35 mm. Head, thorax and forewing whitish-greyish, suffused with darker and yellowish scales; abdomen greyish with hair brushes dorsally; forewing narrow, apically elongated; basal line diffuse; antemedial-, medial line diffuse, only in the costal area more expressed; postmedial line paler, crenulate; subterminal line whitish, zigzag shaped with darker arrowhead-like spots; terminal line formed by black dots; orbicular spot and reniform stigmata diffuse, whitish outlined with basally expanded dark spot between them; hindwing greyish-brownish, postdiscal line more or less evenly curved, brownish; discal spot elongate, brownish; terminal line brown, rather continuous. Male genitalia ( Figs 9–12 ). Clasping apparatus well sclerotized; uncus long, medially broadening, hairy with pointed tip; scaphium developed, moderately sclerotized; juxta subdeltoidal, medially tapering, basally widening. Valvae symmetrical, sclerotized, slightly curved; valvae widest in the basal second fourth; sacculus well developed, narrow, long with more sclerotized saccular processus; harpe absent; corona present. Aedeagus cylindrical, coecum dorsoventrally slightly flattened, narrower than the rest part of aedeagus; distal part covered with spinulose structures. Vesica tubular, as long as aedeagus; basal diverticulum moderately developed, rounded; distal diverticulum basally wide, apically pointed covered with spinulose structures; ductus ejaculatorius wide at base. Male 8th abdominal segments ( Fig. 21 ). Tergite chiasma-shaped, evenly broadening, “X”-like connection between the connections of the arms; the “window” small, rounded with unsclerotized part distally; the sternite rectangular, proximal section curved, the lateral section parallel, basally slightly broadening. Female genitalia ( Figs 24, 25 ). Apophyses posterioris and anterioris basally wider, laterally more sclerotized; antrum sclerotized; ductus bursae short, weakly sclerotized; anterior part of corpus bursae long, sacklike; posterior part of corpus bursae quadrangular with one signum; appendix bursae rather rounded, globular.

Etymology. The name of the new species refers to the old name of Taiwan ( Formosa), which means "living on the beautiful island" in Greek.

Distribution and bionomics. The new species is endemic to Taiwan and distributed in mid-elevation primary broad-leaf forests sporadically. The adults are on wing in spring and summer.

Figures

FIGURE 1 – 8. Subleuconycta spp. adults. 1. S. calonesiota sp. n., male, holotype, Taiwan, Taitung Co., Hsiangyang, slide No.: KA 1046 m (coll. HNHM); 2. ditto, female, paratype, Taiwan, Nantou Co., Hohuachi, slide No.: KA 1047 f (coll. HNHM); 3. ditto, male, paratype, Taiwan, Nantou Co., Meifeng (coll. TFRI); 4. ditto, female, paratype, Taiwan, Nantou Co., Meifeng, (coll. TFRI); 5. S. palshkovi, male, lectotype, Russia, Primorsky Krai, Sutshan, Preparation No. 2680 (coll. ZISP); 6. ditto, male, Russia, Primorsky Krai, Kedrovaya Pad’ reserve, slide No.: Matov 0411 (coll. ZISP); 7. S. sugii, male, Taiwan, Taoyuan Co., Galahe (coll. TFRI); 8. ditto, female, Taiwan, Taichung Co., Hui-Sun Experimental Forest Area, slide No.: KA 1109 f (coll. GR). Bar scale = 10 mm.

FIGURE 9 – 20. Male genitalia of Subleuconycta spp. 9 - 10. S. calonesiota, sp. n., holotype, Taiwan, Taitung Co., Hsiangyang, slide No.: KA 1046 m (coll. HNHM) 9. valvae 10. aedeagus; 11 – 12. ditto, paratype, Taiwan, Nantou Co., Biluxi, slide No.: TFRI 453 (coll. TFRI) 11. valvae 12. aedeagus; 13 – 14. S. palshkovi, lectotype; Russia, Primorsky Krai, Sutshan, Preparation No. 2680 (coll. ZISP) 13. valvae 14. aedeagus; 15 – 16. ditto, North Korea, Prov. North Pyongan, Mts. Myohyang-san, slide No.: KA 1045 m (coll. HNHM) 15. valvae 16. aedeagus; 17 – 18. S. sugii, Taiwan, Taichung Co., An-ma-Shan, slide No.: KA 1083 m (coll. HNHM) 17. valvae 18. aedeagus; 19 – 20. ditto, Taiwan, Taoyuan Co., Galache, slide No.: TFRI 153277 (coll. TFRI) 19. valvae 20. aedeagus. Bar scale = 1 mm.

FIGURE 21 – 23. Male 8 th abdominal segments of Subleuconycta spp. 21. S. calonesiota, sp. n., holotype, Taiwan, Taitung Co., Hsiangyang, slide No.: KA 1046 m (coll. HNHM); 22. S. palshkovi, North Korea, Prov. North Pyongan, Mts. Myohyang-san, slide No.: KA 1045 m (coll. HNHM); 23. S. sugii, Taiwan, Taichung Co., An-ma-Shan, slide No.: KA 1083 m (coll. HNHM). Bar scale = 1 mm. Left side sternite, right side tergite.

FIGURE 24 – 28. Female genitalia of Subleuconycta spp. 24. S. calonesiota, sp. n., paratype, Taiwan, Nantou Co., Hohuachi, slide No.: KA 1047 f (coll. HNHM); 25. ditto, paratype, Taiwan, Nantou Co., Meifeng, slide No.: TFRI 177668 (coll. TFRI); 26. S. palshkovi, South Korea, [Prov. Kangweon or Gyeonggi], slide No.: hhl- 784 (coll. KNA); 27. S. sugii, Taiwan, Nantou Co., 15 km N of Puli, slide No.: KA 1084 f (coll. STK); 28. ditto, Taiwan, Taichung Co., Hui-Sun Experimental Forest Area, slide No.: KA 1109 f (coll. GR). Bar scale = 1 mm. S. palshkovi not scaled.