Promalactis pedata Wang, 2021

Wang, Shuxia & Liu, Chen, 2021, Taxonomic study of the genus Promalactis Meyrick, 1908 (Lepidoptera: Oecophoridae) X. The commotica species-group, with descriptions of twenty-two new species, Zootaxa 4980 (2), pp. 293-330 : 314

Promalactis pedata Wang , sp. nov.

( Figs 13 , 35 )

Type material. CHINA, Yunnan: Holotype ♂, Taiyanghe Nature Reserve (22.68°N, 101.03°E), 1450 m, 23.VIII.2014, leg. ZG Zhang, slide No. JYY17594 . Paratype (1♂): Taiyanghe National Forest Park, Pu’er City , 1450 m, 6.VII.2015, leg. KJ Teng, slide No. JYY17912 .

Diagnosis. The new species can be easily distinguished from other members of the group by the juxta with a pediform apical process that is serrate on the posterior margin.

Description. Adult ( Fig. 13 ). Forewing length 6.0‒ 6.5 mm.

Head: Vertex shining white, frons silvery brown, occiput rust brown. Labial palpus with second palpomere dark rust brown on outer surface, whitish yellow basally and orange yellow distally on inner surface; third palpomere blackish brown except white at apex. Antenna with scape white; flagellum black, with white annulations on dorsal surface.

Thorax: Dorsum of mesothorax and tegula rust brown. Forewing orange yellow except rust yellow between fold and dorsum; markings white edged with black scales: costal spot sub-ovate, extending to above posterior angle of cell; slender basal streak extending obliquely inward to above base of fold; antemedian streak from dorsal 2/5 to basal 2/5 of anterior margin of cell, slightly oblique inward; dorsal streak from basal 3/5 obliquely outward to below and before posterior angle of cell; tornal spot small, with dense greyish black scales around; apical and terminal spots not well separated, interrupt by black scales; fringe orange yellow except grey around tornus. Hindwing and fringe greyish brown. Fore- and midlegs white on dorsal surface; ventral surface black, tibiae with white scale tufts at apex, tarsi with basal two tarsomeres white distally; hindleg greyish brown, basal tarsomere white distally, rest tarsomeres white except second and third tarsomeres black basally.

Abdomen: Male genitalia ( Fig. 35 ). Uncus campanulate, basal 2/3 broad, distal 1/3 abruptly narrowed to a cylindriform. Gnathos longer than uncus; mesial plate triangular, narrowly rounded at apex, entirely cataphracted; basal arms short, dilated basally. Tegumen furcate from posterior 1/2; lateral arms slightly narrowed to rounded apex. Valvae narrowly elongate, distal 1/4 narrowed to hooked and pointed apex, with five denticles evenly spaced along costal margin, bearing long setae on ventral margin; sacculus wide, heavily sclerotized. Vinculum narrowly banded; saccus small, triangular. Juxta heavily sclerotized, reaching apex of uncus; pediform apical process extending straightly toward left, curved at a right angle, with strong spines distally, serrate along posterior margin. Aedeagus shorter than valva, spatulate distally, with dentations apically; cornutus absent.

Female. Unknown.

Distribution. China (Yunnan).

Etymology. The specific epithet is derived from the Latin pedatus, referring to the shape of the apical process of the juxta.

Figures

FIGURES 9‒16.Adults of Promalactis spp. 9, P. curvicosta, holotype, ♂; 10, P. denticuligera, holotype, ♂; 11, P. lianhuashana, holotype, ♂; 12, P. motuoensis, paratype, ♀; 13, P. pedata, holotype, ♂; 14, P. quadriprocessa, paratype, ♂; 15, P. ramiformis, paratype, ♂; 16, P. senticosa, holotype, ♂. Scales = 2 mm.

FIGURES 35‒39. Male genitalia of Promalactis spp. 35, P. pedata, holotype, slide No. JYY17594; 36, P. quadriprocessa, holotype, slide No. JYY17674; 37, P. ramiformis, paratype, slide No. DZH11019; 38, P. senticosa, holotype, slide No. LC19424, 38a, enlarged aedeagus, slide No. LC19314; 39, P. similibellatula, holotype, slide No. JYY17610. Scales = 0.2 mm.