Pluma Liang, Solovyev & Wang, 2023

Liang, Jiamin, Solovyev, Alexey V. & Wang, Houshuai, 2023, Pluma, a new genus of slug moths (Lepidoptera: Limacodidae) from South China with descriptions of two new species, Zootaxa 5301 (2), pp. 246-256 : 248

Pluma Liang, Solovyev & Wang gen. nov.

urn:lsid:zoobank.org:act:0DBB9F17-D6AB-4395-9D69-925A156CA985

Type species: Pluma shuni Liang, Solovyev & Wang sp. nov., by present designation.

Diagnosis. The genus is diagnosed by the following characters: (1) bipectinate antennae up to the tip with long rami; (2) hardly separable obscure dark postmedial fascia running from wing apex to 2/3 dorsum; (3) male genitalia with unmodified uncus, gnathos, valvae and juxta, short and robust aedeagus, vesica with two or three large clusters of bristle-shaped cornuti.

Description. Male adults ( Figs 2–5 ). Small sized moths. Forewing length 8–14 mm, wingspan 17–28 mm. Head. Antennae strongly bipectinate, each ramus with many trichoid sensilla ( Fig. 6 ). Frons flattened with beige-brown bristles. Labial palpus pale straight, about 1.5–2.0 times as long as diameter of compound eyes ( Fig. 7 ). Ocellus absent, and proboscis reduced.

Thorax. Tibia spur formula: 0-2-4. Forewing ground color gray or brown, uniform, with hardly separable obscure dark postmedial fascia running from wing apex to 2/3 dorsum.

Venation ( Figs 12–13 ): Frenulum developed. Forewing: Sc and R 1 almost parallel, R 2, R 3 and R 4 stalked, the discal cell split with M 1. Hind wing: in Sc+R1, R 1 is partially or completely fused with Sc; Rs and M 1 on the short base, vein M bisecting the cell.

Male genitalia ( Figs 8–11 ). Uncus well developed, with sclerotized apical spur. Gnathos strong and slender. Valvae elongate without saccular process, rounded apically. Juxta simple and flattened. Aedeagus short and wide. Vesica with two or three large clusters of bristle-shaped cornuti.

Female unknown.

Etymology. The specific name is given after the Latin “ Pluma ” — feather, meaning adults of this genus with strongly bipectinate, feather-like antennae.

Comments. The phylogenetic relationships of the genus and the corresponding lineage within south-east Asian Limacodidae (sensu Holloway, 1986; Holloway et al., 1987) are not clear as no data on immature stages and female morphology.

Figures

FIGURE 12. Venation of Pluma shuni sp. nov., male, paratype.

FIGURE 13. Venation of Pluma yuensis sp. nov., male, paratype.

FIGURES 2–5. Adults. 2–4. Pluma shuni sp. nov. (2. male, holotype; 3–4. males, paratypes); 5. Pluma yuensis sp. nov. (male, holotype). Scale bars = 10 mm.

FIGURES 6–7. Pluma shuni, holotype (male), antennae and head structures. 6. Antennae with many trichoid sensillums; 7.Head of Pluma shuni sp. nov.

FIGURES 8–11. Genitalia of Pluma spp. 8. Pluma shuni sp. nov., male, holotype; 9. ditto, male, paratype; 10. ditto, male, paratype; 11. Pluma yuensis sp. nov., male, holotype. Scale bars = 1 mm.