Barsura moxiana Volynkin, 2018

Volynkin, Anton V., 2018, A new species of the genus Barsura Volynkin, Dubatolov & Kishida from China (Lepidoptera, Erebidae, Arctiinae), Zootaxa 4399 (4), pp. 596-600 : 596-599

Barsura moxiana Volynkin , sp. nov. ( Figs. 1–2 , 9 )

Type material. Holotype ( Figs. 1 , 9 ): ♂, China, NW Sichuan, Daxue Shan Mts., Gongga Shan, NW Moxi , 29°41’N, 101°58’E, 14-19.VII.1999, leg. Sinaev & Plutenko, slide MWM 31358 Volynkin ( Coll . MWM/ZSM).

Paratypes: 6 ♂, same data as in the holotype, slide MWM 31359 Volynkin ( Coll . MWM / ZSM).

Diagnosis. The new species belongs to the B. nubifascia species-group and is a closest relative of Chinese B. contrastata Volynkin, Dubatolov & Kishida, 2017 . Externally, B. moxiana sp. nov. ( Figs. 1–2 ) is very similar to the majority of other members of the B. nubifascia species-group ( Figs. 3–8 ) and can be distinguished by the genitalia structures only. The male genitalia ( Fig. 9 ) are similar to those of B. contrastata Volynkin, Dubatolov & Kishida, 2017 (known from China, Shaanxi and Gansu provinces), B. nubifascia (widespread in Himalaya), B. clandestina Volynkin, Dubatolov & Kishida, 2017 ( China: Sichuan and Yunnan provinces) and B. autumnalis Volynkin, 2017 (North Vietnam) due to the long distal saccular process, and differ from B. contrastata ( Figs. 10–11 ) by the more robust medial costal process, the more robust distal saccular process, the slightly shorter aedeagus, presence of two large thorns on the carina (whereas in B. contrastata the second thorn is very small or absent), the longer cornuti in the ventral bunch on the subbasal ventral diverticulum which are of equal length as the cornuti on the lateral bunch (whereas in B. contrastata the ventral bunch consists of significantly smaller cornuti), and the much weaker short cornuti of the apical cluster; from B. nubifascia ( Fig. 12 ) it differs by the much more robust medial costal process, the more robust distal saccular process, the narrower vesica, the stronger sclerotized carinal plate with two large thorns (whereas in B. nubifascia the carinal plate is weaker sclerotized and has numerous smaller thorns), the shorter subbasal ventral diverticulum with two bunches of long, robust cornuti of equal length (whereas in B. nubifascia the subbasal ventral diverticulum has only one bunch consisting of two-three much shorter and weaker cornuti), and the much smaller lateral cornuti; from B. clandestina ( Fig. 13 ) it differs by the broader distal costal process, the more robust distal saccular process, the stronger sclerotized carinal plate with two large thorns (whereas in B. clandestina the carinal plate is weaker sclerotized and has only one small thorn), presence of the numerous, much larger cornuti on the subbasal ventral diverticulum which are combined into two bunches (whereas in B. clandestina the subbasal ventral diverticulum has only one bunch consisting of two-three much shorter and weaker cornuti), the much smaller lateral cornuti, and absence of a long apical cornutus; from B. autumnalis ( Fig. 14 ) it differs by the distally broader distal costal process, the more robust distal saccular process, the stronger sclerotized carinal plate with two large thorns (whereas in B. autumnalis the carinal plate is weaker sclerotized and has several small thorns), presence of the numerous, much larger cornuti on the subbasal ventral diverticulum which are combined into two bunches (whereas in B. autumnalis the subbasal ventral diverticulum has no cornuti), the much smaller lateral cornuti, and absence of long apical cornuti.

Description. Adult ( Figs. 1–2 ). Forewing length 14.5–16 mm. Male antennae bipectinate. Head and thorax ochreous-yellow; abdomen paler, ochreous, with admixture of blackish scales apically. Forewing ground color dark yellow. Forewing pattern elements dark brown; pattern consists of subbasal dot, curved antemedial line consisting of four dots, S-like medial and postmedial lines situated very close to each other and consisting of small spots of different size, and cuneal connected shadows with dark strokes on veins in the subterminal area. Cilia dark yellow. Hindwing pale ochreous, with thin indistinct and diffuse brown medial band; cilia pale ochreous. Male genitalia ( Fig. 9 ). Uncus long, narrow, gradually curved, apically pointed; tuba analis narrow, scaphium narrow, weakly sclerotized; tegumen short and medium-broad; juxta trigonal, with deep, trigonal lower concavity; vinculum short, U-shaped. Valva elongated, broad; costa heavily sclerotized, with robust, slightly curved and apically pointed ventral process, large, robust, trapezoidal distal process, and well developed pimple-like ampulla between the distal and ventral costal processes; distal membranous lobe of valva broad, rounded, slightly curved dorsally; sacculus broad, with long, robust, curved and apically pointed distal process. Aedeagus long, narrow, with short and narrow coecum, and heavily sclerotized carinal plate with two robust thorns. Vesica membranous, globular, with short subbasal ventral diverticulum with two bunch of several strong needle-like cornuti of equal length, short conical medial ventral diverticulum, and apical and lateral clusters consisting of weak, short trigonal cornuti of different size; one more cluster of small cornuti present apically; basal plate of vesica ejaculatorius small, weakly sclerotized.

Female unknown.

Distribution. The new species is known to date only from its type-locality, Daxue Shan Mts. in Sichuan province, China.

Etymology. The species’ name refers to its type-locality, in the vicinity of Moxi village.

Figures

FIGURES 1–8. Barsura spp.: adults. 1, B. moxiana, holotype ♂, China, NE Sichuan (MWM/ZSM); 2, B. moxiana, paratype ♂, China, NE Sichuan (MWM/ZSM); 3, B. contrastata, holotype ♂, China, Shaanxi (ZFMK); 4, B. contrastata, paratype ♂, China, Gansu (ZFMK); 5, B. nubifascia, ♂, Nepal (MWM/ZSM); 6, B. clandestina, holotype ♂, China, Yunnan (ZFMK); 7, B. autumnalis, holotype ♂, N Vietnam (MWM/ZSM); 8, B.vernalis, holotype ♂, N Vietnam (MWM/ZSM).

FIGURES 9–12. Barsura spp.: male genitalia. 9, B. moxiana, holotype, China, NE Sichuan, slide MWM 31358 Volynkin; 10, B. contrastata, holotype, China, Shaanxi, slide AV2009♂ Volynkin; 11, B. contrastata, China, Gansu, slide MWM 31356 Volynkin; 12, B.nubifascia, Nepal,slide MWM 31369Volynkin.

FIGURES 13–14. Barsura spp.: male genitalia. 13, B. clandestina, holotype, China, Yunnan, slide AV2011♂ Volynkin; 14, B. autumnalis, holotype, N Vietnam,slide MWM 31495 Volynkin.