Philiris parsonsi Mueller

Mueller, Chris J., 2014, Six new species of Philiris Roeber, 1891 (Lepidoptera, Lycaenidae) from Papua New Guinea, ZooKeys 395, pp. 33-55 : 45-46

Philiris parsonsi Mueller sp. n. Figs 56-58, 73

Philiris sp. c ( Parsons 1998, p. 378, Plates 53, XII, XXVI)

Type material.

Holotype ♂ (Figs 56-58, 73): "On Creek nr. Kupeng, Nr. Koinambe Mission, W. Highlands Prov; PNG, M. J. Parsons, 18-11-1981, I. F. T. A. coll. Alt 1500m", "Philiris sp. nov. ♂, M. J. Parsons det. 1982", "Brit. Mus. 1987-194", B.M.(N.H.) Rhopalocera No. (V) 1065". No Paratypes.

Diagnosis.

Philiris parsonsi is a distinctive species, presently known only from the unique male holotype, which Parsons (1998) illustrated as an undescribed species. He compared the external facies and male genitalia to Philiris angabunga Bethune-Baker, 1908 (Holotype; Figs 59, 60), within the Philiris refusa (Grose-Smith, 1894) group. However, the shape of the forewing and the colouration and maculation of both wing surfaces are unlike any of the described species within that species group. The forewing of Philiris parsonsi is more elongated than in other species and the dark border is much narrower, with the exception of Philiris biplaga and Philiris pagwi Sands, 1979, which have borders parallel to the termen and broader at the tornus, respectively, while that in Philiris parsonsi is widest at the apex. The upperside ground colour in Philiris parsonsi is an unusual pale lilac colour and there are white scales present in the median area of the forewing, not present in other species. The underside configuration of black spots is more complex than in other species and bears a total of ten individual markings, whereas a maximum of five spots are present in any other species (that for Philiris maculata Sands, 1981).

The male genitalia of Philiris parsonsi (Fig. 73) is also distinctive, the tegumen ring being very squat and squared dorsally when compared with that of Philiris angabunga (Fig. 74). The socii in Philiris parsonsi are widely spaced and the valvae are smaller than those of Philiris angabunga and rounded, whereas those of Philiris angabunga are triangular-shaped.

Description.

♂ (Figs 56-57): Forewing length 13.5 mm, antenna 7 mm (holotype). Head, palpus and thorax dark grey dorsally, white ventrally, abdomen dark grey dorsally, white ventrally, frons grey with white eye ring; legs white with black areas on tibiae; shaft black, ringed conspicuously with white between segments, apex of club brown.

Fore wing termen very slightly convex, inner margin very slightly bowed near base, apex slightly rounded; upperside pale lilac-blue, a scattering of white scales in median area, largely concentrated, but not restricted to, the area between veins 2 and 4, apical area broadly dark brown-black, border 5 mm wide at apex, narrowing evenly to meet tornus, cilia dark brown; underside dull white, cell with a large black spot (approximately 1.5 mm wide) about two thirds from base, two smaller obscure brown-black spots surrounding this spot, slightly closer to base and junction of cubitus with vein 3, discocellulars black, forming an elongated spot, cilia white, dark brown-black at vein ends.

Hind wing rounded; upperside pale lilac-blue, costa and inner margin dark, termen very narrowly dark brown (hairline thickness), cilia dark brown; underside dull white, two large (approximately 1.5 mm diameter) black spots in cell, about two thirds from base, a much smaller spot close to upper spot on basal side, a large black spot between veins 1a and 1b and another obscure dark brown spot of similar size between veins 1b and 2, both spots about one third from base, discocellulars black, forming an elongated spot, cilia as in forewing underside.

Male genitalia (Fig. 73): Vinculum and tegumen ring approximately rectangular-shaped, expanded at sociuncus, sociuncus broad, socii with lateral margin rounded, dorsally socii widely separated by U-shaped sinus, saccus short and squared dorsally, brachium short and abruptly terminated; valva slightly asymmetrical, with right valva larger than left valva, valva rounded with a small protrusion apically; phallus with pre-zonal section shorter than post-zonal section, tapered apically.

♀. Unknown.

Etymology.

Named after the collector of the holotype, Dr Michael Parsons, California.

Distribution.

Western Highlands Province, Papua New Guinea.

Remarks.

The unique holotype was taken in a creek by Parsons (pers. comm. 2013), flying together with Philiris angabunga . Although not listed on the specimen label, Parsons (1998) noted that the creek is known as Wara [Tok Pisin for River] Pimbi.