Strotihypera semiochrea (Hampson, 1898) Hampson, 1898

Han, H. L. & Kononenko, V. S., 2015, A new species and two new combinations in the genus Strotihypera Kononenko & Han, 2011 (Lepidoptera, Noctuidae, Noctuinae: Elaphriini). A postscript to the description of the genus Strotihypera, Zootaxa 4034 (3), pp. 594-600 : 595-599

Strotihypera semiochrea (Hampson, 1898) comb. n.

( FigS 6, 8 , 12 , 16 )

Naranga semiochrea Hampson, 1898 , The Journal of the Bombay Natural History Society 11: 447 (Type-locality: India, Meghalaya, Khasis [Holotype: BMNH, London]).

References: Hampson 1910: 561, Pl. 165: 24 ( Hyperstrotia ); Kononenko & Pinratana 2013: 311, Pl. 42, figs 58, 59 (Strotihypera).

Material examined. 2 females, China, Prov. Yunnan, Puer City, Jangcheng, 15-17.ix.2008 (Han, & Wang); 2 males, Prov. Yunnan, Puer, 14.vi.2007 (Han & Qi); 1 female, Yunnan, Simao, 15-19.vii.2009, (Han & Qi); 2 males, 2 females, Prov. Guizhou, Guanling, 22-24.ix.2008 (Han & Qi); 1 male, Prov. Yunnan, Lincang, 6-7.ix.2008 (Han & Liu); 1 male, Prov. Yunnan, Lijiang, Mt. Yulong, 5–9.vii.2009 (Han & Qi); 4 males, 1 female, Prov. Yunnan, Xishuangbanna, Menglun, 11.i.2013 (Han & Ding); 1 male, Prov. Yunnan, Xishuangbanna, Yexianggu, 17.i.2013 (Han & Ding); 1 female, Prov. Yunnan, Longba, 26.iv.2013 (H.L. Han); 8 specimens, Prov. Yunnan, Mengxiu, 27.iv.2013 (H.L. Han); 1 male, Prov. Yunnan, Puer, Manxieban, 12.ii.2014 (H.L. Han); 3 males, 1 female, Prov. Yunnan, Menglun, 13-14.ii.2014 (Han & Zu); 1 female, Prov. Yunnan, Xishuangbanna, Yexianggu, 15.ii.2014 (H.L. Han); 2 males, 2 females, Prov. Yunnan, Xishuangbanna, 16.ii.2014 (H.L. Han); 71 specimen, Prov. Yunnan, Menghai, Mt. Mannong, 17–20.ii.2014 (H.L. Han); 1 male, Prov. Yunnan, Mt. Gaoligong, Baihualing, 30.vii–2.viii.2014 (H.L. Han); Genitalia slides: HHL- 2553-2, HHL-2554-1; HHL-2555-2; HHL-2613-2; HHL-2620-2; HHL-2621-1; HHL-2622-1; HHL-2623-2; HHL-2624- 1; HHL-2625-2; HHL-2626-1 (Coll. NEFU).

Diagnosis. Adult ( Figs 6, 8 ). Wingspan 19–20 mm. S semiochrea can be characterized by relatively narrower forewing with almost straight outer margin and pale red-yellowish-grey ground colour of forewing. Wing pattern formed by indistinct blackish basal line, strongly waved subbasal line and distinct postmedial line, separated more bright outer part of wing. Orbicular and reniform stigmata indistinct or hardly traceable; medial spot transformed to thin yellowish streak surrounded with blackish scales; outer part of wing covered with shining scales, reddish-yellow-grey, with blackish apical angle and brown suffusion along subterminal line. Hindwing yellowish-grey, with traceable discal spot and greyish terminal band. In male and female genitalia structure this species shows affinities with S. flavipuncta and S. plumbeotincta . Male genitalia ( Fig. 12 ) of S semiochrea are similar to those of S. flavipuncta , but differ by shorter and less curved harpe, slightly extended at apex and by shape and arming of the vesica, which is bearing 7–8 small needlelike cornuti on dorsal side and small dentate comb on ventral side. Female genitalia of S. semiochrea ( Fig. 16 ) differ from both related species by larger antrum, straight, somewhat broader and less ribbed ductus bursae, sclerotised caudal part of ductus bursae and rounded shape of corpus bursae.

Distribution. North India, Thailand, China (South-West region: Prov. Yunnan, Prov. Guizhou); the species could also be found in Taiwan. The species occurs at elevation 800–1000 in primary and predominantly secondary broadleaved forest habitats ( Figs 18, 19 ) along roads and clearings. The moths fly in January, February, June July and August and September in several generations.

Note. Judging by the photograph of the type Hypercodia rubritincta Wileman & South, 1916, illustrated by Wang (1995), this taxon could be a synonym of Strotihypera semiochrea (Hampson, 1898) , however the examination of the type of H. rubritincta for the formal synonymisation of the taxa is necessary.

Figures

FIGURES 1 – 9. Strotihypera spp., adults. 1. S. flavipuncta, South Korea, CIS; 2 – 5. S. plumbeotincta, South-West China, Prov. Yunnan (2 — male, holotype, 3 – 5 — female and two males, paratypes), NEFU; 6, 8. S. semiochrea (6 — type, illustration by Hampson (1910); 8 — male, South-West China, Prov. Yunnan, NEFU); 7, 9. S. macroplaga (7 — type, illustration by Hampson (1910); 9 — male, South- West China, Prov. Yunnan, NEFU).

FIGURES 10 – 13. Strotihypera spp., male genitalia. 10. S. flavipuncta, North China, Prov. Liaonin, genit. prep. HHL- 2264 - 1 (NEFU); 11. S. plumbeotincta, South-West China, Prov. Yunnan, holotype, genit. prep. HHL- 2944 - 1 (NEFU); 12. S. semiochrea South-West China, Prov. Yunnan, genit. prep., HHL- 2624 - 1 (NEFU); 13. S. macroplaga, South-West China, Prov. Yunnan, genit. prep., HHL- 2551 - 1 (NEFU).

FIGURES 14 – 19. Strotihypera spp., female genitalia and habitats. 14. S. flavipuncta, North China, Prov. Liaonin, genit. prep. HHL- 1279 - 2 (NEFU); 15. S. plumbeotincta, South-West China, Prov. Yunnan, paratype, genit. prep. HHL- 2940 - 2 (NEFU); 16. S. semiochrea South-West China, Prov. Yunnan, genit. prep., HHL- 2553 - 2 (NEFU); 17. S. macroplaga, South-West China, Prov. Yunnan, genit. prep., HHL- 2658 - 2 (NEFU); 18,19. Typical habitats of S. plumbeotincta, S. semiochrea and S. macroplaga in South-West China, Prov. Yunnan, near Puer.