Paranthrenella formosicola (Strand 1916)

(Figs. 3, 4, 17)

Paranthrene (Paranthrenella) formosicola Strand, 1916: 47; Dalla Torre & Starand 1925: 158; Gaede 1933: 796, pl 94, row i; Heppner & Duckworth 1981: 23.

Paranthrenella formosicola; Arita 1998: 153.

Material examined. 5 ♂, 6 ♀, NANTOU: Renai, Huisun Forest Area, 800 m, 17.III.2014, reared from Rubus alnifoliatus, emg. 3−28.IV.2014, HSUM 14C48M, J.Y. Liang Coll. (1 ♂, 1 ♀, Gen. Prep. JYL-006, JYL-008, NTNU); 2 ♂, 4 ♀, HUALIEN: Zhuoxi, Shanfeng, 400 m, 23.VIII.2013, reared from R. alnifoliatus, emg. 8−16.IV.2013, HSUM 13H26M, J.Y. Liang Coll. (1 ♂, Gen. Prep. JYL-004, NTNU); 1 ♀, HUALIEN: Zhuoxi, Zhongping Forest Road, 450 m, 24.XI.2013, reared from R. piptopetalus, emg. 30.XII.2013, J.Y. Liang Coll. (NTNU); 1 ♂ 2 ♀, same locality, 400 m, 13.V.2014, reared from R. alnifoliatus, emg. 3.−9.VI.2014, HSUM 14E99M, J.Y. Liang Coll. (1 ♂, Gen. Prep. JYL-005, NTNU); 1 ♀, HUALIEN: Zhuoxi, Nanan, 300 m, 29.I.2014, reared from R. alnifoliatus, emg. 27.II.2013, HSUM 14A42M, J.Y. Liang Coll. (NTNU); 2 ♀, PINGTUNG: Wutai, Ali, 1200 m, 5.X.2014, reared from R. piptopetalus, emg. 25.X −1.XI.2013, HSUM 14K3M, J.Y. Liang Coll. (NTNU); 1♂, PINGTUNG: Wutai, Ali, 1200 m, 2.VI.2014, on flower of A. brevipedunculata, J.Y. Liang Coll. (NTNU); 1 ♀, NEW TAIPEI: Shiding, Erge Mountain, 650 m, 16.IX.2014, on flower of B. pilosa, L.H. Wang Coll. (NTNU).

This species was redescribed in details on the basis of a series of specimens including the female lectotype by Arita (1998). We provide additional information on male genitalia and bionomics herein.

Genitalia. Male (Gen. Prep. JYL-006, NTNU, Fig. 17). Tegumen-uncus complex relatively broad; scopula androconialis well-developed, long, somewhat shorter than length of tegumen-uncus complex; crista gnathi medialis long, semi-oval; crista gnathi lateralis semi-oval, distinctly narrowed towards pedunculus; valva trapeziform-oval; crista sacculi nearly flat, anteriorly not separated from sensory field of setae; ventral crista low and short, covered with relatively short flat-topped setae; saccus with a bifurcate base, slightly broadened basally, somewhat longer than length of vinculum; phallus narrow, slightly shorter than valva; vesica with numerous, strong, nearly taper cornuti.

Diagnosis. P. formosicola is similar to P. duporti (Le Cerf 1927) of Indochina, these two taxa may be distinguished by few minor distinctions on markings of body and wings: Hind-tibiae of P. formosicola is yellow banded with dark brown, whereas it is uniformly yellow in P. duporti . The yellow scaling in the distal portion of forewing upperside of female P. formosicola is extensive, whereas it is represented only by sparsely scattered yellow scales in P. duporti .

Biology. The confirmed larval host plants are Rosaceae: R. alnifoliatus in Nantou and Hualien, R. piptopetalus in Hualien and Pingtung. The larva bores into stem of 1−2 cm in diameter and feeds on callus tissue around the hole, which is covered with silk, debris, and frass. The adults are active during the day and visit flowers.

Distribution. Known only from Taiwan.

Remarks. P. formosicola and P. duporti (Le Cerf 1927) are very similar to each other in male genitalia (Fig. 17 for P. formosicola, Fig. 15 of Gorbuno & Arita 1995 for P. duporti) and markings on body and wings, thus it is very likely that P. duporti should be considered a synonym or geographical race of P. formosicola .