Punctulata Wang, 2006

Tao, Zhulin & Wang, Shuxia, 2021, Taxonomic study of the genus Punctulata Wang (Lepidoptera: Autostichidae) from China, with descriptions of two new species, Zootaxa 5027 (3), pp. 376-386 : 378-379

Punctulata Wang, 2006

Punctulata Wang, 2006: 157

Type species: Punctulata fusciptera Wang, 2006 . TL: China (Hubei). TD: NKU .

Diagnosis. Punctulata is similar to Autosticha by the forewing usually having only small dark spots or dots and by sharing a similar venation ( Fig. 2 ), and to most species of Meleonoma by lacking a gnathos in the male genitalia. It can be separated from them by the valva with a process at the base of the costa. Punctulata can be further distinguished from Autosticha by the absence of a gnathos, which is present in Autosticha ; from Meleonoma by having an ill-defined sacculus not differentiated from the valva, which is distinctly developed and distally separated from the valva in Meleonoma .

Revised generic characters. Labial palpus with second segment thickened by appressed scales; third segment shorter than second, slender. Antenna about 3/5 length of forewing, scape without pecten. Forewing lanceolate, with black spots on surface, with small dark terminal dots along distal part of costal margin and termen; R 1 from about middle of anterior margin of cell and reaching basal 2/3 of costal margin, R 4 and R 5 stalked for about 2/3 length (as in P. fusciptera ) or connate (as in P. palliptera ), R 5 reaching apex, M 2 closer to M 3 than to M 1, CuA 1 and CuA 2 stalked for about 1/4 length or connate, CuP vestigial. Hindwing wider than forewing; Rs and M 1 shortly stalked at base or not stalked, M 3 and CuA 1 stalked at base, CuA 2 from before angle.

Male genitalia. Uncus usually elongate subtriangular. Gnathos absent. Valva with a process at base of costa (basal process). Sacculus ill-defined. Tegumen V-shaped; lateral arms uniform or slightly narrowed anteriorly. Juxta connected with basal process of costa. Saccus usually clubbed. Phallus often with clustered spine-shaped cornuti.

Female genitalia. Apophyses posteriores longer than apophyses anteriores. Ductus bursae membranous. Signum being a basal plate with two large spines.

Distribution. Punctulata is currently only known from China ( Fig. 3 ).

Biology. Unknown.

Remarks. Punctulata is proposed to be transferred from the subfamily Oecophorinae (Oecophoridae) into the subfamily Autostichinae (Autostichidae) majorly by lacking a gnathos in the male genitalia. In the family status, members of Autostichidae bear a gnathos extended laterally as a narrow band or lack a gnathos; in addition, Rs and M 1 of the hindwing are stalked or sometimes close basally. Members of Oecophoridae usually bear a gnathos expanded mesally and Rs and M 1 of the hindwing are further apart basally.

Figures

FIGURE 2. Venations. a–b. Punctulata spp. a, P. fusciptera; b, P. palliptera; c–d. Autosticha spp. c, A. sinica; d, A. sichuanica.

FIGURE 3. Distribution of the Punctulata spp. in China.