Murmyshia unifascia ( Hampson, 1901 ) Volynkin, 2024

Volynkin, Anton V., 2024, On the taxonomy of the Oriental genus Paraona Moore with descriptions of a new genus, a new species, and introduction of new synonymies (Lepidoptera: Erebidae: Arctiinae: Lithosiini), Ecologica Montenegrina 73, pp. 408-420 : 411

Murmyshia unifascia ( Hampson, 1901) , comb. n.

( Figs 1–4 , 17, 18 , 25–27 )

Atolmis unifascia Hampson, 1901 , Catalogue of the Arctiadae (Arctianae) and Agaristidae in the collection of the British Museum, 3: 477, fig. 212 (Type locality: [ Indonesia] “ Sumbawa ”).

= Paraona wallaceana Spitsyn & Bolotov, 2020 , Ecologica Montenegrina , 33: 9, figs 2, 3 (Type locality: “ Indonesia: East Nusa Tenggara Islands, Flores Island, Bajawa , Manulalu Ecolodge , 8º51'45"S, 120º59'40"E, altitude 1100 m ”), syn. n.

Type material examined. Holotype (by monotypy) of Atolmis unifascia Hampson, 1901 ( Fig. 1 ): male, “Sambawa. | Doherty. | Sept. ‘91” / “97-97” / “Agyllodes. | unifascia. | type ♂. Hmpsn.” / red ring “Type” label / QR-code label with unique ID “NHMUK 014173079” ( NHMUK).

Additional material examined: series of specimens of both sexes from the islands of Flores and Sumbawa ( Indonesia) ( MWM / ZSM and CKC).

Note. The populations from the islands of Sumbawa and Flores display no recognisable morphological differences therefore wallaceana is herein synonymised with unifascia .

Diagnosis. The forewing length is 15.0–16.0 mm in males and 18.0–19.0 mm in females. Murmyshia unifascia is externally reminiscent of the allopatric M. micans but the male is distinguished by the proximally narrower longitudinal stripe of the forewing, the ochreous androconial patch along the anal margin of the hindwing (it is dark greyish-brown in the congener), and the abdomen covered with ochreous scales whereas the majority of the abdomen of M. micans is greyish-brown and only its base and the genitalia bear ochreous scales. The females of the two species are very similar but in M. unifascia , the proximal end of the brownish-grey posterior patch of the forewing terminates more distally making a pale subbasal area broader than in M. micans . In the male genital capsule, M. unifascia differs from M. micans in the markedly broader and heavily sclerotised juxta having considerably larger and dentate dorso-lateral processes (they are thorn-shaped in M. micans ), the longer and narrower valva with a narrower apical section (‘cucullus’) bearing a shorter cluster of setae and a smaller ventral spur, the triangular and dentate ampulla (it is rounded and setose in the congener), and the narrower distal section of the sacculus. Additionally, the uncus of M. unifascia is somewhat shorter and narrower than in M. micans , and has a nearly straight proximal half whereas it is evenly downcurved in the congener. Compared to M. micans , the phallus of M. unifascia is strongly medially downcurved and has considerably more prominent medial dorsal and distal protrusions. The vesica configurations of the two species are similar but in M. unifascia , the ventral subbasal diverticulum is evenly scobinated whereas it bears a narrow lateral cluster of fine spinulose scobination in M. micans . Additionally, the distal diverticulum of M. unifascia is longer and broader than in M. micans and has two proximal subdiverticula whereas there is only one subdiverticulum in M. micans . In the female genitalia, M. unifascia differs from M. micans in the well-sclerotised postvaginal area bearing an anterior transverse fold partly covering the dorsal margin of the ostium bursae (whereas in M. micans it is weakly sclerotised and smooth), the broader ductus bursae with a short and even subostial sclerotised section (whereas it is longer and bearing a dorsal sclerotised pocket in the congener), and the narrower corpus bursae. The 7 th abdominal sternum of M. unifascia is longer, narrower and more weakly sclerotised than in M. micans .

Distribution. Currently known only from the islands of Sumbawa and Flores (the Lesser Sunda Islands, Indonesia).

Figures

Figures 1–8. Murmyshia spp.: adults. Depositories of the specimens: 1 and 6 in NHMUK (©The Trustees of NHMUK); 2 and 5 in MWM/ZSM; 3, 4, 7 and 8 in CKC.

Figures 17–20. Murmyshia spp.: male genitalia. Depositories of the specimens dissected: 17 and 19 in MWM/ZSM; 18 and 20 in CKC.

Figures 25–29. Murmyshia (25–27), Macrobrochis (28), and Hesudra (29) spp.: female genitalia. Depositories of the specimens dissected: 25 and 27 in MWM/ZSM; 26 and 29 in CKC; 28 in NHMUK (©The Trustees of NHMUK).