Parvuspina N. Singh, Kirti & Datta, 2019

Volynkin, Anton V., 2020, Description of the female of Parvuspina tawaghatensis N. Singh, Kirti & Datta, 2019 with new data of its distribution (Lepidoptera: Erebidae: Arctiinae: Lithosiini), Ecologica Montenegrina 38, pp. 135-140 : 136

Parvuspina N. Singh, Kirti & Datta, 2019

Parvuspina N. Singh, Kirti & Datta, 2019 , Zootaxa, 4686 (1): 145.

Type species: Parvuspina tawaghatensis N. Singh, Kirti & Datta, 2019 , by the original designation.

Diagnosis. The forewing length is 10–13 mm in males, 12.5–13.5 mm in females. The hitherto only known species of the genus ( Figs 1–4 ) is similar externally to certain species of the genus Miltochrista according to their reduced forewing pattern represented by discal and subbasal markings only (e.g. M. calamaria ) and the unmarked forms of the females of the M. dasara species-group (illustrated by Volynkin & Bucsek 2016). The sexual dimorphism is limited: the females ( Fig. 4 ) have weaker ciliation of the antennae and somewhat narrower forewing than the males ( Figs 1–3 ). The male genital capsule of Parvuspina ( Figs 7, 8 ) is very characteristic and similar only to that of the genus Tumicla ( Figs 5, 6 , 9 , 12 ) due to its simple and apically pointed valva lacking processes (a synapomorphic feature of the two genera), but can easily be distinguished by its modified uncus bearing two short triangular processes subbasally (an autapomorphic feature) and the wide and rounded transtillae connected by a thin membrane (an autapomorphic feature, the transtillae are band-like and fused in Tumicla ). The vesica structure of Parvuspina is reminiscent of that of many groups of the genus Miltochrista , but the long and narrow cornutus with a wide, rounded, plate-like base is diagnostic. The female genitalia of the genus ( Fig. 10 ) are characterized by the presence of two protrusions of the corpus bursae: the postero-lateral one is membranous and broadly conical with a rounded tip, and the postero-ventral one is heavily sclerotized, flattened, crest-like (a unique feature in the Afrasura / Miltochrista generic complex). Additionally, the ostium bursae of Parvuspina opens in a conspicuously deep depression of the 7 th sternite, which is also unique in the generic complex. Similar 7 th sternite-ostium bursae complex is also known in the Miltochrista obliquilinea species-group ( Fig. 11 , all species are illustrated in Volynkin et al. (2020)), but the depression of the 7th sternite is considerably shallower.

Description of the female. External morphology ( Fig. 4 ). Antenna weakly ciliate. Head pale yellow. Thorax pale yellow with two black dots postero-laterally and two dots medially. Abdomen pale yellow with intense admixture of ochreous scales. Forewing ground color pale yellow. Subbasal marking represented by a small, black dot. Costa black in the basal quarter. Discal spot black, small but conspicuous, rounded. Cilia pale yellow. Hindwing somewhat paler than forewing, without marking. Female genitalia ( Fig. 10 ). Papillae anales wide, trapezoid with rounded corners, weakly setose. Apophyses long and thin, apophyses anteriores somewhat longer and thicker than apophyses posteriores. Ostium bursae situated in a deep postero-medial depression of 7th sternite. Postvaginal plate narrow, rectangular with rounded corners, moderately sclerotized. Ductus bursae short, tubular, membranous. Posterior section of corpus bursae wider than anterior one, with a rectangular sclerotized plate ventrally and two protrusions on the left side: a membranous, broadly conical, apically rounded postero-lateral one and a heavily sclerotized, flattened, crest-like postero-ventral one. Right side of posterior section of corpus bursae swollen, membranous. Medial section of corpus bursae bearing a belt-like, curved cluster of robust spines. Anterior section globular, densely covered in tiny spinules. Appendix bursae very short, conical, membranous, projecting postero-laterally from the right side of corpus bursae.

Figures

Figures 1–6. Lithosiini spp.: adults. Depositories of the specimens: 1–4 in MWM/ZSM; 5 and 6 in NHMUK (©).

Figures 7–9. Lithosiini spp.: male genitalia. Depositories of the specimens: 7 and 8 in MWM/ZSM; 9 in NHMUK (©).

Figures 10–12. Lithosiini spp.: female genitalia. Depositories of the specimens: 10 in MWM/ZSM; 11 in SZMN; 12 in NHRS (photo by T. Malm, ©2017NHRS).