Thiotricha magnalata, Lee & Li, 2024

Lee, Ga-Eun & Li, Houhun, 2024, A taxonomic review of Thiotricha Meyrick, 1886 (Lepidoptera, Gelechiidae, Thiotrichinae) from China, with descriptions of 84 new species, Zootaxa 5449 (1), pp. 1-222 : 110-111

Thiotricha magnalata sp. nov.

( Figs 16F , 57A )

Type material. Holotype ♀, CHINA, Xizang Autonomous Region, Mt. Sijila , 3675 m, 31.vii.2015, leg. Huilin Han, genitalia slide no. LGE18205 . Paratypes. CHINA: Xizang Autonomous Region: 1 ♀, same data as holotype ; 1 ♀, Yaguo (29.55°N, 94.53°E), 3328 m, Mt. Sijila , Linzhi County, 28.vii.2015, leg. Huilin Han ; 1 ♀, Linzhice (29.55°N, 94.55°E), Mt. Sijila , 30.vii.2015, leg. Huilin Han ; 6 ♀♀, Lage , 3300 m, Motuo County, 8.viii.2003, leg. Xinpu Wang and Huaijun Xue , genitalia slide nos. ZJL05025, LGE18206.

Diagnosis. Thiotricha magnalata is relatively larger (up to 21.0 mm) than most of the congeneric species examined and the forewing has light base and dark distal 2/3. The markings are usually indistinct and the distal 2/3 is sprinkled with white scales. The female genitalia are somewhat similar to those of T. rotundata , but the sternum VIII of T. magnalata is more weakly sclerotized except the lateral and anterior margins and the signum is smaller compared to the latter.

Description. Adult ( Fig. 16F ). Wingspan 15.5−21.0 mm. Head white. Labial palpus white, segment I and base of segment II fuscous on outer surface; segment III as long as and 1/2 width of II, black-tipped. Antenna with scape white; flagellum fuscous, basal 2/3 of dorsal surface strongly mixed with white. Thorax white, strongly or slightly mixed with fuscous. Tegula white, anterior margin dark fuscous, tinged with fuscous posteriorly. Forewing with basal 1/3 dirty-white, sometimes strongly mixed with fuscous, distal 2/3 dark fuscous sprinkled with white; apical area with two inwardly oblique, dark fuscous costal strigulae alternating with dirty-white scales before apical spot; apical spot tinged inwardly by white scales, apex falcate; other markings dirty-white: two very slender, outwardly oblique costal streaks from distal 1/2 and 1/4 of wing, respectively, first streak running toward second streak close to costa, rarely absent, second streak running toward termen and reaching half way across wing, slightly mixed with grey posteriorly; from middle of dorsum a broad, outwardly oblique, irregular streak running toward apex, usually indistinct; distal 1/3 of dorsum with an indistinct patch or an oblique streak, running toward apex, sometimes interrupted by fuscous ground medially, rarely meeting former streak; tornal streak gradually narrowing toward apical spot but not reaching it; fringe on apical area white with basal and terminal black bands, on termen fuscous except base white, on dorsum mixed grey and beige, tinged with white at distal 1/4. Hindwing dark grey except subapex dirty-white and apex dark fuscous; fringe mixed grey and beige except apical area dark fuscous terminally. Legs white except foreleg dark fuscous; mid femur dark fuscous at apex; mid tibia with a broad dark fuscous band beyond middle on outer surface; hind tibia with a broad dark fuscous band before apex on outer surface; mid and hind tarsi dark fuscous, each tarsomere ringed with white.

Male unknown.

Female genitalia ( Fig. 57A ). Papillae anales moderately sclerotized. Apophyses anteriores 2/3 length of apophyses posteriores. Segment VIII with numerous minute spines in posterior half of lateral margins, with posterior margin broadly concave; sternum VIII longer than tergum VIII, weakly sclerotized except lateral and anterior margins, broadly convex anteriorly. Ostium bursae round. Ductus bursae slender, gradually broadening toward corpus bursae; a small, club-shaped sclerite at base; ductus seminalis arising from near base. Corpus bursae elliptical, sometimes slightly narrowed posteriorly; signum round or elliptical, situated at posterior 1/4, consisting of petal-like sclerites, bulged inward.

Distribution. China (Xizang).

Etymology. The species name is derived from Latin, magnus (large) and alatus (winged), referring to the larger wingspan compared to most congeneric species.

Remarks. Males are unknown for the species, but the morphological characteristics of the forewing and the female genitalia are unique in the genus. The presence of the apical strigulae, the falcate apex of the forewing and the spinous sternum VIII of the female genitalia are characteristic of the pancratiastis -group.

Figures

FIGURE 16. Adults of Thiotricha spp. A, T. longisigna sp. nov., ♀, paratype; B, T. cultriformis sp. nov., ♂, holotype; C, D, ditto, ♂, paratypes; E, T. vivida sp. nov., ♂, holotype; F, T. magnalata sp. nov., ♀, holotype; G, T. rotundata sp. nov., ♂, holotype; H, ditto, ♂, paratype.

FIGURE 57. Female genitalia of Thiotricha spp. A, T. magnalata sp. nov., holotype, slide no. LGE18205; B, T. rotundata sp. nov., paratype, slide no. LGE18209; C, T. guizhouensis sp. nov., paratype, slide no. LGE16159; D, T. bicolor sp. nov., paratype, slide no. LGE18182; E, T. simplex sp. nov., paratype, slide no. LGE17067; F, T. globularis sp. nov., paratype, slide no. LGE18355 (Scale bars = 0.4 mm).