Aurivalva, Li & Xia & Wang, 2024

Li, Daixuan, Xia, Linli & Wang, Houshuai, 2024, DNA barcodes and morphological evidence reveal a new genus of Nygmiini (Lepidoptera: Erebidae: Lymantriinae) from China, Zootaxa 5496 (1), pp. 101-110 : 103-105

A key to species of Aurivalva gen. nov. in China

1 Forewing with two pale yellow transverse lines medially..................................................... 2

- Forewing scattered with many tiny black dots from base near to submargin..................... A. conistica comb. nov.

2 Forewing with a black spot at upper angle of cell........................................ A. telephanes comb. nov.

- Forewing with one or two black dots at apex.......................................... A. yunnanpina comb. nov.

Aurivalva gen. nov.

urn:lsid:zoobank.org:act:59484212-8CAE-456D-A73B-A119609DF74D

Type species: Euproctis yunnanpina Chao, 1984 , by present designation.

Diagnosis. The new genus differs from all other genera including the recently established Maeoproctis by the genital structures having a triangular uncus, a basally broad valva that narrows towards terminal with two tooth-like processes, and an elongated tongue-shaped saccus.

Description. Head. Labial palpus short and porrect. Antenna bipectinate, stronger in male compared to female.

Thorax. Wings yellow or light yellow, with variable markings on the forewing. Wing venation: forewing with R 2–4 shortly stalked with R 5, M 1 arising from upper angle of cell, M 2 and M 3 originating from lower angle of cell, CuA 1 parallel to CuA 2; hindwing M 2 present, Rs stalked with M 1.

Male genitalia. Uncus nearly triangular. Valva broad at base, narrowed towards terminal, cucullus with two tooth-shaped processes. Saccus well developed, long tongue-shaped. Aedeagus stout, bent basally.

Female genitalia. Papilla analis broad and robust. Ductus long, sclerotized basally. Bursa large, oval-shaped; signum sclerotized medially.

Etymology. The new genus is named after the Latin words "Auri-" and "Valva", which refer to the ear-like shape of valva.

Distribution. China (Jiangsu, Zhejiang, Sichuan, Fujian, Hunan, Guangdong, Guangxi, Yunnan).