Parabitecta Hering, 1926

Volynkin, Anton V. & Saldaitis, Aidas, 2020, A new species of the genus Parabitecta Hering, 1926 from Northern Vietnam and Southwestern China, with notes on the taxonomy of the genus Manulea Wallengren, 1872 (Lepidoptera: Erebidae: Arctiinae: Lithosiini), Ecologica Montenegrina 38, pp. 107-113 : 108-111

Genus Parabitecta Hering, 1926

Parabitecta Hering in Draeseke, 1926, Deutsche entomologische Zeitschrift Iris 40: 50 (Type species: Parabitecta flava Hering, 1926 , by monotypy).

Diagnosis. The genus is related to Setema and Manulea but differs externally by its larger size, the broader forewing with a strongly convex costal margin postmedially, and the pattern represented by two postmedial dots medially and at anal margin and, in some specimens, a costal postmedial stroke (whereas Setema and Manulea lack pattern). The male genitalia of Parabitecta are most similar to those of Setema by the heavily sclerotized and setose clasper and the robust, strongly curved distal saccular process, but differ by (1) the narrower uncus; (2) the weakly sclerotized and volumetric conical juxta (whereas in Setema it is plate-like dorso-ventrally flattened and heavily sclerotized apically); (3) the long vinculum similar to that of Manulea and consisting of long parallel lateral branches connected apically by a narrow and weakly sclerotized commissura fused with an apical androconial gland (whereas in Setema the vinculum is short, robust, Vshaped); (4) the shorter and narrower aedeagus (whereas in Setema it is conspicuously broader and longer); and (5) the shorter and narrower aedeagus vesica bearing several very small diverticula and one robust and long distal cornutus and, insome specimens, an additional small medial triangular cornutus (whereas in Setema the vesica is long and broad, has several large diverticula and bears a few robust thorn-like cornuti). Compared to Manulea , the male genitalia of Parabitecta are characterized by (1) the more volumetric conical juxta; (2) the more heavily sclerotized and setose clasper (whereas in Manulea that is weakly sclerotized and lacks setae); (3) the shorter and narrower aedeagus vesica bearing several very small diverticula and one robust and long distal cornutus and, in some specimens, an additional small medial triangular cornutus (whereas in Manulea the vesica is longer, broader, has numerous various sized diverticula and bears a few robust thorn-like cornuti). The female genitalia of Parabitecta are characterized by (1) the presence of a sclerotized, pocket-like antevaginal plate covering the ostium bursae ventrally (an autapomorphic character); and (2) the presence of a very broad, posterior enlargement of the corpus bursae having very thick, gelatinous walls (similar to that of Setema , but in the latter such an enlargement is smaller and sclerotized).

Re-description. External morphology of adults ( Figs 1–6 ). Medium sized moths with forewing length 18– 20 mm in males and 21–22 mm in females. Sexual dimorphism poorly expressed: females slightly larger than males and lack row of androconial scales in the forewing cell. Male antenna ciliate, female antenna filiform. Body and wing coloration yellow or brown, hindwing paler than forewing. Forewing pattern consists of two postmedial dots medially and at anal margin and (in P. secunda ) costal postmedial stroke. Hindwing without pattern. Male genitalia ( Figs 7–10 ). Uncus slender, elongate, curved medially, its distal half dilated, with claw-like tip. Tuba analis broad, membranous; scaphium thin, weakly sclerotized.

Tegumen short but broad. Juxta volumetric, conical, with rounded tip. Vinculum long, consisting of parallel lateral branches connected apically by narrow and weakly sclerotized commissura fused with apical androconial gland. Valva broad, lobe-like, dilated distally. Costa narrow, reaching the valva apex and having short trigonal tip with rounded apex. Clasper heavily sclerotized, setose. Sacculus narrow, heavily sclerotized; distal saccular process large, robust, hook-like, with elongate and pointed tip. Aedeagus elongate, narrow, with well-developed coecum. Vesica short and narrow, sack-like, with small ventral subbasal diverticulum, bears long blade-like distal cornutus and, in some specimens, with additional small trigonal cornutus medio-laterally; vesica ejaculatorius directed ventrally. Female genitalia ( Figs 11–12 ). Papilla analis broadly trapezoid with rounded corners, weakly setose. Apophyses long and thin, equal in length. Ostium bursae wide, covered ventrally by trigonal volumetric pocket-like antevaginal plate. Ductus bursae short, broad, dorso-ventrally flattened, moderately sclerotized. Posterior section of corpus bursae bearing broad elliptical enlargement with thick gelatinous walls. Anterior section of corpus bursae broad, sack-like, membranous, with two band-like areas of granulation. Appendix bursae membranous, elongate, narrow, slightly broadened distally, originating postero-laterally opposite the enlargement of posterior section of corpus bursae.

Distribution. The genus is known from continental China and Northern Vietnam.

Species composition. The genus comprises two species.

Figures

Figures 1–6. Parabitecta spp., adults. Specimens are deposited in MWM/ZSM.

Figures 7–10. Parabitecta spp., male genitalia. Specimens are deposited in MWM/ZSM.

Figures 11–12. Parabitecta spp., female genitalia. Specimens are deposited in MWM/ZSM