Lyces banana (Warren), 1901

Miller, James S, 2009, Generic Revision Of The Dioptinae (Lepidoptera: Noctuoidea: Notodontidae) Part 2: Josiini, Bulletin of the American Museum of Natural History 2009 (321), pp. 675-1022 : 766

Lyces banana (Warren) , new combination Plate 29

Josia banana Warren, 1901: 441 .

TYPE LOCALITY: [Not known].

TYPE: Syntype ³/ ♀ ( BMNH).

DISCUSSION: Although the type of L. banana bears no locality data, the identity of this species is clear—its wing pattern is distinctive. Lyces banana , endemic to Brazil, is one of the rarest species in the Josiini . It is known from only seven specimens: four at the BMNH (2 ³³, 2 ♀♀), including the types; 1 male at the MCZ; 1 female at the NMW; and 1 female at the ZMH. All of this material was collected over 100 years ago.

Traditionally ( Prout, 1918; Hering, 1925; Bryk, 1930), L. banana (pl. 29) was thought to be a close relative of L. fluonia (pl. 30). That theory was apparently based on a general similarity of the unusual, obtuse FW markings in the two species. However, the male genitalia of L. banana exhibit a dorsal crest on the uncus, identical to the one found in L. ena and L. ariaca (fig. 321A). In fact, the male genitalia of these species are similar in every way. The implied relationship between L. banana and L. ariaca , a species with FW cross-bands typical of those found throughout Lyces , is fascinating. Wing-pattern similarities shared by L. banana and L. fluonia thus appear to have evolved through convergence.

DISTRIBUTION: Brazil (BMNH, MCZ, NMW, ZMH).

DISSECTED: ³, ‘‘Ex. Musaeo Ach. Guénée’’, BMNH (genitalia slide no. JSM-324).