Thysanoplisna zofera, Volynkin, 2023

Volynkin, Anton V., 2023, On the taxonomy of the genus Thysanoptyx Hampson with descriptions of two new genera and a new species from Vietnam (Lepidoptera: Erebidae: Arctiinae: Lithosiini), Ecologica Montenegrina 69, pp. 54-63 : 57-61

Thysanoplisna zofera sp. n.

https://zoobank.org/ urn:lsid:zoobank.org:act:4DCFE746-D04B-46FB-A860-E1FB194CD50A

( Figs 3 , 14 )

Type material. Holotype ( Figs 3 , 14 ): male, “N. Vietnam, 1400m | [Hòa Bình Province] Mai-chau , 20.50’N [20°50'N] | 104.50’E [104°50'E], 40km SE Moc | chau, Urwald [jungle], 7.–15.IV | 1995, leg. Sinjaev [recte: Sinyaev], ex. | coll. Schintlmeister ” / Slide | ZSM Arct. | 2021- 364♂ | A. Volynkin ” (MWM/ ZSM).

Diagnosis. The forewing length is 14.0 mm in the male holotype. Thysanoplisna zofera sp. n. is externally largely dissimilar to other congeners due to its beige grey colouration and the diffuse, brownishgrey forewing markings, which are distinct and black in similar species. However, the male genital capsule configuration of the new species is similar to T. anomala , from which the new species is distinguished by the shorter uncus, the broader vinculum, the shorter, less downcurved, and apically rounded dorsal section of the valva (it is apically pointed in the congener), and the longer and thicker distal saccular process. The phallus of T. zofera sp. n. is somewhat broader than in T. anomala . The vesica of the new species is more or less globular, lacks diverticula and bears a single thorn-shaped cornutus with a broad base, whereas the vesica of T. anomala is more elongate, sack-like, and has four diverticula, two of which bear apical claw-shaped cornuti.

The female is unknown. Distribution. Northern Vietnam (Hòa Bình Province). Etymology. The specific epithet is derived from the Greek ‘ζοφερός’ meaning ‘gloomy’ and refers to the gloomy, greyish colouration of the new species, which is unique in the genus Thysanoplisna gen. n. The name is a noon in nominative singular in apposition to the generic name.

Figures

Figures 1–8. Lithosiina spp.: adults. Depositories of the specimens: 1, 3–8 in MWM/ZSM; 2 in NHMUK (©The Trustees of NHMUK).

Figures 13–16. Lithosiina spp.: male genitalia. Depositories of the specimens dissected: 13–15 in MWM/ZSM; 16 in NHMUK (©The Trustees of NHMUK).