Pallastica cf. pallens ( Bethune-Baker, 1908 )

Takano, Hitoshi & László, Gyula M., 2024, The Lasiocampidae (Lepidoptera: Lasiocampoidea) of Maputo Special Reserve, Mozambique: a provisional checklist with descriptions of three new species and taxonomic notes, Zootaxa 5492 (2), pp. 231-259 : 237

Pallastica cf. pallens ( Bethune-Baker, 1908)

( Figs 45–46 )

[2B]— 1♂; [3B]— 1♂; [4B]— 1♂; [4C] - 1♂; [4D]— 1♂; [5B]— 2♂♂.

Remarks. The genus Pallastica Zolotuhin & Gurkovich, 2009 can be diagnosed from allied genera based on the curved processes of the cubile lacking any serrations or projections. In the puzzling original description of the genus, Zolotuhin & Gurkovich (2009) stated that the forewing pattern was “specific”, yet contradicted themselves by implicitly providing variation of forewing markings as an autapomorphy, whilst also noting that the male genitalia was not suitable for specific diagnoses; they concluded that the genus was “very difficult to determine” and that when more specimens were examined, a reliable identification was “impossible” ( Zolotuhin & Gurkovich 2009: 16). This genus together with several other poorly-defined allied genera described by Zolotuhin & Gurkovich (2009) are in need of a full reassessment integrating genetic markers which is beyond the scope of this present paper. However, based on barcoded specimens from Mozambique and Tanzania, it is very apparent that both pale and dark specimens with differing phenotypes are conspecific and the genus contains a surplus of names to species. Prozorov et al. (2023) suggested that there were two taxa in southern Africa, with P. pallens , described from Chipata in Zambia, possibly being a species distinct from a more widely distributed eastern African taxon to which the MSR insects belong.

Figures

FIGURES 37–48. Adults (all in coll. ANHRT and collected in MSR). 37. Streblote polydora, ♀. 38. Cleopatrina phocea, ♂. 39. Eutricha morosa, ♂. 40. E. fulvida, ♂. 41. Id., ♀. 42. Id., ♂. 43. E. giustii sp. n., holotype ♂ (gen. slide No. LG 6228). 44. Id., paratype ♂. 45. Pallastica cf. pallens, ♂. 46. Id., ♂. 47. Stoermeriana aculeata, ♂. 48. Id., ♂.