Prays bisechinata Li

Cong, Peixin & Li, Houhun, 2017, Review of the genus Prays Hübner, 1825 (Lepidoptera: Praydidae) from China, with descriptions of twelve new species, Zootaxa 4263 (2), pp. 201-227 : 211-212

Prays bisechinata Li , sp. nov.

( Figs. 11 , 27 )

Type material. CHINA: Holotype ♂, Yunnan Province: Taiyanghe National Forest Park [22.68°N, 101.03°E], Puer , 1450 m, 5.VII.2015, coll. Kaijian Teng, genitalia slide No. CPX15195.

Diagnosis. This species resembles P. tineiformis Sohn et Wu, 2011 in the male genitalia, but it differs from the latter in the broad sub-ovate socius, the tegumen with lateral band clubbed anteriorly, and the sacculus rounded at apex. In P. tineiformis , the slender socius is narrowed gradually to apex, the lateral bands of the tegumen are triangular anteriorly, and the sacculus is pointed at apex ( Sohn & Wu 2011).

Description. Adult ( Fig. 11 ): Wingspan 11.0 mm. Head yellowish brown. Labial palpus yellowish white on dorsal surface, dark brown on ventral surface, each segment yellowish brown apically. Antenna with scape white on ventral surface, yellowish brown mixed with dark brown on dorsal surface; flagellum blackish brown. Thorax blackish brown, mixed with yellowish brown; tegula blackish brown in basal half, yellowish brown in distal half. Forewing yellowish brown, with dense grey and blackish brown scales forming irregular ill-defined stripes; costal margin with approximately nine blackish brown strigulae in basal half, alternated with yellowish brown, with an elongate blackish brown spot at distal 2/5; dorsum with approximately six blackish brown strigulae, with a triangular blackish brown spot at tornus; cilia yellowish brown except blackish brown around apex. Hindwing and cilia greyish brown. Foreleg blackish brown except femur yellowish white on dorsal surface; midleg with coxa and femur yellowish white, femur mixed with pale brown on ventral surface, tibia blackish brown, with greyish white streak on outer surface at base and middle respectively, apical spur yellowish white, tarsus yellowish white on inner surface, blackish brown on outer surface; hindleg with coxa and femur yellowish white, tibia pale brown on outer surface, remaining part yellowish white, tarsus white on inner surface, brown on outer surface. Abdomen greyish brown on dorsal surface, pale yellowish white on ventral surface.

Male genitalia ( Fig. 27 ): Socius broad sub-ovate, narrowed distally, covered with dense long setae; inner margin with thorn placed before middle and at apex respectively. Tegumen medially extended beyond half length of lateral band, anterior margin concave in semiellipse medially, roundly protruded laterally; lateral band anteriorly clubbed and oblique inwards. Gnathos almost evenly wide, posterior margin heavily sclerotized, protruded semicircularly at middle and extending downwards beyond anterior margin. Valva with basal 3/7 sub-rectagular, slightly protruded at basal 1/3 on dorsal margin, distal 4/7 separated from sacculus, gradually narrowed from 3/7 to 5/7, distal 2/7 slightly widened, bearing dense strong setae, apex bluntly rounded; transtilla triangular, curved backwards; sacculus 2/5 length of valva, distal 1/3 produced into a free triangular process, rounded apically, covered with sparse long setae on ventral margin; membranous area between sacculus from base to basal 2/3 and valva. Vinculum V-shaped; saccus approximately as long as socius, slightly narrowed before rounded apex. Juxta sub-rounded; anellus lobe fused, covered with long setae distally. Aedeagus stout, approximately same length as valva, slightly curved at basal 1/5, then parallel to apex; cornuti consisting of three slender thorns, placed in distal 2/3 of aedeagus.

Female unknown.

Distribution. China (Yunnan).

Etymology. The specific name is derived from the Latin bis - and echinatus, referring to the two thorns on the inner margin of the socius in the male genitalia.

Figures

FIGURES 11 – 16. Adults of Prays spp. 11, P. bisechinata sp. nov., holotype, ♂; 12, P. tauricornis sp. nov., holotype, ♂; 13, P. longisaccula sp. nov., holotype, ♂; 14, P. semilunata sp. nov., paratype, ♀; 15, P. tineiformis, ♂; 16, P. semicircularis sp. nov., holotype, ♂. (Scales = 2.0 mm).

FIGURES 23 – 28. Male genitalia of Prays spp. 23, P. orthacantha sp. nov. (holotype, slide no. CPX 15149); 24, P. spiniprocessa sp. nov. (paratype, slide no. CPX 15159); 25, P. erromera sp. nov. (paratype, slide no. CPX 15164); 26, P. rectangula sp. nov. (holotype, slide no. JQ 08151); 27, P. bisechinata sp. nov. (holotype, slide no. CPX 15195); 28, P. tauricornis sp. nov. (holotype, slide no. CPX 15162). (Scales = 0.2 mm).