Strophotina samara Brown, 2024

Brown, John W., 2024, New genera and species of tortricid moths from Chile and Argentina (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae), Zootaxa 5551 (1), pp. 51-90 : 66

Strophotina samara Brown , new species

LSIDurn:lsid:zoobank.org:act: 9B0F690A-D685-4857-A79A-46EAAA0551EB

( Figs. 11 , 31 )

Diagnosis. Whereas most species of Strophotina are characterized superficially by a large, broad, dark, semicircular patch from the costa of the forewing (see Brown 1998b: figs. 1, 2), the forewing pattern of S. samara is more similar to that of Anopinella or Seticosta (see Brown & Adamski 2003: figs. 56‒61), with a more triangular patch bordered basally by a broad band of pale ground color. However, the male genitalia of S. samara are typical of Strophotina , with a somewhat ovate valva with a large patch of stiff setae from the costa; extremely long, slender pointed socii; and long, slender, distally joined, median arms of the transtilla. It can be distinguished from congeners by the conspicuous, free, triangular process from near the termination of the sacculus, near the middle of the ventral margin of the valva. While both S. chorestis (Razowski & Becker) and S. niphochondra (Razowski & Becker) have a small digitate process from the distal end of the sacculus ( Razowski & Becker 1999: figs. 2‒5), the process in S. samara is conspicuously larger, triangular, and confluent with the ventral margin of the valva.

Description. Head: Scales of vertex and frons pale grayish brown with scattered whitish scales; scales of labial palpus mostly pale grayish brown on outer surface, paler on inner surface; scaling of antenna pale brown on dorsum.

Thorax: Dorsum scaling pale brown medially, bordered laterally by sightly darker brown scales, tegula pale tan. Forewing length 7.5‒8.5 mm (n = 4); forewing ground color cream; basal patch well defined, pale orangish brown, with outer margin extending obliquely from costa, ca. 0.3 distance from wing base, to near middle of hind margin; large, rust brown, triangular patch from costa, ca. 0.5‒0.8 distance from wing base, with small, subrectangular, white dot near vertex of triangle near distal end of discal cell; basal patch and triangular patch separated by broad, uniform band of ground color; distal 0.2 of wing pale rust brown with an irregular streak of darker rust brown subterminally, ca. 0.6 length of termen; fringe rust brown. Underside nearly uniformly grayish brown. Hindwing cream with pale gray mottling; fringe cream. Underside pale grayish cream.

Abdomen: Dorsum with pale cream ocherous scales. Male genitalia ( Fig. 31 ) with uncus rod-like, slender in distal 0.66, slightly bend ventro-posteriorly; socius extremely long, slender, pointed apically, pendant, with fine, short hairs; gnathos arms with expanded terminal foot-shaped plate, without spines; transtilla with a pair of long subbasal arms attached distally; valva simple, upcurved, attenuate distally with pointed apex, costa well defined, sacculus short, broad basally with conspicuous triangular process from venter ca. 0.35 distance from base; juxta a broad plate with weakly triangular expansions laterally; phallus extremely short, broad, with rounded base; vesica with cluster of numerous short, non-deciduous cornuti. Female genitalia unknown.

Types. Holotype ♂, Argentina: Salta: 72: Rosaria de la Frontera, Los Baños , 6 Apr 1979, Mision Cientifica Danesa.

Paratypes (3♂). Argentina: Salta: 72: Rosaria de la Frontera, Los Baños , 6 Apr 1979 (1♂), 11 Apr 1979 (2♂), Mision Cientifica Danesa .

Distribution and biology. This species is known only from the type locality in Argentina. The early stages are unknown.

Etymology. The species name is a patronym for my granddaughter Samara Storvick, who is a constant source of joy.

Figures

FIGURES 9‒16. Adults of tortricid species from Chile andArgentina. 9. Proeulia hasta, holotype male. 10. Proeulia razowskii, holotype male. 11. Strophotina samara, paratype male. 12. Gnatheulia flava, holotype male. 13. Chapoania dentigera, Chile, Ñuble Province. 14. Endemulia urrai, male holotype. 15. Paratepa ferruginea, holotype male. 16. Paratepa argentinana, holotype male.

FIGURES 29‒36. Male genitalia of tortricid species from Chile and Argentina. 29. Proeulia razowskii, USNM slide 154,814. 30. Proeulia razowskii, phallus, USNM slide 154,814. 31. Strophotina samara, USNM slide 82,064. 32. Gnatheulia flava, USNM slide 69,265. 33. Chapoania dentigera, USNM slide 88,635. 34. Endemulia urrai, USNM slide 154,830. 35. Paratepa argentinana, USNM slide 154,858. 36. Galomecalpa decolorana, USNM slide 154,867.