Miltochrista kumarkaustubhi, Singh & Kirti & Joshi & Singh, 2023

Singh, Santosh, Kirti, Jagbir Singh, Joshi, Rahul & Singh, Navneet, 2023, Taxonomic review of the Miltochrista hollowai and M. curvifascia species-groups with descriptions of two new species from India (Erebidae: Arctiinae: Lithosiini), Zootaxa 5315 (2), pp. 150-160 : 153

Miltochrista kumarkaustubhi sp. nov.

( Figs 5 , 21 )

urn:lsid:zoobank.org:act:DA750FDD-3CBE-4E73-B833-1FF42CD89E88

Type material. Holotype, ♂, India, Karnataka: Ganeshgudi , 13.x.2005, N. Singh leg. (13471/H10).

Diagnosis. Externally, M. kumarkaustubhi sp. nov. ( Fig. 5 ) is closely similar to M. madathumala sp. nov. but is distinct by the male genitalia ( Fig. 21 ) with the uncus being sharply curved (almost at 900) sub-basally, the slightly narrower valva with a minutely dentate apex, the poorly developed ventro-subapical membranous flap, the sacculus having a shorter inner flap and with denser setae apically, and the longer and apically roundly curved distal saccular process, whereas in male genitalia of M. madathumala sp. nov. uncus is curved at about 450, valva broader, smoothly rounded at apex, costa setosed sub-basally, ventro-subapical membranous flap well developed, sacculus with inner flap well developed, with dorsal margin prominently setosed, distal saccular process shorter. Miltochrista hollowai is clearly distinct from M. kumarkaustubhi sp. nov. in male genitalia by the valva apex more rounded, bearing a ventro-subapical spine and a short, robustly sclerotised, leaf-like distal saccular process.

Etymology. The new species is named after late Mr. Kumar Kaustubh, who was young, enthusiastic, and dedicated budding moth researcher from Bihar, India.

Distribution. Currently known from its type locality only i.e., Ganeshgudi, in the state of Karnataka, South India.

Figures

FIGURES 1–8. Miltochrista spp. adults. 1, M. hollowai ♂, India, Gujarat, Saputara (NZCZSI); 2, M. hollowai, ♂, India, Gujarat, Waghai (NZCZSI); 3, M. madathumala holotype ♂, India, Kerala, Ranipuram (NZCZSI); 4, M. madathumala paratype ♂, India, Kerala, Ranipuram (NZCZSI); 5, M. kumarkaustubhi holotype, ♂, India, Karnataka, Ganeshgudi (NZCZSI); 6, M. curvifascia ♂, India, Tamil Nadu, Thalamalai (NZCZSI); 7, M. curvifascia ♂, India, Odisha, Gajapati, Gumma (NZCZSI); 8, M. curvifascia ♀, India, Tamil Nadu (NZCZSI).

FIGURES 21–24. Miltochrista spp.: male genitalia. 21, M. kumarkaustubhi holotype, ♂, India, Karnataka, Ganeshgudi; 22, M. curvifascia ♂, India, Tamil Nadu, Thalamalai (NZCZSI); 23, M. curvifascia ♂, India, Odisha, Gajapati, Gumma (NZCZSI); 24, M. curvifascia ♂, India Kerala, Naduvattum (NZCZSI).