Cryptophasa choliki Sutrisno & Suwito, 2015

Sutrisno, Hari & Suwito, Awit, 2015, Discovery of Cryptophasa Lewin, 1805 (Lepidoptera: Xyloryctidae) from Indonesia with the descriptions of three new species, Zootaxa 3994 (1), pp. 122-132 : 129-131

Cryptophasa choliki Sutrisno & Suwito, 2015 sp. nov.

( Figs. 7–8 )

Diagnosis. This species is easily recognized by the snow-white ground colour of its forewings in the male, with two prominent black spots, a large one located within the discal cell and a small one beyond the discal cell (at the base of CuP vein), and black spots at margins (venation tips: Sc, R1, R2, R3, CuA1, CuA2, CuP, 1A+2A). In the male genitalia, this species is characterized by a stout, well sclerotised juxta, divided into two processes with two pairs of teeth on the outer margins of its distal end.

Description. Male ( Fig. 7 ): Wing length 35 mm. Head white. Labial palpus slender, white, except at lateral part of the half second segment black, pointed last segment directed slightly backward. Antenna fasciculateciliated, extended to about half of length of forewing, dorsal surface covered with longitudinal rows of dark brown scales along entire length. Thorax white. Fore leg black, mid and hind legs covered with white scales, tarsus covered with white and black scales. Forewing oblong, apex obtuse, hind margin slightly oblique, rounded, discal cell with one prominent black spot, a smaller one beyond the discal cell at the base of CuP venation; tips of Sc, R1, R2, R3, CuA1, CuA2, CuP, 1A+2A veins with black spots, terminal cilia snow white. Hindwing snow white without any marking. Abdomen stout, covered with white hair-like scales

Female: unknown.

Male genitalia ( Figs. 8a, b ): Uncus deeply divided dorsally into two lobes, divided into two strongly sclerotised apical processes, strongly bent down, strongly sclerotised at apex, apex short and finger-shaped, with few long setae. Gnathos broad, fused laterally to uncus, two arms joined at apex, produced anteriorly to form broad, spatulate, rounded lip; strongly sclerotised at apex. Tegumen broad, gently arched, margins sclerotised; articulated with vinculum. Vinculum U-shaped with rather deep saccus, arms strongly sclerotised, less so at base, slightly sinuate distally. Juxta long, laterally strongly sclerotised and with distally sclerotised lateral processes. Valva rather narrow, gradually tapered, with long setae denser along costa. Costa of valva with very small inward-facing point near base; slightly sinuate, apex blunt. Lower margin of supravalva gently curved, slightly sinuate. Sacculus broad and rather short, tapered towards base, apex curved inwardly. Lower saccular margin more or less straight; very slightly curved towards apical end. Claspers strongly sclerotised, extended beyond apex of sacculus; base sharply pointed, lower medial margin folded inwards, curved inwards. Juxta stout, strongly sclerotised, divided into two long processes, curved outwardly at middle, fused just below distal end; two pair of short teeth on distal end of outer margins; apex bifid, strongly sclerotised. Aedeagus moderately long, slightly sinuate towards distal end; covered with membranous layer from middle to distal end; cornuti absent.

Holotype: 1 ♂; Indonesia, Maluku Utara, Halmahera Tengah, Conc. Area Weda Bay Nickel, Akejira Utara, N 0°39ʹ 31.6ʺ E 127° 56ʹ 23.9ʺ. Alt. 139 m. 18.vi.2010. Awit S & E. Cholik. Genitalia slide MZB. Lepi. 183.

Paratype: 1 ♂; Indonesia, Maluku Utara, Halmahera Tengah, Conc. Area Weda Bay Nickel, Akejira Utara, N 0°39ʹ 31.6ʺ E 127° 56ʹ 23.9ʺ. Alt. 139 m. 18.vi.2010. Awit S & E. Cholik

Etymology. This species is named after its collector, E. Cholik, who has collected this species in Central Halmahera.

Distribution and biology. Information on the distribution and the biology of C. choliki sp. nov. is limited since only adults of the species were captured using a light trap during seven days. This species was collected in the lowland forest of Akejira Utara, Central Halmahera. Therefore, no biological information of this species is available at present.

Remarks. The species is described on the basis of two male specimens. Both specimens were infected by fungi during field collecting as indicated by the head of the specimens covered by black filament and spores of fungi. It can be distinguished by the white scales of the head only under microscope.

Figures

FIGURE 7. Cryptophasa choliki sp. nov. ♂

FIGURE 8 a, b. Male genitalia of Cryptophasa choliki sp. nov.