Micandra extrema ( Draudt, 1919 )

Prieto, Carlos, 2011, The genus Micandra Staudinger (Lepidoptera: Lycaenidae: Theclinae) in Colombia, with the description of a new species from the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta, Zootaxa 3040, pp. 55-68 : 59-60

Micandra extrema ( Draudt, 1919)

Thecla ion f. extrema Draudt, 1919: 754 , plate 153d.

Thecla (Micandra) ion f. extrema Draudt ; D’Abrera 1995: 1131. Micandra extrema ( Draudt, 1919) ; Robbins 2004: 120.

Taxonomic history and remarks. Micandra extrema was described by Draudt (1919) as a form of M. ion , but it was considered a valid species by Clench (1971) and Robbins (1986, 2004). Both species are extremely rare in collections making it difficult to assess variation. More than 90 years after its original description, a second specimen was collected in Colombia by the biologist Ana Milena Mora; however, a male from Ecuador is illustrated in this paper.

Diagnosis. Micandra extrema may be confused with M. platyptera and M. ion , but the ventral wing pattern consistently distinguishes males as noted in the previous species account. Females of M. extrema are unknown or unrecognized.

Distribution. This is the rarest Micandra species in Colombia, known from a specimen recently collected in Nariño at 1500 m.

Material examined. NARIÑO: 1 3 CUN: Puerres, Monopamba, El verde, 1500m, 23.III.2011, Ana Mora Leg.

ECUADOR: 1 3 MZUJ *: Ex. Coll. Jasinsky, Ecuador, Purchased from local dealer in Baños.

Micandra comae (Druce, 1907)

Thecla comae Druce, 1907 ; Draudt 1919: 754, pl. 149a; D’Abrera 1995: 1131. Macusia comae (Druce, 1907) ; Johnson et al. 1997: 30.

Micandra comae (Druce, 1907) ; Robbins 2004: 120.

Taxonomic history and remarks. This species also was suggested as a potential member of Micandra by Clench (1971) based on genitalia and wing pattern, and this placement was confirmed by Robbins (1986). Draudt (1919) and D’Abrera (1995) illustrated a male and a female of this species. Johnson et. al (1997) created a new combination for this species, Macusia comae . Subsequently, Robbins (2004) returned it to Micandra , following Clench's (1971) concept.

Diagnosis. Males of this species may be confused with those of M. aegides , however, M. comae is distinguished by the bluish-white ventral bands of the male, wider than those of M. aegides , and the browner ventral ground color of M. aegides . This species has a minute brand on the distal part of the discal cell whereas M. comae has a bluish and large androconial brand, about as large as the discal cell. Females of M. comae are distinguished from those of M. aegides by differences on the ventral pattern as in males. Although females of M. ion and M. extrema are unknown and probably very similar to those of M. comae female, I illustrate a female from Arcabuco at 2500 m where males of M. comae are usually collected, suggesting a high degree of confidence that the sexes are associated correctly.

Distribution. This species is known from the three Andean cordilleras in the country at elevations between 1600 m and 2600 m.

Material examined. RISARALDA: 1 3 ICN: Colombia, Risaralda, Santuario Los Planes, 2000msnm, Nov- 91, Leg. Francisco Serrano R.; 1 Ƥ JFLC: Risaralda, Quinchía, Cerro Aguacatal, 15/5/93, 1600m, Leg. J. Salazar.; 1 Ƥ JFLC: Risaralda, Riosucio, Cerro Aguacatal, 17/11/96, 1600m, Leg. J. Salazar.

BOYACÁ: 1 3 ICN, Colombia, Boyacá, mpo. Arcabuco, Vda. Centro via La Palma- Pedregal, 2600mnm, Septiembre 20 de 1998, Coll. Gonzales I.; 3 3 JFLC: Boyacá, Arcabuco, 2500m, 14.i.96, Leg. J.F. Le Crom; 1 Ƥ IAvH*: Colombia, Boyacá, Arcabuco, 05º 45’ 25’’ N 73º 26’ 30’’ W, 2500m, 1.ii.1970, Leg. E. Schmidt-Mumm, SM-5448.

CUNDINAMARCA: 1 3 BMNH *: Bogotá, Rotschild Bequest.; 1 Ƥ BMNH: Bogotá, Rotschild Bequest.

NARIÑO: 1 Ƥ IAvH: Colombia, Nariño, Ricaute, 01º 05’ 06’’ N 77º 53’ 06’’ W, 1750m, 26.ix.1986, Leg. J. Salazar, SM- 5446.

CALDAS: 1 Ƥ MHN-UC 171: Caldas, Manizales-Bocatoma del acueducto, a 2280m., 26-may-1985, J.H. Vélez leg.