Vallichlora rara Viidalepp & Lindt, 2019

Viidalepp, Jaan & Lindt, Aare, 2019, A new Neotropical emerald moth genus based on some unusual “ artefacts ” (Lepidoptera: Geometridae, Geometrinae), Zootaxa 4691 (2), pp. 181-187 : 182-183

Vallichlora rara Viidalepp & Lindt , sp. nov.

Figs 2, 4, 5, 6.

Holotype. male, Ecuador, Manabi prov., Beche , 67 m, 15.05.2007, 00º13’22”N, 79º54’12”W A. Lindt) (slide 8365) (ID: IZBE0122007 ) . Paratypes, 1♂, Ecuador, Sahuangal (slide 7373) (A. Lindt) ; 1♂, Ecuador, Zamora Chinchipe prov., Zamora , 1000 m, 19– 20.04.2007, 04º06’30”S, 78º57’49”W (slide 8732) (ID: IZBE0122006 ) (A. Lindt) ; 1♂, Bolivia, Park Chiquitanos , 275 m, 05.12.2013, 18°07’28”S, 59°06’57”W (slide 8735) (A. Lindt) .

Type specimens are deposited in the IZBE insect collection at the Estonian University of Life Sciences, Tartu, Estonia.

Diagnosis. Green moths having pairs of white spots and grey-brown vein-streaks instead of ante- and postmedial lines. The marginal line is thin red-brown, much thinner than that in Vallichlora selva , sp. n. or Lissochlora albociliaria Herrich-Schäffer. The white spot on the first abdominal tergite is rectangular, while that on the third segment is roundish. The second tergite is unspotted and green. Male genitalia with socii thumb-shaped, each with a long apical thorn.

Description. Small green moths (wingspan 19–23 mm) (Fig. 2). Frons broad, green, fillet white, vertex green, a rose-coloured line between. Male antennal pectinations up to 0.5 mm long. Wing markings as given in diagnosis, white vein-spots prominent in fresh specimens, greyish marks are larger at forewing costa and suffused in worn specimens, varying between populations. Male genitalia (Figs 4–6). Uncus membranous and folded at the base of socii. Socii semi-rigid, parallel-sided, as long as vinculum and tegumen together, with tips sclerotised and each provided with a long thorn. The valva parallel-sided, rounded at tip, slightly rugose dorso-distally, broadly setose along the ventral margin. Gnathos short, with roundish, spiculose cochlear. The transtilla is a plate with a pair of lateral processes directed towards the saccus. Saccus broad, roundish, with the coremata attached to its base. Aedeagus 1.5 mm long, with a dorsal angulation. The last male abdominal sternite is a little shorter than the tergite and is indented posteriorly.

Variation. The grey-brown maculation on wings is almost reduced in one Peruvian specimen (slide 7387). The dorsal half of the genetalia and the valvae are relatively longer in another specimen (slide 7373). One specimen from southern Ecuador (slide 8732) differs in the shape of the processes from the tips of socii, which are stouter and truncate to apex, not pointed and thorn-shaped (Fig. 6).

Distribution. Locally on eastern promontories of the Andes from Ecuador to Bolivia.

Etymology. The species seems rare in collections, therefore named “rara” (lat. raro = engl. rare). Gender feminine.