Nephelobotys apiculata Zhang, 2024

Zhang, Dandan, Chen, Kai, Xiang, Lanbin & Kou, Zongqing, 2024, Revision of the genus Nephelobotys Munroe & Mutuura, 1970 (Lepidoptera, Crambidae, Pyraustinae), Zootaxa 5403 (3), pp. 301-319 : 303-305

Nephelobotys apiculata Zhang , sp. nov.

Figs 1 , 11

Diagnosis. The new species is similar to Nephelobotys habisalis and N. denticulatus , but differs from them by forewing bearing much rougher and sparser scales forming markings and the postmedial line with anterior half intermittent in external appearance ( Fig. 1 ). In the male genitalia, N. apiculata can be distinguished from them by a finger-shaped process on the costa of the valva placed subapically, the outside sella lacking a dorsal process and bearing a slender and straight ventral process, and by the distal protrusion of the sacculus with dorsal margin smoothed and with inner angle extending into a point process ( Fig. 11 ).

Material examined. Holotype ♂, CHINA, Yunna n: Botanic Garden No. 55 site, Xishuangbanna, alt. 659 m, 29.V.2015, leg. Tao Manfei, genitalia slide No. SYSU0707 . Paratype: CHINA, Yunnan: 1 ♂, Jinghong , 22.01°N, 100.48°E, alt. 630 m, 19.IV.1995, leg. Wang Hongjian, genitalia slide No. ZDD02227 ( NKU) .

Description ( Fig. 1 ). Male. Head. Frons pale yellow, with white stripes laterally. Vertex pale yellow. Labial palpus deep clay brown, with white scales at base beneath. Maxillary palpus clay brown, pale yellow terminally. Basal scales of proboscis creamy white. Antenna pale brown, dorsally covered with pale yellow scales; with white longitudinal line on scape and first few flagellomeres. Thorax. Yellow dorsally, and gradually paler backward, ventral side creamy white. Legs creamy white, tibia of foreleg with pale clay brown ring terminally. Wing. Wingspan 21.0 mm. Forewing pale yellow, lines and stigmata formed by rough and sparse, clay brown scales; costal band clay brown; antemedial line from 1/5 of costa, strong oblique outwardly to half of 1A, then deeply angled to nearly half of posterior margin; orbicular stigma distinct; reniform stigma slightly curved, streak-shaped; postmedial line from 2/3 of costa, intermittent running close to posterior angle of cell, bending inward to 1/3 of CuA 2, deeply serrated, almost meet with antemedial line, then to dorsum 3/5; posterior of cell with a streak-shaped spot connected antemedial line with postmedial line; subterminal band dark brown, sinuated, with inner margin undulating and diffused clay brown scales; termen clay brown, with brown dots on veins end; dorsum basal 1/3 with a faint, streak-shaped spot; fringe yellowish brown, brown at apex and tornus. Hindwing pale yellow, with costal half translucently white; along basal half of CuA 2 covered with a faint, pale brown, streak-shaped spot; postmedial line indistinct; subterminal band dark brown, only extending to CuA 2; termen pale yellowish brown, with brown dots on veins end; fringe pale yellowish brown, brown in middle, and translucently white at anal area. Abdomen. Pale yellow dorsally, creamy white ventrally.

Male genitalia ( Fig. 11 ). Uncus width uniform except the slightly inflated base and the rounded apex, distal 1/3 covered with setae laterally and dorsally, dorsal setae short, thick and terminally forked. Valva gradually tapering from base towards middle part, distal half with width uniform, apex bluntly rounded; costal margin slightly concaved, with a finger-shaped process placed subapically; inside sella nearly arc-shaped and with dorsal half densely bearing thick and simple setae; outside sella without dorsal process, ventral process slender and roughly straight except the bent apex; sacculus with distal protrusion wider than 1/3 length of sacculus, protrusion with dorsal margin smoothed and inner angle extending into a point and slightly curved process. Juxta with dorsal 2/3 widely divided into two curved arms. Phallus straight and tapered.

Female. Unknown.

Distribution. China (Yunnan).

Etymology. The specific name is derived from the Latin apiculatus (= pointed), corresponding to the inner angle of distal protrusion of sacculus extending into a pointed process.

Figures

FIGURES 1–10. Adults of Nephelobotys spp. 1 N. apiculata sp. nov., holotype, male (Yunnan). 2 N. habisalis, male (Guangxi). 3 N. nephelistalis, male (Zhejiang). 4 N. evenoralis, male (Hunan). 5 N. denticulatus, male (Guangxi). 6 N. semicircularis sp. nov., paratype, male (Yunnan). 7 N. brevis sp. nov., paratype, male (Guangdong). 8–10 N. flavicilialis, male (8–9 Yunnan, 10 Sichuan). Scale bars: 5.0 mm.

FIGURES 11–13. Male genitalia of Nephelobotys spp. 11 N. apiculata sp. nov., holotype, Yunnan (genitalia slide No. SYSU0707). 12 N. habisalis, Fujian (genitalia slide No. SYSU0708). 13 N. nephelistalis, Guangdong (genitalia slide No. SYSU0763). a Whole genitalia. b Enlarged detail of base part of valva.