Megalota beckeri Brown, 2009

Brown, John W., 2009, The discovery of Megalota in the Neotropics, with a revision of the New World species (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae: Olethreutini), Zootaxa 2279 (1), pp. 1-50 : 30

21. Megalota beckeri Brown , new species Figs. 21 , 45

Diagnosis. In facies, M. beckeri is similar to many congeners, however, the forewing ground color is slightly darker than most. Also, the edge of the hindwing has a rounded concavity between 1A+2A and the anal margin that is either much less pronounced or absent in other species of Megalota . The male genitalia are easily distinguished by the short, stout basal process of the valva with a densely spined distal region; the distinctive configuration of the lobes of the uncus, forming a somewhat V-shaped process; and the absence of the cluster of spiniform setae at mid-valva. Although the basal process of the valva is similar to that of M. cacaulana , other features of the genitalia suggest that the two are not closely related.

Description. Head: Vertex, frons, and labial palpi red-brown and creamy white. Thorax: Dorsum brown, metascutum with weak crest, brown with creamy white-tipped scales. Hind tibia in male with dense sex scales, white on inner surface of tibia, tawny gray on outer surface, concealing hairpencil. Forewing length 7.0– 7.5 mm (mean = 7.3); basal 0.5 variegated brown and dark red-brown, with some scattered creamy white scales; an ill-defined, incomplete, oblique fascia from costa 0.5–0.7 distance from base, darkest in costal region, roughly forming a triangular patch; an irregularly oblong-ovate patch in terminal region below apex, extending to dorsum near termen as dark brown band of nearly uniformly width. Fringe brown. Hindwing brown, anal margin in male with well-developed, elongate roll of pale creamy white sex scales. Abdomen: Brown. Male genitalia ( Fig. 45 ; 3 preparations examined) with tegumen rectangular, lacking conspicuous dorsal lobes, uncus lobes forming V-shaped 90° angle, lobes nearly straight along anterior edge, rounded in posterior portion; socius ill defined, membranous; valva straight, moderately uniformly in width in distal 0.65, with a distinct notch along venter ca. 0.35 distance from base; a sparse patch of long, straight setae from conspicuous sockets subbasally from venter of valva; basal process of valva short, stout, club-shaped, ca. twice as long as wide, rounded apically, slightly narrowed basally, with dense spines in distal 0.35. Phallus curved near middle, with dorsal hump subapically; cornuti absent. Female genitalia unknown.

Holotype. Male, Brazil, Minas Gerais, Sete Lagoas , 720 m, Apr 1974, V. O. Becker ( USNM), USNM slide 124,145.

Paratypes (2♂). BRAZIL: Minas Gerais: Nova Lima , 850 m, 8–9 Oct 1985 (1♂), S. E. Miller ( USNM) . São Paulo: São Paulo , 900 m, 3–7 Jan 1983 (1♂), V. O. Becker ( VBC) .

Etymology. This species is named for my friend and colleague Vitor Becker, whose knowledge of Neotropical Lepidoptera is exceeded by none.

Figures

FIGURES 13–24. Adults of Megalota. 13. M. ricana (holotype), 14. M. ceratovalva (holotype), 15. M. bicolorana (holotype), 16. M. longisetana (holotype), 17. M. deceptana (holotype), 18. M. crassana (holotype), 19. M. gutierrezi (holotype), 20. M. chamelana (holotype), 21. M. beckeri (holotype), 22. M. plenana (holotype), 23. M. flintana (holotype), 24. M. pastranai (holotype).

FIGURES 43–45. Male genitalia of Megalota; valva spread, phallus removed. 43. M. gutierrezi, image of USNM slide 84,883; 44. M. chamelana, image of USNM slide 84,897; 45. M. beckeri, image of USNM slide 124,145.

FIGURES 1–12. Adults of Megalota. 1. M. submicans (holotype), 2. M. synchysis (paratype), 3. M. peruviana (paratype), 4. M. aquilonaris (holotype), 5. M. vulgaris (paratype), 6. M. cacaulana (holotype), 7. M. macrosocia (holotype), 8. M. ochreoapex (holotype), 9. M. spinulosa (holotype), 10. M. simpliciana (paratype), 11. M. delphinosema (Costa Rica), 12. M. jamaicana (holotype).