Termioptycha gnathospina Ranjan, N. Singh & Kirti, 2022

Ranjan, Rahul, Singh, Navneet & Kirti, Jagbir Singh, 2022, On the taxonomy of genus Termioptycha Meyrick, 1889 (Pyralidae, Epipaschiinae) with description of two new species and two new species records from India, Zootaxa 5165 (3), pp. 415-424 : 416-417

Termioptycha gnathospina Ranjan, N. Singh & Kirti , sp. nov.

(Figs. 1, 8)

Type locality: Dodak (Sikkim, India)

Material examined: Holotype (♂). India, SIKKIM, Dodak , 24.ix.2014 (NZCZSI), R. Ranjan leg. Paratype. Data same as holotype but collected on 06.v.2014 (NZCZSI), R. Ranjan leg.

Diagnosis: Morphologically, T. gnathospina sp. nov. (Fig. 1) is most closely similar to T. margarita (Fig. 7) but is quite distinct in its male genitalia by the robust and spined median arched process of gnathos, presence of mid-costal protrusion in valva and the lateral process of juxta thin. The other closely similar species are, T. cornutitrifurca (Fig. 10) and T. conjuncta (Fig. 12), but in male genitalia, T. gnathospina sp. nov. (Fig. 8) is distinct from T. cornutitrifurca by the absence of apical trifurcate process in aedeagus, presence of a big bunch of spines in vesica, and the inner edge of gnathos along with its lateral arms densely spinous (whereas in T. cornutitrifurca , aedeagus is having apical trifurcated process, vesica with small patch of spines and inner edge of gnathos is not spinous). The new species is slso distinct from T. conjuncta by the presence of a mid-costal protrusion in valva, uncus not bifurcated and absence of hooked spinulated process on the aedeagus (whereas in T. conjuncta , mid-costal process is absent; uncus deeply bifurcated; aedeagus having a subapical robust, angled spine (Fig. 12)).

Description: Adult. Head with labial palpi upturned, first segment olive green, second segment whitish and tinged with olive, third segment fuscous. Antennae ciliated with swollen basally. Collar whitish, suffused with olive scales. Patagia whitish, suffused with pinkish scales and reaching upto 1 st abdominal segment. Forewing olivaceous, broad basal olive band having pinkish suffusion on its inner area and outlined with fuscous; an elongated medial rectangular patch on costa with two terminal black spots on its inner edge; a broad, white Y mark, suffused with greenish scales on central area of wing; postmedial greenish line having some black suffusion on it from radial to anal veins, outer area fuscous, a terminal series of black spots; cilia fuscous. Hindwing white; a fuscous patch on mid of costa; a marginal fuscous band, broadest at apex, narrowed towards hind margin; fuscous spot present on vein Cu 1 and 2A. Abdomen covered with whitish patch dorsally, tip olive green. Legs olive grey, banded with white. Male genitalia with uncus almost rectangular. Gnathos broad, strongly sclerotised, inner margin densely covered with small and strong spines. Tegumen broad, shorter than uncus. Vinculum double the length of tegumen, ventrally joined with a thin sclerotised flap. Transtilla membranous. Juxta broad at base, slightly constricted at middle, lateral sclerotised spine hooked and almost double the length of juxta. Valva rounded with apical small spine, costa medially produced. Aedeagus bend medially, vesica with a bunch of apical spine having one conspicuous spine.

Etymology: The name of the species is derived from the attribute i.e., gnathos inwardly lined with small, multiple spines.

Distribution: So far, the new species is known from its type locality only i.e., Dodak, Sikkim.