Cyana leechi, Volynkin, 2021

Volynkin, Anton V., 2021, A review of the Cyana phaedra (Leech, 1889) species-group, with description of a new species from China (Lepidoptera: Erebidae: Arctiinae: Lithosiini), Zootaxa 4970 (3), pp. 558-568 : 566-567

Cyana leechi sp. nov.

( Figs 11–14 , 22, 23 , 27 )

Type material. Holotype ( Figs 11 , 22 ): male, “ China / Sichuan, near Kangding , 30°00’ N, 101°57’ E, 2700-2900m, June 2000, leg. local collector”, gen. prep. No.: MWM 31795 (prepared by Volynkin) (MWM/ ZSM).

Paratypes. CHINA. SICHUAN: 1 male, [near Luding, Wasigou] Wa-ssu-Kow , 5000 ft., Native coll., June 1890, Leech Coll. 1900-64, unique number: NHMUK010604502 ( NHMUK) ; 2 males, 1 female, Chow-Pin-Sa, 5000 ft., Native coll., V & VI 1890, Leech Coll. 1900-64, unique number: NHMUK010604503 (female) ( NHMUK) ; 1 male, [ Kangding ] Ta-Chien-Lu, 8300 ft., Pratt Coll., V – VI.1890, Leech Coll. 1900-64 ( NHMUK) ; 10 males, [Kangding, P. Déjean’ s local collectors] Ta-tsien-Lou, Chasseurs indigènes du P. Déjean 1902 ( NHMUK) ; 4 males, 3 females, the same data but 1903 ( NHMUK) ; 20 males, the same data but 1904 ( NHMUK) ; 11 males, [ Lianglu Town , Tianquan County, P. Déjean’ s local collectors] Siao-Lou, Chasseurs indigènes du P. Déjean 1903 ( NHMUK) ; 1 female, the same locality and collectors, but 1902, QR-code label with unique number: NHMUK010918148 , gen. slide No. : NHMUK010315789 (prepared by Volynkin) ( NHMUK) ; 1 male, 2 females, [ Kangding local collectors] Chasseurs indigènes de Ta-tsien-Lou, Recolte de 1910 ( NHMUK) ; 3 males, 6 females, Thibet , [Kangding] Tatsienlou, Mgr. F. Biet ( NHMUK) ; 1 male, [Tche To near Kangding , local collectors] Ta Tsien Loǔ, Tche To, Chasseurs indigènes 1896 ( NHMUK) ; 1 female, [road from Kangding to Baoxing , Thibetan collectors] de Ta-tsien-lou a Mou-Pin, V – VI.1892, Chasseurs Thibetains ( NHMUK) ; 1 male, [ Eastern border of Tibet, P. Déjean’ s local collectors] Frontière orientale du Tibet, Chasseurs indigènes du P. Déjean 1903 ( NHMUK) ; 5 males, 3 females, the same data, but 1906 ( NHMUK) ; 10 males, 2 females, Ne-Tou, W. China, July, 5000 ft. ( NHMUK) ; 1 male, [Danba, Thibetan collectors] Thibet, Oua-Se, Yu-tong, Kitchang-Kou, V – VI.1892, Chasseurs Thibetains ( NHMUK) ; 1 male, 1 female, Thibet, Ta-Ho, Chasseurs indigènes Printemps 1895 ( NHMUK) ; 1 male, [ Dadu He River ] Tay-Tou-Ho, 1897, ex R.P. Déjean ( NHMUK); 1 male, 1 female, Se Pin-Lou Chan Ya Tcheon, Chasseurs indigènes 1893 ( NHMUK) ; 1 female, Thibet, Moenia, V – VI.1893, Chasseurs indigènes ( NHMUK) ; 1 female, Ta Tong Kiâo , Chasseurs indigènes 1894 ( NHMUK) ; 1 male, [ Lianglu Town , Tianquan County] Siao-Lou, gen. prep. No.: AV2031 (prepared by Volynkin) ( ZFMK) ; 1 female, [Kangding] Tatsienlu , gen. prep. No.: AV2032 (prepared by Volynkin) ( ZFMK) ; 1 female, Szetschwan , [N Daxue Shan] Kunkalaschan, gen. slide No.: ZSM Arct. 2019-353 (prepared by Volynkin) (MWM/ ZSM) .

Remark. The species was erroneously illustrated (without label data) by Lödl et al. (2012: plate 15, figs 1, 2) as Cyana interrogationis ( Poujade, 1886) .

Diagnosis. The forewing length is 18–20 mm in males (18 mm in the holotype) and 18–21 mm in females. The new species is similar externally to C. phaedra but can be distinguished by its slightly wider forewing with a somewhat less elongate apex, the thinner red markings of the forewing with the less curved postmedial line, and the slightly paler hindwing. The male genital capsule of C. leechi differs from those of C. phaedra and C. moupinensis by the more elongate distal section of the valva. Additionally, the saccus of C. leechi is rectangular whereas it is U-shaped in C. moupinensis . The vesica structure of the new species is very similar to that of C. moupinensis and differs only by the presence of the lateral area of a spinulose scobination, which is absent in C. moupinensis . The female genitalia of C. leechi differ clearly from those of the related species by the much shorter sclerotized area in the basal section of the appendix bursae. Additionally, in the new species, the signum bursae is smaller and the gelatinous area of the posterior section of the corpus bursae is longer than in C. moupinensis .

Distribution. The new species is known so far from Sichuan Province of China.

Etymology. The species is named after John Henry Leech, author of C. phaedra and C. moupinensis .

Figures

FIGURES 9–16. Cyana spp., adults. Depositories of specimens: 9 and 12 in NHMUK (© The trustees of NHMUK); 10, 11, 14–16 in MWM/ZSM; 13 in ZFMK.

FIGURES 21–24. Cyana spp., male genitalia. Depositories of specimens: 21 and 22 in MWM/ZSM; 23 in ZFMK; 24 in CKC.

FIGURES 25–28. Cyana spp., female genitalia. Depositories of specimens: 25 and 26 in MWM/ZSM; 27 in NHMUK (© The trustees of NHMUK); 28 in CKC.