Lemyra witti, Volynkin & Saldaitis, 2021

Volynkin, Anton V. & Saldaitis, Aidas, 2021, Lemyra witti, a new species from southern Gansu Province, China (Lepidoptera, Erebidae, Arctiinae, Arctiini), Zootaxa 4999 (5), pp. 489-493 : 489-492

Lemyra witti sp. nov. ( Figs 1, 2 , 9 )

Type material. Holotype: male ( Fig. 1 ), “ China / Gansu prov., Min Shan ~ 2350m, ~ 50 km W from Wudu , 33°30´N; 104°35´E, 27.07.– 14.08.2000. leg. Plutenko & Siniaev [Sinyaev]” / Genitalpräparat [genital slide] Heterocera Nr. 33.804 Museum Witt München ” (prepared by Volynkin) (MWM/ ZSM).

Paratypes: 12 males ( Fig. 2 ), with the same data as for the holotype, gen. prep. Nos.: MWM 33787, MWM 33805 (prepared by Volynkin) (MWM/ ZSM) .

Remark. The species is rather variable in its forewing shape and the size of the spots on forewing. However, the genitalic structures display no remarkable differences among the different forms.

Diagnosis. The new species is reminiscent superficially of the sympatric L. jankowskii ( Figs 3-6 ), but it is distinguished by the somewhat more rounded forewing apex and the wider medial transverse fascia on the forewing. Compared to L. elena ( Figs 7, 8 ), L. witti has a somewhat more rounded forewing apex and a pale yellowish hindwing, whereas the forewing of L. elena is deep yellow with pink suffusion along the anal margin and sometimes with intense dark grey suffusion medially and subterminally. The male genital capsule of L. witti ( Fig. 9 ) is similar to those of L. jankowskii ( Figs 10, 11 ) and L. elena ( Fig. 12 ), but differs by the somewhat less elongate uncus and the somewhat wider ventral process of the valva. The aedeagus of the new species is very similar to that of L. jankowskii and is more elongate than that of L. elena . The vesica of L. witti is broader than those of L. jankowskii and L. elena ; it has a narrow longitudinal cluster of spinules ventrally and a short and relatively narrow dorsal diverticulum bearing a short and narrow cluster of spinules, whereas the vesicae of L. jankowskii and L. elena bear a wide cluster of spinules ventrally and a smaller cluster of spinules dorso-laterally ( L. jankowskii ) or laterally ( L. elena ).

Description. External morphology of adults. Forewing length 18–21 mm in males (n =13). Male antennae bipectinate with short rami. Head and thorax deep yellow. Abdomen pale red dorsally, ochreous ventrally, with rows of black spots laterally and dorsally. Forewing ground color and cilia deep yellow. Forewing pattern pale grayish brown. Antemedial fascia represented by an elliptical spot medially. Medial fascia oblique, wide medially and posteriorly, and narrowed anteriorly, interrupted into a series of various sized spots. Hindwing ground color and cilia pale yellowish white. Transverse fascia represented by three grayish brown spots at tornus and sometimes one additional spot subapically.

Male genitalia ( Fig. 9 ). Uncus large, triangular with rounded apex, dorso-ventrally flattened and somewhat curved downward ventrally. Tegumen shorter than valva, with relatively wide arms. Vinculum robust, trapezoid with short and round medio-apical protrusion. Juxta wide, sclerotized, shield-like. Transtillae wide, sclerotized, band-like, fused. Valva elongate, narrow, with dilated and apically rounded distal section. Ventral process of valva broadly triangular with round- ed and weakly setose apex. Aedeagus narrow and strongly elongate (equal to vinculum-tegumen complex in length), somewhat curved upward medially and dilated distally, with short and apically rounded coecum. Carina represented by narrow sclerotized band-like plate protruding to vesica and bearing few tiny denticles apically. Vesica broad, globular, with narrow and elongate cluster of numerous thin spinules ventrally and short and narrow diverticulum bearing a narrow and elongate cluster of numerous thin spinules dorsally. Vesica ejaculatorius arising dorsally.

Female unknown.

Distribution. The species is known from the Min mountains in southern Gansu Province of China.

Etymology. The new species is dedicated to the memory of Dr Thomas J. Witt, a famous lepidopterist and a founder of the Museum Witt Munich having one of the largest collections of Heterocera in the world.

Figures

FIGURES 1–8. Lemyra spp.: adults. Depositories of the specimens: 1–3, 5 and 6 in MWM/ZSM; 4 in ASV; 7 and 8 in NH- MUK.

FIGURES 9–12. Lemyra spp.: male genitalia. Depositories of the specimens dissected: 9 and 10 in MWM/ZSM; 11 in ASV; 12 in NHMUK.