Onespa gala (Godman, 1900) Austin & Warren, 2009

Austin, George T. & Warren, Andrew D., 2009, New looks at and for Onespa, Buzyges, and Librita (Lepidoptera: Hesperiidae: Hesperiinae), with new combinations and descriptions of a new genus and six new species, Insecta Mundi 2009 (89), pp. 1-55 : 7-9

Onespa gala (Godman, 1900) , new combination

( Fig. 7-12 , 65 , 76 , 88 )

Atrytone gala Godman, 1900 (in Godman and Salvin 1879 -1901, 2:495). Type locality: MEXICO: [Veracruz]; Las Vigas; holotype male ( Fig. 7-8 ) in Schaus’ collection at USNM.

Description. Male ( Fig. 7-10 ) - mean forewing length = 14.7 mm (14.0- 15.2 mm, n=10; from Michoacán, Mexico); forewing with pointed apex, termen slightly convex, no stigma or brand; hindwing convex, weakly lobate at tornus; dorsal forewing brown with golden iridescence; proximal 1/2 costa yellow-orange; sparse paler yellow-orange overscaling in base of discal cell and CuA 2 -2A; yellow-orange overscaling of flat and setiform scales in middle 1/2 of anal cell; opaque pale yellow-orange macules as follows: subapical in mid- R 3 -R 4 and near bases of R 4 -R 5 and R 5 -M 1, more or less quadrate, all of about equal size, macule in R 4 -R 5 slightly offset proximad from other two, series more or less perpendicular to costa, an additional smaller macule in R 2 -R 3 on one specimen offset proximad from remainder of series; postmedial, M 3 -CuA 1, 1/3 distance from base, quadrate (but with concave distal edge); CuA 1 -CuA 2, curved (distal edge concave, proximal edge convex), largest, centered in mid-cell distad of origin of CuA 1, overlapping proximal 1/4 to 1/ 2 of macule in M 3 -CuA 1 and macule in CuA 2 -2A that is poorly developed as a dot (or absent) cephalad, more or less triangular caudad; macule in discal cell hourglass-shaped, about 1/4 distance from distal end (just proximad of origin of vein CuA 1); one specimen (of 36 examined) with small pale yellow-orange submarginal dot in each M 1 -M 2 and M 2 -M 3; fringe brown proximad, gray distad.

Dorsal hindwing brown with golden iridescence; proximal 2/3 overscaled with long brown and ochreous setiform scales caudad of vein Sc+R 1, extending nearly to termen along vein 2A; prominent opaque pale yellow-orange postmedial macules in Rs-M 1, M 1 -M 3, M 3 -CuA 1, and CuA 1 -CuA 2, these more or less quadrate, separated by brown veins, that in M 1 -M 3 divided by thin line of brown, that in Rs-M 1 variably offset proximad; vaguely defined pale yellow-orange macule at distal end of discal cell; fringe brown proximad, gray distad, becoming entirely white caudad of mid-cell CuA 2 -2A.

Ventral forewing dull brown; costa, apex, and outer margin cephalad of vein CuA 1 overscaled with yellow-orange giving olive-brown aspect, entirely filling costal, subcostal, radial, and medial cells, distad of macule in M 3 -CuA 1, narrowing to vein 2A; anterior discal cell sparsely overscaled with orange, flat and setiform scales; posterior 1/2 of CuA 2 -2A (proximad of pale macule) and all of anal cell gray-brown; macules as on dorsum except macule in CuA 2 -2A often better developed than on dorsum cephalad and cream colored.

Ventral hindwing entirely overscaled with yellow-orange giving olive-brown aspect except sparser on both sides of vein 2A, and as paler postmedial macules and a small macule at distal end of discal cell.

Dorsal head black with mixture of black, white, ochreous, and red-brown setiform scales, small white spots just behind antennae, white behind eye becoming ochreous ventrad; dorsal palpi mixture of black and ochreous setiform scales, pale ochreous on sides and venter, black on inner surface, 3rd segment black, barely extending beyond scales of 2nd segment; antennae 51% of costal length, shaft black on dorsum, checkered narrowly with whitish on venter, club 33% of length of shaft, dorsal club black, ventral club ochreous and yellow-orange, nudum red-brown becoming darker at tip, 12 (n=6), 13 (n=8), or 14 (n=3) segments; dorsal thorax ochreous with green iridescence especially centrally; ventral thorax ochreous; legs brown proximad, ochreous-brown distad with long ochreous setiform scales especially proximad, protibia not spined, red-brown epiphysis long, extending distad to overlap proximal portion of tarsus, mesotibia not spined, pair of spurs distad, outer about 3/4 length of inner, metatibia not spined, two pairs of spurs, outer about 3/4 length of inner; dorsal abdomen black, gray at segments, long olive setiform scales cephalad; ventral abdomen pale blue centrally, whitish laterally.

Genitalia ( Fig. 65 , 76 ) - uncus short, hooked caudad in lateral view, entire and narrowing to weakly lobed caudal end in dorsal view; gnathos robust, well-separated from and shorter than uncus in lateral view, divided with arms slender, widely apart cephalad and approaching caudad in ventral view, slightly broader than uncus in middle; tegumen thin in lateral view, broad in dorsal view and flaring cephalad, ventral arm combining with dorsal arm of saccus, this combined structure broadest and bent ventrad of its middle; anterior arm of saccus long and thin, mostly straight but slightly upcurved cephalad, nearly 2 times length of uncus and dorsal portion of tegumen, narrow in ventral view and tapering gradually to pointed cephalic end; valva simple, no differentiation between costa and ampulla, latter produced dorsally to small pointed triangular process near juncture with harpe, harpe curved and produced caudad, interior surface with curved row of small and sharply pointed teeth, sacculus narrow, ventral edge of valva prominently concave in middle; aedeagus slightly curved caudad, tubular, long, about 1.7 times length of valva, caudal end slightly expanded, blunt, small triangular titillator on right side just cephalad of caudal end; vesica with cornuti including a flexible spinulose pad and a large heavily sclerotized and sharply pointed spike.

Female ( Fig. 11-12 ) - mean forewing length = 16.0 mm (15.1-16.8 mm, n=10; from Michoacán, Mexico); forewing with pointed apex, termen convex (more so than on male); hindwing convex (more so than on male), weakly lobate at tornus; dorsal forewing brown, duller than on male with faint iridescence; proximal 1/2 costa yellow-orange (deeper colored than on male); sparse yellow-orange (deeper colored than on male) overscaling in bases of discal cell and CuA 2 -2A; yellow-orange overscaling of flat and setiform scales in middle 1/2 of anal cell; opaque pale yellow-orange macules as follows: subapical in mid-R 3 -R 4 and near bases of R 4 -R 5 and R 5 -M 1, more or less quadrate, increasing in size caudad, more or less aligned, series more or less perpendicular to costa; postmedial, M 3 -CuA 1, 1/3 distance from base, quadrate, distal caudal edge slightly extended distad cephalad of vein CuA 1; CuA 1 -CuA 2, quadrate or curved (distal edge concave, proximal edge convex), largest, distad of origin of CuA 1, not or barely overlapping proximal edge of macule in M 3 -CuA 1, overlapping macule in CuA 2 -2A that is poorly developed cephalad (usually an oblique streak), more or less triangular caudad; macule in discal cell hourglass-shaped, about 1/4 distance from distal end (proximad of origin of vein CuA 1); five specimens (of 27 examined) with small pale yellow-orange submarginal dot in each M 1 -M 2 andM 2 -M 3; fringe brown proximad, gray distad.

Dorsal hindwing brown without iridescence seen on male; proximal 2/3 overscaled with long ochreous and brown setiform scales caudad of vein Sc+R 1 nearly extending to termen along vein 2A; prominent opaque pale yellow-orange postmedial macules in Rs-M 1, M 1 -M 3, M 3 -CuA 1, and CuA 1 -CuA 2, these more or less quadrate, separated by brown veins, that in M 1 -M 3 divided by thin line of brown, that in Rs-M 1 offset proximad with distal edge at about center of macule in M 1 -M 3; vaguely defined pale yellow-orange macule occasionally at distal end of discal cell; fringe brown proximad, gray distad becoming entirely white distad caudad of mid-cell CuA

2

-2A.

Ventral forewing dull very dark brown, paler brown distad of postmedial macules and in anal cell; costa, apex, and outer margin cephalad of vein CuA 1 overscaled with yellow-orange giving olive-brown aspect, entirely filling costal, subcostal, radial, and medial cells, distad of macule in M 3 -CuA 1, narrowing to vein CuA 2; anterior discal cell sparsely overscaled with orange setiform scales; macules as on dorsum except macule in CuA 2 -2A better developed cephalad and cream color, faint additional subapical macule in R 2 -R 3 on one specimen (of 27), offset proximad so that distal edge aligned with proximal edge of macule in R

3

-R

4

.

Ventral hindwing entirely overscaled with yellow-orange giving olive-brown aspect except sparser on both sides of vein 2A, and as pale yellow-orange postmedial macules and a small vague macule at distal end of discal cell.

Dorsal head black with mixture of black, white, and ochreous setiform scales, some with greenish iridescence, white spots just behind antennae, white behind eye becoming ochreous ventrad; dorsal palpi mixture of black and ochreous setiform scales, pale ochreous on sides and venter, black on inner surface, 3rd segment black, barely extending beyond scales of 2nd segment; antennae 50% of costal length, shaft black on dorsum, checkered broadly with whitish on venter, club 34% of length of shaft, dorsal club black, ventral club white and pale ochreous, nudum red-brown becoming darker at tip, 12 (n=3) or 13 (n=3) segments; dorsal thorax ochreous with green iridescence especially centrally; ventral thorax ochreous and pale blue; legs brown proximad, ochreous-brown distad with long ochreous and pale blue setiform scales especially proximad, protibia not spined, red-brown epiphysis long, extending distad to overlap proximal portion of tarsus, mesotibia not spined, pair of spurs distad, outer about 1/2 length of inner, metatibia not spined, two pairs of spurs, outer about 1/2 length of inner; dorsal abdomen black, gray at segments, long olive setiform scales cephalad; ventral abdomen pale blue centrally becoming pale yellow caudad, whitish laterally.

Genitalia ( Fig. 88 ) - lamellae subquadrate, caudal edge of lamella postvaginalis excavate centrally into relatively broad and shallow V-shape, lamella antevaginalis narrower than lamella postvaginalis, excavate centrally, ostium bursae about twice as broad as deep; ductus bursae long (3.2 mm including antrum), relatively straight (ventral and lateral views) antrum that is complexly sclerotized as a number of apparent longitudinal plates, ductus bursae cephalad expanded asymmetrically, horizontally wrinkled, largely membranous, but with some sclerotization especially as conspicuous left lateral pouch-like structure; corpus bursae elongate, about 2 times as long as broad, indistinctly wrinkled longitudinally.

Specimens examined. MEXICO: Distrito Federal ; Delegación Magdalena Contreras, Cañada de la Magdalena Contreras, Dinamo 1, 2670m, 1 June 1983, leg. A. Luis-Martínez (1 male; MZFC), same locality and collector, 28 June 1983 (1 male; MZFC), 29 June 1983 (1 male; MZFC) ; Delegación Miguel Hidalgo, 3ra. Secc. del Bosque de Chapultepec , 24 June 1993, leg. N. Figueroa (3 males; MHNM), same locality and collector, 9 July 1992 (1 male; MHNM) ; MEXICO: Guerrero; Mpio. Chilpancingo, Omiltemi, Hortiguillas , 3 July 1985, leg. I. Vargas (1 female; MZFC) ; Omiltemi, Cueva del Borrego , 5 August 1985, leg. I. Vargas (1 male; MZFC) ; MEXICO: Michoacán; Mpio. Uruapan, Cerro de la Cruz , 2200m, 22 July 1996, leg. A. D. Warren (10 males, 8 females, GTA #14067 ; ADWC) ; same locality and collector, 23 July 1996, leg. A. D. Warren (5 males, GTA #14066 , 3 females; ADWC), 27 July 1996, (11 males, GTA #14065 , 9 females, GTA #14068 ; ADWC), 24 August 1991, leg. L. González-Cota (2 males, ADW #95-77; ADWC), 29 August 1997, leg. A. D. Warren (1 male; ADWC) ; MEXICO: Veracruz; Las Vigas (holotype male; USNM) .

Distribution and phenology. Onespa gala occurs in the Eje Neovolcanico and Sierra Madre del Sur of south-central Mexico, being recorded with certainty only from Veracruz (Las Vigas; holotype male), Distrito Federal, Michoacán, and Guerrero; records span the period from early June to late August. In Michoacán, O. gala has been found only on Cerro de la Cruz, Municipio Uruapan, despite intensive searches elsewhere in the northwestern part of the state. The reported occurrence of O. gala in El Salvador has yet to be confirmed (e.g., Steinhauser 1975). Stanford and Opler (1993) reported this species (as Mellana gala ) from Sinaloa and Durango, Mexico. Their record from Sinaloa undoubtedly refers to the following species, and their record from Durango (details not available) most likely does as well.

Biological notes. On Cerro de la Cruz, Michoacán (the foot of which is occupied by urban Uruapan), this species is common in late July, from 1900 to 2300 m (most abundant around 2200 m), in steep, grassy areas between pines, and adults visit a number of flowers for nectar, especially an undetermined species of Salvia L. ( Lamiaceae ). One or more of several grass species ( Poaceae ) on Cerro de la Cruz are suspected to serve as larval foodplants; no Chusquea was observed in the habitat (ADW, pers. obs.).

Discussion. Atrytone gala has long been an unknown species, until recently perhaps known only from its holotype. Although its wings were illustrated by Godman and Salvin (1879 -1901), its genitalia have not been portrayed or described and its placement among hesperiines has had no stability, floating from one genus to another without solid justification. Evans (1955) obviously did not examine the species since he questioningly synonymized it with the very different Mellana monica ( Plötz, 1886) ; that taxon is now synonymized with Quasimellana nicomedes ( Mabille, 1883) ( Burns 1994b) . The error of Evans’ (1955) synonymy was noted by Steinhauser (1975) who retained A. gala in Mellana Hayward, 1948 , but at the species-level. Burns (1994b) noted that A. gala was not congeneric with the many species included in Mellana by Evans (1955), but did not elaborate further. Mielke and Casagrande (2002), upon examination of the type of A. gala , placed the taxon in Paratrytone Godman, 1900 , without further comment. That placement is curious since A. gala does not particularly resemble any species of Paratrytone and that genus has a well-developed stigma (e.g., Burns 1992a). Males from Michoacán, compared with the holotype and its genitalia by the junior author, were found to be indistinguishable from that specimen as illustrated in Godman and Salvin (1879 -1901).

In the absence of a stigma on males, the lack of tibial spines, and other superficial characters, Atrytone gala is embraced within the description of Onespa . On males, the undivided uncus, divided gnathos, long and thin saccus, simple valvae with a short dorsal projection near the juncture of the ampulla and harpe, and a long aedeagus with spike-like and flexible cornuti are similar to structures seen on Onespa nubis . Female genitalia likewise resemble those of O. nubis with relatively broad lamellae, an elongate sclerotized antrum, and an asymmetrical cephalic portion of the ductus bursae with a sclerotized pouch-like structure. This combination of genital characters is not observed in any other genus of Hesperiinae (see general discussion below). Genital morphology of both sexes thus strongly supports the inclusion of A. gala in Onespa and this new combination is here proposed.

Figures

Figure 1-18. Onespa (full data in text; ds = dorsal surface, vs = ventral surface; scale bar = 10 mm). 1) O. nubis, holotype male, El Salvador, 25 March 1972, ds; 2) same, vs; 3) O. nubis, male, El Triunfo, Chiapas, Mexico, 22 March 2007, ds; 4) same, vs; 5) O. nubis, paratype female, El Salvador, 28 December 1971, ds; 6) same, vs; 7) O. gala, holotype male, Veracruz, Mexico, ds, reproduced from photograph at MGCL; 8) same, vs; 9) O. gala, male, Michoacán, Mexico, 22 July 1996, ds; 10) same, vs; 11) O. gala, female, Michoacán, Mexico, 27 July 1996, ds; 12) same, vs; 13) O. brockorum, holotype male, Sonora, Mexico, 24 July 1997, ds; 14) same, vs; 15) O. brockorum, paratype female, Sonora, Mexico, 22 July 1985, ds; 16) same, vs; 17) O. nakamura, holotype male, Costa Rica, 13 June 2005, ds; 18) same, vs.

Figure 63-66. Male genitalia of Onespa (full data in text; shown are lateral view of uncus, gnathos, tegumen, and saccus; dorsal view of uncus and tegumen; ventral view of gnathos uncus; internal view of right valva; ventral view of saccus; ventral, dorsal, right lateral and/or left lateral views of aedeagus; scale bar = 1 mm). 63) O. nubis, El Salvador (SRS #4803); 64) O. brockorum, Sonora, Mexico, paratype (SRS #1852); 65) O. gala, Michoacán, Mexico (GTA #14065); 66) O. nakamura, Costa Rica, holotype (GTA #14033).

Figure 75-86. Rigid cornuti of Onespa, Buzyges, Librita, and Neposa (full data in text; shown are lateral and dorsal views). 75) O. nubis, El Salvador (SRS #4803); 76) O. gala, Michoacán, Mexico (GTA #14065); 77) O. brockorum, Sonora, Mexico, paratype (SRS #1852); 78) O. nakamura, Costa Rica, holotype (GTA #14033); 79) B. idothea, Costa Rica (ADW #97-102); 80) B. rolla, Costa Rica (GTA #14055); 81) B. benito, Oaxaca, Mexico (SRS #4468); 82) B. mellanaformis, Costa Rica, paratype (GTA #14031); 83) L. librita, Veracruz, Mexico (GTA #14135); 84) N. heras, Guerrero, Mexico (ADW #97-112); 85) N. armandoi, Oaxaca, Mexico, holotype (GTA #14143); 86) N. isabelae, Guatemala, paratype (ADW #98-15).

Figure 87-89. Female genitalia of Onespa (shown are left lateral and ventral views; scale bar = 1 mm). 87) O. nubis, Oaxaca, Mexico (GTA #14056); 88) O. gala, Michoacán, Mexico (GTA #14067); 89) O. brockorum, Sinaloa, Mexico, paratype (SRS #4453).