Epsteinius luoi, Wu, 2020

Wu, Chunsheng, 2020, Four new species of Limacodidae from China (Lepidoptera: Zygaenoidea), Zoological Systematics 45 (4), pp. 316-320 : 316-317

Epsteinius luoi sp. nov. ( Figs 1 , 5 , 9 )

Diagnosis. The new species is similar to Epsteinius translucidus Lin, 2020 , but differs from the latter by the valva with a much longer basal process in the male genitalia and the signa consisting of thinner spines in the female genitalia.

Description. Wing expanse about 14.0 mm. Forewing length 5.0–7.0 mm. Head dark brown. Antenna brown. Labial palpus porrect, with 2nd segment pointed upwards and 3rd segment short, yellowish brown. Forewing reddish copper brown, with a dark purple black spot at apex; terminal fascia dark purple black; cilia pale copper at basal half, yellow at terminal half. Hindwing greyish black; cilia pale yellow. Hind leg tibia with four slender spurs, two longer in the middle and two shorter at the end.

Male genitalia. Uncus pointed; gnathos bifurcated apically, upper lobe short and obtuse, lower lobe long and acute; juxta expanded laterally at apical part, apex bifurcate (upper lobe shorter and lower lobe longer, which are turned out in E. translucidus ); valva short and broad, apical part densely with bristles; sacculus with a long process at base, which much longer than that in E. translucidus ; aedeagus relatively thick, longer than valva-length, apex with a small sclerite and 2 long spines.

Female genitalia. Apophysis anteriores vestigial, posteriores slender; a reversed V-shaped sclerite around ostium, post margin with dense bristles; ductus bursae thick and short; corpus bursae small relatively, signa consist of two spines, which thinner than those in E. translucidus .

Larva. Body length of mature larvae 5.0–7.0 mm. Body ovate in shape, pale green, front wider slightly. There is a row of D tubercles, each bearing 2 spines. Dorsal middle has a big purple brown spot.

Cocoon. Ovate in shape, yellowish brown in colour, 5.0×3.0mm in size.

Biology. There are 3 generations in Xishuangbanna, Yunnan. It overwinters as mature larva in the cocoon. Cocoons are made under wilted leaves, soil or on rootstocks.

Host plant. Camellia spp.

Material examined. Holotype (♂). Yunnan, Xishuangbanna, Menghai , 1200 m, 1982.VIII.12, Hengwen Luo leg. (gen. slide no. L06103 ). Paratypes. 2♀ 1♂, same data as holotype (gen. slide no. L06104 ). All deposited in IZCAS .

Distribution. Yunnan (Menghai).

Etymology. The species is named in honour of Prof. Hengwen Luo for providing the type specimens and the information on the biology and immature stages of this new species.

Remarks. The new species is the second known species in this genus. The type species, Epsteinius translucidus Lin , original described from Taiwan ( Lin et al., 2020), was formally misidentified as Trichogyia nigrimargo Hering (original described from India) in Chinese mainland (Zhejiang, Anhui, Guizhou).

Figures

Figures 1–4. Adults. 1. Epsteinius luoi sp. nov., paratype. 2. Aphendala mina sp. nov., holotype. 3. Aphendala notoseusa sp. nov., holotype. 4. Striogyia acuta sp. nov., holotype.

Figures 5–8. Male genitalia. 5. Epsteinius luoi sp. nov., holotype, gen. slide no. L06103. 6. Aphendala mina sp. nov., holotype, gen. slide no. L06185. 7. Aphendala notoseusa sp. nov., holotype, gen. slide no. W10067. 8. Striogyia acuta sp. nov., including 8th sternite, holotype, gen. slide no. W10038.

Figures 9–10. Female genitalia. 9. Epsteinius luoi sp. nov., paratype, gen. slide no. L06104. 10. Aphendala notoseusa sp. nov., paratype, gen. slide no. W10066.