Phasmadigonis, Ramos-González & Venegas-González & Zamora-Manzur & Parra, 2024

Ramos-González, Mario I., Venegas-González, María Francisca, Zamora-Manzur, Carlos & Parra, Luis E., 2024, Revision of the genus Digonis (Lepidoptera, Geometridae): new species and new genera, ZooKeys 1216, pp. 173-200 : 173-200

Phasmadigonis gen. nov.

Type species.

Digonis alba Butler, 1882 .

Diagnosis.

Phasmadigonis bears resemblance to Digonodes Warren, 1895 , Digonis Butler, 1882 , and Gonogala Butler, 1882 , particularly due to the mucronate shape of the wings. However, Phasmadigonis can be distinguished by the presence of vein Sc connected by a vein to the single accessory cell in the forewings and by having vein Sc + R 1 connected to radial trunk by a weak vein in the hindwings. Phasmadigonis is distinguished by the following genitalia characters: gnathos V-shaped with the absence of lobes or spines, spatulate transtilla, broad shovel-shaped juxta, furca armed with small sagittal spines and a dimple in the sclerite at its base, aedeagus with a digitiform apex, and vesica armed with a large spine.

Description.

Antennae serrated in males and filiform in females. Thorax and abdomen with grayish scales. Forewings gray-lilac reticulated with white, lacking bands, subterminal region delimited only by a series of blackish spots at the level of R 2, R 3, R 4, M 1, M 2, M 3, CuA 1, CuA 2, and 1 A + 2 A; costa margin in apical zone is slightly arched; outer margin is concave between apex and M 3. Wing venation (Fig. 8 ): one accessory cell; Sc connected with accessory cell through a short vein, R 1 and R 2 arise from accessory cell, R 3 and R 4 are pedunculate, R 5 terminates at termen; M 2 equidistant from M 1 and M 3, M 3 slightly arched and ending in small mucronate apex; CuA 1 arises 1 / 10 before end of cell, CuA 2 arises near middle of cell. Hindwings paler than forewings, with subterminal region delimited by series of dark spots at the level of veins. Sc + R 1 connected to radial trunk by a weak transverse vein, Rs arises 1 / 6 before end of cell, M 2 is absent. Male genitalia with rod-like uncus; gnathos V-shaped; valvae suboval; transtilla spatulate; furca spiny; vesica with prominent spine.

Etymology.

The generic name is formed by combining the Greek phasma (meaning phantom or apparition), with Digonis in reference to the false resemblance to moths of the genus Digonis Butler and the wing coloration; its gender is neuter.

Distribution.

Similar to its sole species, P. alba (Butler)

Figures

Figure 8. Wing venation of Phasmadigonis Ramos-González & Parra, gen. nov. Scale bar: 10 mm.