Owadaglaea michelleae Benedek & Saldaitis

Benedek, Balázs, Borth, Robert & Saldaitis, Aidas, 2012, Four new Owadaglaea species from the greater Himalayan region (Lepidoptera, Noctuidae), Zootaxa 3316, pp. 40-49 : 47

Owadaglaea michelleae Benedek & Saldaitis sp. nov.

( Figs. 5 , 20 )

Type material. Holotype: male ( Fig. 5 ), Myanmar, West, Chun State, Junction Mt. Victoria, 2600 m, 2. Ii. 2005, leg. Löffler, in the collection of HSV (slide No.JB 1645m).

Diagnosis. Owadaglaea michelleae is another member of the chloromixta -group, in external appearance it is similar to O. yoshimotoi ( Figs. 11, 12 , 25 ), but the forewing ground color of the male is reddish-brown, while the male of O. yoshiomotoi is chocolate brown. In addition, the new species has a somewhat broader forewing shape and narrower claviform stigma. Comparing the male genitalia, O. michelleae has shorter and broader valvae, stronger, thicker harpes and differently arcuate saccular processus with wide basal plate on both sides. The aedeagus is more similar to that of O. yoshiomotoi ( Fig. 18 ), but the carinal process on the ventral side is reduced. Furthermore, it has broader vesica, the two small cornuti of the subbasal diverticulum reach the carinal extension, and the second diverticulum is larger and more oblong.

Description. Wingspan 35 mm, length of forewing 16 mm. Antennae ciliate; head and tegulae light reddishbrown; front collars darker with black stripes; forewings elongate, triangular with apex pointed; ground color pale laterite-red, crosslines distantly marked; cilia moderately long, unicolorus with the forewing; claviform sharp black, rounded; reniform distinct, yellowish with some reddish-brown filling; orbicular more greyish, subtly encircled with yellow scales; hindwings smoky-grey; discal spot well defined, lighter, sharp and narrow. Male genitalia ( Fig.20 ): Uncus rather narrow, apical part pointed to left; subapical hairs weak, asymmetrical, longer on left side; tegumen high; juxta large, more or less quadrangular; vinculum strong, V-shaped, both sides gently arcuate; valvae short, asymmetrical, broader on right side; cucullus gently more pointed apically on the left side; sacculus relatively large, strongly sclerotized, extensions large with wide basal plate; clavus short but strong, thumb-like; harpe also asymmetrical, upwards turned and smaller on the right side, downwards arched and stronger-larger on the left side; basal shaft sclerotized and arcuate to middle segment; ampulla narrow, strongly arcuate, connected with long but narrow basis to the harpe. Only the male is known.

Bionomics and distribution. The species is known from the type locality only by the single male holotype specimen. It is a member of the winter fauna of the higher elevation in the primary forest zone. The early stages and food plant are unknown.

Etymology. The species is dedicated to Ms. Pierdiluca Michelle by the holder of the holotype.

Figures

FIGURES 1 – 8. Owadaglaea ssp. adults. 1. O. reta, male, holotype, China, Sichuan (GBG / ZSM); 2. O. reta, female, paratype, China, Sichuan (AFM); 3. O. babicsi, male, China, Sichuan (AFM); 4. O. elongata, male, Janakpur, Dolakha area, Thulopatal district (BBT); 5. O. michelleae, male, holotype, Myanmar, West Chun State, Junction Mt. Victoria (HSV); 6. O. dominiki, male, holotype, Myanmar, West Chun State, Junction Mt. Victoria (HSV); 7. O. triangulifera, male, W. Nepal, Bheri (BBT); 8. O. triangulifera, female, W. Nepal, Bheri (BBT).

FIGURES 19 – 22. Owadaglaea ssp. male genitalia. 19. O. elongata, prep. BJ 1720; 20. O. michelleae, holotype, prep. BJ 1645; 21. O. dominiki, holotype, prep. BJ 1644; 22. O. triangulifera, prep. BJ 1748.

FIGURES 9 – 14. Owadaglaea ssp. adults. 9. O. kulmani, male, holotype, Nepal, Janakpur, Dolakha area, Thulopatal district (BBT); 10. O. kulmani, female, paratype, Nepal, Janakpur, Dolakha area, Thulopatal district (BBT); 11. O. yoshiomotoi, male, Nepal, Janakpur, Dolakha area, Thulopatal district (BBT); 12. O. yoshiomotoi, female, Nepal, Janakpur, Dolakha area, Thulopatal district (BBT); 13. O. elongata, male, Janakpur, Dolakha area, Thulopatal district (BBT); 14. O. elongata, male, Janakpur, Dolakha area, Thulopatal district (BBT);

FIGURES 23 – 27. Owadaglaea ssp. female genitalia. 23. O. reta, paratype, prep. BJ 1674; 24. O. kulmani, paratype, prep. BJ 1745; 25. O. yoshiomotoi, prep. BJ 1828; 26. O. elongata, prep. BJ 1721; 27. O. triangulifera, prep. BJ 1747.

FIGURES 15 – 18. Owadaglaea ssp. male genitalia. 15. O. reta, holotype, prep. BJ 1612; 16. O. babicsi, prep. BJ 1797; 17. O. kulmani, holotype, prep. BJ 1744; 18. O. yoshiomotoi, prep. BJ 1827.