Eremonidiopsis, Aguila, Rayner Nunez, 2013

Aguila, Rayner Nunez, 2013, Eremonidiopsis aggregata, gen. n., sp. n. from Cuba, the third West Indian Dioptinae (Lepidoptera, Notodontidae), ZooKeys 333, pp. 77-91 : 78-79

Eremonidiopsis gen. n.

Type species.

Eremonidiopsis aggregata Núñez, new species, by monotypy.

Diagnosis.

Eremonidiopsis can be recognized by a combination of the following characters: antennae bipectinate; FW veins Rs2-Rs4 branch in the pattern Rs2+[Rs3+Rs4]; FW discal cell very long, about 65% of FW length; male without stridulatory organ, FW veins M1 and M2 not swollen at their bases; veins M3 and CuA1 separate in the FW and stalked in the HW.

Eremonidiopsis appears to be a close relative of Eremonidia from Hispaniola, one the two other known West Indian Dioptinae genera ( Rawlins and Miller 2008; Miller 2009). The stalk of Rs1 with Rs2-Rs4 branch is long in Eremonidia but in Eremonidiopsis arises just after the origin from the discal cell or is even connate. They also differ by the color of the proboscis, golden brown in Eremonidia and blackish brown in Eremonidiopsis , and in the size head respect to insect size. Both taxa show a similar size, with a FW length of 12.7 mm in Eremonidia mirifica and 12.2 mm in Eremonidiopsis aggregata ; however, head width across the eyes is 1.41 mm in the latter whereas in the Hispaniolan genus the measure is 1.77 mm or 25% larger. The tympanum also exhibits differences. The membrane is enclosed, deep, and oriented horizontally in Eremonidia ( Rawlins and Miller 2008; Miller 2009) whereas in Eremonidiopsis it is shallow, not enclosed, and oriented vertically. Although their male genitalia show similarities when compared to other Dioptinae , they exhibit differences in shape of the valvae, aedeagus, and anal tube, as well as in possession by Eremonidiopsis of dorsolateral keels on the uncus. Finally, the shape of the male eight sternum differs as well the male seventh sternum which is modified only in Eremonidiopsis aggregata .

Compared to other Dioptinae , Eremonidiopsis is distinctive by having FW veins M3 and CuA1 separate, whereas in most Dioptinae these veins are stalked ( Miller 2009). The radial system branching pattern also differs from the typical Dioptinae one, [Rs2+Rs3]+Rs4 ( Miller 2009). Eremonidiopsis exhibits a color pattern similar to some species of Scotura Walker, 1854; however, the latter possesses ciliate male antennae, a shorter FW discal cell, and a stridulatory organ, among others differences.

The phylogenetic position of the new genus will be better understood when females and larvae are available. Although some characters suggest a relation with Eremonidia , the lack of FW stridulatory organ and different tympanum of Eremonidiopsis imply that may be is closer to some other clade within the Dioptinae .

Description.

Male. Head. Labial palpus short and thin, curved strongly upward to just above clypeus, held close to front; first segment moderate in length, curved upward; second segment slightly shorter than first segment; third segment short, conical, pointed at apex; labial palpus ratio 1/0.85/0.20; proboscis blackish brown; scales of front short, appressed and directed dorso-medially, a pair of small tufts between antennal bases and eyes; eyes moderately large, bulging; vertex covered with semi-erect scales; antennae bipectinate, each flagellomere bearing a basal pair of ciliate rami; rami longer at middle segments, about 3.5 times length of supporting flagellomere; flagellomeres 35-37. Thorax. Epiphysis long, equal in length to tibia; tibial spurs moderate in length, apical pair half as long as basal pair on metathoracic tibia; tegulae covered with long scales, outer margins fringed with hairlike scales; tympanum large, rounded, cavity shallow; tympanal membrane facing posteriorly. Forewing elongate, apical angle slightly acute; vein R1 arising from discal cell; Rs1 connate or stalked just after origin with Rs2-Rs4; veins Rs2-Rs4 in pattern Rs2+[Rs3+Rs4]; M1 separate from radial sector; stridulatory organ absent; discal cell about 65% length of wing; M3 widely separate from CuA1. Hindwings broad, outer margin expanded; apical angle rounded; vein M3 short stalked with CuA1; discal cell 60% length of wing. Abdomen. Short, gradually tapered, with a small, inconspicuous distal tuft of moderately long scales. Eighth tergum large, more than twice length of seventh tergum, slightly narrower posteriorly; eighth sternum relatively short, narrower than seventh sternum, anterior margin bearing a slightly elongate, sac-like apodeme. Seventh sternum with lateral margins curved, gradually tapering toward anterior margin, which is sclerotized and bears a short anteriorly directed mesal process.

Genitalia. Socii/uncus complex moderate in size, heavily sclerotized, narrowly joined to arms of tegumen; arms of tegumen relatively wide, much taller than vinculum; arms of vinculum short and wide; valve narrow, Barth’s Organ absent; costal and ventral margin of valve sclerotized, each folded toward inner surface with a sclerotized low flange; inner surface of valve concave, with scattered coarse setae; arms of transtilla sclerotized and narrow, oriented horizontally, with a pair of short acute processes anteriorly and a wide sclerotized ventral plate; juxta large, dorsal margin with a shallow mesal excavation; aedeagus large, thin and cylindrical, base greatly expanded; apex of phallus curved downward, spoon shaped; opercular sclerite absent; vesica moderately long, much shorter than aedeagus, bent slightly upward; vesica bearing a large mass of deciduous caltrop cornuti along ventral surface, these varying in spine length.

Female. Unknown.

Etymology.

The generic name Eremonidiopsis is derived from the name of its Hispaniolan relative Eremonidia . The suffix -opsis refers to the resemblance of the Cuban genus to the Hispaniolan one.

Distribution.

The six known specimens were captured at two localities in different sections at the western half of the NSB mountain range in northeastern Cuba.

Immature stages.

Unknown.

Remarks.

This taxon and Eremonidia are evidently close relatives. They share several characteristics including the short labial palpi, similar wing venation (FW radial system pattern Rs2+[Rs3+Rs4], a long FW discal cell, and veins M3 and CuA1 separate in the forewing but stalked in the hindwing), as well as several features of the male genitalia, which are highly divergent from the remaining Dioptini ( Miller 2009). These similarities suggest placement of Eremonidiopsis close to Eremonidia in the basal clade of the Dioptini ( Miller 2009). Available evidence shows few features linking Eremonidiopsis to the remaining members of this clade: Scotura , Cleptophasia Prout, 1918, Oricia Walker, 1854, and Erbessa Walker, 1854 ( Miller 2009). The latter shares the possession of a shallow tympanum whereas Cleptophasia possesses a long FW discal cell. As in Eremonidia , the possession of large, deciduous caltrop cornuti on the vesica of males indicates a plesiomorphic phylogenetic position ( Rawlins and Miller 2008).