Miltochrista pseudobunda ( Holloway, 2001 )

Volynkin, Anton V., Singh, Navneet, Černý, Karel & Joshi, Rahul, 2021, Taxonomic review of the Miltochrista pudibunda (Snellen) species-group (Lepidoptera: Erebidae: Arctiinae) with description of a new species, Zootaxa 4995 (3), pp. 551-564 : 556-557

Miltochrista pseudobunda ( Holloway, 2001)

( Figs 11–14 , 25–27 , 35 )

Lyclene pseudobunda Holloway, 2001 , Malayan Nature Journal, 55, 351, pl. 4, fig. 24 (adult), figs 171, 182 (genitalia) (Type locality: [ Malaysia, Borneo ] “Sarawak: Gunong Mulu Nat. Park, …, Mulu, 150m. ”).

Type material examined. Holotype ( Figs 11 , 25 ): male, [ Malaysia, Borneo] “Sarawak, Gunong Mulu Nat. Park , R.G.S. Exped. 1977–8, J.D. Holloway et al., B.M. 1978-206” / “Site 11, February, Camp 1, Mulu, 150m, 385470, Mixed dipt. f./river, MV-understorey / red ring “ Holotype label” / “ Holotype Lyclene pseudobunda Holloway ” / QR-code label with unique number “NHMUK010604748” / blue label “ Arctiidae genitalia slide No. 5348m #” ( NHMUK).

Paratypes: 1 female, Sarawak, Gunong Mulu Nat. Park, R.G.S. Exped. 1977–8, J.D. Holloway et al., B.M. 1978-206 / Site 8, II, Camp 1, Mulu, 150m, 385470, Mixed dipt. for., MV-mainly canopy / yellow ring Paratype label / Paratype Lyclene pseudobunda Holloway / QR-code label with unique number NHMUK010604749, gen. prep. No.: Arctiidae 5316 ( NHMUK); l male, Sarawak, Gunong Mulu Nat. Park, R.G.S. Exped. 1977–8, J.D. Holloway et al., B.M. 1978-206 / Site 16, March, Long Pala (Base), 70m 324450, alluv./secondary for. / yellow ring Paratype label / Paratype Lyclene pseudobunda Holloway , gen. prep. No.: Arctiidae 4771 ( NHMUK); 1 male, Brunei: U. Temburong, 1º forest, 300m, IV.1981 (I.Gauld) / yellow ring Paratype label / Paratype Lyclene pseudobunda Holloway , gen. prep. No.: Arctiidae slide 5349 ( NHMUK).

Additional material examined. MALAYSIA: 1 male, Sarawak, Kapit dist., Sebong, Balev riv, 9–21.III.1994, J. Horák leg. ( CKC) ; 1 female, Sarawak: Kuching, Semongok, 3–9.II.1976 / E.W. Classey, B.M.1976-116 / Figured specimen Moths of Borneo Part 7, unique number NHMUK010604750 ( NHMUK) ; THAILAND: 1 male, S Thailand, Betong, S Thailand, Betong, Gunung Cang dun vill., Yala dist., 25.III.–22.IV.1993, J. Horák leg., gen. prep. No.: ZSM Arct. 2019-997 (prepared by Volynkin) ( MWM / ZSM) .

Diagnosis. The forewing length is 7–7.5 mm in males and 8–9 mm in females. Miltochrista pseudobunda is very similar superficially to M. berdepsebunda sp. nov. and differs only by the wider protrusion of the medial line opposite the cell. The male genital capsule of the species is reminiscent of that of M. pudibunda , the detailed comparison is provided under the diagnosis of M. pudibunda . The vesica of M. pseudobunda differs clearly from those of other members of the species-group by the presence of an elongate medial diverticulum bearing two thorn-like cornuti apically (such a diverticulum is absent in other species), and the presence of only one thorn-like cornutus on the distal section of the vesica (whereas other species have more than one cornutus distally). The female genitalia of M. pseudobunda differ from those of the related species by the more elongate ductus bursae (the ductus to corpus bursae lengths ratio is 1:1.75) which is dorso-ventrally flattened and evenly sclerotized, whereas in other species of the species-group, those are shorter (the ductus to corpus bursae lengths ratio is ca. 1:3.5), more or less tubular, membranous medially and sclerotized anteriorly. The corpus bursae of M. pseudobunda bears a wide sclerotized and dentate area occupying its posterior half, whereas the similar dentate areas of other species of the group are markedly smaller and occupying only posterior third of the corpus bursae. The signum bursae of M. pseudobunda is smaller (in comparison to the corpus bursae size), weakly sclerotized and flat, whereas the signa of the related species are larger, more heavily sclerotized and bear a thin medial process directed inwards the corpus bursae. The 7 th abdominal sternite of M. pseudobunda has lateral pockets but lacks posterior crests, whereas in other species of the species-group the crests are present.

Distribution. Known from northern Borneo Island ( Malaysia) ( Holloway 2001) and Malay Peninsula (South Thailand).

Figures

FIGURES 9–16. Miltochrista spp.: adults. Depositories of the specimens: 9, 10 and 16 in CKC; 11, 12 and 14 in NHMUK (©The Trustees of NHMUK); 13 and 15 in MWM/ZSM.

FIGURES 25–27. Miltochrista pseudobunda: male genitalia. Depositories of the specimens dissected: 25 and 26 in NHMUK (©The Trustees of NHMUK); 27 in MWM/ZSM.

FIGURES 32–37. Miltochrista spp.: female genitalia. Depositories of the specimens dissected: 32 in RMNH; 33 and 35 in NHMUK (©The Trustees of NHMUK); 34, 36 and 37 in CKC.