Tessellota cancellata (Burmeister, 1878)

Tessellota pura Breyer, 1957 syn. n. (Fig. 9)

The description of Tessellota pura Breyer, 1957: 11; figs. 1.1–5, 1.7 was based on a male holotype from Buenos Aires, Argentina, currently deposited in Breyer collection, MLP (Fig. 9). Breyer stated that T. pura is very similar to T. cancellata (Burmeister, 1878: 445), but lacks the discoidal points on the hindwings. He also stated that both species have a very similar distribution (center and east of Argentina). Furthermore, Breyer (1957) observed some differences in the male genitalia between the two species (e.g. distal part of the valva, juxta process and cornuti). The differences were drawn by Breyer (1957) but in this particular case line drawings are very difficult to interpret. Recently, Beccacece et al. (2014) illustrated and designed a female lectotype of T. cancellata from Buenos Aires, deposited in MACN. This specimen shows a similar habitus to that of the holotype of T. pura . For this reason, specimens with one, two, no discoidal dots were dissected and compared, together with a male paratype of T. pura deposited in MLP (Figs. 19–27). No difference could be found in their genitalia morphology. Therefore, a new synonymy is here proposed. The differences observed by Breyer (1957) could be due to the preparation of the male genitalia. Those preparations were not found and are possibly lost.

Material examined. Argentina, Córdoba: 1 ♂: 20-I-1901 (MZUC) . 2 ♀: Capital department, 18-XI-1901 (MZUC). 1 ♂: Huerta Grande, 27-II-1947 (IFML). 1 ♂: 18-XI-1948, Fray López leg. (IFML). 1 ♂ (paratype): Colón deparment, Salsipuedes, 09-V-1953, J. S. de Orfila leg. (MLP) (Figs. 25–27) . 1 ♀: Obispo Trejo (ex college), Köhler leg. (IFML). 1 ♂: Natural Forest Reserve Chancaní, 351 m, 10-XI-2010, S 31°22'38'' W 65°28'48'', H.M. Beccacece, S. Naretto & A. Cuchietti leg. (MZUC) . 1 ♂: Las Barrancas - Miramar, 75 m, 13-II- 2011, S 30°55'52'' W 62°42'03'', H.M. Beccacece, N. Soria, A. Cuchietti & M. Michelutti leg. (MZUC) . 9 ♂ and 1 ♀: Tulumba and Simbolar route, 598 m, 06-III-2011, S 30°27'11'' W 64°03'21''. H.M. Beccacece, A.I. Zapata & M.E. Drewniak leg. (MZUC) (Figs. 22–24) . La Rioja: 1 ♂ and 1 ♀ (MACN) . Salta: 1 ♂: La Candelaria, II-1928 (IFML) . Tucumán: 1 ♀: 1906 (IFML) . 1 ♀: Buruy Chilcas, 10-XI-1979, Golbach leg. (IFML) . 1 ♂: San Pedro de Colalao, XII-1984, Pierotti leg (IFML) .