Banyallarga (Histricoverpa) mollicula (McLachlan)

Figs. 25–26

Ganonema molliculum McLachlan 1871:127 [Type locality: Venezuela; BMNH; male]. Banyallarga mollicula — Flint 1983:77.

Among species of Histricoverpa, only B. mollicula has preanal appendages shorter than tergum X (Fig. 25A). The handful of specimens available were badly rubbed or preserved in ethanol, so color and wing pattern are badly faded.

Adult. Forewing length 10.6–12.1 mm (n=12).

Head golden brown. Antenna twice forewing length. Dorsal pterothorax golden brown; ventrolateral thorax and legs golden brown.

Male. Sternum VII with pointed anteromesal process. Tergum IX with mesal ridge extending to posterior margin, covered dorsally by semisclerotized membrane bearing dense fine pilosity (Fig. 25B); lateral ridge present; anterior marginal ridge of sternum entire, without posterior extensions. Preanal appendages shorter than tergum X, lanceolate, apical 1/3 covered with long fine setae (Fig. 25B). Segment X with rounded dorsal process; posterior margin rounded mesally, with short rounded lateral processes; in lateral view posterior margin obtuse (Fig. 25A). Inferior appendage simple, with long setae ventrally and laterally on coxopodite; harpago of uniform diameter along length, with peglike setae apically. Phallus with U­shaped phallotremal sclerite, thornlike setae on endothecal membrane (Fig. 25D).

Female. Sternum VII with pointed anteromesal process. Sternum VIII anterior marginal ridge darkly sclerotized; fine setae covering posterior surface of sternite (Fig. 26C). Tergum IX with mesal ridge running length of segment, posterior indistinct from tergum X (Fig. 26B); sternum IX with single pair of striate ventral lobes (Fig. 26A). Tergum X semimembranous, appendage posterior margin oblique (Fig. 26B); sternum X with semisclerotized plates bearing fine setae lateral to anal opening (Fig. 26A). Vaginal apparatus anterior sclerite truncate anteriorly, posterolateral projections short; posterior sclerite ovoid (Fig. 26A).

VENEZUELA: Göring — holotype male (BMNH); Aragua: Km. 27, Choroni, 1500 m, 27.v.1955 — 5 males, 6 females (UMSP) .

Distribution. Venezuela.