Neoaloa cernyi Singh & Joshi, 2018

Singh, Navneet, Joshi, Rahul & Ahmad, Jalil, 2018, A new species of genus Neoaloa Singh & Kirti, 2015 from Bihar, India (Lepidoptera: Erebidae: Arctiinae: Arctiini), Zootaxa 4486 (2), pp. 189-194 : 191-193

Neoaloa cernyi Singh & Joshi , sp. nov. ( Figs. 1 , 7 , 8 )

Type material: Holotype: ♂, India, Bihar, Valmiki Tiger reserve, Gular-Ghat (N 27 0 26.40 ’ E 083 0 56.83 ’) (about three KM from Valmiki nagar), 11.X.2017 . Paratype: 1 ♂, same data as the holotype. (Coll. N. Singh and party).

Diagnosis: Morphologically, N. cernyi , sp. nov. is closely similar to its congeners, N. flavimargo and N. pseudoflavimargo , but can be distinguished by the following characters: in N. cernyi ( Fig.1 ) marginal band of hindwing is narrow and extends from apex to tornus. Whereas, in N. flavimargo ( Fig. 2 ), the marginal band of hindwing is broader; in N. pseudoflavimargo ( Fig. 3 ), the marginal band is reduced to a fine line, not reaching apex or the anal angle. In hindwing of N. cernyi , sub-marginal series of black spots are absent which is present in the other species of Neoaloa. The male genitalia of N. cernyi sp. nov. ( Fig. 8 ) differs clearly from those of N. flavimargo ( Fig. 9 ) by reduction of mid-saccular process of right valva, presence of a small thumb like distal saccular process of right valva, the distal saccular process of left valva not bifurcate and distal costal process is shorter whereas, in flavimargo mid-saccular process of right valva is well-developed, distal saccular process of right valva is very short, distal saccular process of left valva is bifurcate and distal costal process is longer. Neoaloa cernyi also differs in the male genitalia from N. pseudoflavimargo ( Fig. 10 ) by the reduction of mid-saccular process of right valva, symmetrical mid-costal processes, presence of a small thumb like distal saccular process of right valva and broad U-shaped vinculum whereas in N. pseudoflavimargo , mid-saccular process of right valva is present, mid-costal processes are asymmetrical, distal saccular process of right valva is trigonal and vinculum is slightly squarish and tilted.

Description. Adult male. ( Figs. 1 , 7 ) Forewing length 22 mm. Head with frons white, vertex scarlet. Labial palpi short, scarlet with tip black. Antennae weakly ciliated. Thorax white with a scarlet band at collar, patagia covered with scarlet and white scales; a black spot on each tegula. Forewing white with a scarlet band at costa from base to before apex, broader in middle; a black spot on upper angle of cell; termen oblique; underside same with retinaculum black. Hindwing white with a discal spot; a narrow, marginal yellow band from apex to anal angle, fringes white. Legs with costa and femur covered with scarlet and white scales, rest of the legs black, banded with white. Abdomen scarlet with dorsal black spots on each segment. Male genitalia ( Figs. 8 ): uncus triangular, hoodlike, broader at base and narrowing towards apex, tip pointed; tegumen as long as vinculum; vinculum broad Ushaped; juxta with a semi-circular groove at tip. Valva slightly asymmetrical, undivided, medial area broad, flaplike, concaved from inner wall; saccular projection small; mid-costal projection strongly curved at centre, symmetrical with a line of fine spines towards distal half. Aedeagus strongly curved with apex broad; vesica with two unequal lobes, large basal lobe with a large patch of compactly placed spines and a small patch of spines towards aedeagus, smaller apical lobe with tightly packed large patch of spines and a small patch of spines; fields of scobination also present.

Etymology: The species is named after eminent Arctiid worker Dr. Karel Černý of Innsbruck, Austria.

Taxonomic notes: Originally, collaris Hampson, 1891 ( Figs. 6 , 13 ) was described under genus Aloa . Hampson (1894, 1900) treated it under Creatonotos Hübner, [1819] 1816 and Amsacta Walker, 1855 , respectively. Lastly, Dubatolov (2004) shifted collaris under Paramsacta with doubtful condition. During the present work, the external male genitalia of collaris are studied and as a result, its original combination, Aloa collaris Hampson, 1891 , comb. rev. is restored.

Figures

FIGURE 7. Adults: Neoaloa cernyi sp. nov., holotype, ♂, VTR, Bihar, India (photograph of live specimen).

FIGURES 1–6. Adults: 1, Neoaloa cernyi Singh & Joshi, sp. nov. holotype, ♂, VTR, Bihar, India; 2, Neoaloa flavimargo (Hampson), ♂, Mae Hong Son, NW Thailand (photo by Dr Karel Ĉerný); 3, Neoaloa pseudoflavimargo Singh, Kirti & Kaleka, holotype, ♂, Jatinga, NE India; 4, Paramsacta moorei (Butler), ♂, Rohtas, Bihar, India; 5, Aloa lactinea (Cramer) ♂, Waghai, Gujarat; Aloa collaris Hampson, ♂, Sarkaghat, Himachal Pradesh, India

FIGURES 8–11. Male genitalia: 8, Neoaloa cernyi Singh & Joshi, sp. nov. holotype, ♂, VTR, Bihar, India; 9, Neoaloa flavimargo (Hampson), ♂, Mae Hong Son, NW Thailand (photo by Dr Karel Ĉerný); 10, Neoaloa pseudoflavimargo Singh, Kirti & Kaleka, holotype, ♂, Jatinga, NE India; 11, Paramsacta moorei (Butler), ♂, Rohtas, Bihar, India

FIGURES 12–13. Male genitalia: 12, Aloa lactinea (Cramer) ♂, Waghai, Gujarat; 13, Aloa collaris Hampson, ♂, Sarkaghat, Himachal Pradesh, India.