Napialus spinosus Li & Wei

Li, Weichun & Wei, Hongyi, 2014, Notes on the genus Napialus Chu & Wang (Lepidoptera: Hepialidae), with description of a new species from China, Zootaxa 3793 (3), pp. 387-392 : 389-390

Napialus spinosus Li & Wei , sp. nov.

Type material. Holotype: ♂, China, Jiangxi Province, Shangrao City, Guangfeng County, Tongboshan Town, Tongbo Hill, Dadongkeng forestry center (28°03′N, 118°12′E), 28.iv.2012, leg. Weichun Li, prep. gen. LW13059. Deposited in the Insect Museum, Jiangxi Agricultural University, Nanchang, China.

Diagnosis. This species is similar to Napialus chongqingensis Wu in having the CuP of hindwing reaching the termen, and the finger-shaped process on inner side of pseudotegumen absent in the male genitalia. It can be distinguished from the latter by the seventh flagellum of antenna with a spine on the ventral surface, and the pseudotegumen bearing 11 well-developed tooth processes ( Figs. 8, 12 ). In N. chongqingensis , the antenna without spine, and the pseudoteguminal tooth processes are inconspicuous ( Wu 1992: Figs. 3–4 ).

Description. Head: Frons and vertex densely covered with yellowish brown hairs. Labial palpus threesegmented, yellowish brown, covered with dense yellowish brown hairs on ventral side; third segment about twice as long as second segment, distal half tapering to pointed tip. Antenna ( Fig. 8 ) with 18 articles, scape and pedicel pale brown, scape slightly broader than pedicel; flagellum with first 11 articles pale brown posteriorly and pale yellow anteriorly, remaining articles blackish brown excluding yellowish brown distal tip, 7th article ventrally with spine near anterior tip. Patagium and tegula ochreous yellow. Thorax ( Fig. 9 ): Prothorax and mesothorax covered with dense ochreous hairs, metathorax covered with dense yellowish brown hairs. Forewing ( Fig. 9 ): Length 18.0 mm. Region between costa and R yellowish brown on basal three fifths, distal two fifths grayish brown. Basal region yellowish brown. Central dark brown region between region of M and anal margin with elongate discal dash. Medial band yellowish brown edged with dark brown, distributed between R and anal margin, outcurve between M1 and CuA1, followed by continuous yellowish brown transverse band between R5 and M2. Submarginal band yellowish brown edged with dark brown, distributed between R2+ R3 and M3, connected with transverse band on inner side; outside of submarginal band with Y-shaped yellowish brown band between R3 and R5, edged with dark brown. Apex with yellowish brown dot between R2 and R3. Marginal region grayish brown. Hindwing: grayish brown. Venation ( Fig. 10 ): Sc reaching extended to about distal two-fifths of costal margin; R2+R3 forked at one-fifth from termen; M1 on forewing free, M2 with M3 stalked; M1 on hindwing with M2+M3 stalked; CuA1 and CuA2 free. CuP on forewing not reaching termen, but reaching termen on hindwing; A free. Legs: Foreleg covered with dense grayish brown hairs; mesoleg and metaleg covered with dense yellowish brown hairs. Abdomen ( Figs. 9, 11 ): Densely covered with blackish brown hairs, distal one-fourth ochreous yellow. Tergum VIII nearly rectangular, posterior margin convex, tuberculate plate absent; sternum VIII reduced to tongue-shaped sclerite.

Male genitalia ( Fig. 12 ): Tergal lobes softly sclerotized, tapering to pointed apex. Pseudoteguminal processes strongly sclerotized, median third nearly triangular and dentated on outer margin, distal third incurved and tapered to pointed tip. Pseudotegumen asymmetrical, anterior tips connected: left side with three small tooth processes and one big tooth process on outer margin, ending with two spine-shaped tooth processes; right side with two small tooth processes and one big tooth process, ending with thumb-shaped tooth process and spine-shaped tooth process. Valvae thin and long, nearly evenly width, apex blunted and rounded. Fultura inferior broad anteriorly, narrowed towards anterior two-fifths, and then broadened towards posterior tip. Saccus broad posteriorly, narrowed towards blunted and rounded anterior tip.

Female unknown.

Distribution. China (Jiangxi).

Etymology. The specific name is derived from the Latin spinosus = spinous, in reference to the anterior tips of pseudotegumen with spine-shaped tooth processes in the male genitalia.

Figures

FIGURES 8 – 12. Napialus spinosus Li & Wei, sp. nov.: 8, Antenna dorsal view, holotype, male; 9, Adult, holotype, male; 10, Wings, holotype, male: 10 a, venation of forewing; 10 b, venation of hindwing; 11. Segment VIII of abdomen, holotype, male: 11 a, tergum; 11 b, sternum; 12, Male genitalia ventral view, holotype, prep. gen. LW 13059.

FIGURES 1 – 7. Napialus chenzhouensis Chu & Wang: 1, Antenna dorsal view; 2, Wings: 2 a, venation of forewing; 2 b, venation of hindwing; 3 – 7, Legs: 3, foreleg; 4, mesoleg; 5, metaleg; 6, distitarsus of metathoracal leg dorsal view; 7, distitarsus of metathoracal leg ventral view.