Xanthetis Hampson, 1900

Volynkin, Anton V., Huang, Si-Yao & Ivanova, Maria S., 2019, An overview of genera and subgenera of the Asura / Miltochrista generic complex (Lepidoptera, Erebidae, Arctiinae). Part 1. Barsine Walker, 1854 sensu lato, Asura Walker, 1854 and related genera, with descriptions of twenty new genera, ten new subgenera and a check list of taxa of the Asura / Miltochrista generic complex, Ecologica Montenegrina 26, pp. 14-92 : 35

Genus Xanthetis Hampson, 1900

( Figs 57, 58 , 133 , 189 )

Xanthetis Hampson, 1900 , Catalogue of Lepidoptera Phalaenae in the British Museum 2: 414 (Type species: Cyme luzonica Felder, 1875 , by original designation).

Diagnosis. Small moths with narrow and elongated wings and black and yellow colouration. Male antennae strongly ciliate; female antennae weakly ciliate. Male genital capsule of the genus is very characteristic and can be easily distinguished from those of other genera of the generic complex by the combination of the following features: (1) the uncus is plate-like dorso-ventrally flattened, apically rounded, setose (among members of the generic complex, the similar flattened uncus is known in the genus Disasuridia only, but in the latter the uncus is not setose and has a short pointed tip); (2) the tegumen broad and sclerotised; (3) the valva costa is strongly broadened distally and not reaching the valva apex; (4) the medial costal process originates from the distal broad section of costa; (5) the distal saccular process massive, well separated from the valva apex. The main autapomorphic feature of the genus is the unique aedeagus structure, which has (1) a large stick-like process anteriorly of the ductus ejaculatorius; (2) the massive conical coecum directed ventrally and being perpendicular to the aedeagus axis; (3) the distal section of aedeagus tube is longitudinally rugose and bears numerous robust spines apically. All the listed features of aedeagus are unique within the generic complex. In addition, the aedeagus vesica is narrow, tubular and bears no cornuti or spines but granulation only. Similar vesica ornamentation is known in Karolia and Disasuridia only, but in both Karolia and Disasuridia the vesici are broadened and have short lateral diverticula. The female genitalia are characterised by the presence of rugose and serrulate lateral subostial lobes, the very short ductus bursae and the small corpus bursae being heavily scobinated posteriorly and medially.

Distribution. The Philippines and northern Maluku Archipelago.

Number of species. The genus comprises two valid species. The taxon originally described as Xanthetis luzonica pardalina (Rothschild, 1936) is obviously related to Chrysasura leopardina and C. metahyala and is transferred here to the genus Chrysasura .

Figures

Figures 47–63. Type species of genera and subgenera of the Asura / Miltochrista generic complex: adults. Depositories of specimens: 47–58, 62, 63 – NHMUK; 59 – CAV; 60 – CKC; 61 – ZMA (photo by R. de Vos).

Figures 132–135. Type species of genera of the Asura / Miltochrista generic complex: male genitalia. Figure 135: photo by R. de Vos.

Figures 182–189. Type species of genera, subgenera and their synonyms of the Asura / Miltochrista generic complex: female genitalia.