Stigmatophora (Stigmatophora) orientalis ( Daniel, 1951 )

Volynkin, Anton V. & Černý, Karel, 2021, On the taxonomic status of the genus Hypeugoa Leech with description of a new species of Miltochrista Hübner from Thailand (Lepidoptera: Erebidae: Arctiinae Lithosiini), Zootaxa 5023 (3), pp. 421-432 : 422-424

Stigmatophora (Stigmatophora) orientalis ( Daniel, 1951) , stat. & comb. nov.

( Figs 1–6 , 17, 18 , 25, 26 )

Hypeugoa flavogrisea orientalis Daniel, 1951 , Bonner zoologische Beiträge, 2 (3–4): 300, pl. 1, fig. 7 (adult) (Type locality: [ China, Zhejiang] “ Chekiang ... West-Tien-Mu-Shan”).

Hypeugoa flavogrisea flavogrisea: Daniel (1951 , partim), Fang (2000, partim).

Material examined. CHINA: 1 male, Prov. Sichuan, ca. 100 km S Chengdu, 1850m, E of Meishan , 10–12.IV.1999, G. Müller leg., gen. prep. No.: ZSM Arct. 2020-210 (prepared by Volynkin) (MWM/ ZSM) ; 1 male, Prov. Shaanxi, [Qinling Mts, Taibai Mt.] Tapaishan Mts (S), Tsinling Mts , Houbenzi , 33°51´N 107°49´E, 1600m, 1–12.VIII.1999, Dr Ronald Brechlin leg., gen. prep. No.: ZSM Arct. 2020-211 (prepared by Volynkin) (MWM/ ZSM) ; 1 female, same locality as previous, VI .1999, local collector leg., ex coll. Dr R. Brechlin , gen. prep. No.: ZSM Arct. 2020- 215 (prepared by Volynkin) (MWM/ ZSM) ; 1 male, [Shanxi Prov., Mian Mt.] Mien-shan (Prov. Shansi), Obere Höhe ca. 2000m, 8.VII.1937, H. Höne / Collection Daniel (MWM/ ZSM) ; 1 female, same locality and collector as previous, 14.VIII.1937 / Collection Daniel / Paratype Hypeugoa flavogrisea Leech , gen. prep. No.: ZSM Arct. 2020-214 (prepared by Volynkin) (MWM/ ZSM) ; 1 male, [Jiangsu Prov., Nanjing, Longtan] Lungtan bei Nanking, Prov. Kiangsu , 7.IX.1933, H. Höne / Collection Daniel / Paratype Hyp. flavogrisea ssp. orientalis Daniel , gen. prep. No.: ZSM Arct. 2020-212 (prepared by Volynkin) (MWM/ ZSM) ; 1 male, [Jiangsu Prov., Nanjing, Longtan ] Lungtang b. Nanking, Prov. Kiangsu, 6. VI .1933, H. Höne / ♂ / paratypus Hypeugoa flavescens ssp. orientalis Daniel 1945 / Brit. Mus. 1963-505, unique number NHMUK 010918560 ( NHMUK) ; 1 male, [Zhejiang Prov., Mogan Shan ] Mokanshan, Prov. Chekiang, 20. VI .1930 Höne / ♂ / Paratype Hyp. flavogrisea ssp. orientalis Daniel / Brit. Mus. 1963-505, unique number NHMUK 010918561 ( NHMUK) ; 1 male, Zhejiang Prov., Huang Mao Jian, 1400–1880m, mountain region S Zhejiang, Quell Region, Xiao Xi river , III.–M. VI .2000, Lf, J.L. Li leg, coll. Maier, gen. prep. No.: ZSM Arct. 2020-213 (prepared by Volynkin) (MWM/ ZSM) .

Remarks. Stigmatophora orientalis is a polymorphic species with a variable intensity of greyish suffusion in the subbasal and the subterminal areas of the forewing. The eastern (typical) populations ( Figs 1, 2 ) have a somewhat more contrast forewing pattern than the western ones ( Figs 3–6 ). However, the genitalia structures of different populations and forms are rather invariable ( Figs 17, 18 , 25, 26 ) therefore the subspecific structure of the species is unclear and the resolving of this question requires examination of more extensive materials from the transitional areas in central China and molecular studies as well.

In the original description, Daniel (1951) mentioned an unspecified number of specimens from “West-Tien-Mu- Shan” with the collecting dates “12.IX.32–7.X.32” and from “Mokanshan” with the collecting dates “30.V.–3.VII.” and “2.IX.30”. However, Daniel designated only the holotype male (collected on 7.X.1932) and the allotype female (collected on 12.IX.1932), both from “West-Tien-Mu-Shan” and deposited in the Zoological Research Museum Alexander Koenig (Bonn, Germany). According to the article 72.4.6 of ICZN (1999), the separate mention of the other specimens expressly excludes them from the type series therefore all additional specimens labeled as ‘paratypes’ have no paratype status in fact. The holotype has not been examined by us, however, it was illustrated by Daniel (1951: pl. 1, fig. 7) and displays no external differences from the examined specimens from eastern provinces of China.

Diagnosis. The forewing length is 17–22 mm in males and 23–25 mm in females. Stigmatophora orientalis ( Figs 1–6 ) and S. flavogrisea ( Figs 7, 8 ) can be easily distinguished from other congeners by their creamy white colored forewing with the dark grey medial area and an intense dark grey suffusion in the subbasal and subterminal areas whereas other species of Stigmatophora have yellow, reddish or white coloration and the more distinct pattern consisting of longitudinal strips, rows of dots or transverse lines (illustrated by Volynkin et al. 2018; Volynkin 2020). The detailed comparison of S. orientalis with S. flavogrisea is provided below under the diagnosis of the latter species. Besides S. flavogrisea , the male genital capsule of S. orientalis ( Figs 17, 18 ) is most similar to that of the type species of the genus, S. micans ( Fig. 20 ), but differs in the narrower valva (the width to length ratio is 1:2.8 vs. 1: 2.3 in S. micans ) with a more elongate apex, the thinner harpe and the distally somewhat thinner distal saccular process. The phallus of S. orientalis is narrower than in S. micans (the width to length ratio is 1:6.5 vs. 1: 4.3 in S. micans ). The vesica of S. orientalis differs from that of S. micans in the presence of a medial diverticulum and the longer row of the larger cornuti. In the female genitalia ( Figs 25, 26 ), the posterior section of the ductus bursae of S. orientalis is less dilated than in S. micans ( Fig. 27 ) and bears a postero-lateral protrusion ventrally which is absent in S. micans . Additionally, the proximal section of the appendix bursae is somewhat narrower in S. orientalis .

Distribution. Widely distributed in southwestern, central, northern and eastern China ( Daniel 1951; Fang 2000).

Figures

FIGURES 1–8. Stigmatophora spp.: adults. Depositories of the specimens: 1 and 7 in NHMUK (©The Trustees of NHMUK); 2–6 and 8 in MWM/ZSM.

FIGURES 17–20. Stigmatophora spp.: male genitalia. Depositories of the specimens dissected: 17–19 in MWM/ZSM; 20 in CAV.

FIGURES 25–29. Stigmatophora (25–27) and Miltochrista (28, 29) spp.: female genitalia. Depositories of the specimens dissected: 25, 26 and 29 in MWM/ZSM; 27 in CAV; 28 in CKC.