Homaloxestis quadralis, Park, Kyu-Tek & Byun, Bong-Kyu, 2007

Park, Kyu-Tek & Byun, Bong-Kyu, 2007, Review of Homaloxestis Meyrick (Lepidoptera, Lecithoceridae) of the Philippine Islands, with descriptions of two new species, Zootaxa 1449, pp. 57-64 : 62-64

6. Homaloxestis quadralis sp. nov.

( Figs. 4 , 7, 7 a–b)

Type. HOLOTYPE ɗ, Palawan, Pinigisan, Mantalingajan, 600 m, 4.IX.1961, Noona dan Exp. 61–62, mercury vapor light trap, gen. prep. no. CIS-5027. PARATYPES: 1ɗ, same data as holotype, gen. prep. no. CIS- 5227; 1ɗ, same locality, 10.XI.1961, gen. prep. no. CIS-5270; 1ɗ, same locality, 1150 m, 18.IX.1961, gen.prep. no. CIS-5228. Types in ZMUC.

Diagnosis. Superficially, H. quadralis is similar to H. myeloxestis ; it can be distinguished from the latter by the antenna without distinct annulations, the 2nd segment of labial palpus more slender, and the fringe of the forewing creamy white. The male genitalia are also similar to those of H. xylotripta in the quadrate valva with a nearly straight costa. In other species the costa is convex medially, the ventral margin strongly concave beyond the apex, and the median process poorly developed.

Description. Male ( Fig. 4 ). Wingspan 15–16 mm. Head brownish to dark brown, with creamy white scales laterally. Antenna creamy white to pale orange, without annulations on flagellum. Second segment of labial palpus thickened as in other species, more or less slender without rough scales dorso-apically. Thorax brown to dark brown. Tegula brownish to dark brown medially, with creamy white scales laterally. Forewing ground color brownish to dark brown; costa with a broad creamy white band along margin dorsally; discal spot absent; apex acute; termen slightly sinuate; fringe creamy white to pale grayish orange. Venation with R3 stalked at 2/5; R4 and R5 stalked beyond 4/5; M3 at half distance between M3 and CuA1 at base. Hindwing pale gray; apex acute; fringe gray with pale grayish orange basal line.

Male genitalia ( Figs. 7, 7 a–b). Basal lobes of uncus short. Gnathos large, strongly curved. Distal part of valva subquadrate with nearly straight costa; incision near base shallow; ventral margin strongly concave beyond apex, followed by a small protrusion bearing spiniform setae, median process poorly developed, not sharply pointed. Juxta shield-shaped; caudal margin deeply concave. Aedeagus bent, narrowed toward apex; dorsal surface slightly pointed apically; cornuti a group of less than 6–7 conic denticles and a group of smaller ones beyond basal two-thirds. Seventh and eighth sternites modified; seventh sternite with oblique lateral ribs and tubular concavity in the middle of sternite, with a long rod which extends to sixth segment; long extensible hair-pencils at apex, as long as combined length of 3–8th segments.

Female genitalia. Unknown.

Distribution. Philippines (Palawan).

Etymology. The specific name is derived from the Latin quadra (= rectangular), referring to the shape of the distal part of the valva.

Figures

FIGURES 2 – 4. Adults of Homaloxestis. 2. H. luzonensis, holotype; 3. H. plocamandra; 4, H. quadralis, holotype.

FIGURES 5 – 7. Male genitalia of Homaloxestis. 5, H. luzonensis sp. nov., paratype, gen. prep. no. CIS- 5226; 5 a, ditto, aedeagus; 6, H. plocamandra (Meyrick); 6 a, ditto, aedeagus; 6 b, ditto, a long rod in the 7 th segment with an extensile hair-pencils; 6 c, H. grabia Wu et Park, left valva; 7, H. quadralis sp. nov., holotype, gen. prep. no. CIS- 5027; 7 a, ditto, aedeagus; 7 b, ditto, rod in the 7 th segment.