Schistophleps kendricki Rayhan, Bucsek, & Jahan, 2024

Rayhan, Md Jahir, Bucsek, Karol & Jahan, Sayema, 2024, Schistophleps kendricki sp. nov. (Lepidoptera: Erebidae: Arctiinae) from Bangladesh with an overview of the genus, Zootaxa 5481 (1), pp. 66-78 : 68-71

Schistophleps kendricki Rayhan, Bucsek, & Jahan sp. nov.

zoobank.org:act: D2013AC3-54CF-4449-901F-01AE4C47FC76

Figs 2–4 , 6–8 , 10–13

Type locality: University of Chittagong campus, Chittagong , Bangladesh

Materials examined: HT, 1♂: BANGLADESH, CHITTAGONG, Faculty of Biological Science, University of Chittagong campus (22°28′17.66″N 91°47′15.65″E), 12.xii.2024, Coll. Md. J. Rayhan and S. Jahan; PT, 1♂, 1♀: from the same location at the same date, Coll. Md. J. Rayhan and S. Jahan. Deposited in the IMZUC .

Diagnosis: In the external wing maculation, Sc. kendricki is reminiscent to Sc. bipuncta Hampson and Sc. pentoveinlata Kirti & Gill ; whereas in genitalia this new species is closely similar to Sc. punctifulvia Holloway , Sc. microfulvia Holloway , and Sc. nigropuncta Holloway. However , it can be separated from the closely similar congeners by the following attributes:

From Sc. bipuncta Hampson and Sc. pentoveinlata Kirti & Gill , Sc. kendricki sp. nov. differs in having the antemedial line on fore-wings connecting to the inner margin almost at a right angle. On the other hand, Sc. hyalinata Kirti & Gill has wings with obsolete markings, unlike the clearly marked patterns in the new species. However, due to the variability in wing patterns of Sc. bipuncta species group, this new species can reliably be separated on the basis of male genitalia by the presence of a distinct pyriform modification having elongated lateral digitate processes on the base of the uncus that is absent in all of these three species.

In genitalia features, Sc. punctifulvia Holloway , Sc. microfulvia Holloway , and Sc. nigropuncta Holloway have somewhat similar bilobed process, but lateral to the uncus instead of arising from any pyriform modifications. Furthermore Sc. pyrifulvia Holloway shares the pyriform modified structure basal to the uncus with this new species, but lacks any lateral process.

Another distantly related species, Sc. subtilis Holloway, 1979 bears similar lateral processes in the male genitalia. But the wing maculation of that species is very distinct from all other species of this genus; the uncus is bilobed, not pointed as in the new species; and the lateral process is slightly dilated and falcate apically.

Thus, presence of the pyriform modification along with lateral digitate processes and the shape of uncus clearly distinguish this new species from rest others within this genus.

Description: Adult male ( Figs 2–3 , 10–13 ): 15–16 mm in wingspan. Head, thorax, and abdomen brownish white in colour; labial palps white; antennae serrated and brownish white, basally thickened. Fore wings semi diaphanous with ochreous ground colour, a darker zone arising from an indistinct sinuous sub basal line and ends before a pale distinct scythe shaped curved antemedial line connecting to inner margin almost at a right angle, postmedial line pale and curved surrounding discal cell, submarginal line conjoining to postmedial line on upper and lower angle of discal cell and highly sinuous that divides the distal portion of wings into a series of ochreous submarginal spots on its (submarginal line) inner side and a series of antecilial spots on its exterior side. Two black discal dots present, one next to basal dark patch, other on discal cell ending. Hind wings hyaline, uniform in color, and devoid of any markings. Legs tinged with ochreous.

Adult female ( Fig 4 ): Slightly larger than males with 17–18 mm wingspan. Wing patterns as same as males, except the distal area beyond the postmedial line on fore wings being lightly colored.

Male genitalia ( Figs 7–8 ): Uncus spindle shaped and highly setose, broad at base with a large oval fenestrula, sharply tapering towards apex ending into almost pointed tip; a distinct pyriform area with two distinctive lateral digitate processes present basal to uncus, length and width of these processes show slight variations. Tegumen elongated and inverted v-shaped, vinculum narrow and sclerotized, saccus flat and weakly defined. Juxta prominent and flask-like, aedeagus flexed and tilde shaped. Valvae with costal margin weakly sclerotized and setose, saccular margin linear and angled distally ending into a small pointed process, cucullus flap-like and setose.

Female genitalia ( Fig 6 ): Papillae anales flat, setose; both apophyses of similar length; ostium broad, surrounded by a wide elongated sclerotized area; ductus bursae long, straight posteriorly and moderately twisted anteriorly; corpus bursae pyriform, without any signum or distinct sclerotization.

Biology and habitat: The biology is largely unknown. However, a newly emerged adult was observed in December, 2020 from the Pirojpur district under the Barisal division of Bangladesh pupated on the upperside of a Ficus sp. ( Moraceae ) plant leaf ( Fig 10 ). The cocoon is bilayered, loosely woven, and sparsely ornamented with larval secondary setae. Pupa white with two pairs of lateral brown bars on head and thorax dorsally, basal abdominal three segments having brown dorsal wide markings of which second one bears small white dots on either side, immediate next segment reddish followed by posterior most segments bearing lateral brown bars.

In Bangladesh, the species have been recorded from small hills with slightly altered vegetation situated in front of the Faculty of Biological Science of the University of Chittagong campus, and a rural area in Pirojpur district of the Barisal division, adjacent to the Sundarbans mangrove. In the India, on the other hand, the species is believed to occur throughout the West Bengal, however, have so far been known to us from the Diamond harbor, and Kalyani.

Distribution: In Bangladesh: Recorded from Chittagong and Pirojpur, Barisal. But should have a widespread distribution all over the country.

In India: We analyzed 78 observations of moths from different parts of India and Bangladesh assigned to Schistophleps bipuncta from different citizen science platforms including social media groups for the identification and discussion on Lepidoptera, Moths of India website (www.mothsofindia.org), and iNaturalist. Among the observations, the Indian ones observed from the Kalyani and Diamond Harbour of the West Bengal are identical in wing maculation to this new species. But we did not analyze any materials from India. Therefore, we suggest that this new species possibly has a widespread distribution in the Bengal (including Bangladesh and West Bengal, India) that require further inquiry.

Etymology: The species epithet is dedicated to Dr. Roger C. Kendrick, C & R Wildlife, Hong Kong for his lifelong activities in conservation of Asian Lepidoptera as well as his inspiration to the first author to study lepidopteran insects.

Figures

FIGURES 2–5: Adults, 2, Schistophleps kendricki sp. nov. (HT, male), 3, Ditto (PT, male), 4, Ditto (PT, female), 5, Schistophleps bipuncta Hampson (from Laos).

FIGURES 6–9: Genitalia, 6, Female genitalia of Schistophleps kendricki sp. nov. (paratype), 7–7a, male genitalia (holotype), 8–8a, male genitalia (paratype), 9–9a, male genitalia of Schistophleps bipuncta Hampson (from Laos).

FIGURES 10–14: Life habitus photographs, 10, Newly emerged Schistophleps kendricki sp. nov., 11, Holotype male, 12–13, Schistophleps kendricki sp. nov., 14, Possibly a variant of Schistophleps bipuncta Hampson or Schistophleps pentoveinlata Kirti & Gill.