Rhotana triplex Zelazny, 2011

Zelazny, B. & Webb, M. D., 2011, 3071, Zootaxa 3071, pp. 1-307 : 81-82

Rhotana triplex Zelazny , sp. nov.

( Fig. 214)

Description. Forewings broad, 1.7 times longer than wide, length about 4.2 mm. Colour stramineous; tip of clypeus orange; fore legs tinted with red. Forewings faintly yellowish-brown, interrupted by colourless areas; three large, black marks near hind margin between Cu, Cu1, Ms1b, and Ms1a; in addition, a short, narrow black stripe between clavus apex and Cu1; stripes of fainter infuscation across base of wing, across first and second subcostal sectors, along apical cross-veins, and between apical cross-veins and apical margin; veins stramineous but last subcostal sector, apical half of costa, and apical margin tinted with orange. Hindwings colourless. Carinae of vertex and face separated; rostrum long, labium surpasses hind coxae by about half its length; subantennal processes and lateral carinae of pronotum well developed. Forewings with apical part of Sc nearly straight; Sc+R fork at middle of wing; a large triangle at base of Ms1; Ms1 branches before its middle; Ms1b and apical part of Cu1 connected by a short cross-vein; at junction with this cross-vein Cu1 deflected by nearly 90° and apical part of Cu1 nearly perpendicular to longitudinal axis of forewings. Male genitalia with pygofer narrow; anal segment without ventral processes. Genital styles elongated, proximal dorsal process large and wide, distal dorsal process elongated; no slender process attached to ventral margin. Aedeagus with stem slightly thickening before apical part; apical part short, tip flat, spatulate; two short rounded, dorsal processes near end.

Etymology. The species name is a Latin adjective ( triplex = triple) which remains unchanged in all gender forms.

Type material. Holotype ♂ (forewing 4.2 mm), INDONESIA: PAPUA; labels: 1) NEW GUINEA: NETH./ BIAK I.: Mangrowawa / 50–100m, V-29-1959 2) sweeping 3) T. C. Maa / Collector / BISHOP ( BPBM).

Distribution. New Guinea (Biak Isl.)

Diagnosis. Rhotana triplex is similar in structure to R. melichari sp. nov., also from New Guinea. It can be easily distinguished by the three prominent black marks near the hind margin of the forewings.