Agrisius vernalis Dubatolov, Kishida & Wang, 2012

Volynkin, Anton V. & Saldaitis, Aidas, 2022, Taxonomic review of the Agrisius guttivitta Walker species group with transfer of the genus Agrisius Walker to the family Nolidae Bruand and descriptions of five new species (Lepidoptera: Nolidae: Eligminae), Zootaxa 5190 (2), pp. 241-256 : 246-247

Agrisius vernalis Dubatolov, Kishida & Wang, 2012

( Figs 13–18 , 35 , 43 )

Agrisius vernalis Dubatolov, Kishida & Wang, 2012 , Lepidoptera Science, 63 (3): 116, figs 1, 5 (Type locality: “ China, Guangdong, Shaoguan, Nanling , 900–1400 m ”).

= Agrisius fangchenglaiae Orhant, 2015 , Bulletin de la Societe entomologique de Mulhouse, 71 (4): 55, figs 2, 4 (Type locality: “Chine [ China], Qinghai, Nang Qian county, Baizha Linchang ”), syn. n.

Type material examined. Holotype ( Figs 13 , 35 ): “ China, Guangdong, Shaoguan, Nanling, 900–1,400m, 16– 20.V.2009, Y. Kishida, Wang M.” / red label “ Holotypus ♂ Agrisius vernalis Dubatolov, Kishida, Wang ” / “ Agrisius ♂ guttivitta Wlk V.V. Dubatolov det. II.2011 ”, gen. prep. No.:AV1752 (prepared by Volynkin, ex prep. by Dubatolov) ( SZMN). Paratype: female, China, Guangdong, Shaoguan, Nanling, 900–1,400m, 16–20.V.2009, Y. Kishida, Wang M. / Paratypus ♀ Agrisius vernalis Dubatolov, Kishida, Wang / Agrisius ♀ guttivitta Wlk V.V. Dubatolov det. II.2011, gen. prep. No.: AV1670 (prepared by Volynkin) ( SZMN).

Additional material examined. CHINA: 1 male, 1 female, Wuy Shan , Jiangxi / Fujian border, 50 km SE of Yingtan, 27°56′N, 117°25′E, 1600m, V .2002, Sinyaev & local coll. leg., gen. prep. No.: MWM 33.885 (male) , MWM 33.886 (female) ( MWM / ZSM) ; Jiangxi, Wuyi Shan, Xipaihe village , 1500m, 27°54′N, 117°20′E, VI .2003, Sinyaev & his team leg., gen. prep. No. : MWM 35.797 ( MWM / ZSM) ; 1 male, Shaanxi, Taibai Shan, Tsingling Mts, Houzhenzi , 33°53′N, 107°49′E, 1500m, V .2002, local collector leg., gen. prep. No. : MWM 33.888 ( MWM / ZSM) ; 1 male, 1 female, Tapaishan in Tsinling, South Shaanxi, ca. 1700m, 10.VII.1936, H. Höne leg., gen. prep. No.:AV1888 (male, AV1889 (female) ( ZFMK); Hubei, NE of Wuhan City, Tapieh Shan, mid. VI . – early VIII.1999, 900–1600m, J. Li. leg., gen. prep. No.: MWM 33.892 ( MWM / ZSM) ; 1 male, NE Sichuan, NE Guangyuan , Longmen Shan, N 32°36.009′′, E105°31.913′′, 6.VIII. 2016, 630m, Floriani & Saldaitis leg., gen. prep. No.: AV4781 ( ASV) ; 1 male, 1 female, Sichuan, Xiling Xue Shan Mt., N 30°40.087′, E103°13.251′, 1450m, 11–12.VII.2010, Chen Gun leg., gen. prep. Nos.: AV4893 (male), AV4894 (female) ( WSO) ; 1 male, [Sichuan Guan Xian] Kwanhsien , 10.VII.1925 / Pres. by J.J. Joicey, B.M. 1925-549, unique number: NHMUK010606159 , gen. prep. No. : NHMUK010313546 ( NHMUK) .

Note. In the original description of Agrisius fangchenglaiae, Orhant (2015) compared it with A. guttivitta and A. similis and not A. vernalis which means the fact of description of the latter species remained unknown to the author. Since the male genitalia of A. fangchenglaiae illustrated by Orhant (2015) display no remarkable differences from those of A. vernalis from various localities in China, we hereby consider A. fangchenglaiae as a junior synonym of A. vernalis .

Diagnosis. The forewing length is 19.0–22.0 mm in males and 21.0–22.0 mm in females. Agrisius vernalis is very similar externally to A. aestivalis and A. frater , and the reliable identification requires the examination of the genitalia. The male genital capsule of A. vernalis differs from A. aestivalis and A. frater in the narrower and almost parallel branches of the uncus, the markedly longer and distally thinner dorsal process of the sacculus, and the somewhat narrower ventral process of the sacculus. The phallus of A. vernalis is broader than in the aforementioned congeners and has a considerably broader, more rounded carina. The distal diverticulum of the vesica of A. vernalis is long, S-like curved and bearing a claw-like cornutus subapically whereas the distal diverticula of A. aestivalis and A. frater are much shorter and narrower with a markedly smaller cornutus situated dorsomedially. The female genitalia of A. vernalis are distinguished from A. aestivalis and A. frater by the markedly narrower postvaginal plate, the straight ventral margin of the ostium bursae (it has a deep medial incision in the congeners), and the broader, gelatinous and twisted anterior section of the ductus bursae whereas it is membranous and straight in A. aestivalis and A. frater . Additionally, the signa bursae of A. vernalis are narrower than in A. aestivalis and A. frater .

Distribution. The species is widespread in South, South-West and North-West China (Guangdong, Hubei, Shaanxi, Sichuan and Xizang Provinces) ( Dubatolov et al. 2012; Orhant 2015, as A. fangchenglaiae ; the present study).

Figures

FIGURES 11–18. Agrisius spp.: adults. Depositories of the specimens: 11, 12, 15 and 16 in MWM/ZSM; 13 and 14 in SZMN; 17 in ASV; 18 in WSO.

FIGURES 33–38. Agrisius spp.: male genitalia. Depositories of the specimens dissected: 33 in WIGJ; 34 and 37 in MWM/ ZSM; 35, 36 and 38 in SZMN.

FIGURES 39–46. Agrisius spp.: female genitalia. Depositories of the specimens dissected: 39, 43, 44 and 36 in SZMN; 40, 42 and 45 in MWM/ZSM; 41 in CAV.