Aemene likiangensis ( Daniel, 1951 ) Volynkin, 2021

Volynkin, Anton V., 2021, Three new species of the genus Aemene Walker (Lepidoptera: Erebidae: Arctiinae) from the Himalayas, Zootaxa 5068 (4), pp. 533-546 : 540-545

Aemene likiangensis ( Daniel, 1951) , stat. nov.

( Figs 15, 16 , 24 , 30 )

Siccia taprobanis likiangensis Daniel, 1951 , Bonner zoologische Beiträge, 2 (3–4): 301, pl. 1, fig. 8 (adult), text fig. 6 (male genitalia) (Type locality: [SW China, northern Yunnan, Lijiang] “ Li-kiang ”.

Material examined. CHINA: 10 males, 15 females, North Yunnan Province, Li-kiang [Lijiang], 26. V.–8.IX.1934, H. Höne [leg.] / Coll. Daniel / Paratypus Siccia taprobanis ssp. likiangenis Daniel 1948 , gen. prep. Nos.: ZSM Arct. 2019-056 (male), ZSM Arct. 2019-057 (female) (prepared by Volynkin) (MWM/ ZSM) ; 1 male, 2 females, the same data as previous but 25.VIII.–20.IX.1935 (MWM/ ZSM) ; 7 females, Yunnan, Dali , 200m, 4–9.VIII.1984, coll. Nr. 201, Görgner leg., coll. Dr. W. Thomas / Mus. Witt, München, gen. prep. No.: ZSM Arct. 2019-058 (prepared by Volynkin) (MWM/ ZSM) .

Remark. In the original description, Daniel (1951) mentioned an unspecified number of specimens from “Likiang” with the range of dates “20.V.–24.IX. 34/35”. However, Daniel designated only the holotype male (collected on 12.IX.[19]35) and the “allotopotype” female (collected on 1.IX.[19]34) 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 term “allotopotype” is not regulated by the ICZN (1999) therefore the specimen also has no paratype status.

Diagnosis. The forewing length is 12–12.5 mm in males and 13.5–14 mm in females. Aemene likiangensis is externally reminiscent of A. taprobanis and A. sinuata but differs in the somewhat larger size, the wider area between the medial and the antemedial lines medially, and the discal spot of the forewing positioned somewhat more basally. Additionally, the male antenna of A. likiangensis has longer pectination than that of A. sinuata . The male genital capsule of the species can easily be distinguished from those of A. taprobanis and A. sinuata by the shorter and apically wider valva (in proportion to the tegumen-vinculum complex length), the larger and more heavily sclerotised subbasal lobe of the costa, the conspicuously shorter ventral apical process of the costa, the presence of a short subapical dorsal costal process, and the longer and basally wider distal saccular process. The phallus of A. likiangensis is markedly shorter and narrower (in proportion to the tegumen-vinculum complex size), not dilated distally and lacks a medial dorsal protrusion. Compared to those of A. taprobanis and A. sinuata , the vesica of A. likiangensis is markedly shorter and narrower (in proportion to the tegumen-vinculum complex size), bears a weaker granulation medially and dorsally and only one shorter cornutus anterio-laterally. The female genitalia of A. likiangensis differ clearly from those of A. taprobanis and A. sinuata in the shorter ductus bursae (in proportion to the ovipositor size), the shorter and very weakly sclerotised posterior section of the corpus bursae, the presence of only one elliptical signum and the absence of a ribbed band-like signum in the anterior section of the corpus bursae. Additionally, the appendix bursae is conspicuously shorter and less twisted than in A. taprobanis and A. sinuata and bears a short area of weak granulation medially whereas those of A. taprobanis and A. sinuata bear longer areas of a shortly spinulose scobination.

Distribution. South-western China (Yunnan Province) ( Daniel 1951; Fang 2000, as ´Siccia taprobanis ´, partim).

Figures

FIGURES 9–16. Aemene spp.: adults. Depositories of the specimens: 9–11 in NHMUK (©The Trustees of NHMUK); 12 in MFN; 13–16 in MWM/ZSM.

FIGURES 21–24. Aemene spp.: male genitalia. Depositories of the specimens dissected: 21 in CKC; 22–24 in MWM/ZSM.

FIGURES 25–30. Aemene spp.: female genitalia. Depositories of the specimens dissected: 25–27, 29 and 30 in MWM/ZSM; 28 in CKC.