Vanenga mediorosea, St. Laurent, Ryan A. & Herbin, Daniel, 2017

St. Laurent, Ryan A. & Herbin, Daniel, 2017, Revision of the genus Vanenga Schaus, 1928 (Lepidoptera, Mimallonoidea, Mimallonidae) with the description of a new species, ZooKeys 644, pp. 89-104 : 93-101

Vanenga mediorosea sp. n. Figs 4-8, 9, 11, 12, 14, 15

Vanenga mera ; Schaus 1928, in part

Type material.

Holotype, ♂. BRAZIL: Santa Catarina: Jaragua [ Jaraguá do Sul], Santa Catarina, Brazil, 5 Dec 1935, Fritz Hoffman/ Vanenga mera Dognin [illegible]?/ St Laurent diss.: 5-17-16:1/ HOLOTYPE male Vanenga mediorosea St Laurent and Herbin, 2017 [handwritten red label]/ (CUIC).

Paratypes. (103 ♂, 8 ♀ total) BRAZIL: Bahia: 1 ♂, Jequié, 13°56'S, 40°11'W: III.2012, H. Thöny leg., genitalia prep. No. 29.240 (MWM). Espírito Santo: 7 ♂, Santa Leopoldina, Dorf Tirol, 24°75'S, 40°50'W [coordinates may be incorrect], 700 m: 22-31.X.1996 (2 ♂), 8-20.XII.1996 (3 ♂), genitalia prep. No. 29.237, VI.1998 (1 ♂), X.1999 (1 ♂), H. Thöny leg. (MWM). 1 ♂, Santa Leopoldina, Dorf Tirol, 20°10'S, 40°33'W, 700 m: XI.2000, H. Thöny leg. (MWM). 1 ♂, Aracruz: 12.III.1993, João B. Silva [leg.], Coleção Embrapa- CPAC No. 20903 (CPAC). 8 ♂, Linhares, 40 m: 20-29.II.1992 (2 ♂), 5-9.IV.1992 (5 ♂), 25-30.I.1998 (1 ♂), V.O. Becker col., Col. Becker 80934, 82021, 113494, USNM-Mimal: 2059, 2171-2175, 2185, 2186 (USNM). 2 ♂, No additional locality data: USNM-Mimal: 1683, 2539 (USNM). Rio de Janeiro: 1 ♂, 1 ♀, Petrópolis: 4.XII.1928, 24.IV.1960, Gagarin leg., ex. col. Gagarin (DZUP). 1 ♂, Angra-Jussaral: 28.XI.1935, No. 19.200 (DZUP). 1 ♂, Barreira, Teresópolis, 400 m: 26-29.IV.1957, Pearson H. G., No. 19.199 (DZUP). 1 ♀, Indepêndencia, Petrópolis, 900 m: 16.X.1934, Gagarin leg., ex. col. Gagarin (DZUP). 1 ♂, Reserva Ecológica de Guapiaçu, Cachoeiras de Macacu: 25.I.2011, Tangerini Col., Ex. col. Nirton Tangerini (DZUP). 1 ♂, Boca do Mato, Cachoeira de Macacu: 11-20.X.1996, Tangerini leg. (MWM). 7 ♂, Maricá, 5 m: 12-15.I.1985 (5 ♂), 11.X.1995 (2 ♂), V.O. Becker col., Col. Becker 54454, 65200, USNM-Mimal: 2169, 2170, 2177-2181, St Laurent diss.: 8-22-16:5 (USNM). São Paulo: 3 ♂, Est. Biol. Boracéia, nr. Salesópolis, 850 m: 13.III.1972 (1 ♂), 14.III.1972 (2 ♂), St Laurent diss.: 5-17-16:2, E.G., I. & E.A. Munroe (CNC). 1 ♂, Salesópolis, Boracea [ Boracéia], 850 m: 14-18.II.1950, Trav. Trav. Filho, Pearson, & Rabello coll., Brit. Mus. 1962-112 (NHMUK). 2 ♂, Boracéa [ Boracéia], Salesópolis: 8-14.II.1959, Travassos, Kloss, & Pearson leg., HRP 2090, 2091, 2094, Vanenga mera Dognin Pearson det., USNM-Mimal: 2182, 2183 (USNM). 3 ♂, Guapiara, Paivinha, 800 m: 2-5.V.2005, 18-21.XII.2005, 3-6.IV.2007, C. Mielke leg., Col. C. Mielke 28.580, 30.041, 32.043 (CGCM). 2 ♂, São José do Barreiro, Bocaina, 22°43'37"S, 44°37'57"W, 1539 m: 2-6.I.2016, C. Mielke leg., Col. C. Mielke 31.330, 31.335, C. Mielke gen. prep. 31.330 (CGCM). 8 ♂, Alto da Serra [Paranapiacaba]: XI.1922, XII.1922, III.1925, II.1926, IV.1926, R. Spitz, Rothschild Bequest, B.M. 1939-1 (NHMUK). 1 ♂, Cantareira: Coll. R. Spitz, Brit. Mus. 1962-112 (NHMUK). 1 ♂, Ypiranga [Ipiranga]: IV.1924, R. Spitz, Rothschild Bequest, BM 1939-1 (NHMUK). 1 ♀, Araçatuba, 450 m: 2.IV.1913, E.D. Jones, E.D. Jones Coll., Brit. Mus. 1919-295, St Laurent diss.: 7-7-16:3 (NHMUK). Paraná: 1 ♂, Ponta Grossa: I.1956, Coleção F. Justus Jor, at light (DZUP). 1 ♂, Foz do Iguaçu, 200 m: 16.II.1969, Moure & Mielke (DZUP). 1 ♂, Rolândia: XII.1952, Maller col., Brit. Mus. 1962-112 (NHMUK). 10 ♂, Curitiba, Serra do Mar, Estrada de Castelhanos, 500 m: 30.XI.1997 (2 ♂), III.1998 (3 ♂), IV.1998 (5 ♂), H. Thöny leg. (MWM). 1 ♂, Jaguariaíva, Parque Estadual do Cerrado 24°10'4.98"S, 49°39'59.35"W: 28.II.2015, Andrew D. Warren leg., MV light (ADW). Santa Catarina: 1 ♂, Jaragua [ Jaraguá do Sul]: 5.XII.1935, Fritz Hoffmann (CUIC). 2 ♂, Blumenau: X, Br. Pohl, Cornell U. Lot 819, Sub 322, “Paratype” [blue label], Cicinnus roseatincta ‡ Schaus No. 697 Paratype [manuscript name], St Laurent diss.: 5-17-16:3 (CUIC). 1 ♂, Blumenau: “671,” USNM-Mimal: 2538 (USNM). 1 ♀, São Bento do Sul, Rio Natal, 550 m: XI.2013, A. Rank leg., Col. C. Mielke 28.007 (CGCM). 2 ♂, São Bento do Sul, Serra Rio Natal, 850 m: VII.1998, XI.1998, H. Thöny leg., genitalia prep. No. 29.238, 29.239 (MWM). 3 ♂, No additional locality data: F. Hoffman, USNM-Mimal: 2534, 2535, 2537, specimen 2537 with label " Saturniidae ?" (USNM). 1 ♂, Hansa Humbolt [Corupá]: “10,” USNM-Mimal: 2540, St Laurent diss.: 8-22-16:4 (USNM). 1 ♂, Joinville, 500 m: 3.I.1989, V.O. Becker [leg.], Col. Becker 60597, USNM-Mimal: 2176 (USNM). Rio Grande do Sul: 5 ♂, Pelotas: 5.IV.1954, 27.III.1959, no date, C.M. Biezanko, B.M. 1954-395, 1961-209 (NHMUK); 18.III.1953, 15.IV.1953, C.M. de Biezanko, No. 753, St Laurent diss.: 5-17-16:4 (CUIC). 2 ♂, Guarani [das Missões]: 3.III.1932, C.M. de Biezanko, No. 753, St Laurent diss.: 2-26-16:5 (CUIC). PARAGUAY: Guairá: 1 ♀, Villarica: XI.1927, F. Schade [leg.], Joicey Bequest, Brit. Mus. 1934-120 (NHMUK). 1 ♀, Villarica: 18.IV.1925, F. Schade Coll., Collection Wm Schaus, USNM-Mimal: 2541, [handwritten label in Schaus’s handwriting:] " Cicinnus meroides ‡ [or meroidea ‡] type Schaus mss" (USNM). Caazapá: 1 ♂, Cristal, San Juan de Nepomuceno: XII.1998 (MWM). Alto Paraná: 1 ♂, Reserva Biológica Limoy, 24°47'S, 54°26'W: 17-20.IV.1986, M. Pogue & M. Solis [leg.], USNM-Mimal: 2407 (USNM). 1 ♂, Limoy, 24°45'S, 54°27'W, 245 m: 01-05.XI.2009, U. Drechsel [leg.] (CDH). 1 ♂, 1 ♀, Estancia Dimas, 25°33'S, 55°13'W, 200 m: 24-26.III.2011 (1 ♂), 26-31.I.2012 (1 ♀), U. Drechsel [leg.] (CDH). Canindeyú: 4 ♂, Armisticio, 24°34'S, 54°32'W, 290 m: 26-30.XI.2009, U. Drechsel [leg.] (CDH). 1 ♂, Carapá, 24°22'S, 54°23'W, 240 m: 1-4.IV.2009, U. Drechsel [leg.] (CDH). Ñeembucú: 1 ♂, Zanjita, 26°03'S, 57°56'W, 50 m: 1-3.III.2013, U. Drechsel [leg.] (CDH). Paraguarí: 1 ♂, Mbatoví, 25°35'S, 57°05'W, 383 m: 17-18.IV.2014, U. Drechsel [leg.], genitalia prep. D. Herbin ref. H 1120, Bc-Her4967 (CDH). Amabay: 1 ♂, Parque nacional Cerro Corá, 22°39'S, 56°01'W: 7-10.IV.1986, M. Pogue & M. Solis [leg.], USNM-Mimal: 2757, St Laurent diss.: 8-22-16:6 (USNM). ARGENTINA: Misiones: 1 ♂, 1 ♀, Iguazu: 23-26.XI.1993, J.R., genitalia prep. no. 29.236 [♀] (MWM). Santa Fe: 4 ♂, Villa Ana, Ferrocarril Provincial de Santa Fe: III.1924, K.J. Hayward [leg.], Brit. Mus. 1924-203, [genitalia] vial NHMUK010402135, NHMUK010318285 (NHMUK). URUGUAY: Maldonado: 1 ♂, Piriápolis: 8.II.59 [interpretation of “8/11/59”], F. Penades [leg.] (NHMUK). - All paratypes with the following yellow label: PARATYPE male/female Vanenga mediorosea St Laurent and Herbin, 2017.

Additional specimens examined.

[not to be included in type series] (1 ♂, 1 ♀ total) BRAZIL: Rio Grande do Sul: 1 ♂, Pelotas: 18.III.1953, C.M. de Biezanko [leg.], No. 753 (ex. CUIC donated to CMNH). Paraná: 1 ♀, Castro, 950 m: E.D. Jones, E.D. Jones Coll. Brit. Mus. 1919-295, " Perophora flavirosa ‡ Type ♀ D-Jones" [manuscript name], " Macessoga flavirosa ‡ (Jones) type genit. pr. No 9, Mimallonidae " [genitalia prep. lost], NHMUK010354541 (NHMUK).

Photo of living specimen examined.

[not to be included in type series] BRAZIL: Rio Grande do Sul: 1 ♂, Santa Maria, -29.697441°, -53.920125°, 119 m: 15.XII.2015, R.A. St. Laurent & A.P.S. de Carvalho leg., at MV light (Fig. 9).

Diagnosis.

For characters differentiating this new species from the previous one, see the diagnosis of Vanenga mera .

Description.

Male.Head: As for genus, varying shades of orange fading to pale tan. Thorax: Straw colored, usually with pale pink scales, darker brown-orange scales may be present on prothoracic collar. Legs: Coloration as for thorax, but usually darker orange with rosy scales, vestiture fine, tibial spurs short, curved, naked or dorsally clothed in scales. Forewing dorsum: Forewing length: 10-17 mm, avg. 13.7 mm, wingspan: 23.0-32.5 mm, avg. 27.2 mm, n = 50. Triangular, apically angled, margin nearly straight though may be barely concave or convex. Ground color pale tan-orange to gray-salmon, with varying degree of pale to strong pink coloration antemedial and medially, overall lightly speckled by dark brown petiolate scales, though petiolate scales often absent medially. Antemedial line absent or as faint brown or gray wavy mark. Postmedial line preapical, faint, straight, dark brown to black, distally curved to costa, fading after passing Rs3 or Rs4. Antemedial and medial areas concolorous, pale pink. Submarginal area always darker than medial area, usually orange-brown with diffuse gray coloration along wing margin, petiolate scales more abundant. Discal spot usually absent, though sometimes present as small, dark brown or black spot. Fringe orange-tan with light pink hue. Forewing ventrum: Similar to dorsum but coloration of medial and submarginal area more similar, more uniformly darker orange, becoming gray distally, usually also pink nearer to thorax. Discal spot always present, oblong or circular. Postmedial line may be somewhat wavy or very faint. Petiolate scales more abundant, widely dispersed. Hindwing dorsum: Rounded, coloration and patterning as for forewing dorsum, antemedial line absent, postmedial line straight, submarginal area broader than on dorsum. Hindwing ventrum: Follows same pattern as forewing ventrum, but rosier pink overall than orange, especially antemedial and medially. Abdomen: As for genus. Genitalia: (Figs 11, 12) n = 15. As for genus but uncus indented mesally when viewed laterally. Gnathos as pair of heavily sclerotized, downward angled protuberances of variable thickness and length. Valves triangular, somewhat angled distally, relatively narrow, acute. Valves with baseo-mesal indentation usually bearing small patch of heavy setae; base of valves extend well past vinculum inward into body cavity as singular bifurcated extension loosely connected to diaphragm and juxta. Juxta fused to phallus, encircling it as oddly shaped saucer with two pairs of dorsal projections superior to phallus, projections short and heavily spined. Phallus short, cylindrical, not much longer than width of juxtal saucer. Vesica bag-like, small. Female.Head: As in male but antennae much smaller overall, pectinations particularly shorter. Thorax: As in male though may be darker brown overall. Legs: As in male, but tibial spurs shorter. Forewing dorsum: Forewing length: 12.0-14.5 mm, avg. 13.9 mm, wingspan: 26 -31 mm, avg. 28.5, n = 4. Forewing broader than in male, more elongated, convex mesally, submarginal area broader, apex more acute. Coloration generally more diffuse between antemedial, medial, and submarginal areas, less distinctly bicolored. Overall darker orange-brown antemedial and medially, submarginal area lighter gray compared to medial area. Postmedial line usually more bowed outward than in male. Forewing ventrum: Similar to dorsum but generally paler orange. Hindwing dorsum: Coloration and pattern as for forewing dorsum. Hindwing ventrum: Follows same pattern as forewing ventrum. Abdomen: As for genus. Genitalia: (Fig. 14) n = 2. Small overall, most characters atrophied, VIII as moderately sclerotized ring, posteriorly curved, ventrally angled inward forming anteriorly directed angle with ostium at apex. Apophyses anteriores absent, apophyses posteriores elongate, but not much longer than length of extended IX. Sclerotized lamella antevaginalis absent, replaced by broad membranous area. Ductus bursae broad, bag-like. Corpus bursae narrow, elongated, more than twice length of VIII–IX. Papillae anales flattened ventrally, elongated and narrow.

Distribution

(Fig. 15). This new species is broadly distributed in the Brazilian Atlantic Forest in the states of Bahia south through Espírito Santo, Rio de Janeiro, São Paulo, Paraná, Santa Catarina, and Rio Grande do Sul. Vanenga mediorosea is also found in the Pampa biome of Rio Grande do Sul (Brazil) and Uruguay, and is found in neighboring Paraguay and Argentina in various habitats, particularly in inland forests (Alta Paraná) and Humid Chaco.

Etymology.

This species is named for the pink-flushed (rosea meaning pink, Latin) medial (medio Latin) area of the forewings.

Remarks.

As previously mentioned, Vanenga mediorosea is much more commonly collected than Vanenga mera , and thus the vast majority of Vanenga specimens are mislabeled as Vanenga mera in major collections. Furthermore, Vanenga mediorosea is often present in series in collections rather than singletons as is Vanenga mera .

In performing the research necessary for this revision, we have discovered “types” of Vanenga specimens bearing manuscript names, but which were apparently never described. In the NHMUK there is a single female specimen labeled as a type of Perophora flavirosa ‡ Jones from Brazil, Paraná, (Fig. 8), curated together with other females of Vanenga mediorosea , and clearly this “type” belongs to the species that we describe herein. This specimen is also labeled as a “type” of Macessoga flavirosa ‡ (Jones). However, we are unaware of any publication using this name in either combination by Jones from the period of time when he was describing Mimallonidae , and thus it is a manuscript name without an associated formal description. The genitalia preparation associated with this species is lost; therefore we omit it from the type series of Vanenga mediorosea .

Additionally, in the CUIC there are two specimens labeled as “paratypes” of Cicinnus roseatincta ‡ Schaus, apparently from prior to 1928 since Schaus did not label these as Vanenga specimens (a genus he described for Vanenga mera in 1928). A holotype bearing this name has not been located. In Schaus (1928), he lists Vanenga mera as being present in Blumenau, Santa Catarina, Brazil, which incidentally, is the locality of these two “paratypes.” Therefore, we can infer that Schaus never formally described this species; otherwise the Brazilian specimens would not have been listed under Vanenga mera in his revision. Similarly, there is a female specimen at the USNM labeled as a “type” (in Schaus’s handwriting) of Cicinnus meroides ‡ (or meroidea ‡, the final letter is illegible, regardless in reference to "near mera "). This label bears the letters “mss” subsequently written in pencil over the name. Therefore, this seems to be yet a third manuscript name associ ated with this species, though again, never formally described for the same reasons as mentioned previously.

If any or all of these hereby-unavailable names is/are located in the literature, it would be necessary to treat Vanenga mediorosea as a synonym of the most senior name.

Vanenga mediorosea is rather consistent in coloration and markings across its range, though occasionally some specimens are darker brown-orange submarginally and more salmon colored medially. We also note some geographic variation in the length of the gnathos protuberance, which is shorter at the northern and southern extremities of the range (Bahia and Rio Grande do Sul respectively) than centrally along the distribution, such as those from Santa Catarina and São Paulo. There seems to also be some size variation depending on elevation, with larger specimens coming from higher elevations. Two male specimens (Brazil, São Paulo, near São José do Barreiro, 1539 m) from higher elevation than all other examined material are the largest of the examined specimens (Fig. 5). Additional specimens from Salesópolis (also São Paulo state) are also quite large in comparison with lower elevation material from coastal Brazil (such as Rio de Janeiro, Maracá and Espírito Santo, Linhares for example) and Paraguay. Genitalia of specimens from various elevations however, are consistent. It is interesting to note that the higher elevation specimens are actually larger than many from lower elevations.