Ernassa abscondita, Grados, 2024

Grados, Juan, 2024, Beyond appearances: the genus Ernassa Walker, 1856 (Lepidoptera, Erebidae, Arctiinae, Phaegopterina) and the description of eight new species, Zootaxa 5493 (4), pp. 301-327 : 321-322

Ernassa abscondita sp. nov.

( Figs. 63–68 )

Diagnosis: Similar to E. markpacei sp. nov. differing by the following: saccus and anterior margin of the valvae are not as straight; in lateral view, the dorsal margin of the valva is straight; dorsal process is shorter and slightly thicker distally; in ventral view, the valvae are narrower, at the basal half, the concavity of the valvae is more pronounced and the angle of continuity of the valva towards the dorsal process is more obtuse; the curve of the distal end of the dorsal process is more pronounced.

Type material: HOLOTIPO macho ( Figs. 63–64 ). PERÚ. CUSCO. 1 male, Qda. Quitacalzón, 13°01’19.9”S, 71°29’50.7”W, 967 m. 14.v.2019, J. Grados. Deposited in the MUSM .

Male. Forewing span (27 mm) (n=1). Head. Reddish-orange. Scape reddish, flagellum brown with a white spot on the last distal segments. Thorax. Orange Red. Reddish legs. Forewing. Elongate. Dorsal. Reddish. Half of the anterior margin brown. Posterior margin with leaden scales, except for the base. Termen brown. Brown spot near the base. Subproximal orange rhomboid spot, delimited by an antemedial band of reddish and leaden-white scales and an oblique medial band of reddish and blackish-white scales. Poorly defined orange spots at the discal cell. A white, ovoid subproximal spot at M 2 -M 3. Dispersed patches of orange and leaden scales on various parts of wing. Ventral. Orange red, somewhat lighter towards the apex. Most of the anterior margin brown. Termen brown.

Hindwing. Reddish, elongate and rhomboid with rounded angles. Dorsal. Reddish, barely lighter towards the central part. Ventral. Reddish, with the same traits as the dorsal side. Abdomen. Reddish. Male genitalia ( Figs. 65–68 ) (Genitalia # JGA- 1312, MUSM). Tegumen with narrow sides, the anterior margin shaped as an inverted “U”. Uncus base the same width as the distal part of tegumen; near its base, two curved “˩”-shaped sclerotized lateral processes, with abundant long and thick bristles; distal part short, pointed and hook-shaped at its end, a concave notch on its ventral part. Saccus barely present, its central part concave. Valva. Lateral view: wide at the base, rectangular, somewhat elongate, ventral process membranous, somewhat wide, with setae; dorsal process sclerotized, wider at its base, curved, its pointed end with setae. Ventral view: rounded and somewhat narrower at its proximal margin; concave at the central part of the basal half; towards the dorsal process forming a pronounced obtuse angle. Juxta and transtilla sclerotized. Aedeagus elongate and somewhat sinusoid; coecum penis elongate; vesica membranous, short, with minute spicules in almost all its area.

Female. Unknown

Etymology. abscondita is a feminine adjective in the nominative singular, which means “the hidden one”, “the mysterious one”, “the unknown one”.

Distribution. In the lower montane forests of the department of Cusco ( Peru).

Figures

FIGURES 63–64. Ernassa abscondita sp. nov. Holotype. 63. Dorsal view. 64. Ventral view. Scales=5 mm.

FIGURES 65–68. Genitalia of Ernassa abscondita sp. nov. Male (Genitalia # JGA-1312, MUSM). 65. Dorsal view. 66. Ventral view. 67. Lateral view. 68. Aedeagus. Scales= 1 mm.