Paectes similis Pogue

Pogue, Michael G., 2013, A review of the Paectes arcigera species complex (Guenee) (Lepidoptera, Euteliidae), ZooKeys 264, pp. 125-163 : 131-132

Paectes similis Pogue sp. n. Figs 73149

Type material.

Holotype male - BRAZIL: Pernambuco [Recife], Pickel Coll. Genitalia slide, USNM 135911 [green label]; HOLOTYPE / Paectes similis Pogue" [red label]. USNM.

Etymology.

The species name is the Latin term for “like” which refers to the similarity between this species and Paectes longiformis .

Diagnosis.

Comparison of Paectes similis to Paectes longiformis was given above.

Description.

Adult.Male. FW length 10.5 mm. Head - vertex with broad scales, pale gray; labial palp porrect, mixture of pale-gray, ferruginous, and brown scales tipped white, internal surface white; eyes large, globular; frons with broad scales, pale gray, dark brown scales at margin of vertex; male antenna broadly bipectinate to just beyond half length then filiform. Thorax - prothorax pale gray, anterior margin with thin black line; patagium pale-gray scales tipped white, a few dark-brown scales anteriorly, mixed with hairlike scales; protibia mixed with white and brown scales, anterior margin white, tarsi brown with white apical bands; midtibia mostly white with some light-brown scales medially, tarsi white; hind tibia white, tarsi white; forewing costal area with pale-gray scales tipped white, minute white dots from postmedial line to apex; prominent white apical spot; basal area ferruginous mixed with a few pale-gray tipped white and white scales; antemedial line black, incomplete, from anal vein to R vein, forming distal border to basal area; medial area slightly paler in overall color from terminal area, consisting of pale-gray and white scales; reniform spot obscure, a pair of tiny dark-brown dots, ventral dot just above M vein in discal cell and larger than dorsal dot, which consists of only a few dark scales; postmedial line black outlined with some ferruginous scales, a double line from posterior margin to vein CuA2, continuing as single line to connecting point with black dash between veins R5 and M1 that extends to outer margin; subterminal area a mixture of light-brown, gray, white, and ferruginous scales, darker than medial area; terminal line a series of black, recurved lines between veins; fringe dark gray at veins, pale gray between veins giving checkered appearance; hind wing white, marginal shading and veins highlighted dark gray, anal fold diffuse white and dark-gray striped pattern. Abdomen - eighth segment membranous with pair of dorsal sclerotized bars; pair of lateral coremata bearing numerous, fine, elongate setae. Genitalia (Fig. 31) - Uncus triangulate, apex recurved and pointed, 0.8 × length of subscaphium; subscaphium triangulate, decurved, apex pointed; valve membranous, rectangulate, apex truncate, ventrally covered with elongate setae; costal margin sinuate, produced into a truncate lobe, apex round, elongate setae dorsally from middle to apex; sacculus well developed, proximal half fused with valve, distal half free, curved toward midline, apex narrowly rounded; saccus elongate, V-shaped; aedeagus slightly decurved, dorsally spiculate in distal half; base of vesica slightly wider than apex of aedeagus, spiculate ventrally with 2 leaf-like ventral cornuti, becomes ovate with lateral, slightly curved diverticulum, opposite lateral diverticulum a sclerotized, spiculate, grooved area with very short cornutus, two bump-like diverticula on either side of grooved area. Female. Unknown.

Distribution.

Known only from the type locality (Fig. 49).

Remarks.

The holotype of Paectes similis was in a series of specimens in the USNM collection identified as Paectes obrotunda . Though known only from the type specimen, it is described so as to help eliminate confusion in this complex group of look-a-like species.