Nokona chrysoidea Nokona pernix (Leech, 1889) N. chrysoidea N. pernix N. inexpectata Arita & Gorbunov, 2001 Nokona semidiaphana ( Zukowsky, 1929 ) N. pernix N. chrysoidea N. pernix N. chrysoidea Nokona inexpectata Nokona pilamicola N. chrysoidea N. chrysoidea The Paranthrenini of Mainland China (Lepidoptera, Sesiidae) Kallies, Axel Arita, Yutaka Owada, Mamoru Wu, Guo-Yi Wang, Min Zootaxa 2014 3811 2 185 206 BDCNN Zukowsky, 1932 Zukowsky 1932 [151,613,872,898] Insecta Sesiidae Nokona Animalia Lepidoptera 5 190 Arthropoda species chrysoidea   Material examined. 2♂, Guangxi, Guilin, Maoershan, 500–1500 m, 6.–10.VIII.2007( CAK, Gen. Prep. AK720, Fig. 8); 2♂, same locality, 730 m, 14.–19.VIII.2009( CAK, Gen. Prep. AK721); 1♂, Prov. Guandong, Shaoguang, Nanling, 1000 m, 23.VI.2008( CAK); 2♂, same locality, 800 m, 2–6.VII.2012( CAK); 11♂, 10♀, Prov. Guangdong, Guangzhou city, 11.V.–1.VI.2011 e. l., ex Paederia scandens( Figs 9, 11, 12, NSMT, CAK); 10♂, 3♀, same locality, 3.–24.V.2012 e. l., ex Paederia scandens( Figs 7, 10, NSMT, CAK); 9♂,13♀, same locality, 29.IV.–25.V.2013 e. l., ex Paederia scandens( NSMT); 1♂, Prov. Hainan, Atuling, Mt. Wuzhishan, 17.IX.2008; 2♂, Prov. Shaanxii, Lueyang, 20.–29.VII.2011( CAK); 1♂, Prov. Zhejiang, 17.XI.1995, on flowers of  Ostericum grosseserratum( NSMT).    Nokona chrysoideawas described from Taiwanand belongs to the  Nokona pernix(Leech, 1889)species complex. The population that occurs in Guangzhou city is very variable but in particular its yellow forms are indistinguishable from Taiwanese  N. chrysoidea. Dark forms of the Guangzhou population are very similar to  N. pernixfrom Japanor  N. inexpectataArita & Gorbunov, 2001, described from Taiwan. Similar individuals are known from several provinces in southern and eastern China, but it is currently unclear whether they belong to a single species or represent a species complex. Arita (2011)figured specimens from Nanling under the name  Nokona semidiaphana( Zukowsky, 1929); however, the figured specimen belongs to the  N. pernixspecies complex and is here considered belonging to  N. chrysoidea. Typical  N. pernixoccur in Japan; but, this species has also been recorded from Mainland China. Until a more detailed study can be undertaken, we here propose to apply the name  N. chrysoideato these specimens. The taxa  Nokona inexpectataand  Nokona pilamicola(Strand, [1916]) may be junior and senior synonyms, respectively, of  N. chrysoidea. Published illustrations of these taxa (Arita & Gorbunov 2001) show no significant differences in external appearance or in genitalia morphology in comparison to  N. chrysoidea.However, since the typematerial could not be reexamined we refrain from formal synonymization at this stage.  Genitalia. Male (Gen. prep. AK720 [ Fig. 33], AK721 [ Fig. 32]).Valva long and narrow, tapering into a blunt apex; dorsal field of hand-shaped setae wide, each with ca 10 finger-like projections; with central narrow line of hand-shaped setae; ventral setae simple, basal patch with strong simple setae; gnathos ( Fig. 33a) with two pointed ventral processes; saccus broad and blunt ending, phallus shorter that valva.  Variability.A very variable species, both in size and coloration. Alar expanses range from 21–31 mmin males, and 27–31 mmin females. The forewings can be orange-brown to dark brown, sometimes with minimal remnants of transparent areas; however, even in dark specimens some orange-brown scales can be found on the forewings. Furthermore, the forewings typically lack all bluish lustre. The hindwings have dark outer margins of variable width. The number of yellow bands on the abdominal tergites varies between 2 and 5, however, they are always present at the distal margins of tergites 2 and 4. The triangular anal tuft is typically black with a narrow white lateral margin.   Biology.Larvae of this species (or species complex) feed in vines of  Paederia scandens(Rubiaceae). According to label data, one specimen was collected on the flowers of  Ostericum grosseserratum(Apiaceae).   Distribution.Specimens belonging to this species complex have been collected in Taiwan, Mainland Chinaand northern Vietnam(unpublished).