Parascepsis ingenium Grados & Mantilla, 2020

Grados, Juan, Mantilla, Karla & Ramírez, Juan José, 2020, The genusParascepsis Dognin, 1923 (Lepidoptera, Erebidae, Arctiinae, Ctenuchina) in Peru, with the description of three new species, a new combination and their geographical distributions, Zootaxa 4868 (2), pp. 221-242 : 232-235

Parascepsis ingenium Grados & Mantilla , sp. nov.

( Figs. 33–49 )

Diagnosis: Similar to P. ignobilis , it is possible to differentiate it by the presence of a whitish postdiscal spot on the forewings and, on the hindwings, the whitish area near the posterior margin is less pronounced. The valvae in P. ingenium are elongated and narrow, dorsal process membranous, the same width as the base of the valvae in almost all its extension, while the valvae in P. ignobilis are wide, somewhat more in the middle part, the beginning of the dorsal process narrower than the base of the valvae, decreasing in thickness towards the distal end. Both species have two patches of cornuti, the difference being that P. ingenium presents a developed patch of cornuti, located at the dorsal and right part of the vesica, while in P. ignobilis the patch of cornuti has the same location but is small.

Description. Male ( Figs. 33–34 ). Head. Proboscis dark brown. Labial palpi turned upwards, exceeding the vertex. Palpi grayish brown; the second palpomer twice as long as the first; the third one third of the second; second and third ones with somewhat lighter scales on the frontal part. Frontoclypeus brown; upper part with whitish gray piliform scales. Vertex brown. Occiput whitish gray, with three brown lines: a straight central one and two lateral ones directing towards the antennae. Postgena grayish brown. Eye margin gray. Ocelli light brown. Antennal socket whitish. Antennae brown, with a slight metallic hue. Scape and pedicel grayish brown. Proximal rami small, increasing in length towards the middle part. Middle rami twice the width of the flagellum. Distal rami decreasing in length towards their end. Thorax. Patagia and tegulae grayish with brown edges; tegulae with a brown line from the anterior part towards the base of the wing; tegulae in ventral view, brown in the anterior part. Mesoscutum and mesoscutellum grayish brown, with a brown line along the central part. Metascutellum grayish. Pleura gray. Tymbal organ in the katepisternum with gray scales. First pair of legs. Grayish brown with bluish hue; coxae with an area at the anterior and ectal parts whitish. Femura with the anterior and proximal-ectal part brown. Epiphysis brown. Second and third pairs of legs. Grayish brown with bluish hue; femora with the anterior and proximal-ectal part brown.

Forewing. Forewing span (16–18 mm) (n = 50). Dorsal: Brown with a purple hue. A slightly whitish postdiscal spot below the costal margin, including the base of R 5 -R 4, the subproximal part of R 5 -M 1 and the middle part of M 1 -M 2, M 2 -M 3 and M 3 -Cu 1. Ventral: Brown with the veins slightly darker. Frenulum brown and retinaculum grayish brown. Iridescent on the proximal half of the discal cell. CuP-1A + 2A with white scales from its base to just over half its length. Anal cell with an androconial patch creamy white covering the subproximal area to its middle part ( Fig. 45 ). Under the patch, yellow piliform scales. Hindwing. Dorsal: Brown. Costal margin to R S -M 1, includes the discal cell and near the subproximal area of M 1 -M 2 bears whitish scales, slightly iridescent. Costal cell with an area elongated and somewhat ovoid with small light brown spicules ( Figs. 46–48 ). Area comprising the proximal half of Cu 2 -1A+2A a slightly whitish gray. Anal cell a diffuse whitish in the proximal two thirds. Ventral: Except for the area with spicules, the same as the dorsal side. Abdomen. Brown with bluish hue, more intense in the first four segments. First two tergites with modified scales forming a structure that could be an androconial organ of hexagonal shape; margins of the first tergite with whitish scales; internal part of the androconial organ with modified dark brown scales ( Fig. 49 ). Sternites brown. Male Genitalia ( Figs. 37–40 ) (Genitalia # JGA 769 MUSM). Tegumen “H” shaped; anterior part wider than the posterior one, with branches wide; anterior part concave and oblong; posterior part somewhat semicircular; translucent oblong area with the posterior part somewhat sharp; lateral parts of the area translucent, from the base to near the sharp area, with a projection weakly sclerotized. Joining of the tegumen and uncus weakly sclerotized. Saccus elongated, spatulate with rounded apex. Uncus with the two anterior processes elongated, sclerotized, with setae; the branches converge towards the center, forming an elongated structure, wide at its base, with elongated setae, constrained in its central part and expanding towards the distal part: in lateral view, with the distal part somewhat rounded, ending in a sclerotized hook in ventral direction. Valvae elongated, straight, somewhat sclerotized, the base twice as wide as the remaining part; presence of setae on the ventral side, few on the dorsal side; ventral process not developed; dorsal process elongated, membranous with short setae; a somewhat circular evagination in the dorso-distal position, directed towards the internal part, sclerotized, with setae; ventral view, elongated, narrow and curved inward. Juxta slightly subtriangular and sclerotized, posterior part slightly concave, with tiny ornamentations resembling spicules at the postero-lateral areas. Aedeagus elongated. Coecum penis slightly developed. Vesica longer than aedeagus, arising ventrally, with a narrow and elongated tip; presence of two patches of cornuti; one at the ventral left part and the other, in dorsal and right position.

Female ( Figs. 35–36 ). Forewing span (16 mm– 18 mm) (n = 37). Similar to the male except for the following: proximal rami almost a third the width of the flagellum axis; middle rami almost half the width of the shaft. Frenulum light brown with two bristles. Forewing (ventral) without androconial patch. Hindwing (dorsal) without the spicule area. Abdomen without androconial organ. Female Genitalia ( Figs. 41–42 ). Genitalia # JGA 772 MUSM). Eighth tergite slightly sclerotized. Anal papillae well developed, with setae all over the surface; in lateral view, longer at the ventral margin. Posterior and anterior apophyses of same size. Ostium and antrum of central position, the latter slightly sclerotized. Antevaginal and postvaginal lamella membranous. Ductus bursae sclerotized and curved. Cervix bursae sclerotized ventrally and membranous dorsally. Corpus bursae slightly sclerotized, striate, somewhat globose and sinusoid; in dorsal view, a sinusoid turn to the left side. No signum is observed. Ductus seminalis emerges at the distal end.

Etymology: ingenium is a noun in nominative singular in apposition, which means talent, intelligence.

Distribution ( Fig. 60 ): Pasco, Ucayali, Junín, Cusco, Madre de Dios and Puno.

Comments: Together with E. ignobilis they are the only two species with the first two tergites modified into an androconial organ. Regarding the females, they are the only ones that present the sclerotized bursa copulatrix. The species can be differentiated by the presence of a whitish postdiscal band on the dorsal side of the first pair of wings.

All the records of the species come from the foothills of the mountain forests of the Eastern Slope of the Andes, reaching 1850m. Like E. lantingi , it is most likely that there are unidentified samples of P. ingenium in some collections.

Holotype male ( Figs. 33–34 ): PERU, Puno, Lanlacuni, 13°28’18.7’’S, 70°25’07.4’’W, 676 m, 27-28.xii.2009, E. Huamaní. 86 paratypes (49 males and 37 females). PERU, Pasco, 1 male, Comunidad 24 de junio, 10 km NO de Cajonari, 10°03’57’’S, 75°07’02’’W, 359 m, 03-06.xi.2015, L. Figueroa, ( Genitalia # JGA 996 MUSM); 1 male, B.P. San Matías, San Carlos, Kametza, 12 km N de Izcosacín, 10°04’28’’S, 75°08’33’’W, 525 m, 27-28.iv.2015, L. Figueroa, (Voucher DNA-Artc # 00830- JGA MUSM); 1 male and 1 female, B.P. San Matías-San Carlos, Osheki, 7.3 km NNO de Izcoacín, 10°07’41’’S, 75°07’15’’W, 540 m, 19-20.iv.2015, L. Figueroa; 1 male, idem except, (Voucher DNA-Artc # 00831- JGA MUSM); 1 female, idem except (Voucher DNA-Artc # 00832- JGA MUSM); 1 female, P.N. Yanachaga Chemillén, Pampa Pescado, Laguna Luna Llena, 10°22’57.4’’S, 75°15’19.8’’W, 458 m, 18.ix.2007, J. Grados & S. Carbonel; 1 female, idem except, 19.ix.2007; 1 male, Qda. Atarraz, 4.5 km O de Bajo Bocaz, 10°38’17’’S, 75°12’34’’W, 1640 m, 06-10.viii.2012, E. Rázuri & P. Sánchez; 1 male, idem except, (Genitalia # JGA 995 MUSM). Ucayali, 1 male, 29.5 km NO de Nuevo Mundo, Campamento Kinteroni CX, Alto Río Sepa , 11°22’38’’S, 73°24’47’’W, 643 m, 20-24.i.2010, J. Grados. Junin, 1 male, 1 Km O de San Miguel de Autiki 10°48’17’’S, 74°49’33’’W, 1393 m, 04.vi.2014, E. Rázuri. Cusco, 1 male, San Martín C, 11°47’S, 72°41’W, 480 m, 03.iv.1997, J. Grados; 1 male and 1 female, Cashiriari, 11°52’S, 72°39’W, 690 m, 02.xii.1997, J. Grados, (LT / MV); 1 male, Cashiriari, 11°52’S, 72°39’W, 690 m, 04-05.xii.1997, J. Grados; 1 female, Las Malvinas, Río Urubamba , 11°52’S, 72°55’W, 480 m, 23.ix.1997, J. Grados, ( LT-MV); 2 males and 1 female, Campamento Paratori, 12°03’S, 72°58’ 690 m, 22.x.2002, J. Grados; 1 female, idem except, 24.x.2002; 1 male, idem except, 25.x.2002; 1 male, idem except, 26.x.2002; 1 female, 6 km OSO del Pongo de Mainique , 12°15’02’’S, 72°52’28’’W, 890 m, 30.ix.2010, C. Carranza & C. Cavero; 1 male, idem except, 01.x.2010; 1 female, 2 km SO del Pongo de Mainique , 12°15’24.42’’S, 72°50’27.18’’W, 598 m, 11.xi.09, C. Carranza & C. Rossi; 1 male, La Convención Echarate, CC. Pomareni, 12°15’28.38’’S, 72°50’8.89’’W, 477 m, 07.xi.2009, C. Carranza & C. Rossi, (LT); 1 female, La Convención, Echarate, CC. Pomareni, 12°15’24.42’’S, 72°50’27.18’’W, 598 m, 12.xi.2009, C. Carranza & C. Rossi; 1 female, Campamento Mangoriari, 12°21’S, 73°02’W, 1500 m, 07.xii.2002, J. Grados; 1 male, idem except, 08.xii.2002; 1 female, idem except, 09.xii.2002; 1 female, 3.5 km ONO de Monte Carmelo, Echarate , 12°26’21.0’’S, 72°59’21.1’’W, 1349 m, 23.ii.2011, M. Alvarado & E. Rázuri; 1 female, 4 km NO de Monte Carmelo ( Río Urubamba ), 12°26’06’’S, 72°59’14’’W, 1327 m, 29.ix.2010, M. Alvarado & J. Peralta; 1 male, Río Alto Madre de Dios , Albergue Pantiacolla, ca. Itahuanía, 12°39’21’’S, 71°13’55’’W, 450 m, 30.ix-03.x.1998, J. Grados; 1 male, La Convención, Echarate, CC. Ochigoteni, 12°39’31.36’’S, 73°08’57.71’’W, 1449 m, 17.x.2009, C. Carranza & C. Rossi (LT); 3 males, idem except, 18.x.2009; 1 male, Campamento Segakiato, 12°43’S, 73°18’W, 1850 m, 02.xi.2002, J. Grados; 1 male, idem except, 08.xi.2002; 1 male, idem except, 02.xi.2002, (Genitalia # JGA 771 MUSM); 2 males and 1 female, Campamento Comerciato, 12°47’S, 73°22’W, 1350 m, 20.xi.2002, J. Grados; 1 female, San Pedro, 13°03’S, 71°33’W, 1400 m, 05.xi.2001, J. Grados. Madre de Dios, 1 female, Río Alto Madre de Dios , ca. Atalaya, 12°53’S, 71°22’W, 587 m, 22.iv.2006, P. Centeno, (Genitalia # JGA 772 MUSM) ( MV, LT, 9:00 pm-10:00 pm); 1 male, idem except, 2.v.2006, ( MV, LT, 7:00 pm-8:00 pm); 1male, idem except, ( MV, LT, 8:00 pm-9:00 pm); 1 female, idem except, 20.vi.2006, ( MV, LT, 8:00 pm-9:00 pm); 1 male, idem except, (Genitalia # JGA 884 MUSM) ( MV, LT, 11:00 pm-0:00 am); 1 male, idem except, 20.viii.2006, ( MV, Light Trap 7:00-8:00 pm); 1 female, idem except, 21.viii.2006, ( MV, LT, 2:00 pm-3:00 am); 1 male, idem except, ( MV LT -6:00 pm-7:00 pm); 1 male, idem except, 22.viii.2006, ( MV, LT, 8:00 pm-9:00 pm); 1 male, idem except, ( MV, LT, 9:00 pm-10:00 pm); 1 female, idem except, ( MV, LT, 00:00 pm-1:00 am); 1 female, idem except, ( MV, LT, 9:00 pm-10:00 pm); 1 female, idem except, 24.viii.2006, ( MV, LT, 10:00 pm-11:00 pm); 1 male, idem except, 27.viii.2006, ( MV, LT, 7:00 pm-8:00 pm); 1 female, idem except, 20.x.2006, ( MV, LT, 7:00 pm-8:00 pm); 1 male, idem except, ( MV, LT, 10:00 pm-11:00 pm); 1 female, idem except, 14.ii.2007, (Genitalia # JGA 993 MUSM)( MV, LT, 9:00 pm-10:00 pm); 1 female, idem except, 15.ii.2007, ( MV, LT, 9:00 pm-10:00 pm); 1 male, idem except, 18.ii.2007, ( MV,LT, 8:00 pm-9:00 pm); 1 male, idem except, ( MV, LT, 2:00 pm-3:00 am); 1 female, idem except, ( MV, LT, 10:00 pm-11:00 pm); 1 male, idem except, (Genitalia # JGA 883 MUSM) ( MV, LT, 11:00 pm-0:00 am); 1 male, idem except, 20.ii.2007, ( MV, LT, 10:00 pm-11:00 pm); 1 male, idem except, ( MV, LT, 11:00 pm-00:00 am); 1 female, idem except, ( MV, LT, 9:00 pm-10:00 pm); 1 female, idem except, ( MV, LT, 00:00 pm-1:00 am); 1 female, idem except, ( MV, LT, 8:00 pm-9:00 pm); 1 female, idem except, ( MV, LT, 11:00 pm-00:00 am); 1 female, idem except, ( MV, LT, 7:00 pm-8:00 pm); 1 male, idem except, 21.ii.2007, ( MV, LT, 10:00 pm-11:00 pm); 1 male, idem except, ( MV, LT, 7:00 pm-8:00 pm); 1 male, idem except, ( MV, LT, 8:00 pm-9:00 pm); 1 male, idem except, ( MV, LT, 9:00 pm-10:00 pm). Puno, 1 male and 3 females, Lanlacuni, Lanlacuni, 13°28’18.7’’S, 70°25’07.4’’W, 676 m, 27-28.xii.2009, E. Huamaní; 1 male, idem except, (Genitalia # JGA 769 MUSM); 1 male, San Gabán, Lanlacuni, 13°29’23.4’’S, 70°25’20.1’’W, 730 m, 26.x.2010, E. Huamaní; 1 female, Chacaneque, 13°40’00.6”S, 70°28’40.9’’W, 1655 m, 22-23.xii.2009, E. Huamaní.

Figures

FIGURES 60. Geographical distribution of Parascepsis ignobilis Grados & Mantilla new species, and P. ingenium Grados & Mantilla new species.

FIGURES 33–36. Parascepsis ingenium Grados & Mantilla new species. 33–34. Holotype male. 33. Dorsal view. 34. Ventral view. 35–36. Paratype female (ca. Atalaya, Madre de Dios river). 35. Dorsal view. 36. Ventral view. Scale= 5 mm.

FIGURES 37–40. Male genitalia of Parascepsis ingenium Grados & Mantilla new species. (Genitalia # JGA 769 MUSM). 37. Dorsal view. 38. Ventral view. 39. Lateral view. 40. Aedeagus. Scale= 1 mm.

FIGURES 41–42. Female genitalia of P. ingenium Grados & Mantilla new species. (Genitalia # JGA 772 MUSM). 41. Lateral view. 42. Dorsal view. Scale= 1 mm.

FIGURES 43–44. Wings of Parascepsis ingenium Grados & Mantilla new species. 43. Forewing. 44 Hindwing.

FIGURES 45–48. Details of the wings of Parascepsis ingenium Grados & Mantilla new species. 45. White “androconial” patch in the anal cell on the ventral side of the forewing. 46. Elongated area with light brown spicules on the costal cell at the dorsal side of the hindwing. 47. Area with spicules of the costal cell; scales removed. 48. Spicules at 80x.

FIGURES 49–50. Two first tergites modified into androconial organs. 49. Parascepsis ingenium Grados & Mantilla new species. 50. Parascepsis ignobilis Grados & Mantilla new species.