Pyrochlora rhanis Cramer, 1777

Viidalepp, Jaan, 2009, Revision of the genus Pyrochlora Warren, 1895 (Lepidoptera: Geometridae: Geometrinae), Zootaxa 1989, pp. 55-65 : 57

Pyrochlora rhanis Cramer, 1777

Figs. 2, 3 , 12, 13, 14, 19 , 22–24

Phalaena rhanis Cramer, 1777: 34 , pl. 119, Figs. B, C. Type locality: "West Indies", according to Scoble (1999), or " Surinam " ( Prout 1932).

Measurements: Wing span 20.0–26.0 mm in males (n=10), 30–31 mm in females (n=2). Antennae pectinate in both sexes, length of pectinations reaching 0.4–0.45 mm in males (n=15), 0.4 mm in females (n=2).

Description: P. rhanis with a well discernible costal yellow zigzag mark between the postmedial line and apex on hindwing upper side. The shape of the sternite A8 is visible without dissection when the distal end of abdomen is descaled. Series of P. rhanis in collections are outstanding in their relatively dark pattern of wings (see e.g. Piñas 2005, Fig. 263). Male genitalia: as in the genus description; valva without a basal costal projection. Female genitalia: antrum sclerotized, bulbous ( Fig. 40 ; Pitkin 1996, Fig. 214).

Material studied: 15ɗ, FRENCH GUIANA, Kaw Mts., Amazone Nature Lodge, 4°33’30”N, 52°12’25”W, 13– 20.10.2006 (J. & V. Viidalepp) (gen. 7751) ( IZBE); 1ɗ, “ Guyane Francaise 1986 / Exped. H. De Toulgoët /B. et J. Lalane Cassou /Ch. Gibeaux, /Cayenne Route Regina PK 32.5 / piste de Nancibo / PK 6 / 8-II-86 ” ( ZSM e. c. Herbulot); 1ɗ, Camp Caiman, 26.10.0 2 ( CAS); 1ɗ1Ψ, ECUADOR, Napo, Puerto Misahualli, 5– 9.11.2002 ( CAS); 1ɗ, Morona Santiago, Santiago, 300m, 03°02’29”S, 77°59’50”W, 26.04.2007; 1ɗ, Morona Santiago, Santiago, 370m, 03°01’16”S, 77°56’52”W ( CAL); 3ɗ, “SO. BRASILIEN / Espirito Santo / St. Leopoldina / Umg. Dorf Tirol 650 m / 25.12.1996 – 10.01.97 / leg. Thöny” (gen. 7980) ( ZSM); 1ɗ, „ VENEZUELA / Bolivar / Rte El Dorado à Sta Helena / au km 125 (1350m) / 20.V.1971 / C. Lemaire (gen. 7984)” ( ZSM e. c. Herbulot).

Biology: confined to primary tropical rain forests on lowland and low mountains.

Distribution: Genitalia checked: French Guiana, SE Venezuela, Ecuador, SE Brazil (IZBE, ZSM, CAS, CAL). Literature data on P. rhanis from Belize and Guatemala need to be verified.

Remarks. The species was identified according to Cramer’s good original illustrations ( Prout 1932; Herbulot 1988; Pitkin 1996). Pitkin has added descriptions of genitalic structures of both sexes, including autopomorphic characters as the sternite A8 deeply and roundly emarginated ( Fig. 23 ), the aedeagus sackshaped with a short apical spine ( Fig. 24 ).

Figures

FIGURES 2 – 11. Adult Pyrochlora, uppersides of wings. 2. P. rh a n i s, male (Fr. Guiana); 3. P. rhanis, male (SE Brazil); 4. P. m a j o rc u l a, male (Fr. Guiana); 5. P. m a j o rc u l a, female (N. Brazil); 6. P. motilonia sp. nov., male (Costa Rica); 7. P. kuklase sp. nov., male (Ecuador); 8. P. vogli sp. nov., male (Venezuela); 9. P. vogli sp. nov., female (Venezuela); 10. P. kuklase sp. nov., male (Ecuador); 11. P. m a j o rc u l a, male (N. Brazil).

FIGURES 12 – 21. Adult Pyrochlora, undersides of wings. 12. P. rhanis, male (Ecuador); 13. P. rhanis, male (SE Venezuela); 14. P. rhanis, male (Fr. Guiana); 15. P. m a j o rc u l a, male (Fr. Guiana); 16. P. motilonia sp. nov., male (Costa Rica); 17. P. motilonia sp. nov., male (Ecuador); 18. P. kuklase sp. nov., male (Ecuador); 19. P. rh an is, male (Fr. Guiana); 20. P. v o g l i sp. nov., female (N. Venezuela); 21. P. kuklase sp. nov., male (Ecuador).

FIGURES 22 – 30. Male genitalia, Pyrochlora spp. 22. P. rhanis, male armature; 23. P. rhanis, sternite A 8; 24. P. rhanis, aedeagus; 25. P. m a j o rc u l a, Form A, male armature; 26. P. m a jo rcu l a, Form A, sternite A 8; 27. P. m a j o rc u l a, Form A, aedeagus; 28. P. ma j o rcu l a, Form B, male armature; 29. P. ma jo rc u la, Form B, sternite A 8; 30. P. m a j o rc u l a, Form B, aedeagus. Scale = 1.0 mm.

FIGURES 40 – 42. 40. Pyrochlora rhanis, female genitalia; 41. P. v o g l i sp. nov., female genitalia; 42. Collecting site of P. motilonia in wet tropics of Bartola, Nicaragua. Scale = 1.0 mm.