Leucapamea srnkai sp. n., a new Apameini species from China (Lepidoptera, Noctuidae) Author Gyulai, Peter Author Saldaitis, Aidas text Zootaxa 2020 2020-06-04 4786 4 597 600 journal article 10.11646/zootaxa.4786.4.12 1175-5326 3876537 93DB3CFB-EC4F-43E8-9382-B7784E2F465F Leucapamea srnkai sp. n. ( Figs 1–3 , 6–8 ) Holotype . Male ( Fig.1 ), China , W. Sichuan , road Yaan / Kangding , Erlang Shan Mt. , H- 2000 m , N 29°87.340”, E102°30.970 ”, 08.VII.2019 , Butvila & Saldaitis leg, slide no. GYP 5219m (coll. PGM, later to be deposited in the HNHM ). Paratypes . 8 males ( Figs 2, 3 ), with the same data as the holotype ( 4 males , coll. AFM; 3 males coll. ASV, 1 male coll. L. Srnka ), slide nos GYP 5106m , GYP 5207m . Diagnosis. Leucapamea srnkai sp. n. ( Figs 1, 2, 3 ) is most similar to Leucapamea variana Zilli, Varga, Ronkay & Ronkay, 2009 ( Zilli et al. 2009 , Figs 4, 5 ), from which it can be distinguished as follows: L. srnkai is slightly larger than L. variana and the collar is much lighter, with slight grey- black suffusion; the brown, reddish brown elements in the forewings are less extended, while the whitish-light ashy grey ground colour is more enlarged in the new species. Additionally, the postmedial line is less sinuous, and the outer edge of the reniform stigma whitish and not brown, as in L. variana . Finally the conspicuous tornal streak is slightly longer. In the male genitalia, L. srnkai ( Figs 6–8 ) can be easily separated from L. variana ( Figs 9, 10 ) by the significantly shorter distal saccular process. Additionally, the proximal section of the sacculus is less rounded, the cucullus conspicuously more extended, particularly dorsad and the tiny extremity regressed ventrad, the ventral fasciculate cornuti more numerous; the juxta is heart-shaped and not shield-like as in the L. variana . In the vesica, the subbasal eversible sclerotized streak is longer, and the subbasal diverticulum much smaller. Leucapamea inouei Zilli, Varga, Ronkay & Ronkay, 2009 , known only from the holotype (from Sichuan ) and Leucapamea askoldis ( Oberthür,1880 ) , which is a widely distributed, sino-pacific species but unknown from Sichuan (both are figured in Zilli et al . (2009) , are also similar externally to L. srnkai . However, L. inoue is significantly larger ( 36 mm versus 32–33 mm of L. srnkai ), and L. askoldis smaller ( 27–31 mm ), with only slight differences in forewing pattern, but more importantly, the male genitalia are distinct (see Zilli et al. 2009 ). Description ( Figs 1–3 ). Wingspan 32–33 mm . Head— Eyes semiglobular, black; antennae light brown, filiform. Palpi thin, covered with short pale ochre scales. Vestiture whitish; on upper side, some of the hairs brown-tipped, on vertex and collar with scattered black hairs, whereas on the underside a bunch of bushy black hairs visible below the eyes. Wings —Forewing apex rounded. Ground colour of the forewing whitish and light ash grey, with brown coloration below the cell and variably strong brownish, red-brown suffusion in the costal, basal, median and terminal areas. Subbasal- and basal lines are jagged near the costa, otherwise more diffuse. Orbicular, reniform, and claviform stigmata typical Leucapamea , slightly obscure; orbicular stigmata dot-like, orange coloured, the reniform stigmata white, its outer edge also, the short claviform stigmata greyish; antemedial and postmedial lines double, wavy, whitish;, the tornal streak conspicuous, black, fringe brown. Hindwing light brownish with conspicuously defined discal spot and obscure, arched fine medial line. Thorax— Legs greyish (lighter in the inner side) with short pale ochre sections in the outer side of the tarsi. Abdo-men— Abdominal brush organs present in the males, relatively short, whitish-pale ochre. Male genitalia —( Figs 6–8 ) characterized by rather long, evenly thin uncus with a bunch of long hairs terminally; broad tegumen; large, angularly extended penicular lobes, covered with thick, long hairs; heart-shaped juxta with slight dorsal-medial incision; curved, almost evenly broad valvae with large discoidal cucullus on a broad neck, with a large bundle of long, strong bristles dorsally and strong corona; prominent, long, strong distal saccular process (originating from the clavus), reaching the outer edge of the valva, the proximal section forming a rounded, setose lobe; digitus hook-like with pointed tip; phallus rather long, tube-like, slightly ventrally curved distally; vesica recurved ventrally, with a subbasal eversible sclerotized streak and two subbasal-medial diverticuli, of which the subbasal one is larger, armed with a strong cornutus on a sclerotized base; medial diverticulum longer but thinner, conical; outer surface of vesica weakly granulated medially; tube membranous, elongate distally, bearing a bunch of spines subterminally. FIGURES 1–5. Leucapamea spp. male adults. 1. L. srnkai sp. n. , holotype, China, Sichuan, GYP5219m (PGM/HNHM); 2. L. srnkai sp. n. , paratype, China, Sichuan, GYP5207m (ASV); 3. L. srnkai sp. n. , paratype, China, Sichuan, GYP5106m (ASV); 4. L. variana , paratype, China, Sichuan, RL 9935m (PGM/ HNHM); 5. L. variana , China, Sichuan (PGM/ HNHM). FIGURES 6–8. Leucapamea srnkai sp. n. male genitalia. 6. L. srnkai sp. n. , holotype, China, Sichuan, GYP5219m (PGM/HNHM); 7. L. srnkai sp. n. , paratype, China, Sichuan, GYP5207m (ASV); 8. L. srnkai sp. n. , paratype, China, Sichuan, GYP5106m (ASV). Female: Unknown. Bionomics and distribution. The new species is known from the Erlang Shan at the eastern edge of the Tibetan plateau in China’s Sichuan province . Leucapamea srnkai was collected in virgin mixed forest habitat dominated by vari- ous broad-leaved trees such as oaks ( Quercus dentata , Q. glauca ), poplars ( Populus cathayana , P. simonii ), elm ( Ulmus parvifolia ), rhododendrons ( Rhododendron brachycarpum , R. dauricum ), and bamboos ( Phyllostachys ssp., Borinda ssp., Fargesia spp.). Nine males were collected in early July at elevation ranging 2000 meters. All specimens were attracted by UV light. The new species coexists in the collecting biotope with L. variana , however the single L. variana was collected one month later and seems to be widely distributed, since it is known also from Shaanxi province . Etymology . The new species is named after prominent Lepidoptera collector Ľubomír Srnka (Lehota pod Vtáčnikom, Slovakia ).