Contribution to the knowledge of the genus Nephelomilta Hampson, 1900 (Lepidoptera, Erebidae, Arctiinae) from China with descriptions of two new species Author Huang, Si-Yao 0000-0002-9859-9212 Institute of Eastern-Himalaya Biodiversity Research, Dali University, Dali 671003, Yunnan, China & Collaborative Innovation Center for Biodiversity and Conservation in the Three Parallel Rivers Region of China, Dali, Yunnan 671003, China & huangsiyao 2007 @ aliyun. com; https: // orcid. org / 0000 - 0002 - 9859 - 9212 huangsiyao2007@aliyun.com Author Volynkin, Anton V. 0000-0001-9447-4925 Altai State University, Lenina Avenue, 61, RF- 656049, Barnaul, Russia & monstruncusarctia @ gmail. com; https: // orcid. org / 0000 - 0001 - 9447 - 4925 monstruncusarctia@gmail.com Author Xiong, Yun 0000-0002-4385-4124 Gong-shan Administration Bureau, Gao-li-gong Mountain National Nature Reserve, Nujiang, Yunnan 673500, China & 5356110682 @ qq. com; https: // orcid. org / 0000 - 0002 - 4385 - 4124 5356110682@qq.com Author Li, Ying-Chun 0000-0001-5247-0758 Gong-shan Administration Bureau, Gao-li-gong Mountain National Nature Reserve, Nujiang, Yunnan 673500, China & 765837514 @ qq. com; https: // orcid. org / 0000 - 0001 - 5247 - 0758 765837514@qq.com Author Saldaitis, Aidas 0000-0003-0999-3996 Nature Research Centre, Akademijos str., 2, LT- 08412, Vilnius- 21, Lithuania & saldrasa @ gmail. com; https: // orcid. org / 0000 - 0003 - 0999 - 3996 saldrasa@gmail.com Author Li, Xian-Fu 0000-0002-1258-1573 Institute of Eastern-Himalaya Biodiversity Research, Dali University, Dali 671003, Yunnan, China & Collaborative Innovation Center for Biodiversity and Conservation in the Three Parallel Rivers Region of China, Dali, Yunnan 671003, China & The Provincial Innovation Team of Biodiversity Conservation and Utility of the Three Parallel Rivers Region from Dali University, Dali, Yunnan, China & lixf @ eastern-himalaya. cn; https: // orcid. org / 0000 - 0002 - 1258 - 1573 lixf@eastern-himalaya.cn text Zootaxa 2023 2023-09-29 5351 5 534 542 http://dx.doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5351.5.2 journal article 10.11646/zootaxa.5351.5.2 1175-5326 8392129 9C6F1A9A-A773-49CA-AE66-CF5B23ED3F07 Nephelomilta nu Huang, Volynkin & Saldaitis, sp. n. ( Figs 2–3 , 16 ) http://zoobank.org/ urn:lsid:zoobank.org:act: 689C636B-F8AC-49F0-A947-CA28FDDF6F95 Type material. Holotype ( Figs 2 , 16 ): male, 27. VII. 2021 , Qiunatong Village , Bingzhongluo Town , Gongshan County , Nujiang Lisu Autonomous Region , Yunnan Province , China , Si-yao Huang leg., slide NGS01 (Coll. SCAU ) . Paratype : male, same data as in holotype (Coll. CHSY ) . Diagnosis. The forewing length is 12.5–13.5 mm (12.5 mm in the holotype ). According to the male genitalia structure, N. nu sp. n. is hereby assigned with the pusilla species group (erected and characterised by Volynkin & Černý 2018 ) due to the presence of the apical costal lobe, the ventral-apical costal process, the distal membranous lobe, and the subapical saccular process. Nephelomilta nu is most reminiscent of N. hortensis fansipana Volynkin & Černý, 2018 ( Figs. 5 , 18 ), but can easily be distinguished from it by the larger size, the narrower and more elongated forewing with a pattern lacking reddish tint (whereas it is orange-reddish in N. hortensis fansipana ), and the markedly larger and more rectangular proximal cellular spot. In the male genitalia capsule, N. nu differs from N. hortensis fansipana in the distally broader and less prominent apical costal lobe, the slightly narrower and longer ventral-apical costal process, and the somewhat shorter subapical saccular process. The phalli of the two species display no remarkable differences. Compared to N. hortensis fansipana , the vesica of N. nu has a shorter basal section, a slightly shorter and broader medial diverticulum bearing a larger apical cluster of cornuti, and a distal diverticulum covered with larger cornuti. Nephelomilta nu is also similar to the recently described N. vinhphuciensis Bayarsaikhan & Bae, 2023 ( Figs. 6 , 19 ), but can easily be distinguished from it by the slightly larger size, the narrower transverse lines on the forewing, the larger proximal cellular spot and the more distantly placed antemedial and medial lines. In the male genitalia capsule, N. nu differs from N. vinhphuciensis in the distally narrower uncus, the narrower ventral-apical costal process, the broader and blunter ampulla, and the shorter subapical saccular process. The phalli of the two species are largely similar except in N. nu the sclerotized plate of carina lacks spines. Compared to N. vinhphuciensis , the vesica of N. nu has a shorter and basally broader medial diverticulum and a distal diverticulum covered with stouter cornuti. Distribution. The new species is currently known only from its type locality in Nujiang Valley, Gongshan County in western Yunnan Province in southwestern China . Etymology. The new species is named after the Nu people inhabiting Nujiang Valley. The name is a noun in the nominative singular in apposition.