The Paranthrenini of Mainland China (Lepidoptera, Sesiidae)
Author
Kallies, Axel
Author
Arita, Yutaka
Author
Owada, Mamoru
Author
Wu, Guo-Yi
Author
Wang, Min
text
Zootaxa
2014
3811
2
185
206
journal article
45621
10.11646/zootaxa.3811.2.2
b9d8b4a3-5c31-44fb-9f7a-ee81bfaa214c
1175-5326
229506
3EB522C3-C8F1-41A2-A576-E1FB296E3B25
Nokona chrysoidea
(Zukowsky, 1932)
(
Figs 7–12
,
32
,
33
)
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 chrysoidea
was described from
Taiwan
and 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. pernix
from
Japan
or
N. inexpectata
Arita & 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. pernix
species complex and is here considered belonging to
N. chrysoidea
. Typical
N. pernix
occur 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. chrysoidea
to these specimens. The taxa
Nokona inexpectata
and
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
type
material 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. 33
a) 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 mm
in males, and
27–31 mm
in 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
China
and northern
Vietnam
(unpublished).