Homoplectra shikoku, Nozaki, 2025

Homoplectra shikoku sp. nov.

( Figs 7 View FIGURE 7 , 13 View FIGURE 13 )

“ Diplectrona ” japonica View in CoL Complex: Yamamoto & Ito 2014, p. 13.

Diplectroninae Gen. japonica View in CoL Species Complex: Nozaki 2016, pp 75, 348, female (photo); Yamamoto et al. 2021, p. 73.

Diagnosis. The male of this species is somewhat similar to those of H. japonica and H. flagelliformis sp. nov. in having a short antennal scape and in the shape of the phallic apparatus; but is easily distinguishable from those two species by bearing long inner processes of the genital chamber and posterior processes of segment X ( Fig. 7C View FIGURE 7 ).

The female of this species is similar to that of H. flagelliformis sp. nov. in having a trapezoidal basoventral lobe on the vulvar scale, but they can be distinguished from each other by the character states given in the diagnosis for that species.

Description

Adult ( Fig. 7A View FIGURE 7 ). General coloration of body and wings, and length of antennal scapes similar to those of H. japonica . Yellow markings on female wings rarely lacking. Forewings each 9.0–11.0 mm in male (n = 10), 9.8–13.0 mm in female (n = 10), 9.5 mm in male holotype.

Male genitalia ( Figs 7C–7H View FIGURE 7 ). Ventrolateral sides of synsclerotized segment IX subtriangular in lateral aspect ( Fig. 7C View FIGURE 7 ); posteroventral lobe trapezoidal in ventral aspect ( Fig. 7E View FIGURE 7 ), usually with central shallow notch apically; dorsal part of segment IX triangular with round apex in dorsal aspect ( Fig. 7D View FIGURE 7 ), broadly fused with segment X laterally ( Fig. 7C View FIGURE 7 ). Segment X bilobed in dorsal aspect ( Fig. 7D View FIGURE 7 ), pair of posterolateral setose areas thumb-like in lateral aspect ( Fig. 7C View FIGURE 7 ); each with ventrolateral margin sclerotized; segment X with pair of posterior processes (p.p.X) having variable length, even in same locality ( Figs 7H1–7H3 View FIGURE 7 View FIGURES 1–2 View FIGURE 3 View FIGURE 4 View FIGURE 5 View FIGURE 6 ), with few apical spine-like setae. Genital chamber with pair of weakly sclerotized lateral strips (l.s.); with pair of long spine-like inner processes (i.p.) evenly curved ventrad ( Fig. 7C View FIGURE 7 ). Inferior appendages each without distal segment, long finger-like in lateral aspect ( Fig. 7C View FIGURE 7 ), extending beyond apex of segment X, weakly bent upward in apical 1/3; subapicomesal apex weakly bulging mesally and with more than 10 spine-like setae ( Figs 7C View FIGURE 7 inset, 7D, 7E). Phallic apparatus arcuate in lateral aspect ( Fig. 7F View FIGURE 7 ), dorsal process of phallotheca acicular in lateral and dorsal aspects ( Figs 7F, 7G View FIGURE 7 ), gently curved ventrad ( Fig. 7F View FIGURE 7 ); pair of ventral processes of phallotheca approximately 2/3 as long as dorsal process ( Fig. 7F View FIGURE 7 ), but occasionally only slightly shorter than dorsal process. Aedeagal stem thick, half-pipe-like ( Fig. 7G View FIGURE 7 ), moderately curved ventrad, with long head, approximately 1/4 as long as basal stem ( Fig. 7F View FIGURE 7 ).

Female genitalia ( Figs 7I–7K View FIGURE 7 ). Lateral lobes of sternum VIII cleft from base, mesal margins convex, posteromesal margin evenly curved laterad in ventral aspect ( Fig. 7K View FIGURE 7 ). Segment IX subrectangular with round posterolateral corners in dorsal aspect ( Fig. 7J View FIGURE 7 ), obliquely S-shaped in lateral aspect ( Fig. 7I View FIGURE 7 ); pair of mesal lobes sclerotized, semicircular in lateral aspect ( Fig. 7I View FIGURE 7 ); pair of sclerotized ribs forming wide trapezoidal lobes on vulvar scale basoventrally ( Fig. 7K View FIGURE 7 ). Vulvar scale tongue-like in ventral aspect, membranous apically ( Fig. 7K View FIGURE 7 ). Vaginal apparatus long triangular in dorsal aspect ( Fig. 7J View FIGURE 7 ); with pair of sclerotized round bulges posterolaterally, and with dark M-shaped mark between pair of longitudinal ridges anteriorly, partially surrounding opening of duct of spermatheca.

Immature stages. Unknown.

Holotype. Male (in alcohol): Izugataniyama, Nishidani , Kumakogen-cho , Ehime, 33.5628°N, 132.9358°E, alt. 1370 m, 20.v.2020, E. Yamamoto ( KPM-NK TN00610 ) GoogleMaps .

Paratypes. 15 males, 8 females, same data as holotype ( KPM-NK TN00620 , KPM-NK TN00630 ) GoogleMaps , 2 males (pinned), Nishidani, Kumakogen-cho , Ehime, alt. 1310 m, 25.v.2011, T. Hattori ( SPMN-IS- 59802, SPMN-IS- 59803).

Other specimens examined. JAPAN: SHIKOKU: Tokushima: 6 males, 5 females, Konose-kyo, Kitokitagawa, Naka-cho , 6.v.2009, T. Torii ( SPMN); 1 male, Higashiiya-sugeoi, Miyoshi-shi , alt. 1330–1380 m, 8.vi.2011, T. Nozaki ( KPM). Ehime: 7 males, 4 females, type locality, 11.v–10.vi.2013, E. Yamamoto; 10 males, type locality, 21–31.v.2018, E. Yamamoto; 1 male, Yurano-mori, Kumakogen-cho , 10.v.2007, E. Yamamoto; 4 males, same, 21.v.2007, E. Yamamoto; 1 male, Tsuchigoya, Wakayama, Kumakogen-cho , 20.vii.1996, T. Befu ( KPM); 2 males, Wakayama, Kumakogen-cho , 21.v.1999, A. Ohkawa & T. Ito ; 1 males, Banjo-dani, Wakayama, Kumakogen-cho , 9.vi.2011, K. Nio ( KPM); 2 males, 2 females, Mt. Kasatori, Uchiko-cho , alt. 1500 m, 6–10.vi.2013, E. Yamamoto; 1 male, same, 16–20.vi.2020, E. Yamamoto; 4 males, Oda-cho, Uchiko-cho , 8.v.1992, E. Yamamoto ( KPM); 4 males, Odamiyama, Uchiko-cho , 4.v.1986, E.Yamamaoto ( KPM); 2 males, same locality, 28.iv.1990, E. Yamamoto ( KPM); 2 males, same locality, 20.v.1991, E. Yamamoto ( KPM); 1 male, same locality, 13.v.2002, E. Yamamoto ( KPM); 32 males, 6 females, Namakusa-dani, Odamiyama, Uchiko-cho , 23.v.2020, E. Yamamoto; 12 males, 7 females, Hondani, Odamiyama, Uchiko-cho , 17.v.2020, E. Yamamoto; 13 males, 3 females, Koya-yama, Odamiyama, Uchiko-cho , 21.v.2020, E. Yamamoto; 5 males, 3 females, Honomata, Odamiyama, Uchiko-cho , alt. 925 m, 1–20.v.2018, E. Yamamoto. Kochi: 1 male, Nishikuma-rindo, Monobe-cho, Kami-shi , 20.vi.1999, T. Befu ( KPM); 3 males, 1 female, same, 12.v.2001, M. Takai; 1 female, same, 5.v.2004, M. Takai; 1 male, Shiraga-toge, Monobe-cho, Kami-shi , 3.vii.2004, T. Takai ; 1 male, Befu-kyo, Monobe-cho, Kami-shi , 5.v.2002, M. Takai; 1 female, Tengu-ike, Tsuno-cho , 11.v.2002, M. Takai; 1 male, 1 female, Funato, Tsuno-cho , alt. 910 m, 24.v.2011, T. Hattori ( SPMN); 6 males, 2 females, Nano-gawa, Terakawa, Ino-cho , 25.v.1999, A. Ohkawa & T. Ito ; 1 male, Mt. Iyofuji, Nakanoka, Ino-cho , alt. 1540 m, 9.vi.2011, T. Nozaki & K. Nio; 1 male, Kuroson, Nishitosa, Shimanto-shi , 30.iv.2005, M. Takai.

Etymology. The specific epithet refers to a major island in Japan, named Shikoku, where this species is widely distributed.

Distribution. Shikoku.

Biology. Many adults of this species, including a mating pair, were found resting on leaves of vegetation along spring seeps or small flows at the type locality in the daytime on 20 May 2020 ( Figs 7A, 7B View FIGURE 7 ), and were easily collected with an insect net (Yamamoto personal communication on 13 July 2024).

Japanese name. Shikoku-kimadara-shima-tobikera