Cyphochilus candidus (Olivier, 1789)

Cyphochilus candidus (Olivier, 1789) View in CoL

( Figs 3–7 View FIGURES 3–7 )

Type locality: The term “Indes Orientales” (or “East Indies”) historically referred during the colonial era to the regions of South Asia (the Indian subcontinent) and Southeast Asia, making it difficult to pinpoint an exact location.

Type material examined. Lectotype ♂, MNHN, designated by Sabatinelli (2020a): Co-Type (H, red label) // India or / Cyphochilus / candidus Oli / India or. (H) // Muséum Paris / 1952 / coll. R. Oberthur (P).

Additional material examined: India ( Assam): 1 ♂ BMNH, leg. W.F. Badgley 1906— 1 ♂ PCMN, Kaziranga, Pan Bari, Wild life Res. Forest ; leg. S.Murzin — 1 ♂ HNHM, ex coll. Felsche 1918— 2 ♂♂ MTD, Kohima, V.M. Duchon — 1 ♂ NMW, same data as previous— 1 ♂ ZMAN, Assam — 1 ♂ MTD, W.H. Muche, Redeberg, Ankauf — 1 ♂ ISNB, ex coll. Ogier de Baulny — 2 ♂♂ MHNG, 3 ♂♂ PCMN, Nambor Res. For. Garampani, 100 m, 25– 29.XI.1997, leg. V. Siniaev & V. & S. & M. Murzin. India ( West Bengal): 2 ♀♀ NHMB, Jalpaiguri Dist., Bagra Kote , 250 m, 16–22.XII.1985, leg. B. Bhakta — 6 ♂♂ MHNG, Darjeeling, ex coll. Petrovitz — 1 ♂ ISNB, leg. R.P. Verschraeghen , 1908— 1 ♂ NHMB, Kalimpong, Pedong , 1978, leg B. Bhakta. — 1 ♂ NHMB, 700 m, 6.VIII.1981 — 1 ♂ NHMB, Tista, 230 m, 10.VII.1981, leg. B. Bhakta — 1 ♂ MHNG, Gorubathan , 185 m, 2.VIII.1985, leg. B. Bhakta — 1 ♂ NMPC, 1 ♂ NHMB same data as previous— 5 ♀♀ NHMB, Kalimpong, Pankha Banglo , 9.VIII.1978 — 1 ♂ 2 ♀♀ NHMB, Kalimpong, 5–24.VII.1961, leg. B. Bhakta — 1 ♂, 3 ♀♀ NHMB, Kalimpong, 9th mile, 1500 m; 14.VII.1984, leg. Ch.J. Rai— 1 ♀ MHNG, Pedong , 700 m, 6–14.VIIII.1981, leg. B. Bhakta — 1 ♂ 1 ♀ NHMB, Pankha Sari , 8.VIII.1978, leg. B. Bhakta — 1 ♂ 4 ♀ NHMB, Nowri Khola, 2200 m, 12.VIII.1978, leg. B. Bhakta— 1 ♂, 1 ♀ NHMB, Gurubathan, 350 m, 15–19.V.1986; leg. B. Bhakta— 5 ♂♂, 3 ♀♀ NHMB, Dek , 22.VII.1985, leg. B.Bhakta. India ( Meghalaya): 2 ♂♂ MTD, Khasi Hills, ex coll. Felshe — 1 ♂ MHNG, Shillong — 2 ♂♂ NBAIR, Barapani, ICAR-NEH , 25°42′N, 91°58′E, 22–24.ix.2015, K. Sreedevi — 1 ♂, NBAIR, Ri Bhoi , 25°67′N, 91°92′E, 20.iv.2019, leg. M. Mohan GoogleMaps — 1 ♂ NBAIR, Barapani, 25°42′N, 91°58′E, 21.vi.2019, leg. Niranjan & Rahul GoogleMaps — 1 ♂ NBAIR, Umiam, ICAR-NEH, 25°49′N, 91°52′E, 04.vi.2013, leg. Umesh Kumar GoogleMaps — 1 ♂ NBAIR, Umiam, ICAR-NEH, 25°49′N, 91°52′E, 04.vi.2013, leg. Devaraj, R. GoogleMaps — 27 ♂♂, 9 ♀♀ NBAIR, NEHU, Shillong , 25˚36’ N 91˚53’ E 17–25.vi.2025, leg. K. Sreedevi. India ( Bengal): 1 ♂ ISNB, Bengal — 1 ♂ MNHN, same data as previous . India ( Sikkim): 1 ♂ 3 ♀♀ NHMB, Rangpo, 680m, 3.VIII.1981, leg. B. Bhakta ‒ 1 ♀ NHMB, Mirik Top , 1260m; 14.IX.1980; leg. B. Bhakta. — 2 ♀♀ NHMB, Tengling-Yoksam, 1200–1700m, leg. B. Bhakta— 1 ♀ NHMB, Sakyong , 1140m; 15.IX.1981, leg. B. Bhakta — 1 ♂ NHMB, Jadung , 800m, 7.VII.1895, leg. Ch.J. Rai. — 2 ♂♂ NHMB, Rangali , 1500 m, 9.VII.1985, leg. Ch.J. Rai — 1 ♂ ISNB, R. Ley coll. & det.— 2 ♂♂ MTD, sub sylhetinus Brsk [unpublished, unavailable name] . India ( Himalaya): 3 ♂♂, 2 ♀♀ NMPC, ex coll. Kallert — 1 ♂ MNHN, ex coll. Nonfried. Hindustan (generically) : 1 ♂ ISNB, E. Deyrolle 1869, ex coll. de Borre. India (generically): 3 ♂♂ MHNG, ex coll. J. Thomson — 2 ♂♂ ISNB, ex coll. P. de Moffarts — 1 ♂, 3 ♀♀ ISNB, ex coll. Madon — 1 ♂ ISNB, ex coll. J. Muller — 1 ♀ MHNG, Bengale, Chassot , VIII.1903 . Nepal: 1 ♂ 2 ♂ MTD, Syangia distr. , 2–10 km East Sangya, 1200–1600m, 22–26.VII.1995, leg. G. Csorba — 1 ♂ HNHM, same data as previous— 2 ♂♂ 1 ♀ NHMB, Kathmandu valley, Godavari , 1500m; 19.V.1989; leg. M. Brancucci — 1 ♂ 6 ♀♀ NHMB, Bagmati, Umg Kathmandu , 28–30.VI.1989, leg. M. Brancucci. Myanmar: 1 ♂ NMPC, ex coll. Nonfried.

Diagnosis: Parameres asymmetrical, C-shaped, curved dorsally ( Fig. 3A–C View FIGURES 3–7 ); right paramere without any process; left paramere with a flat spur, broad basally and pointed apically ( Fig. 3B View FIGURES 3–7 ).

Distribution: India: Assam, Meghalaya, Manipur, Sikkim, West Bengal, Nagaland; Nepal; Myanmar ( Sabatinelli 2020a).

Remarks: Cyphochilus candidus , C. septentrionalis , C. gandhii , C. satyarthii , and C. tenzingyatsoi Sabatinelli, 2020 exhibit marked external morphological similarity and share a common distribution in the northeastern Himalayas. Due to these resemblances, misidentifications among these species have been common in historical collections. Together, they form a natural group characterized by parameres that are generally slightly asymmetrical and dorsally curved ( Fig. 3A–C View FIGURES 3–7 ). Despite their external similarity, the species within this group can be reliably differentiated by the morphology of the parameres. Notably, the left paramere of C. candidus bears a flat spur, a diagnostic feature absent in the remaining members of the group. In some older collections, specimens of C. candidus were labeled as C. sylhetinus Brenske ; however, this name has never been formally published and is thus considered a nomen nudum.