Panaphelix kikokea, Austin Daniel Rubinoff & nov, 2024

Panaphelix kikokea sp. nov.

Figs. 2D View Figure 2 ; 5C View Figure 5

Diagnosis. Panapehlix kikokea ( Maui) is most similar to P. nalowale (Oʻahu) but can be distinguished by its larger size, dark brown forewing color and obsolete antemedian interfascia, represented only by a large white dot at the base of the cell. Type material. Holotype: Maui: ♂, Waikamoi Preserve, boardwalk; 20.7803, 156.2275; 1839m; 3–4 vi 2022; K.A. Austin, D. Rubinoff; [UV] bucket trap / DNA extraction KA0585 / KAA diss. #0810 (UHIM).

Description. Male (n=1). Head. Scales on frons short, sparse, pale brown to light yellow. Scales on vertex intermixed dark brown and golden brown. Labial palpus porrect, approximately 2× width of compound eye, scales on lateral surface entirely brown; medial surface straw yellow except for brown terminal segment. Ocellus moderate, separated from compound eye by approximately 1.5× width of ocellus. Scape with scaling dark brown; flagellum strongly bipectinate; ramus approximately 4× width of flagellomere; sensillae short, approximately 0.1× length of ramus; dorsal scales of flagellum dark brown on flagellomeres 1–2, with alternating rows of golden brown and dark brown rows of scales on remainder. Thorax. Dorsum with scaling heavily rubbed, but otherwise dark brown with intermixed light brown or golden brown scales; tegulae concolorous. Lateral surface of foreleg dark brown, apices of segments golden yellow; midlegs with apex of femur, base of tibia, tarsal segments dark brown, remainder golden yellow; hindlegs straw yellow, tarsal segments ringed with brown. Dorsal surface of FW ( Fig. 2D View Figure 2 ; FWL: 10.2 mm) with ground color dark brown; scattered small patches of light brown scales present over entire forewing, especially apparent along costa; small circular patch of white scales present at base of cell, small black streak or spot distad of white patch; fringe brown and dark brown; costal fold absent. Dorsal surface of HW gray, densely overlaid with dark gray strigulae, finer strigulae present along towards fringe; fringe gray. Ventral surface of FW dark brown, costa light golden brown with small dark brown spots.Ventralsurfaceofhindwingsimilar to dorsal surface, but more contrasting. Abdomen. Vestiture of abdomen dark gray; lateral surface, terminal segment dirty white. Genitalia ( Fig. 5C View Figure 5 ) with uncus slender, apex moderately broad, cuneate, with shallow triangular medial cleft, with short, dense, hair-like setae on either side; socii absent; arms of gnathos long, slender, unclear whether fused at any point and forked at apex, or entirely separate; tegumen moderate, without any distinct modification; transtilla broad, membranous, band-like; valvae subtrapezoidal, strongly plicate latitudinally; sacculus well-developed, with a large, rounded, basal process and a minute apical extension; juxta large, quadrate, plate-like, dorsally rounded with a shallow medial excavation; phallus moderate, slender, downcurved; caulis obsolete; vesica without observed cornuti or sockets.

Female. Female unknown, but see Comments section below.

Biology. Unknown. Panaphelix may feed on alani ( Melicope spp. ) like another species of Panaphelix known from Maui, P. marmorata Walsingham , but confirmation is required.

Distribution. Panaphelix kikokea is known from a single specimen collected at The Nature Conservancy’s Waikamoi Preserve at an elevation of 1839 meters. Similar habitat exists elsewhere on Maui and this species’ range may be more widespread than currently known.

Etymology. From Hawaiian “kiko,” meaning “dot” and “kea” meaning “white,” referring to the conspicuous large, white dot at the base of the cell on the forewing.

Comments. Six female specimens that may be referable to P. kikokea are known from Maui (5) and Molokaʻi (1). However, preliminary COI sequence data from the Molokaʻi specimen suggest that at least that specimen may be distinct from P. kikokea . Unfortunately, we do not yet have any sequence data for Maui females. These six specimens are different enough externally from the holotype of P. kikokea that they may represent the females of an undescribed species of Panaphelix .

Conservation status. Unknown. Similar habitat exists elsewhere at similar elevations on Maui, but the remote nature of the intact wet forests on the slopes of Haleakalā make surveys there difficult. More investigation is necessary to understand this species’ conservation status and potential threats it faces.