Miltochrista paraseriata N. Singh & Kirti, 2016

Miltochrista paraseriata N. Singh & Kirti, 2016 View in CoL

( Figs 28–30 View FIGURES 28–39 , 109, 110 View FIGURES 107–110 )

Miltochrista paraseriata N. Singh & Kirti in Kirti & N. Singh, 2016, Arctiid Moths of India, 2: 93 (Type locality: “ Sikkim, Aritar”).

Type material examined. Holotype ( Fig. 28 View FIGURES 28–39 ): ♂, [ India] “ Sikkim: Aritar | 29.iv.2009 | Coll[ected by]: R. Joshi ” / handwritten red label “ARC | 196 | HT 196 | Sikkim, | ARITAR” / handwritten “12623 | H10” / handwritten “Aritar | 29/4/[20]09” / printed red label “Holotype”( NZCZSI).

Additional material examined. INDIA. Sikkim: 1 ♂, Sikkim, VII.[18]89, G.C. Dudgeon, 94-52, unique ID: NHMUK010292563 About NHMUK ( NHMUK); 1 ♂, Gangtok, 24.iv.[20]09, R. Joshi leg. ( NZCZSI, 12610/H10); 1 ♂, 1 ♀, Pangthang, 2.vii.[20]19, S. Singh leg. ( NZCZSI, 12603/ H10); 4 ♂, Rinchenpong, 12.vii.[20]19, S. Singh leg. ( NZCZSI, 12602/H10); 2 ♂, 1 ♀, Ravangla, 21.vii.[20]19, S. Singh leg. ( NZCZSI, 12601/ H10).

Note. In the original description of the species, the valvae illustrated ( Kirti & Singh 2016: 93, below) belong to M. neoseriata (also see above, under M. neoseriata ).

Diagnosis. The forewing length is 9.0–11.0 mm in males. The species displays no remarkable superficial differences from M. neoseriata and the identification requires the examination of the genitalia structures which are largely different in both sexes of these species. The male genital capsule of M. paraseriata is reminiscent of M. butleri but can be distinguished by the medially and distally broader valva with a more convex dorsal margin, the longer and more downcurved distal costal process, and the somewhat shorter and apically rounded distal saccular process which is apically pointed in the congener. The phallus of M. paraseriata is narrower than in M. butleri and has a larger ventral carinal crest. The vesica of the current species is markedly broader than in M. butleri , lacks a subbasal diverticulum and has a considerably broader medial diverticulum bearing a shorter and proximally broader cornutus.

The female is unknown.

Distribution. Northeast India (Sikkim) ( Kirti & Singh 2016).