Miltochrista coonoorensis, Singh & Singh & Kirti, 2024

Miltochrista coonoorensis sp. nov.

( Figs 1, 2 View FIGURES 1–8 , 9, 10 View FIGURES 9–12 )

Type material examined: INDIA, Tamil Nadu, Holotype ♂, Coonoor 2.x.2005, N. Singh, leg. ( NZCZSI).

Paratype: 1♂, India, Karnataka: Jog fall, 16.xi.2005, N. Singh, leg. ( NZCZSI) .

Diagnosis: Forewing length 9–10 mm in male. Miltochrista coonoorensis sp. nov. ( Figs 1, 2 View FIGURES 1–8 ) is reminiscent to five congeners i.e., M. hogani Volynkin & Huang, 2022 ( Figs 3, 4 View FIGURES 1–8 ), M. ochracea ( Hampson, 1891) ( Fig. 5 View FIGURES 1–8 ), M. obliqua ( Hampson, 1891) ( Fig 6 View FIGURES 1–8 ), M. hollowai ( Kirti & Gill, 2009) ( Fig.7 View FIGURES 1–8 ) M. uncalis ( Kirti & Gill, 2009) ( Fig.8 View FIGURES 1–8 ) and is difficult to identify based on external morphology. Reliable identification of these species is only possible by investigating their copulatory organs. In male genitalia, M. coonoorensis sp. nov. ( Fig.9, 10 View FIGURES 9–12 ) is most closely related to M. hogani ( Fig.11, 12 View FIGURES 9–12 ) but distinct by the uncus narrower, sub-basally dilated and then gradually tapering to the tip (in M. hogani uncus is stouter, shorter and medially much dilated, sickle shaped); tegumen slightly longer, valva broader, apically dilated (swollen), tip convexed (in M. hogani valva is narrower, shallowly bifurcated apically). Furthermore, M. coonoorensis sp. nov. is distinct from M. ochracea ( Fig.13 View FIGURES 13–16 ) and M. obliqua ( Fig.14 View FIGURES 13–16 ) by the shape of uncus and valval apex. In M. ochracea and M. obliqua uncus shorter and curved downward, distal saccular process is longer (in M. coonoorensis sp. nov. uncus longer and bent downward, distal saccular process narrower). The new species is distinct from M. hollowai ( Fig.15 View FIGURES 13–16 ) by the shape of uncus, narrow valva and distal saccular process which are elongated and simple in M. coonoorensis sp. nov. but leaf like in M. hollowai . Though Miltochrista uncalis ( Fig.16 View FIGURES 13–16 ) is also almost indistinguishable from the new species in external appearance, but it is distinct in male genitalia having distal saccular and distal costal process in valva and snake hood like uncus ( Fig.16 View FIGURES 13–16 ) whereas, in M. coonoorensis sp. nov. distal costal process is absent.

Description

Male

Head. frons and vertex orange red, labial palpus porrect and black, antennae bipectinated.

Thorax. Pale orange, patagia pale orange with a black spot; foreleg, midleg and hindleg ochreous. Forewing ground colour pinkish red, base of costa black, a black spot at base, a sinuous black antemedial band emerging from costa, an arched centrally broaden medial line, series of seven black short longitudinal streaks at submarginal areas, eight black marginal spots; underside with costa black at base, black suffusion from mid to submarginal area, eight marginal black spots; Hindwing with basal half pale yellow, medial area black, postmedial area pinkish red. Abdomen. Pale black with orange anal tuft. Male genitalia: uncus long sharply curved downward, basally constricted, subbasally dilated and apically tapering; tegumen long and narrow; valva having lobular apex, sacculus strongly setosed medially, and modified to short narrow distal process; vinculum narrow; phallus of aedeagus stout, slightly curved and basally humped; presence of two parallel unequal sized basal and medial diverticula in vesica, and scobnation between both spines

Distribution: South India ( Tamil Nadu and Karnataka)

Etymology: The specific epithet is derived from the type locality of new species.