Cyphochilus niveosquamosus ( Blanchard, 1851 )

Cyphochilus niveosquamosus ( Blanchard, 1851) View in CoL

( Figs 12–19 View FIGURES 12–14 View FIGURES 15–17 View FIGURES 18–19 )

Cyphochilus manipurensis Nonfried, 1893 View in CoL , putative junior synonym

Cyphochilus oberthueri Brenske, 1903 View in CoL , new junior synonym

Cyphochilus waterhousei Brenske, 1903 View in CoL , putative junior synonym

Type locality: India: Karnataka (Mysore) for C. niveosquamosus ; Tamil Nadu, Shembaganur, Madura for C. waterhousei ; Indes orientales for C. oberthueri ; Manipur for C. manipurensis .

Type material examined. Cyphochilus niveosquamosus , syntype ♂ MHNP: L. niveosquamosa / Cat. Mus. / Mysore (H, yellow label) // Museum Paris / Mysore (H) // Mysore (H)//. Cyphochilus oberthueri , syntype ♂ ZMHB: Indes Orientales / Mts . Kodeicanel / J.Gastets (P) // Oberthüri / Brsk / Type 1091 (H) // Coll. Brenske (P).

Additional material examined: India ( Tamil Nadu): 21 ♂♂ NBAIR, Valparai , UPASI TRF, 10°15′N 76°68′E, 1062m, 3.vi.2014, light Trap, leg. Umesh Kumar Sanjeev — 2 ♂♂ NBAIR, same data as previous, 4.vi.2014 — 1 ♂ ISNB, waterhousei Brenske typique [sic], det. R. Ley, 191, Type (red label) — 1 ♂ MHNG sub C. waterhousei , Inde, Shembaganur , Madura. Inde, R. Ley coll. & det .— 1 ♂ MNHN sub C. waterhousei, Madura, Shembaganur, X.1922 — 2 ♂♂ MNHN sub C. waterhousei , Tamil Nadu, Ramnad, 1883/84 — 1 ♂ MNHN, India — 1 ♂ MNHN, Tamil Nadu, Mts Kodaikanal , leg. J.Castets.

Diagnosis: Parameres symmetrical, broad, and subrectangular at the base, apically bifurcated into two distinct lobes. The lower lobe is apically expanded, with a triangular ventral margin. In dorsal view, both parameres appear parallel ( Fig. 12A–C View FIGURES 12–14 ).

Distribution: India: Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Manipur ( Blanchard 1851; Nonfried 1893; Brenske 1903; Sabatinelli 2020b; Prakash & Yeshwanth 2023).

Remarks. We examined the syntypes of Cyphochilus niveosquamosus and C. oberthueri , and confirm that these taxa are conspecific. The type locality and original description of C. manipurensis closely correspond to those of C. niveosquamosus . Although specimens labeled as C. manipurensis are present in the ISNB collection, no definitive type specimen could be located. The same applies to C. waterhousei : we examined specimens identified as such in some collections, but none could be confidently assigned to the type series, either in ZMHB or ISNB, where Brenske’s original material is expected to be housed. Therefore, we propose the synonymy of C. manipurensis and C. waterhousei with C. niveosquamosus as provisional (putative), pending further evidence.