Banyallarga (Histricoverpa) nica Prather Table Of Contents 2004, new species

Banyallarga (Histricoverpa) nica, new species

Figs. 27–28

Banyallarga nica is similar to B. echinata in having prominent spinelike setae on tergum X; however, in B. nica these spines are shorter and restricted to the apices of the posterior processes (Fig. 27A, B). All specimens I examined were preserved in ethanol; consequently, color and wing pattern were not preserved.

Adult. Forewing length 10.0– 10.8 mm (n=14).

Antenna twice forewing length. Hind wing of male with basal semimembranous sleeve or pouch, enclosing brush of long setae.

Male. Lateral margin of sternum IV deeply excavated (as in Fig. 16). Sternum VII with pointed anteromesal process. Tergum IX with mesal ridge extending to posterior margin, covered dorsally by semisclerotized membrane bearing dense fine pilosity (Fig. 27B); lateral ridge present; dorsal pleural setae fine and numerous (Fig. 27A). Preanal appendages long, slightly expanded and flexible apically; apical 2/3 covered with long fine setae (Fig. 27A, B). Segment X deeply emarginate posteriorly, forming two digitate lateral projections, apices of projections bearing short spinelike setae (Fig. 27B). Inferior appendage simple, with long setae ventrally and laterally on coxopodite; harpago of uniform diameter along length, with fine setae basally and peglike setae apically (Fig. 27C). Phallus with horseshoe­shaped phallotremal sclerite, thornlike setae proximally and ventrally on endothecal membrane (Fig. 27D).

Female. Sternum VII with pointed anteromesal process. Sternum VIII anterior marginal ridge darkly sclerotized; fine setae covering posterior surface of sternite (Fig. 28C). Tergum IX without mesal ridge, posterior margin indistinct from tergum X (Fig. 28B); sternum IX with anterior and posterior lobes darkly sclerotized and striate, smoothly sclerotized anteromesally, punctate posterolaterally (Fig. 28A). Tergum X semimembranous, appendage roundly tapered (Fig. 28B); sternum X with semisclerotized plates bearing fine setae lateral to anal opening (Fig. 28A). Vaginal apparatus anterior sclerite truncate anteriorly, posterolateral projections acute; posterior sclerite enclosed within a semisclerotized sheath half width of posterior abdomen; dorsal connective membrane with regular pleating (Fig. 28A).

Holotype male: NICARAGUA: Jinotega: Peñas Blancas, 13°17'00"N 85°33'00"W, 1300 m, 25.vii.1997, Maes & Hernández (UMSP000063355; UMSP).

Paratypes: NICARAGUA: Jinotega: Cerro Kilambé, 13°34'00"N 85°43'00"W, 1520 m, 1.viii.1997, Maes & Hernández — 4 males (UMSP); 1.vii.1997, Maes & Hernández — 4 males, 1 female (UMSP).

Distribution. Nicaragua

Etymology. "Nica" is a nickname for Nicaraguans or Nicaragua, the country in which the types were collected.