Banyallarga (Histricoverpa) tapanti, new species

Figs. 35–36

Banyallarga tapanti shares with B. fortuna the broadly rounded apex of tergum X in lateral view (Fig. 35B). It is distinguished from B. fortuna by the prominent dorsomesal ridge of tergum X (Fig. 35A). This species is known only from three specimens, so variation is difficult to assess. The single female specimen is indistinguishable from the female of B. sylvana (Fig. 34); the association of the B. tapanti female is tentative.

Adult. Forewing length 8.8–9.4 mm (n=3).

Head golden. Maxillary palps golden brown. Antenna twice forewing length, golden; each flagellomere pale basally and with pale strip of sensilla anteromesally. Dorsal pterothorax golden; ventrolateral thorax and legs golden, metathoracic tibia of male with long posterior setal fringe. Forewing uniform golden brown. Hind wing of male with basal semimembranous sleeve or pouch, enclosing brush of long setae.

Male. Sternum VII with pointed anteromesal process. Tergum IX with anterior marginal ridge extending mesally to posterior margin, covered dorsally by semisclerotized membrane bearing dense fine pilosity (Fig. 35B); lateral ridge present; dorsal pleural setae approximately 15. Preanal appendage slightly longer than tergum X, slightly expanded apically and flexible, apical half covered with long setae. Tergum X cleft posteromesally, separating roundly tapered lateral projections; with high dorsomesal ridge (Fig. 35B); in lateral view apex rounded (Fig. 35A). 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. Phallus with W­shaped phallotremal sclerite, thornlike setae ventrolaterally on endothecal membrane (Fig. 35D, E).

Female. Sternum VII with pointed anteromesal process. Sternum VIII anterior marginal ridge darkly sclerotized; fine setae covering posterior surface of sternite (Fig. 36C). Tergum IX with anterior marginal ridge not extending mesally, posterior margin not distinct from tergum X (as in Fig. 34B); sternum IX with anterior and posterior lobes darkly sclerotized and striate, with fine punctation posteriorly; anterolateral surface invaginated and rugose (Fig. 36A). Tergum X semimembranous, appendage rounded posteriorly (as in Fig. 34B); sternum X with semisclerotized plates bearing fine setae lateral to anal opening. Anterior sclerite of vaginal apparatus truncate anteriorly, posterolateral projections short; posterior sclerite ovoid anteriorly; dorsal connective membrane with regular pleating (Fig. 36A).

Holotype male: COSTA RICA: Cartago: Reserva Tapantí, Quebrada Segunda @ administration building, 09°45'40"N 83°47'13"W, 1250 m, 23.viii.1990, Holzenthal & Huisman (UMSP000000071; UMSP).

Paratypes: COSTA RICA: Cartago: Reserva Tapantí, Quebrada Segunda @ administration building, 09°45'40"N 83°47'13"W, 1250 m, 9–10.v.1990, Holzenthal & Blahnik — 1 female (UMSP); 23.viii.1990, Holzenthal & Huisman — 1 male (UMSP).

Distribution. Costa Rica.

Etymology. This species is named for the Tapantí Wildlife Reserve in the western Talamanca Mountains of Costa Rica.