Diplectrona takaii Nozaki 2021, sp. nov.

Diplectrona takaii sp. nov.

(Figs 4, 7)

Diplectrona sp. DC: Akagi 1956, 24–25, larva; Kagaya et al. 1998, 47.

Diplectrona sp. 1: Torii & Hattori 2006, 37.

Diplectrona sp. (aiensis gr.): Kawase & Morita 2010, 42.

Diplectrona sp. (aff. aiensis): Nojima 2017, 119.

Diplectrona sp.: Nozaki 2016, 75, 348, photo (adult male)

Diagnosis. The male of this species is similar to that of D. albofasciata known from Taiwan and the southernmost islands of Japan, and Diplectrona wangyipingi Sun 2017, described from China. However, the male is easily distinguishable from the latter two species by the shape of the phallotheca: the phallotheca bears a pair of prominent apicolateral lobes in this species, but it lacks such lobes in D. albofasciata and D. wangyipingi. Furthermore, the length of the internal gland is longer than segment VII in this species, but shorter than the segment in D. albofasciata and D. wangyipingi; and the length of the lateral filaments is approximately the same length as segment V in this species, but longer than the segment in D. wangyipingi.

Adult (Figs 4A–4M). Head and body (Figs 4A, 4B) mostly dark brown; antennae with dark stripes, but apical half paler. Forewings dark brown to black with white markings, but markings variable: on Shikoku usually with 3 large white markings (Fig. 4A), but occasionally indistinct (4B); on Honshu with sparse white spots similar to those on D. kibuneana (Fig. 1A). On head, frontal setal wart (f.s.w.) small oval, each anterior setal wart (a.s.w.) divided into 2 warts (Fig. 4C), anterior one long oval but often divided into 2 small warts (Fig. 4D), posterior one triangular; each posterior setal wart (p.s.w.) large oval. Forewings each 5.0–7.2 mm long in male (n = 10), 5.5–8.2 mm in female (n = 10), venation similar to that of D. kibuneana (Fig. 1C). Pair of lateral filaments (l.f.) of abdominal segment V (V) short, each approximately same length as segment V in both male and female (Fig. 4E). Segment V with small internal gland (i.g.) in both male and female (Fig. 4E). Segment VIII (VIII) with internal gland in male, very large, longer than segment VII (VII) (Fig. 4E), lacking in female.

Male genitalia (Figs 4F–4J). Segment IX (IX) in lateral aspect (Fig. 4F) narrow, anterior margins gently convex anterad, posterior margins sinuate in ventral half. Segment X (X) triangular in lateral aspect (Fig. 4F); pair of mesocaudal lobes (m.c.l.) V-shaped in dorsal aspect (Fig. 4G), laterally fused with respective lateral lobe; pair of lateral lobes (l.l.) protruding caudad posterodorsally, apically triangular and with short setae posteroventrally in lateral aspect (Fig. 4F), truncate in dorsal aspect (Fig. 4G); preanal appendages indistinct, only forming pair of large setose areas. Inferior appendages (i.a.) each with basal segment long club-like, apical 1/3 slightly thicker, extending beyond apex of segment X (X) (Fig. 4F); distal segment about 1/3 as long as basal segment, tapering to apex, weakly curved mesad (Fig. 4G). Phallic apparatus short and thick; bilobed apically in dorsal and ventral aspects (Figs 4I, 4J), each lateral lobe triangular in lateral aspect (Fig. 4H), its apex directed dorsomesad (Fig. 4H, 4J); with two pairs of long endothecal processes (e.p.) apicodorsally, each process lanceolate, ventral processes narrower than dorsal processes (Figs 4H).

Female genitalia (4K–4M). Sternum VIII cleft from base, each lateral lobe (l.l.) quarter-circle in ventral aspect (Fig. 4M). Segment IX (IX) almost rhomboid in lateral aspect (Fig. 4K), triangular posteriorly in dorsal aspect (Fig. 4L), anterior margin slightly convex anteriorly about 1/3 from base in lateral aspect; with pair of external sclerotized ribs (s.r.) ventrolaterally (Fig. 4M). Vulval scale (v.s.) tongue-like in ventral aspect (Fig. 4M), membranous apically. Segment X (X) rhomboid in lateral aspect (Fig. 4K).

Immature stages. Diplectrona sp. DC described by Akagi (1956) is the larval stage of this species. The adult and larval association of this species was established by Kagaya et al. (1998).

Holotype. Male (in alcohol), Mt. Iwaguro, Teragawa, Ino-cho, Kochi, 33.744°N, 133.162°E, alt. ca. 1350 m, 17.vii.2004, M. Takai (CBM-ZI 0180241).

Paratypes. 24 males, 2 females, Namakusa-dani, Odamiyama, Nakagawa, Uchiko-cho, Ehime, 33.562°N, 132.916°E, alt. 1200 m, 8.vii.2000, E. Yamamoto (CBM-ZI 0180244–0180269); 10 males, 5 females, same locality, 24.vii.2000, E. Yamamoto (KPM-NK); 1 male, 1 female, Yosakoi-toge, Teragawa, Ino-cho, Kochi, 3.viii.2001, I. Yamashita (CBM-ZI 0180242–0180243).

Other specimens examined. Honshu, Tokyo: 2 males, Hirai-gawa, Hinode-machi, larvae collected on 20.vii.1990, adults emerged on 10–15.viii.1990, by T. Nozaki. Shizuoka: 1 female, Oyamada-gawa, Horikiri, Izushi, alt. 350 m, 14.v.1995, T. Hattori (SPMN-IS); 1 female, Yokosawa, Aoi-ku, Shizuoka-shi, alt. 550 m, 8.vi.2001, T. Hattori (SPMN-IS); 1 male, same locality, 18.v.2005, T. Hattori (SPMN-IS); 1 male, Utoge-no-taki, Kurata, Fujieda-shi, G. Yoshinari (TT). Gifu: Ten-no-taki, Mikawa, Shirakawa-cho, 12.vi.2010, T. Nozaki. Shiga: 11 males, 4 females, Yuzurio, Eigenji, Higashi-Omi-shi, 31.v–26.vi.2009, N. Kawase (NK); 11 males, 40 females, same locality, 26.vi–29.vii.2009, N. Kawase (MITR-20090429 & 20090433). Okayama: 1 male, 1 female, Ogaya, Nishiawakurason, 15.vii.2017, K. Nojima (KN). Shikoku, Ehime: 1 male, Honomata, Odamiyama, Nakagawa, Uchiko-cho, 21–30.vi.2000, E. Yamamoto (TN); 1 male, 1 female, Ishizuchi Sky-line, Kumakogen-cho, 3.viii.2006, M. Takai. Kochi: 1 female, Teragawa, Ino-cho, 16.vii.2000, I. Yamashita; 1 male, Befu-kyo, Monobe, Kami-shi, 16.v.2003, M. Takai; 1 female, Shiragagoe, Monobe-cho, Kami-shi, 3.vii.2004, M. Takai; 1 male, 1 female, Mt. Shiraga, Monobe, Kami-shi, Kochi, 25.vii.2004, M. Takai.

Etymology. This species is dedicated to Mr. Mikio Takai, who provided me valuable specimens and excellent photographs, including specimens and photographs of this species.

Distribution. Japan: Honshu, Shikoku.

Japanese name. Takai-miyama-shima-tobikera.

Remarks. The markings of the forewings in this species are variable, and Malicky (2002) also reported similar variations in D. albofasciata.