Bayadera melanopteryx Ris, 1912

(Fig. 8a–g)

Bayadera melanopteryx: Ris (1912), pp. 49–50, Fig. 2a–b; Fraser (1928), pl. 1, Fig. 1; Needham (1930), p. 216; Asahina (1956), pp. 206–207, Fig. 3; Asahina (1977), pp. 486–487, Figs 31–37; Chao (1981), p. 23; Wilson & Reels (2003), p. 250, Figs 15–21; Hämäläinen (2004), pp. 392–393, Figs 14–16; Do & Dang (2007), p. 32 [Specimens from Pia Oac Nature Reserve, Cao Bang Prov.; first records from Vietnam]; Wilson & Zaifu (2007), pp. 93, 120, pl. Va, b; Zhang (2010), p. 25 (species list).

Bayadera melania Navás, 1934: Hämäläinen (2004), pp. 392–393 [a new synonymy].

Materials examined. [Vietnam] 3♂ 4♀, Pia Oac Nature Reserve, Cao Bang Prov., 21–26.V.1998, H. Karube leg. (PKM); 1♀, Pia Oac Nature Reserve, Cao Bang Prov., 31.V.2015, T. Kompier leg. (TKC); 1♀, Pia Oac Nature Reserve, Cao Bang Prov., 15.V.2015, F. Hayashi leg. (FHC); 1♂ 1♀, Deo Tram Ton, Sapa, Lao Cai Prov., 21.VI.2002, H. Karube leg. (PKM); 1♂, Sa Pa, Lao Cai Prov, 25.V.2015, T. Kompier leg. (TKC). [China] 1♂, Bikou (867m), Gansu Prov., 9.VII.2005, X. Yu leg. (PQTC); 1♀, Emei, Sichuan Prov., 5.VII.2011, F. Hayashi leg. (FHC); 2♂ 2♀, Tiamushan, Zhejiang Prov., 8.VIII.2007, X. Yu leg. (PQTC); 3♂ 1♀, Fengyangshan, Lishui, Zhejiang Prov., 28.VII.2007, X. Yu leg. (PQTC); 2♂ 2♀, Wuyangling, Taishun, Zhejiang Prov., 2.VIII.2005, K. Yunling leg. (PQTC); 2♀, Nanling, Guangdong Prov., 22–26.VII.2004, H. Karube leg. (KPM); 2♂ 2♀, Qingliangfeng, Linan, Zhejiang Prov., 13.VIII.2007, X. Yu leg. (PQTC); 1♂, Lujianhe Stream, Zigui County, Hubei Prov., 4.VIII.2012, H. Zhang leg. (KMP).

Other materials confirmed by field observations. [Vietnam] Some individuals, Pia Oac, Cao Bang Prov., V, VI.2015, T. Kompier; Some individuals, Lao Cai Prov., V, VI, VIII.2015, V.2 0 16, T. Kompier; Some individuals, Tam Dao, Vinh Phuc Prov., VI, VII.2016, T. Kompier.

Notes. Bayadera melanopteryx differs from all described Bayadera species by the extensively darkened wingtips of both male and female. The dark area varies from covering the wings almost completely to only covering the apical quarter, as pointed out by Hämäläinen (2004). In Vietnam all specimens examined had the apical quarter of their wings dark brown (males) or brown (females) (Fig. 8g). Synthorax of male B. melanopteryx has clearly defined yellowish stripes when young (Fig. 8f), but these stripes become obscured or disappear entirely with age (Fig. 8a). Anal appendages are similar to those of Bayadera hyalina and B. bidentata in having cerci with a robust spine at the base (Fig. 8b–d). Female Bayadera melanopteryx is characterized by largely pale metepimeron (Fig. 8e).

Distribution. Vietnam (Cao Bang, Lao Cai and Vinh Phuc Provinces), China (Gansu, Shaanxi, Hubei, Sichuan, Zhejiang, Fujian, Guangdong and Guangxi Provinces) (Hämäläinen 2004, Wilson & Reels 2003, Zhang 2010).