Lepidoptera : Gelechioidea : Cosmopterigidae)

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Int. J. Biol. Chem. Sci. 1(3): 244-249, 2007

ISSN 1991-8631

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North-West Indian fauna of genus Macrobathra Meyrick (Lepidoptera : Gelechioidea : Cosmopterigidae)

Deepak WADHAWAN and Virinder Kumar WALIA*

Department of Zoology, Panjab University, Chandigarh – 160014, India * Corresponding author, E-mail: [email protected]

ABSTRACT

Two first representative species of genus Macrobathra Meyrick viz., gentilis Meyrick and ochrefasciata sp. nov. are reported from three inadequately surveyed North-West Indian states, namely Haryana, Himachal Pradesh and Rajasthan. With the addition of another new species, total number of species under the aforementioned genus is enhanced to eight from India. The present communication deals with the structure of genitalia and salient morphological features of already known M. gentilis along with detailed account of M. ochrefasciata sp. nov. The text of both species is supported by relevant pictorial depictions. © 2007 International Formulae Group. All rights reserved.

Keywords: Cosmopterigidae, Macrobathra, 2 species, new record, North-West India.

INTRODUCTION existing fauna of referred genus (Meyrick, Distribution of genus Macrobathra 1910, 1914a, 1914b, 1915, 1923–1930. 1930– Meyrick ranges throughout the Afro-tropical 1936; Clarke, 1963; Robinson et al., 1994). and Indo-Australian regions, with a few species from Eastern Palearctic. Out of more SYSTEMATIC ACCOUNT than 130 species known so far under it, - Genus Macrobathra Meyrick majority are Australian and only 12 from Macrobathra Meyrick, 1883, Proc. Linn. Soc. south-east Asia (Robinson et al., 1994), N.S. W., 7 : 425. Nomenclaturally available including 7 from India (Meyrick, 1922; but without included nominal species until Gaede, 1938; Clarke, 1963). Intensive and Meyrick, 1886, ibidem, 10 : 800. extensive surveys of different localities in Type-species: Macrobathra chrysotoxa Haryana, Himachal Pradesh and Rajasthan Meyrick, 1886, Proc. Linn. Soc. N.S.W., 10 : from March to October of 2000-2004 resulted 804, by subsequent designation by Meyrick, in collection of 29 specimens of two species 1922, in Wystman, Genera Insect., 180 : 17. that were totally in agreement with all the Key to species of the genus Macrobathra characters of genus Macrobathra (Meyrick, Meyrick: 1922). Congeneric bonds of both species were 1. Male genitalia with gnathos further supported by not only visual asymmetrical, its lobes curved inwards, similarities in general body colouration and without thorn-like structure, valvae equal- wing maculation (Robinson et al., 1994) but sized, with one besides juxtal process without also alike shape of significant parts of male conical sclerotization; female genitalia with and female genitalia. After consulting relevant both signa equal-sized, similar shaped and literature, only one of the two species was closely lying...……………gentilis Meyrick. identified as M. gentilis Meyrick whereas the 2. Male genitalia with gnathos other was adjudged as new addition to the symmetrical, lobes straight and parallel with

D. WADHAWAN and V. K. WALIA / Int. J. Biol. Chem. Sci. 1(3): 244-249, 2007 thorn-like structure on outer margin of each, (Fig.8) with corpus bursae oblong; pair of valvae unequal, with one adjoining juxtal closely lying parallel signa structurally process extended into strongly sclerotized similar; corpus bursae narrowing into conical process towards it; female genitalia ductus bursae without any demarcation; with signa of different size and shape, widely anterior apophyses almost half of placed ………………ochrefasciata sp. nov. posterior, apices of both pairs broader; papillae anales elongate, adorned with - Macrobathra gentilis Meyrick setae of varying lengths. (Figs. 1,2 & 4 – 8) Alar expanse: Male: 9–10 mm; Female: Macrobathra gentilis Meyrick, 1918, 10–11 mm. Exotic Microlepidoptera, 2 : 212. Material examined : 1♀, 01.vi.2000; 1♂, Male: Head bronzy fuscous. Labial palpi 24.viii.2000; 1♀, 10.ix.2000; 1♀, blackish, second segment ochraceous on 12.ix.2000; 2♀♀, 02.v.2001; 1♀, outside; third segment marked with 15.v.2001; 1♂, 14.vi.2001; 1♂, ochraceous streaks. 12.ix.2001; 1♀, 04.x.2001; 1♀, 30.iii.2002; 1♀, 23.iv.2002; 1♀, Thorax blackish. Forewing with 26.vii.2002; 1♀, 11.iv.2003; 4♂♂, 1♀, ground colour blackish on upper surface 13.iv.2003; Chandigarh, INDIA. 1♂, with four markings – a broad light yellow 11.viii.2000; Sitamata Sanctuary, band little away from base with squarish Rajasthan, INDIA. 1♂, 05.iv.2002; part adjoining costa white, two white Kalesar (Forest Rest House), Haryana, spots on costa and another light yellow on INDIA. 1♀, 23.vii.2004; Subathu (Forest tornus triangular in shape. Under surface Guest House), 1♂, 25.vi.2004; Sairighat blackish-fuscous except grey discal cell, (Forest Guest House), Himachal Pradesh, both costal spots comparatively apparent. INDIA. (Coll.: D. Wadhawan & R closely approximated to base of R +R ; 3 4 5 V.K.Walia) Deposited in Entomology M , M , M equidistant (Fig. 4). Hindwing 1 2 3 Section, Department of Zoology, Panjab with ground colour on upper and under University, Chandigarh, INDIA. surfaces brownish-fuscous, except whitish-ochraceous subhyaline area from Flight period: March to October. costa to lower margin of cell in basal two- Old distribution: India – Kanara third, former bearing an expansible tuft of and Dharwar (Karnataka) (Clarke, 1963). light brownish-ochraceous hair scales; Remarks: Documented body colouration M3, CuA1 closely approximated at base (Fig. 5). and structure of male genitalia of Macrobathra gentilis Meyrick (Meyrick, Abdomen, marked with transverse 1916–1923; Clarke, 1963) was entirely in whitish-ochraceous bands, much broader accordance with features observed in the on under surface. Male genitalia (Fig. 6) collected and dissected specimens. All the asymmetrical; uncus absent; incurved collected 10 males and 13 females of this processes of gnathos unequally species from Chandigarh, Sitamata sclerotized, with asymmetrical tips, Sanctuary and Kalesar in North-West forming a C-like structure; tuba analis India is a new record. membranous; tegumen large and broad; saccus nearly as long as rest of genitalia, - Macrobathra ochrefasciata sp. nov. more sclerotized at apex, juxta transverse (Figs.3 & 9 – 13) band- like, bearing a strongly leaf-like process; valvae simple, blunt at tip with Male : Head with vertex light brown; frons valva adjoining process of juxta ochraceous. Scape of antenna light brown comparatively more sclerotized. Aedeagus with cone-like blackish-fuscous patch above; (Fig. 7) cylindrical; posterior half of flagellum black, with a linear series of vesica rugose, bearing a bunch of sparsely placed light yellow specks. Labial moderately long spines and a variably palpi light yellow; third segment bearing sclerotized plate; opening of ductus alternate light yellow and blackish-fuscous ejaculatorius lateral. Female genitalia longitudinal streaks. 245 D. WADHAWAN and V. K. WALIA / Int. J. Biol. Chem. Sci. 1(3): 244-249, 2007

Figures 1, 2 & 4 – 8: Macrobathra gentilis Meyrick; Fig. 1 – live moth (lateral view); Fig. 2 – stretched ♂(dorsal view); Fig. 4 – forewing; Fig. 5 – hindwing; Fig. 6 – male external genitalia (ventral view); Fig. 7- aedeagus; Fig. 8 – female external genitalia (dorsal view).

Thorax blackish-fuscous. Forewing somewhat squarish, rest triangular; cilia with ground colour blackish-fuscous on upper along margin light brown. Under surface surface, with various markings light brownish-fuscous with lower half of band yellow; a broad transverse band slightly and distal costal spot conspicuously light away from base narrowing towards costa, yellow. Discal cell about three-fifth of two spots on costa and one on tornus with wing length; CuP present (Fig. 9). spot in middle of costa smallest and Hindwing with ground colour light

246 D. WADHAWAN and V. K. WALIA / Int. J. Biol. Chem. Sci. 1(3): 244-249, 2007 brownish-fuscous on upper and under INDIA. (Coll.: D. Wadhawan & surfaces, except subhyaline greyish in V.K.Walia) Deposited in Entomology discal cell, former surface with an Section, Department of Zoology, Panjab expansible light yellow tuft of long hair University, Chandigarh, INDIA. scales from near base of costa; light brown Flight period: March, June and July. cilia along inner margin one and half of Type locality: Subathu (Himachal wing width. Discal cell nearly three-fifth Pradesh). of wing length; anterior margin of discal Etymology: Macrobathra ochrefasciata sp. cell nearly obsolete, in basal three-fifth; nov. has been named highlighting ochraceous M3 and CuA1 separate (Fig. 10). Legs light colouration of the frons. yellow with patches of blackish fuscous. Remarks: The present species resembles Abdomen fuscous on upper surface, Macrobathra myrocoma Meyrick because with diffused greyish-white stripes, distal tip of somewhat ochraceous colouration of yellow; under surface alternately banded with head that is not recorded in any other so far whitish-ochraceous and brownish-fuscous. described species from India (Meyrick, Male genitalia (Fig.11) asymmetrical; 1910, 1914a, 1915, 1916–1923, 1923–1930, uncus absent; gnathos symmetrical, lobes 1930–1936). Like the closely allied species, straight and parallel, each margined on forewing of new species is marked with a outside by equally long thorn-like broad band one-fourth away from base, two structure; tegumen somewhat rectangular; spots on costa and one on inner margin saccus as long as rest of genitalia; between the two. However, critical transverse band of juxta expanded in examination of the wing maculation of middle, produced into strongly sclerotized female specimens and the genitalia clearly process, latter broader in basal three-fifth, differentiated M. ochrefasciata sp. nov. abruptly narrowed distally; valvae from the allied species (Clarke, 1963). In asymmetrical, one close to juxtal process contrast to three rounded spots on forewing comparatively more sclerotized, shoe-like, and a thorn-like signum in the corpus bursae with conical projection pointing towards of M. myrocoma, spots are distinctly juxtal process most strongly sclerotized; triangular and corpus bursae is adorned with other valva spindle-like in distal half, a pair of unequal-sized signa in uniformly sclerotized. Aedeagus (Fig. 12) ochrefasciata sp. nov. (Meyrick, 1914a; cylindrical, vesica sclerotized at tip, a Clarke, 1963). part of it minutely denticulate; ductus ejaculatorius opening laterally. Female Abbreviations used in figures genitalia (Fig. 13) with corpus bursae 1 A+2 A = vein representing fused first and somewhat globular, profusely denticulate; second anal vein; 3A = third anal vein; paired signa of different size and shape; ANT.APO = anterior apophysis; CRN = ductus bursae longer than corpus bursae, its cornuti; CRP.BU = corpus bursae; CuA1 = comparatively more sclerotized distal half first anterior cubital vein; CuA2 = second possessing a pair of closely lying plates; anterior cubital vein; CuP = posterior cubital anterior apophyses bigger than half of vein; DU. BU = ductus bursae; DU. EJ = posterior, both pairs broadened at tips; ductus ejaculatorius; GN = gnathos; JUX = papillae anales oblong, furnished with setae of juxta; M1 = first median vein; M2 = second varying lengths. median vein; M3 = third median vein; P.A = Alar expanse: Female and Male: 10 – 11 papilla analis; PO.APO = posterior apophysis; mm. R1 = first radial vein; R2 = second radial vein; Material examined: HOLOTYPE: ♂, R3 = third radial vein; R4 = fourth radial vein; 24.vii.2004; Subathu (Forest Rest House), R5 = fifth radial vein; Rs = radial sector vein; Himachal Pradesh, INDIA. PARATYPES: SA = saccus; Sc+R1 = fused subcosta and 1♀, 23.iii.2001; 2♀♀, 20.vi.2001; Kalesar first radial veins; Sc = subcosta; SIG = (Forest Rest House), Haryana, INDIA. signum; T.A = tuba analis; TG = tegumen; 1♂, 24.vii.2004; 2♂, 24.vii.2004; Subathu VAL = valva; VES = vesica; VIN = vinculum. (Forest Rest House), Himachal Pradesh,

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Figures 3 & 9 – 13: Macrobathra ochrefasciata sp. nov. ; Fig. 3 – stretched ♂(dorsal view); Fig. 9 – forewing; Fig. 10 – hindwing; Fig. 11 – male external genitalia (ventral view); Fig. 12 – aedeagus; Fig. 13 – female external genitalia (dorsal view).

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS collection of material. We are also grateful to The authors are sincerely thankful to Prof. (Mrs.) T. Gill, Chairperson, Department the Ministry of Environment and Forests for of Zoology, Panjab University, Chandigarh sanctioning an All India Coordinated project (India) for providing necessary facilities and on Taxonomy for research on secretarial assistance. Microlepidoptera (AICOPTAX) No. J- 22018/58/99-CSC (BC). Authors are indebted REFERENCES to the Forest Department in the concerned Clarke JFG. 1963. Catalogue of the type states for rendering cooperation during specimens of microlepidoptera in the

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British Museum (Natural History) Meyrick E. 1915. Descriptions of South described by Edward Meyrick. Vol. IV. American microlepidoptera. Trans. Ent. Trustees of the Brit. Mus. (Nat. Hist.): Soc. Lond., 2: 201–256. London; 1–521. Meyrick E. 1922. Lepidoptera : Heterocera, Gaede M. 1938. Catalogue of Gelechiidae. Family Oecophoridae. Gen. Insect.,180: 1– Lepidopterorum Catalogus, 79: 630p. 224, pl. 1–6. Meyrick E. 1910. Descriptions of Indian Meyrick E. 1916-1923. Exot. Microlepid. microlepidoptera. J. Bombay Nat. Hist. Marlborough. 2: 1-640. Soc., 20: 143–168, 435–462, 706–736. Meyrick E. 1923-1930. Exot. Microlepid. Meyrick E. 1914a. Descriptions of Indian Marlborough. 3: 1-640. microlepidoptera. J. Bombay Nat. Hist. Meyrick E.1930–1936. Exot. Microlepid. Soc., 23: 18–130. Marlborough, 4: 1–642. Meyrick E. 1914b. Lepidoptera : Heterocera, Robinson GS, Tuck KR, Schäffer M. 1994. A Family Heliodinidae. Gen. Insect., 165: 1– field guide to the smaller moths of south- 29, pl. 21. east Asia. Malaysian Nature Society: Malaysia; 1–308, 32 pls.

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