Tijdschrift voor Entomologie 161 (2018) 79–109 The Pterophoridae of Bhutan (Lepidoptera), with the description of a new species Cees Gielis & Karma Wangdi Approximately 100 specimens, representing 27 species of Pterophoridae (Plume Moths), were collected from the fauna of Bhutan. The taxonomic status of the species, observed and collected material, and host plants are listed, and a distribution map of each species is presented. The following species are recorded for the first time from Bhutan: Platyptilia farfarellus Zeller, 1867; Platyptilia sedata Meyrick, 1932; Stenoptilia zophodactylus (Duponchel, 1840); Lantanophaga pusillidactylus (Walker, 1864); Xyroptila oenophanes Meyrick, 1908; Sphenarches anisodactylus (Walker, 1864), S. zanclistes (Meyrick, 1905); Oxyptilus causodes Meyrick, 1905; Adaina microdactyla (Hübner, [1813]); and Cosmoclostis pesseuta Meyrick, 1906. One species is described as new: Pterophorus karmawangdii Gielis spec. nov. Keywords: Bhutan; Palaearctic; Oriental; Pterophoridae; distribution maps; new species Cees Gielis, Meester Haafkensstraat 36, 4128CJ Lexmond, The Netherlands. [email protected] Karma Wangdi, Ugyen Wangchuck Institute for Conservation and Environment, Lamai Goempa Dzong, P.O. Box 155, Bumthang, Bhutan. Introduction coniferous forests. In the south of the country there In 2016, the cooperation between the Naturalis Bio- is a narrow stretch of land along the border with In- diversity Center (RMNH) in Leiden, The Nether- dia with an altitude of 200–300 meters. Here the lands, and the National Biodiversity Centre (NBC) valleys end of the rivers floating from the moun- at Serbithang, Bhutan, resulted in a survey of mainly tains southwards. The lowland and the lower parts the entomofauna of Bhutan. In this project, sci- of the valleys are part of the Oriental faunistic re- entists and students from both countries closely gion. The vegetation in these lower parts consists of worked together. Further, field and laboratory train- broad-leaved forests (RSPN 2018). The demarcation ing sessions, and lectures were organized to improve between these faunal areas is a zone along the moun- knowledge of the insect fauna of Bhutan, and in this tains, which varies in height due to its position on way support local research. Among the activities was the slope (north or south slope, amount of sunshine, a survey of the moth (Lepidoptera) fauna, which re- rainfall, temperature, soil type, etc.). For different sulted in the present publication. genera and species groups, and in addition as a result Bhutan is a country in the Himalaya mountains, of variations due to geophysical circumstances, the wedged between Tibet and India. Most of the north- transient zone may vary in altitude, but in general is ern part of the country is mountainous, with tops and situated between 1500 and 2500 meters. ridges reaching up to 7000 meters and showing a fau- The soil situation is greatly influenced by the Hi- nistic relationship with the Palaearctic fauna. At high malaya mountains, which were shaped by the colli- altitudes alpine meadows and scrubs are the main sion of the Indian and the Eurasian tectonic plates vegetation, and at lower attitudes predominantly (Smith et al. 1981). During this collision an uprising Tijdschrift voor Entomologie 161: 79–109, Table 0, Figs 1–82. [ISSN 0040-7496]. brill.com/tve © Nederlandse Entomologische Vereniging. Published by Koninklijke Brill NV, Leiden. Published 2 April 2019. DOI 10.1163/22119434-20192076 <UN> 80 Tijdschrift voor Entomologie, volume 161, 2018 of parts of the seafloor between these plates caused This influences the figures because tropical areas parts of the mountains to have a limestone character, in the south of India contribute significantly to while other parts originating from the Indian plate the total. Likewise, as in China, the temperate and have a Carboniferous or a volcanic origin (Wikipe- arid areas represented in the north and west are not dia contributors 2018). This results in a variety of comparable to Bhutan. From nearby Bangladesh, no soil types, which are intermingled. Due to the high Pterophoridae are known. Myanmar counts 8 spe- precipitation, especially in the monsoon period from cies and Thailand 35, which means these countries May to August, the mountains show strong erosion. are undersampled. Compared to the figures from Slopes are covered with a thick layer of loose soil and surrounding countries, the present 28 species for sediments accumulate at the bottom of the valleys. Bhutan are expected. An additional factor is the temperature. In the low For the above reasons, Bhutan is a very interesting regions, especially in the spring and early summer, country to study, with numerous biotopes in a relative- monsoon winds bring heated air from the Indian ly small area, with different faunal areas, a transition subcontinent, often with temperatures over 40°C zone, different soil types, and climatological differ- and high humidity. The temperatures drop with in- ences, together creating a very high biodiversity. creasing altitude, but still bring thick clouds up to With the present additions, we add 10 species to high altitudes. Every year, vast amounts of rain fall the fauna of Bhutan, of which one is new to science: during this period. Pterophorus karmawangdii spec. nov. The mountainous character of the country has a Voucher specimens will be placed in the Natu- limiting effect on the possibilities for soil use. Agri- ralis Biodiversity Center. The remaining specimens culture is very small-scaled, with rice fields along the are or will be returned to the N.B.C. in Serbithang, slopes up to 2500 meters. Cattle herding takes place Bhutan. in temperate camps in the mountains during the summer period. In autumn the herds migrate to low- er altitudes to overwinter. Only the narrow stretch of Materials and methods land along the Indian border gives possibilities for Specimens were collected with light traps, and in slightly more intensive agricultural activity. Some in- the daytime by sweeping the vegetation with a net. dustrial activity is also present in this zone. This situ- The localities where collecting took place vary in ation, combined with the creation of national park altitude from 210 to 3995 meters. After collecting areas, which cover 52% of the land surface, ensures and killing, the insects were stored in glassine enve- the native habitat is not at risk for the near future. As lopes, and dried for shipping. For further research always, population growth is a threat that cannot be the material was relaxed, pinned and prepared. From calculated (R. Govt Bhutan 2017). all species genitalia were dissected and mounted on During the surveys in 2016 and 2017, approxi- glass slides in Euparal. Photographs of the moths mately 100 plume moth specimens were collected. were made with a Nikon D300 camera with bellows- Specimens were collected from the lowland at 210– extension on which a Zeiss Luminar 100 mm lens was 300 meters, close to the border with India, up to mounted, and illuminated in a ‘light-box’ with a full- 4000 meters altitude in the mountains. After having spectrum tube light; genitalia were photographed been identified, the results, together with the results with an Olympus BH2 microscope and a Nikon of a literature survey, are presented in the present D800 digital camera. Images were processed with publication. Until recently, only a limited number Adobe Photoshop Elements 15. All collected speci- of species had been mentioned to occur in Bhutan, mens are recorded in a database program named but after the publications of Li et al. (2003) and Klasse (distributed by the Netherlands Entomologi- Ustjuzhanin et al. (2017) this number rose. Up to cal Society). With entered data, Klasse generates dis- now only one new species had been described from tribution maps. Bhutan, from the vicinity of Thimphu: Hellinsia bhutanensis Arenberger, 1995. From Nepal, a coun- try similar to Bhutan in the southern Himalayas and Abbreviations used bordering India, which is rather well examined, 32 CG – Cees Gielis, Lexmond, The Netherlands species of Pterophoridae are known. From Sikkim, Prep – Genital preparation between Nepal and Bhutan, which has been a part of NBC – National Biodiversity Centre, Ser- India since 1975, although well examined by British bithang, Bhutan entomologists in the late 19th century, no data are RMNH – Naturalis Biodiversity Center, Leiden, available. The countries north (China with 76 spe- The Netherlands (formerly: Rijksmu- cies known) and south (India with 91 species known) seum voor Natuurlijke Historie) of Bhutan are well known, but the numbers of spe- UWICE – Ugyen Wangchuck Institute for Con- cies known to these countries are not clearly compa- servation and Environment, Bumthang, rable to Bhutan, due to the size of these countries. Bhutan <UN> Gielis & Wangdi: The Pterophoridae of Bhutan (Lepidoptera) 81 Species accounts Host plants. Senecio vernalis Waldst. & Kit., S. visco- Ochyrotica connexiva (Walsingham, 1891). sus L., S. cruentus DC., Erigeron canadensis L., E. Figs 1, 59 linifolius Willd., Calendula arvensis L., C. officina- Steganodactyla connexiva Walsingham, 1891: 242 lis L., Callistephus chinensis Nees, Centaurea cyanus — Burma. L., Dahlia pinnata Cav., Emilia flammea Cass., Remarks. Reported in the literature (Arenberger Helichrysium bracteatum Wild, Teucrium tomento- 1995): Gedu. sum Lam. (Gielis 2003, Matthews & Lott 2005). Platyptilia farfarellus Zeller, 1867 Platyptilia gandaki Gielis, 1999 Figs 2, 23, 44,