Cranionycta (Nefrendinycta) nigralbata ( Warren, 1914 ), 2025

Kiss, Ádám, 2025, Taxonomic study of the genus Cranionycta de Lattin, 1949 (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae: Acronictinae) with description of a new subgenus and 21 new species, Zootaxa 5640 (1), pp. 1-71 : 42

Cranionycta (Nefrendinycta) nigralbata ( Warren, 1914) comb. nov.

( Fig. 46 )

Acronicta nigralbata Warren, 1914 , Novitates Zoologicae 21: 402. Type-locality: [ India, Meghalaya], Khasia Hills. Lectotype: female, in coll. BMNH, here designated.

Lectotype designation. Lectotype of Acronicta nigralbata Warren, 1914 : female, labelled as “Khasis, / Oct. 1895. / Nat. Coll.” [brownish label], “ Acronicta / nigralbata / Type ♀ Warren ” [brownish label, handwritten], “[QR Code] / BMNH(E) 1688699” . Lectotype is deposited in the BMNH.

Note. “ Acronicta nigralbata ” has been treated in the genus Acronicta by Poole (1989). Unfortunately, during the preparation of this paper, none of the three syntypes was available. However, one female was photographed by L. Ronkay, which presents all the external distinguishable characters of Cranionycta from Acronicta . Thus this specimen, preserving the name, was selected for lectotype. On the other hand, no additional material is known from this species, therefore, both male and female genitalia, and the exact placement in the genus are still unknown.

Diagnosis. Cranionycta (Nefrendinycta) nigralbata ( Fig. 46 ) can be distinguished from its relatives by the presence of the two blackish anterior spots of the thorax; the more variegated, ochreous-grey forewing tinged with bluish in the antemedial line and the narrow terminal field; the more pronounced basal and antemedial line at the costa with a greyish, rectangular patch between them; the wide, strongly wedge-shaped basal streak with a more prominent basal part; the more contrastingly marked suprabasal patch; the narrow whitish inner part of the medial field; the angled, zigzag medial line; the paler medial fascia; the strongly crenulate postmedial line; the conspicuously wide, wavy whitish-ochre subterminal line; the reduced orbicular stigma with a tiny, black comma-like line inwardly; and the reduced reniform stigma outlined with an indistinct series of pale, blackish spots and lines. Wingspan 35 mm. Distribution. The species is only known from its type locality Khasia Hills and is probably endemic to the neighbouring territories.

The atrazonaria species-group

The atrazonaria species-group is the most varied species-group in external appearance in the entire genus. Externally three out of five species can be placed anywhere within the subgenus. The remaining two species have a unique appearance: the medial line is gently curved and slightly wavy without any sharp angles or large waves; and the medial fascia is relatively wide, extending into the tornal area.

The most reliable characters are on the genitalia of both sexes. In males, the valvae are more or less parallel, with more angular breaks on the costa and more angularly curved ventral margin proximally; the moderately sclerotized and moderately long medial sclerite with a conspicuous, tiny, sclerotized basal protrusion. In females, the appendix bursae is rather short with a relatively wide middle section; and the distal end of the appendix bursae is more or less ventrally oriented, short, and fairly wide with a relatively large terminal twist. Wingspan 28–32 mm.

In the male 8 th abdominal segments, the sternite is more or less trapezoidal or quadrangular; and the window is low and oval or high and more or less rounded with a more or less wider, constricted sclerotized stripe. The tergite is proximally somewhat more sclerotized, widest in the middle then running more or less parallel distally; the proximal part is somewhat more sclerotized; the lateral sides are proximally narrowing, distally widening with elongate, triangular spur-like distal end; and the window is narrow, more or less spade-shaped with a shorter or longer peak proximally.

In the female 7 th abdominal segments, the sternite has a moderately curved or rather rounded V-shaped distal edge.

Distribution. Sino-Himalayan.

Figures

FIGURES 41–50. Adults of Cranionycta spp. 41. C. (N.) pallidobrunnea sp. nov., HT, female, Nepal, Kathmandu valley, Godavari, slide No.: KA1221f (coll. ZSM); 42. C. (N.) punakhae, HT, female, Bhutan, Punakha, 2 km N Rimchu, slide No.: CG7657 (photo C. Gielis; coll. NBC); 43. C. (N.) fuscothoracica sp. nov., HT, female, Thailand, 5 km NW of Pai, vicinity of Muang Pai Resort, slide No.: KA1925f (coll. GR); 44. C. (N.) fuscothoracica sp. nov., PT, male, Vietnam, Plato Tay, Nguyen, Mt. Ngok Linh, slide No.: KA2073m (coll. MfN); 45. C. (N.) castanea sp. nov., HT, female, China, Prov. Yunnan, Mt. Gaoligong, slide No.: HHL6186 (photo and coll. NEFU); 46. C. (N.) nigralbata, LT, female, India, Meghalaya, Khasia Hills (photo L. Ronkay; coll. BMNH); 47. C. (N.) boursini sp. nov., HT, male, Nepal, Thodung, slide No.: N956 (coll. ZSM); 48. C. (N.) jubingica sp. nov., HT, male, Nepal, Jubing, slide No.: KA1222m (coll. ZSM); 49. C. (N.) albothoracica sp. nov., HT, female, Laos, Phu Soai Dao, slide No.: KA1225f (coll. GB); 50. C. (N.) albothoracica sp. nov., PT, male, Vietnam, Plato Tay, Nguyen, Mt. Ngok Linh, slide No.: KA2072m (coll. MfN).