Microchilo imminutela Léger, 2024

Léger, Théo, 2024, Half of the Diversity Undescribed: Integrative Taxonomy Reveals 32 New Species and a High Cryptic Diversity in the Scopariinae and Crambinae of the Philippines (Lepidoptera: Crambidae), Bulletin of the Society of Systematic Biologists 3 (2), pp. 1-93 : 78-82

Microchilo imminutela Léger , sp. n.

https://zoobank.org/ D79AD250-2DDF-46F9-A03F-0F73C277F25D

Figs. 57 , 178 .

MATERIAL

Holotype: ♀ (specimen identifier coll.mfn-berlin.de_u_b9e672, DNA voucher MFNLEP-PYRALPHIL08-B08 , genitalia on slide TL1308♀; BOLD sample ID PYPHI173-22, Genbank Accession Number PP196857 ). PHILIPPINES: Luzon, Zambales Mountains, Coto , 110 m, 05-06.05.1999 (K. Ebert, W. Mey). Deposited in MfN .

Paratypes: 3 ♀ (specimen identifiers coll.mfn-berlin.de_u_6cdafb, bd9f4f, f47423) (detailed information in Table S1; https://doi.org/10.5061/dryad.b8gtht7mh) .

Other specimens examined: 1 ♀ (detailed information in Table S1; https://doi.org/10.5061/dryad.b8gtht7mh) .

DIAGNOSIS

This species is externally similar to Microchilo bundoki sp. n. and is best separated from the latter by examination of the female genitalia (male specimens are unknown). In female genitalia ( Fig. 178 ), the transverse row of sclerotized spines at midlength of the corpus bursae opening separates this species from its congeners.

HABITUS ( FIG. 57 )

Forewing length 3.5 mm (n = 2), background with a mix of white and brown scales. Antemedian line curved outwards, shortly indented inwards in cubital area, cream. Antemedian band dark brown, medially tawny. Postmedian band tawny, medially widened. Postmedian line white, broadly arched. Margin with seven black spots. Margin chequered cream and dark brown. Hindwing greyish brown.

MALE GENITALIA

Unknown.

FEMALE GENITALIA ( FIG. 178 )

Papillae anales small, triangular in lateral view. Posterior apophyses ca 1.8 X length of tergite VIII. Intersegmental membrane as long as length of tergite VIII. Anterior apophyses ca 1.7 X length of tergite VIII. Colliculum short, anteriorly lightly sclerotized. Ductus bursae ca as long as corpus bursae, straight, basal half covered with minute spicules. Corpus bursae ovoid, membranous with tiny spines, medially with one transverse row of thick sclerotized spines.

DISTRIBUTION

PHILIPPINES: Luzon (Zambales). Collected at an altitude of 150 m.

DNA BARCODING

The highest intraspecific p-distance observed is of 1 % between sample MFNLEP-PYRALPHIL01-D02 from Panay and the samples from Luzon (Zambales).

ETYMOLOGY

From the Latin minutalis , e: small, undersized. The name was appended to a series of specimens in the NHMUK.

Figures

Figs 56-57. Forewings of Microchilo. Fig. 56. Microchilo spinosus sp. n., ♀, paratype, specimen coll.mfn-berlin.de_u_58c789, left wing (mirrored). Fig. 57. Microchilo imminutela sp. n., specimen coll.mfn-berlin.de_u_7fbefe, right wing

Figs 176-178. Female genitalia of Microchilo species. Fig. 176. Microchilo cebuano sp. n., holotype, slide TL918♀. Fig. 177. Microchilo spinosus sp. n., paratype, slide TL1208♀. Fig. 178. Microchilo imminutela sp. n., paratype, slide TL1209♀.