Meleonoma auriculata, Zhu & Wang, 2025

Zhu, Xiaoju & Wang, Shuxia, 2025, Taxonomy of the facialis species-group of the genus Meleonoma Meyrick, 1914 (Lepidoptera: Autostichidae) from China, with descriptions of nineteen new species, Zootaxa 5637 (1), pp. 99-125 : 107-108

Meleonoma auriculata sp. nov.

( Figs 5 , 27 )

Type material. CHINA, Yunnan: Holotype ♂, Qinlangdang (27.69°N, 98.27°E), Mt. Gaoligong , 380 m, 28.V.2017, leg. KJ Teng et al., slide No. ZXJ19605 . Paratypes, Yunnan: 8♂, same data as holotype, slide No. ZXJ18353 ; 5♂, same data as holotype, except 29.V–1.VI.2017 .

Diagnosis. The new species is similar to M. triangula Wang, 2016 in the costal part of the valva with a wide band on the ventral margin in the male genitalia. It can be distinguished by the costal part of the valva auriculate distally, the sacculus deeply concave in V shape apically, and the phallus with a slender, curved distal process. In M. triangula , the costal part of the valva is triangular distally, the sacculus is not concave apically, and the phallus lacks a slender, curved process ( Yin & Wang 2016: 135, fig. 6). It is also similar to M. apicula sp. nov., and the differences between them can be found in the diagnosis of the preceding species.

Description. Adult ( Fig. 5 ). Forewing length 4.5 mm.

Head with yellow scales, frons yellowish white, vertex dark grey. Labial palpus yellowish white; first segment black on outer surface; second segment with scattered black scales in distal 2/3, forming a black ring at apex; third segment black except yellowish white at base and at apex, 2/3 as long as second segment. Antenna yellow; scape with scattered black scales on dorsal surface; flagellum annulated with black on dorsal surface.

Thorax yellow mixed with black scales; tegula black, yellow apically. Legs yellow, with exceptions on ventral surface: coxa of foreleg with scattered black scales, femora of fore- and midlegs black mixed with yellow scales, femur of hindleg with scattered black scales, tarsus of foreleg dark brown except yellow at base of basal tarsomere and at apices of basal two and apical one tarsomeres, tarsus of midleg black except yellow at apices of basal two tarsomeres and yellow at apical one tarsomere, tarsus of hindleg with basal four tarsomeres black except yellow at apices, all tibiae black except yellow at middle and at apex. Forewing elongate lanceolate, apex narrowly rounded; ground colour yellow, mixed with black scales, with a black stripe on basal 1/3 of costal margin, wider at base, with a small dot at distal 1/3 of costal margin, composed of a few black scales; costal spot black, semicircular, situated at middle; apical patch black, extending from distal part of costal margin along termen to tornal spot; tornal spot black, narrowly joined with apical patch on termen; plical spot black, situated at middle of fold; discal and discocellular spots black, at middle and at outer margin of cell respectively, discocellular spots placed one above the other; fringe black. Hindwing and fringe greyish brown.

Abdomen. Male genitalia ( Fig. 27 ). Uncus with basal 1/3 roundly dilated, distal 2/3 clavate, narrowly rounded at apex. Tegumen arched, uniformly banded, slightly narrower anterolaterally, sclerotized along inner margin. Costal part of valva uniformly narrow in basal 1/3, slightly widened from basal 1/3 to middle, thereafter narrowed to rounded apex, densely setose distally, distal 1/2 auriculate; ventral margin with basal half heavily sclerotized, forming a wide band; costal band heavily sclerotized, basal 1/2 slightly wider than distal 1/2, reaching tip of costal margin; transtilla short, blunt at apex. Sacculus heavily sclerotized on dorsal and ventral margins, deeply concave in broad V shape apically, forming two lobes: dorsal lobe shorter, rounded at apex, ventral lobe longer, pointed at apex. Saccus approximately 1.5 times length of uncus, wide at base, gradually narrowed to rounded apex. Juxta slender. Phallus longer than costal part of valva, tubular before middle, distal part produced to a very long, slender, curved process, uniformly narrow except pointed at apex and produced into two short sclerites.

Female unknown.

Distribution. China (Yunnan).

Etymology. The specific epithet is derived from the Latin auricula (lobe of the ear or small ear) referring to the distally ear-like costal part of the valva.

Figures

FIGURES 1−8. Adults of Meleonoma spp. 1, M. acutidens sp. nov., ♂, paratype; 2, M. aequabilis sp. nov., ♂, holotype; 3, M. angularis sp. nov., ♂, holotype; 4, M. apicula sp. nov., ♂, holotype; 5, M. auriculata sp. nov., ♂, paratype; 6, M. balteiformis sp. nov., ♂, holotype; 7, M. bilobata, ♂; 8, M. costiclavata sp. nov. ♂, holotype. Scale bars = 2.0 mm.

FIGURES 23−28. Male genitalia of Meleonoma spp. 23, M. acutidens sp. nov., holotype, slide No. ZXJ19371; 24, M. aequabilis sp. nov., holotype, slide No. ZXJ18364; 25, M. angularis sp. nov., holotype, slide No. ZXJ19376; 26, M. apicula sp. nov., holotype, slide No. ZXJ19606; 27, M. auriculata sp. nov., paratype, slide No. ZXJ18353; 28, M. balteiformis sp. nov., holotype, slide No. ZXJ18356. Scale bars = 0.2 mm.