Phulia stoddardi Pyrcz & Cerdeña, 2022

Pyrcz, Tomasz W., Willmott, Keith R., Lamas, Gerardo, Boyer, Pierre, Florczyk, Klaudia, Fåhraeus, Christer, Mahecha, Oscar, Cerdeña, José, Mrozek, Artur, Farfán, Jackie & Zubek, Anna, 2022, Considerations on the Systematics of Neotropical Pierina, with the Description of Two New Species of Phulia Herrich-Schäffer from the Peruvian Andes (Lepidoptera: Pieridae, Pierinae, Pierini), Neotropical Entomology 51 (6), pp. 840-859 : 843-844

Phulia stoddardi Pyrcz & Cerdeña n. sp.

Types: HOLOTYPE (male): PERU, Ancash: ruta Conococha – Ocros , Abra , 10°15′22″S, 77°15′11″W, 4800 m, 11.vi.2019, J. Farfán and J. Cerdeña, [ MUSM] ; Paratypes (10 males and 4 females): 1 male and 1 female: same data as the holotype [ MUSA] ; 5 males and 2 females: Peru, Ancash, paso carretera Conococha–Ocros , 4800–4850 m a.s.l., 13.vi.2019, T. Pyrcz [ CEP-UJ] (1 female prep. genit. 1751_ 18.07.2019 / K. Florczyk; prep. mol. CEPUJ 20,190,713 , prep. mol. CEPUJ 20,190,714 ) ; 4 males and 1 female: Ocros vers Huaraz km 27, 10°15′23″S, 77°15′14″W, 4800 m, 11.vi.2019, P. Boyer leg., [ PBF] .

Diagnosis: The new species is closely similar in wing size and shape to species previously assigned to the genus Piercolias , in particular P. cf. forsteri ( Fig. 1E–H ) from Ticlio, Lima, Peru, and P. huanaco (Staudinger, 1894) , although the FW of Phulia stoddardi n. sp. is more elongated with a more convex outer margin. Also, the color pattern is similar to that of P. cf. forsteri , from which it differs in being lighter, with less black on the FWD, and in particular, by the row of subapical black spots which is parallel to the outer margin, whereas in other species previously assigned to Piercolias that same row is sharply displaced basally in cell M 3 -Cu 1. The HWV color is similar to Piercolias , almost patternless but even darker, with a strong greenish suffusion as in P. cf. forsteri , in contrast to the dashed pattern of other high-elevation Pierinae, such as Phulia sensu stricto ( Fig. 2A–D ) and Infraphulia ( Fig. 2E–F ). The wing pattern of the species placed until now in Pierphulia ( Fig. 2G–H ) is, in this respect, intermediate, as it shows darker postdiscal dots on a uniform ground color.

Description: Adults: MALE ( Fig. 1A–B ): Head: eyes patchy chestnut and dark brown, naked; palpi 2.5 times the length of head, black, covered with milky white scales; antennae reaching 2/3 of costa, black covered intermittently with white scales, denser on ventral surface of spoon-shaped club. Forewing (length: 17–18 mm) elongated with a convex outer margin and a subacute apex, densely hairy in basal part; fringes long and white. Venation ( Fig. 7 ) characterized by the common stem of forewing M 2 and R 3+4; R 2 arising basally from the stem of R 3, not from the same stem as in Piercolias , but similarly to Phulia and Pierphulia ; hindwing M 1 and M 2 arising from the same stem, as in Phulia but contrary to Piercolias , Pierphulia , and Infraphulia . Hindwing oval, densely hairy in basal part; fringes long and white. FWD mostly snow white except for some black scales along costa, a black discal cell end patch, a row of subapical patches, parallel to outer margin, from costa to vein Cu 1, and a row of marginal, roughly triangular patches from apex to vein Cu 2, gradually smaller. HWD snow white, dusted with some black scales in basal and post-basal area. FWV predominantly snow white, dusted with cream yellow scales along costa, outer margin, apical and subapical area; a faint discal cell black patch; and a series of equally faint subapical patches in cells M 1 -M 2 to M 3 -Cu 1. HWV cream yellow liberally dusted with black scales, denser in basal and post-basal areas, with a series of faint postdiscal black dots, one in every cell. Male genitalia ( Fig. 4 ): similar to other congeners. Uncus short, similar to species formerly placed in Phulia , considerably shorter than tegumen, slightly incised basally; tegumen smooth and thin, uncus short, similar to former Phulia , valva massive with a sharp distal tip, as in former Piercolias , aedeagus short and tubular with a serrate ventral surface and a prominent basal bulbous projection. FEMALE ( Fig. 1C–D ): sexual dimorphism is slight, the female is somewhat smaller (FW length 15–17 mm), with more prominent black pattern and on the upperside the ground color is richer, milky white. Female genitalia ( Fig. 5 ): Papillae weakly sclerotized and setose; prominent posterior apophyses, genital plates, consisting of large, lateral pockets, inwardly densely setulose, long and scarcely sclerotized ductus bursae except for the initial part, with a prominent accessory pouch, a large corpus bursae with large, double star-like signa at the entrance of ductus and a rudimentary secondary bursa, similar to the species placed previously in Piercolias .

Etymology. This species is dedicated to Terry Stoddard, an amateur lepidopterist from the U.S.A., and co-author of many significant contributions to the knowledge of Nearctic butterflies, in recognition of his excellent collaboration over the years and for sharing his experience on high-elevation butterflies.

Bionomics and distribution

This species has been found so far only at the type locality at the highest part of the road from Conococha to Ocros, at 4800–4950 m a.s.l., on the northern side of the slopes ( Fig. 13 ). Individuals were observed on a dry hillside almost devoid of any vegetation ( Fig. 11A–B ), except for some sparse “cushion” plants. Two species of Senecio ( Asteraceae ) were seen, one higher up on the mountain ridge, the other, lower, closer to a bog. Among cushion plants, three species of Asteraceae , Werneria sp. , Baccharis sp. , and Chaetanthera spp. , were identified, as well as Gentiana sedifolia ( Gentianaceae ) ( Fig. 11D–H ). No Brassicaceae , a likely hostplant, were observed although, admittedly, due to time constraints, our search was not exhaustive. Individuals of Phulia stoddardi n. sp. remained inactive for most of the morning, until around 11 am when gusty winds stopped blowing. They were observed performing short patrolling flights, very low to the ground, and engaging in energetic interactions with passing individuals. After such interactions, they dropped to the ground and sought shelter or basked on stones with their wings wide open, touching the substrate, in a similar way as with other high-elevation Pierinae. Lateral basking, a posture common among Colias Fabricius, 1807 , was not observed. When the temperature decreased, P. stoddardi n. sp. adults were observed seeking shelter by crawling under the rocks, presumably to avoid both freezing and desiccation. Adults were occasionally seen feeding on flowers, although at rest they were more frequently observed sitting on dry, sandy, and rocky slopes. Other species of butterflies seen in the area were exclusively pierids, including occasional passing Colias euxanthe C. Felder & R. Felder, 1865 and some Phulia garleppi Field & Herrera, 1977 ( Fig. 11C ), with the latter much more common around a bog situated approximately 150 m a.s.l. below the habitat of P. stoddardi n. sp.

Figures

Fig. 1 Adults. A Phulia stod- dardi male holotype upperside; B idem, underside; C. Phulia stoddardi female paratype, upperside; D idem, underside; E Phulia (Piercolias) cf. forsteri male, upperside (Ticlio); F idem, underside; G. Phulia (Piercolias) cf. forsteri female upperside (Ticlio); H idem, underside

Fig. 2 A Phulia nymphula nymphula male, upperside; B idem, underside; C Phulia nannophyes nannophyes male, upperside; D idem, underside; E Phulia (Infraphulia) madeleinea male, upperside; F. idem, under- side; G. Phulia (Pierphulia) nysias male, upperside; H. idem, underside

Fig. 7 Venation pattern of Phulia. A Phulia stoddardi n. sp.: B Phulia (Piercolias) huanaco; C. Phulia (Pierphulia) nysias; D Phulia nymphula; E Phulia garleppi; F Phulia (Infraphulia) madeleinea (B-F redrawn from Field, 1958)

Fig. 4 Male genitalia of Phulia stoddardi n. sp.: A lateral view; B vertical view; C aedeagus lateral view; D aedeagus verti- cal view

Fig. 5 Female genitalia of Phulia stoddardi n. sp.: lateral view

Fig.13 Distribution of Phulia phantasma n. sp. and Phulia stoddardi n. sp

Fig. 11 Habitat of Phulia stod- dardi n. sp. in type locality: A Phulia stoddardi n. sp. male in the field, thermoregulating on rocky substrate; B sandy slope with lose boulders where most observations of adults took place, 4850–4900 m; C view on the lake and boggy area at 4700 m, biotope of Phulia garleppi were abundant; D view of the Cordillera Huaywash; E Werneria sp., and Asteraceae sp.; F Asteraceae sp.; G Senecio sp.; H Gentiana sedifolia (pho- tos: P. Boyer)