Gnathocinara zolotuhini, Sarkar & Joshi & Mollah & Singh, 2025

Sarkar, Ankhi, Joshi, Rahul, Mollah, Kaiyum Baskh & Singh, Navneet, 2025, On the taxonomy of genus Gnathocinara Dierl, 1978 (Lepidoptera, Bombycidae) from India with description of a new species, Zootaxa 5647 (5), pp. 475-478 : 476-478

Gnathocinara zolotuhini sp. nov.

urn:lsid:zoobank.org:act:015841C5-2DD9-4576-924F-FBC7B5069300

( Figs. 1–8 )

Type material. Holotype. [ INDIA] ♂, Ila Homestay (N 25.24154°, E 91.72839°), Cherrapunji ( East Khasi Hills ), Meghalaya, 08.vi.2024, light trapping, S.K. Shah & party leg. ( NZCZSI) . Paratype. [ INDIA] ♂, Umngi Guest House (N 25.25444°, E 91.49876°), Phlangwanbroi ( East Khasi Hills ), Meghalaya, 07.vi.2024, S.K. Shah & party leg. ( NZCZSI) .

Diagnosis. Morphologically, G. zolotuhini sp. nov. is closely similar to G. boi . The new species is slightly smaller in size (FW length 15mm) and lacks stigma and a dot on forewing (in G. boi, FW length 16-18 mm, with reniform stigma and a small grey dot on forewing is present). In male genitalia, the additional processes of uncus are more rhomboidal and apically pointed; vincular processes are well separated ventrally; aedeagus with one small apical hook (in G. boi , additional processes are rectangular and apically modified into large pointed spine; vincular processes are ventrally fused upto middle; aedeagus with two small apical hooks). Moreover, the 8 th sternite with a pair of posterior processes, each process with the outer arm broader and apically bifid equally; the inner process smaller, straight and pointed (in G. boi outer process is bifid with unequal arms; inner process long, curved and sharply pointed). Further, the absence of black elements on wings and male genitalia with apical part of saccus swollen, presence of spine on aedeagus and shape of the 8 th sternite differentiate new species from G. situla .

Description. Male: wingspan 34 mm; forewing length 15 mm. Head with frons covered with brownish scales; vertex covered with white scales; compound eyes large, elliptical, surrounded by black scales; labial palpi short, dark brown; antenna bipectinate, rami yellowish-brown shortened towards apex. Thorax covered with white scales, pecten white. Forewings greyish-white, covered with dense white scales; costa with medial (prominent) and post medial (small) black spots; two fainted black spots on R1 and R2; a dull post medial patch from dorsum to M1; terminal patch broad and grey, extending from apex and ending just above termen; cilia blackish with tinge of white. Hindwing white with two short and faint bands on hind margin near tornus; inner margin with 3 black spots; cilia white; underside same. Abdomen greyish black covered with white scales; last segment covered with white and black scales.

Male genitalia with uncus finger-shaped, bearing a pair of rhomboidal and apically pointed processes; socii present; gnathos long, curved; valva sickle shaped, vinculum with long processes, ventrally well separated and having apical spine like projections; saccus distally swollen; aedeagus straight, thin with one small apical spine, coecum penis with a bifurcate process; tergite 8 th triangular, anterior margin with two long, slender processes extending laterally; sternite 8 th strongly developed with a pair of posterior processes; each process with the outer arm broader and apically bifid; the inner arm small, straight and pointed; anterior margin of 8 th sternite with two long processes, apically directed outward and expanded.

Female. Unknown.

Distribution. India (Meghalaya).

Etymology. The species is named in the honour of late Dr. Vadim V. Zolotuhin ( Russia), for his contributions in the field of Lepidoptera taxonomy.

Figures

FIGURES 1–8. Gnathocinara zolotuhini sp. nov. (Male). 1, Holotype ♂; 2, Paratype ♂; 3, Male genitalia (Lateral view); 4, Enlarged view of gnathos; 5, Male genitalia (Ventral view); 6, Sternite 8th; 7, Tergite 8th; 8, Aedeagus.