Abstract
A new species of the genus Digitivalva Gaedike, 1970 from Japan, D. bella Zhang, Yagi & Hirowatari, sp. nov., is described. The host plant of this species is identified as Carpesium divaricatum Sieb. & Zucc. (Asteraceae). Larvae of this species pupate beneath the host tissue; this habit is for the first time reported for the genus Digitivalva in Japan. Adult specimens with male and female genitalia and pupae are illustrated and described in detail. Although the wing markings differ, the new species is considered closely related to D. arnicella (Heyden, 1863) from Europe, with which it shares similar biological and morphological features.
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| Adults of Digitivalva bella sp. nov. A. Male, holotype. B. Female, paratype. Scale bars: 2 mm. |
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| Digitivalva bella sp. nov. Male genitalia slide No. XZG-24 Female genitalia slide No. XZG-29 |
Genus Digitivalva Gaedike, 1970
Digitivalva bella Zhang, Yagi & Hirowatari, sp. nov.
Diagnosis: This species can be easily distinguished from other Digitivalva species by its bright orange colour with silvery-white stripes on the forewing. The male genitalia are similar to those of D. arnicella (Heyden, 1863) by sharing the absence of a horizontal split in the costal arm of the valva and developed sacculus, and the broad vinculum-saccus combination. Male genitalia of this species can easily be distinguished from those of other Digitivalva species by possessing a single vertical split on each costal arm of the valva and a C-shaped valva (sacculus broad, extraordinary in D. arnicella). The female genitalia are similar to those of D. arnicella in the absence of a signum; however, this species can be distinguished by the ovally rounded ostium bursae (triangular in D. arnicella).
Etymology: The specific name of Digitivalva bella sp. nov. is the female form of the Latin adjective bellus, “beautiful,” to describe the fascinating bright orange with silvery white stripes of the forewing, which can be differentiated from other species of the genus Digitivalva.
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| The life history of Digitivalva bella sp. nov. at Tarai-misaki, Toji, Izu Peninsula, Japan. A. Last instar larva. B, C. Last instar larvae mining inside the host. D. Pupation site (arrow) inside the leaf. E. Cocoon with the pupa inside under the epidermis. F. Cut cocoon and pupal exuviae. G. Lateral, ventral, and dorsal views of pupal exuviae. H. Resting posture of an emerged adult. |
Xinyu Zhang, Sadahisa Yagi and Toshiya Hirowatari. 2024. A remarkable New Species of the Genus Digitivalva Gaedike, 1970 (Lepidoptera, Glyphipterigidae, Acrolepiinae) from Japan. Nota Lepidopterologica. 47: 187-199. DOI: doi.org/10.3897/nl.47.130063
