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| Stygioides hecate Japaridze & Junnilainen, in Japaridze, Junnilainen et Sihvonen, 2026. |
Abstract
A new species of the genus Stygioides Bruand, 1853 (Lepidoptera: Cossidae) is described from central Turkey. Stygioides hecate Japaridze & Junnilainen sp. nov. is based on material collected in the Sultan Daðlarý Mountains (Konya Province). The new species is characterised by its distinct wing coloration in females. Adults are diurnal, as in other members of the genus, and were collected by daytime netting. DNA barcode data (COI) are provided and compared with available sequences in the Barcode of Life Data Systems (BOLD Systems), supporting the distinctiveness of the new taxon. The discovery of this species increases the number of Stygioides species to 10 and those from Turkey to three, thus contributing to a better understanding of the diversity and distribution of the genus in the Palaearctic realm.
Lepidoptera, carpenter moths, DNA barcoding, Heteroneura, Middle East
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| Adults of Stygioides hecate Japaridze & Junnilainen sp. nov. A–B. Paratype male, dorsal and ventral view and associated labels. C–D. Holotype female, dorsal and ventral view and associated labels. Scale bar: 10 mm |
Stygioides hecate Japaridze & Junnilainen sp. nov.
Diagnosis: Males of S. hecate Japaridze & Junnilainen sp. nov. differ from S. nupponenorum by the presence of a distinct white tip of the male abdomen and white scales on the antennae, the absence of brown piliform scales on the abdomen, a narrower apex of the valvae, and a shorter saccus (Figs 1A–1B, 2 C; cf. Lingenhöle et al. 2016: fig. 6; Yakovlev 2011: fig. 35). Females are readily distinguished from all congeners by the presence of golden-yellow scales on the antennae, head, thorax and wings (Figs 1C–1D; cf. Lingenhöle et al. 2017: figs 1–3, 9; Japaridze et al. 2025b: fig. 22).
Etymology: The species name is derived from Hecate, the ancient Greek goddess associated with the night and commonly depicted carrying yellow or golden torches. This name alludes to the coloration of the holotype female, which is predominantly black with yellow-golden scales on the wings, thorax, head, and antennae.
LASHA-GIORGI JAPARIDZE, JARI JUNNILAINEN and PASI SIHVONEN. 2026. A Golden Shadow in the Mountains: A New Stygioides Bruand, 1853 (Lepidoptera: Cossidae) from Turkey. Zootaxa. 5821(2); 274-280. DOI: doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5821.2.8 [2026-05-29]
