Table Of ContentPROC. ENTOMOL. SOC. WASH.
108(2), 2006, pp. 418-428
A STUDY OF THE GENUS RHODOBATES RAGONOT (LEPIDOPTERA:
TINEIDAE) FROM CHINA
HOUHUN LI AND YUNLI XIAO
College of Life Sciences, Nankai University, Tianjin, 300071, P. R. China (e-mail:
liho@ nuankhai.uedun.cn )
Abstract.4We treat seven species of Rhodobates Ragonot from China, of which five
are described as new: Rhodobates bifurcatus Li and Xiao, n. sp., Rhodobates triangu-
latus Li and Xiao, n. sp., Rhodobates fascespinatus Li and Xiao, n. sp., Rhodobates
curvativus Li and Xiao, n. sp., and Rhodobates cupulatus Li and Xiao, n. sp. The
female of Rhodobates sinensis Petersen is reported for the first time. Photographs of the
adults and illustrations of wing venation, male 8th abdominal segments, and genital struc-
tures of all the species except Rhodobates amorphopa (Meyrick) are provided, along with
a key to the species.
Key Words: Lepidoptera, Tineidae, Rhodobates, systematics, new species, China
Rhodobates Ragonot was proposed in Rhodobates Ragonot, 1895
1895, with Euplocamus laevigatellus Her-
Rhodobates Ragonot 1895: civ. Type spe-
rich-Schaffer as its type species. Petersen
cies: Euplocamus laevigatellus Herrich-
(1965) reviewed the genus and added six
Schaffer 1854, by monotypy.
new species from the Palaearctic Region;
Paraplutella Rebel 1901: 163. Type spe-
Gozmany and Vari (1973) described two
cies: Paraplutella algiricella Rebel,
species from the Afrotropical Region; Pe-
1900, by monotypy.
tersen (1987) revised the genus, providing
Chliarostoma Meyrick 1913: 335. Type
a discussion of its phylogenetic relation-
ship, and added three new species and one species: Chliarostoma relecta Meyrick,
new subspecies; and Robinson and Tuck 1913, by monotypy.
(1996) synonymized the monotypic genus Phaulogenes Meyrick 1938: 27. Type spe-
Phaulogenes Meyrick and transferred its cies: Phaulogenes amorphopa Meyrick,
type species to Rhodobates Ragonot. To 1938, by monotypy.
date, the genus comprises 12 named species Tineodoxa Amsel 1955: 32. Type species:
and subspecies. Myrmecozela tibulella Rebel, 1936, by
Rhodobates is distributed mainly in the Af- original designation.
rotropical, Palaearctic, and Oriental regions.
In China, two species previously were re- Description.4Medium to large sized.
corded, R. amorphopa (Meyrick) and R. si- Head densely covered with erected narrow
nensis Petersen. Here we describe five new lamellar scales. Maxillary palpus five-seg-
species from Yunnan, Sichuan, Guangdong, mented, folded. Labial palpus recurved;
and Tianjin, China. All the specimens ex- second segment with or without sparse bris-
amined, including the types, are deposited in tles on outer side, ventral side with scale
the Insect Collection, College of Life Scienc- brush protruded forward and downwards in
es, Nankai University, Tianjin, China. most species. Antenna about 2/3 length of
VOLUME 108, NUMBER 2 419
forewing, without pecten; each flagellar R. cupulatus Li and Xiao, n. sp.
segment in male basally covered with one 2. Band connecting gnathos without sclerotized
OSES . 5..c oe ORO NNCNONONO o ONOMMONS fos o es oso. 3
annulus of broadly fanlike scales, female
4 Band connecting gnathos posteriorly with two
with two annuli of narrow lamellar scales;
strongly sclerotized triangular processes (Fig.
cilia in male about 0.5 times diameter of ZO). So cde R. triangulatus Li and Xiao, n. sp.
flagellomere, shorter in female. Forewing 3. Sacculus with spines close to apex ........ +
dark brown to dark ocherous, R, and R; = SAcCulusmwATDOUtESpPINES) leila eee =)
4. Valvae strongly curved inwards at about distal
stalked or separate. Hind wing with M, and
ven (eas 2/2) . R. curvativus Li and Xiao, n. sp.
M, short stalked or separated.
SV Alwacmotctiievied (1070210) saan eran een ae
Male genitalia: Uncus more or less con- Rey cae cote R. fascespinatus Li and Xiao, n. sp.
cave on caudal margin; ganthos with arms 5. Uncus deeply concave at middle of caudal mar-
joined distally by sclerotized structure; val- gin (Fig. 19)... R. bifurcatus Li and Xiao, n. sp.
4 Uncus with caudal margin almost straight (Fig.
vae connected by a complex of transtilla,
DAY Tee eeeta et aie, ats R. sinensis Petersen
anellus, and juxta; sacculus folded inwards;
anellus usually with lateral side fused with
Rhodobates bifurcatus Li and Xiao,
base of valva, ventrally open. Aedeagus
new species
usually slender, curved; vesica covered with
(Bigsy ise75, 135 195) 25)
spinules; cornutus present or absent.
Female genitalia: Posterior apophyses Types.4Holotype d, China: Mt. Wei-
about twice length of anterior apophyses. bao, Weishan County (25°14'N, 100°189E),
Ostium funnel-shaped in general; ductus Yunnan Province, 2,200 m, 21 vii 2001,
bursae elongate, slender; corpus bursae pyr- leg. Houhun Li & Xinpu Wang, genitalia
iform, signum absent. slide No. XYLO4150. Paratypes: 46 ¢, 15
Distribution.4China, Lebanon, Jordan, 2, same data as holotype.
Iran, Iraq, Turkey, Russia, Spain, Italy, Mal- Diagnosis.4The new species is allied to
ta, Greece, Egypt, Morocco, Libya, Algeria, R. sinensis, but it can be separated from the
Tunisia, Tanzania, South Africa, and several latter by the presence of two small yellow-
islands of the Mediterranean Sea. ish-white spots on the forewing, one at
Remarks.4Rhodobates is closest to about % of fold and the second at the distal
Cimitra Walker (Hapsiferinae) in appear- end of cell, uncus deeply concave at middle
ance. It is characterized by the head with of caudal margin, ventral valva with two
erect narrow lamellar scales, gnathos joined subtriangular protuberances at % and %4, and
by one sclerotized structure, and valvae the juxta anteriorly bifurcate. In R. sinensis,
connected by a specialized complex of tran- the forewing is uniformly dark grey, the un-
stilla, anellus, and juxta. Petersen (1987) cus is almost straight in caudal margin, the
transferred Rhodobates from the Myrme- valva ventrally lacks protuberance, and the
cozelinae to Hapsiferinae, but Robinson juxta is anteriorly rounded.
and Nielsen (1993) disagreed with this Description (Figs. 1, 7).4Wingspan
placement and referred it back to Myrme- 18.0425.0 mm. Head dark ocherous. Labial
cozelinae, which we follow in this paper. palpus dark ocherous; second segment with
O4S5 bristles in outer side, scale brush with
KEY TO THE CHINESE SPECIES OF inside dark ocherous, outside dark brown.
RHODOBATES Thorax and tegula dark brown. Forewing
[Because R. amorphopa (Meyrick) is and cilia dark brown, with small yellowish-
known only from the female, it is not white spot at % of fold and distal end of
included in the key.] cell; R, connate with R,;. Hind wing and
cilia dark grey, all veins separate.
1. Gnathos connected by a slender band ...... 2
Male 8th abdominal segment (Fig. 13):
4 Gnathos connected by a small weakly sclero-
tized triangular plate (Fig. 23) Tergum somewhat triangular, rounded cau-
420 PROCEEDINGS OF THE ENTOMOLOGICAL SOCIETY OF WASHINGTON
Figs. 1-6. Adults of Rhodobates spp. 1, R. bifurcatus. 2, R. triangulatus. 3, R. fascespinatus. 4, R. curvativus.
5, R. cupulatus. 6, R. sinensis.
dally; sternum laterally sclerotized, gradu- from lateral side of anellus to % of valvae,
ally narrowed toward caudal margin; ante- its distal 7, expanded toward costa in irreg-
rior margin heavily sclerotized. ularly triangular shape. Anellus laterally
Male genitalia (Fig. 19): Uncus with 24 fused with base of costa. Juxta long, nar-
3 toothlike spines along lateral margin, row, anteriorly bifurcate, slightly concave
deeply concave at middle of caudal margin, at middle posteriorly. Sacculus folded in-
both ends slightly curved inwards; concave wards, extended backward to about % of
margin each with small heavily sclerotized valvae. Saccus small, somewhat triangular,
toothlike spine at ¥;. Gnathos joined in dis- rounded apically. Aedeagus strongly curved
tal 4 by one narrow V-shaped band, curved near apex; ductus ejaculatorius about %
at 1%; distal % quite sclerotized, ventrally length of aedeagus, with two slender scler-
with one small toothlike spine near apex; otized bands inside; cornutus absent.
apex pointed. Valvae with apex somewhat Female genitalia (Fig. 25): Ostium long
truncate, costa slightly concave at about 4% funnel-shaped, caudal margin concave,
and '2, ventral margin with subtriangular broad V-shaped. Ductus bursae with trans-
protuberance at 2 and %4; transtilla extended versal folds in posterior 4%.
VOLUME 108, NUMBER 2 421
Figs. 7-12. Wing venation of Rhodobates spp. 7, R. bifurcatus. 8, R. triangulatus. 9, R. fascespinatus. 10,
R. curvativus. 11, R. cupulatus. 12, R. sinensis.
Etymology.4The specific name is de- uan Province, 2,500 m, 10 vii 2001, leg.
rived from the Latin bifurcatus = bifurcate, Houhun Li & Xinpu Wang, genitalia slide
in reference to the anteriorly bifurcate juxta. No. XYL04152. Paratypes: 2 5, 1 2, same
data as holotype; 4 2°, Xiangcheng County
Rhodobates triangulatus Li and Xiao,
(28°55'N, 99°47'E), Sichuan Province,
new species
2,800 mm, 13 vii 2001, leg. Houhun Li &
(Bigs. 2,78; 14, 203,26)
Xinpu Wang.
Types.4Holotype d¢, China: Zhubalong, Diagnosis.4The new species resembles
Batang County (30°00'N, 99°09'E), Sich- R. sinensis, but it is distinguishable by the
42222 PROCEEDINGS OF THE ENTOMOLOGICAL SOCIETY OF WASHINGTON
triangularly concave caudal margin of the two sclerotized slender bands inside; cor-
uncus, which is almost straight in the latter; nutus absent.
the band connecting arms of gnathos bear- Female genitalia (Fig. 26): Ostium long
ing two small extra sclerotized triangular funnel-shaped; caudal margin shallowly
processes, which are lacking in R. sinensis; emarginate, widely V-shaped. Ductus bur-
and ductus ejaculatorius only about % the sae with numerous transversal folds in pos-
length of the aedeagus, but about % length tenor =
of aedeagus in R. sinensis. Etymology.4The specific name is de-
Description (Figs. 2, 8).4Wingspan rived from the Latin triangulatus = trian-
18.0423.0 mm. Head dark grey. Labial pal- gular, in reference to the band connecting
pus dark ocherous; second segment with O4 the gnathos posteriorly with two extra scler-
3 bristles in outer side, scale brush dark otized triangular processes.
ocherous, sparsely with scattered dark
Rhodobates fascespinatus Li and Xiao,
brown scales. Thorax and tegula dark grey.
new species
Forewing grey, tinged with dark brown
(Figs: 3, S5aS; 2 a27))
scales; cell with white spot at end; basal
distance between R, and R, about 3.0 times Types.4Holotype 6, China: Dawuling
that between R, and R,; cilia dark brown. Natural Reserve, Xinyi County (22°21'N,
Hind wing and cilia dark grey, all veins 110°569E), Guangdong Province, 1,000 m,
separated. 8 viii 2003, leg. Dandan Zhang, genitalia
Male Sth abdominal segment (Fig. 14): slide No. XYL04176. Paratypes: 2 2, same
Tergum more or less triangular, distally locality data as holotype, 8~10 viii 2003.
slightly expanded, caudally blunt; sternum Diagnosis.4This new species is similar
deeply concave at middle, somewhat trian- to R. sinensis, but it can be distinguished
gular laterally, with anterior margin heavily by the presence of two small dark brown
sclerotized. spots on the forewing, one at % of fold and
Male genitalia (Fig. 20): Uncus with the other at the distal end of the cell; in R.
caudal margin triangularly concave, both sinensis the forewing has no spots. In R.
ends slightly curved inwards, somewhat tri- fascespinatus, the valvae bear numerous
angular; concave margin each with small fascicled spines at the apex of the sacculus,
toothlike spine at %. Gnathos elongate, the saccus is ill-defined and cornuti consist
acutely bent at 4; arms connected by a nar- of six small spines; in R. sinensis, the val-
row V-shaped band at about ¥, the band vae lack spines, the saccus is well-devel-
posteriorly with two extra sclerotized tri- oped, and the cornuti are absent.
angular processes; distal 7; heavily sclero- Description (Fig. 3, 9).4Wingspan
tized, pointed at apex. Valvae with apex 15.0419.0 mm. Head ocherous yellow. La-
broad and truncate; costa with basal half bial palpus ocherous yellow; second seg-
slightly sinuate; transtilla extending from ment without bristle in outer side, scale
lateral side of anellus to center of valva at brush ocherous yellow, outside with scat-
%, slightly expanded in distal part. Anellus tered dark brown scales. Thorax and tegula
with lateral side fused with base of costa. dark ocherous. Forewing and cilia dark
Juxta narrow from middle to both ends, ocherous, scattered with dark brown scales;
caudally with a small process at left. Sac- a small dark brown spot located at % of
culus slightly folded inwards, extending to fold; distal end of cell with a small dim dot;
about % length of valva; apex obtusely R, and R, short-stalked, basal distance be-
pointed. Saccus small, somewhat bowl- tween R, and R, about 5.0 times that be-
shaped; anterior margin obtusely rounded. tween R, and R,,;. Hind wing and cilia
Aedeagus curved near apex; ductus ejacu- grey, all veins separate.
latorius about % length of aedeagus, with Male 8th abdominal segment (Fig. 15):
VOLUME 108, NUMBER 2 423
Figs. 13-18. 8th abdominal segments of males of Rhodobates spp. 13, R. bifurcatus. 14, R. triangulatus.
15, R. fascespinatus. 16, R. curvativus. 17, R. cupulatus. 18, R. sinensis.
424 PROCEEDINGS OF THE ENTOMOLOGICAL SOCIETY OF WASHINGTON
Tergum trapezoidal, lateral side gently R. sinensis, but can be differentiated from
arched inwardly; sternum medially con- the latter by the absence of a small tooth at
cave, laterally triangular, anterior margin the concave margin of the uncus, which is
greatly sclerotized. present in R. sinensis; the cornuti composed
Male genitalia (Fig. 21): Uncus with of 13-16 small spines arranged in a line,
caudal margin somewhat straight, median 4% which are absent in R. sinensis; and the
concave, narrowly V-shaped; concave mar- shape of the valvae.
gin distally short spinelike. Gnathos elon- Description (Figs. 4, 10).4Wingspan
gate, sharply bent at basal 4, with arms 17.0422.0 mm. Head ocherous yellow. La-
joined at distal % by large U-shaped band; bial palpus ocherous yellow; second seg-
distal %4 much sclerotized, ventrally with a ment with O44 bristles on outer side, scale
small tooth near apex, terminating in a brush with inside ocherous yellow, outside
curved tip. Valvae with basal 7 about twice dark brown. Thorax, tegula, forewing, hind
width of distal ¥;, apex broad, truncate; cos- wing, and cilia all dark grey; forewing with
ta convex at 4; transtilla extending from basal distance between R, and R, about 5.0
lateral side of juxta to 7% of valva near apex times that between R,; and R,; hind wing
of sacculus, then expanded obliquely out- with all veins separate.
ward from ¥, to subapex near costal %. Male 8th abdominal segment (Fig. 16):
Anellus laterally fused with base of valva. Tergum irregularly trapezoidal, lateral side
Juxta long rectangular, posterior /; greatly arched inwardly, posterior margin convex
sclerotized, bifurcate. Sacculus folded in- medially; sternum laterally sclerotized,
wards, with numerous fascicled spines near somewhat triangular, deeply concave at
apex, the spines about /, to 4% times length middle, anterior margin heavily sclerotized.
of valvae; apex reaching about 7 of valvae, Male genitalia (Fig. 22): Uncus concave
broad, somewhat truncate. Saccus poorly at middle of caudal margin, laterally form-
defined. Aedeagus bent near apex; ductus ing two triangular processes. Gnathos with
ejaculatorius equal in length to aedeagus, arms linked by medially widened band at
with two long and slender sclerotized inte- about distal %4, curved at about %; distal <4
rior bands; cornuti consisting of six small sclerotized, ventrally with a small toothlike
spines arranged in a line. spine near apex, more or less curved dis-
Female genitalia (Fig. 27): Ostium long tally, ending in point. Valvae very long,
funnel-shaped, distally concave, U-shaped. wide at base, narrowed to %, greatly bent
Ductus bursae not delimited from ostium. inwards at about distal 4%; distal % gradually
Etymology.4The specific name is de- broadening, with apex obtusely rounded;
rived from the Latin prefix fasce- = fasci- ventral margin with small process at %,
cled, and Latin spinatus = spined, in ref- which gradually broadens from middle to
erence to the sacculus with numerous fas- apex, asymmetrical: left process with apex
cicled spines. slightly concave, right process with apex
truncate; long digital process at about 7%;
Rhodobates curvativus Li and Xiao,
transtilla extending from anellus to 7% of
new species
valva, broad in distal 7%, somewhat trian-
(Bigs. 4. 10s 6122. 23)
gular. Anellus small, far away from base of
Types.4Holotype d, China: Mt. Da- valva. Juxta with anterior half somewhat
dong, Lian County (24°48'N, 112°239B), rounded, posterior half somewhat rectan-
Guangdong Province, 650 m, 21 vi 2004, gular, terminating in two small processes.
leg. Dandan Zhang, genitalia slide No. Sacculus slightly folded inwards, about %
XYLO04156. Paratypes: 1 6,5 2, same data as long as valva, with 448 medially curved
as holotype. spines close to apex; spines about % length
Diagnosis.4The new species is allied to of valvae; apex pointed. Saccus unconspic-
425
VOLUME 108, NUMBER 2
Figs. 19-24. Male genitalia of Rhodobates spp. 19, R. bifurcatus. 20, R. triangulatus. 21, R. fascespinatus.
22, R. curvativus. 23, R. cupulatus. 24, R. sinensis. Scale is 0.5 mm except 1.0 mm in Fig. D2
426 PROCEEDINGS OF THE ENTOMOLOGICAL SOCIETY OF WASHINGTON
uous. Aedeagus sinuate in distal 7; ductus with caudal margin concave, broadly V-
ejaculatorius about equal in length to ae- shaped, forming two triangular processes,
deagus, with two internal sclerotized elon- caudally with strongly sclerotized tooth at
gate bands; cornuti composed of 13-16 each side. Gnathos relatively short and
slightly curved, small spines arranged in a stout, strongly curved at about 7, some-
line. what U-shaped, arms joined with each oth-
Female genitalia (Fig. 28): Ostium er by a small, weakly sclerotized, trian-
with posterior 7, concave V-shaped, anterior gular plate; distal %4 sclerotized, curved
¥, somewhat rectangular. Ductus bursae and pointed. Valvae with apex narrow and
slightly expanded, sclerotized in distal half. obtusely rounded; costa nearly straight;
Etymology.4The specific name is de- transtilla extending from lateral side of
rived from the Latin curvativus = curved, anellus to center of valva <4 from base.
in reference to strongly curved distal 4% of Anellus fused with base of costa. Juxta
the valvae. with anterior 7; weakly sclerotized, some-
what rectangular; posterior ¥; bifurcate,
Rhodobates cupulatus Li and Xiao, distally pointed. Sacculus folded inwards,
new species
reaching % of valva, obtusely rounded at
(Figs.'S, 1lel7e223529) end. Saccus large and broad, anteriorly
Types.4Holotype 6, China: Mt. Jiulong, rounded. Aedeagus short, curved at distal
Ji County (40°099N, 117°249E), Tianjin, 180 /;; ductus ejaculatorius about % length of
m, 10 vi 2004, leg. Houhun L1 et al., gen- aedeagus; cornutus absent.
italia slide No. XYLO04154. Paratypes: 1 &, Female genitalia (Fig. 29): 8th abdomi-
same data as holotype; | 9%, Limutai, Ji nal segment with posterior half of sternum
County, Tianjin, 300 m, 11 vi 2004, leg. concave. Ostium short, cup-shaped, poste-
Houhun Li et al. rior margin slightly convex.
Diagnosis.4The new species resembles Etymology.4The specific name is de-
R. algiricellus (Rebel), but it differs by the rived from the Latin cupulatus = cup-
following three characters: uncus laterally shaped, in reference to the cup-shaped os-
not folded inward in the new species, con- tium.
spicuously folded inward in R. algiricellus;
Rhodobates sinensis Petersen, 1987
saccus large and broad in the new species,
(Figs. 6, 12; 18; 24, 30)
unconspicuous in the latter; aedeagus
strongly curved at distal / in R. cupulatus, Rhodobates sinensis Petersen 1987: 174.
medially curved in R. algiricellus. Material examined._4 6, 70 @, Lijiang
Description (Figs. 5, 11).4Wingspan County (26°52'N, 100°149E), Yunnan Prov-
16.5424.0 mm. Head dark brown, mixed ince, 2,650 m, 16 vii 2001, leg. Houhun Li
with grayish white. Labial palpus with in- and Xinpu Wang.
side grayish white, outside dark brown; sec- Description (Figs. 6, 12).4Wingspan
ond segment with 3-10 bristles in outer 19.0-21.0 mm.
side, scale brush unconspicuous. Thorax, Male Sth abdominal segment (Fig. 18):
tegula, forewing, hind wing, and cilia all As illustrated.
dark brown; forewing with distance be- Male genitalia (Fig. 24): As illustrated.
tween bases of R, and R,; about 2.0 times Female genitalia (Fig. 30): Ostium elon-
that between R, and R,; hind wing with all gate, funnel-shaped; caudal margin slightly
veins separate. concave at middle. Ductus bursae with
Male Sth abdominal segment (Fig. 17): transversal folds in basal %.
Tergum trapezoid; sternum with posterior Distribution.4China (Yunnan).
margin emarginate, somewhat V-shaped. Remarks.4The female of this species is
Male genitalia (Fig. 23): Uncus broad, reported for the first time. Petersen (1987)
VOLUME 108, NUMBER 2 427
Ostium
Ductus
bursae
Corpus
bursae
28
Figs. 25-30. Female genitalia of Rhodobates spp. 25, R. bifurcatus. 26, R. triangulatus. 27, R. fascespinatus.
28, R. curvativus. 29, R. cupulatus. 30, R. sinensis. Scale is 1 mm.
described the species based on a single Rhodobates amorphopa (Meyrick): Robin-
male collected by HoGne in 1934. The spec- son and Tuck 1996: 8.
imens we examined in this study were col-
Distribution.4China (Yunnan).
lected from the same locality.
Remarks.4Meyrick (1938) proposed the
genus Phaulogenes based on the female of
Rhodobates amorphopa (Meyrick 1938)
this species collected from Yunnan. We
Phaulogenes amorphopa Meyrick 1938: found no additional specimens of this spe-
DT9 cies, and we were unable to locate the type.
