Abstract
Two new species, Westermannia pseudonobilis Qin & Han, sp. nov. and W. simianshana Qin, Zhang & Han, sp. nov., which closely resemble W. nobilis Draudt, 1950 in both external appearance and genital characteristics, are described from China. Comparative diagnoses for these three species are provided, along with colour plates of adults and genitalia. An identification key and a distribution map are also included.
Key words: identification key, new species, nolid moths, taxonomy, Westermannia
Introduction
The genus Westermannia Hübner, [1821] 1816 is currently classified within the subfamily Westermanniinae of the family Nolidae (Zahiri et al. 2013). This highly diverse genus is widely distributed across subtropical and tropical regions of the Eastern Hemisphere. Its species typically have forewings with relatively broad outer margins and rounded tornal angles, and hindwings with full, rounded contours. According to Holloway (2003), the genus in its strict sense is defined by a set of highly conserved morphological features: a striking forewing pattern in silvery, glistening grey, brown, and black, which includes a medial figure-8 mark surrounded by paler colouration that extends to a distinctly angled or sinuous postmedial line.
In China, six species of this genus have been recorded: W. superba Hübner, 1823, W. triangularis Moore, 1877, W. elliptica Bryk, 1913, W. antaplagica Draudt, 1950, W. jucunda Draudt, 1950, and W. nobilis Draudt, 1950 (Bryk 1913; Draudt 1950; Chen 1999). Among these, the genitalia of three species: W. elliptica, W. superba, and W. triangularis have been described or illustrated in studies of adjacent regions (Sugi 1991; Kobes 1997; Holloway 2003). However, the genitalia of other species with distributions restricted to China remain poorly studied. This deficiency, with the relatively high diversity and morphological similarity within the genus, has resulted in significant research gaps and unresolved taxonomic issues.
Westermannia nobilis serves as a representative case of these taxonomic challenges. It was originally described by Draudt (1950) based on specimens collected from West Tianmu Mountain (= West-tien-mu-shan) in Zhejiang Province. Among the species distributed in China, it is morphologically similar to W. elliptica but can be distinguished by the configuration of the forewing postmedial line. In W. elliptica, this line is bent only in the upper portion (near R5 and M1 veins), whereas in W. nobilis, the lower portion (near M3 and Cu1 veins) also forms an outward-projecting angle (Figs 5–8), resulting in a more distinctly undulating postmedial line. Westermannia nobilis has been widely reported from eastern, central, and southern China (Chu et al. 1964; Chen 1999; Yang et al. 2017), as well as from Thailand (Kononenko and Pinratana 2013). However, these records are based primarily on external morphology.
Figures 1–8.
Adults of Westermannia spp. (1, 3, 5, 7: male; 2, 4, 6, 8: female). 1, 2. W. pseudonobilis Qin & Han, sp. nov., coll. NEFU (1: holotype; 2: paratype); 3, 4. W. simianshana Qin, Zhang & Han, sp. nov., coll. NEFU (3: holotype 4: paratype); 5–8 W. nobilis Draudt, 1950, collected from Guangxi (5), Hunan (6), and Chongqing (7–8), China, coll. NEFU. Scale bar: 5 mm.
To address the issues outlined above, we examined recent Chinese specimens identified as “W. nobilis” and discovered two new species that are externally highly similar to and share many genitalic characteristics with true W. nobilis, indicating a close relationship. In this paper, we describe these two new species as W. pseudonobilis Qin & Han, sp. nov. and W. simianshana Qin, Zhang & Han, sp. nov. We provide detailed illustrations of all three species, along with an identification key and a distribution map to better distinguish them. The discussion covers the limitations of our study and suggests directions for future research. All type specimens and additional material examined are deposited in the insect collection of Northeast Forestry University (NEFU), Harbin, China.
Materials and methods
This study was based on the collection from the Insect Taxonomy Laboratory of the Northeast Forestry University. The method for preparing genitalia slides was based on Kononenko and Han (2007). Adults and genitalia were photographed using a Canon EOS 6D Mark II camera and an Olympus SZ61 stereomicroscope with camera port, and the photos were imported into Helicon Focus 7.6.6 software for depth-of-field focus stacking. The resulting images were subsequently processed using Adobe Photoshop 2020 and made into figures.
Taxonomic account
Genus. Westermannia
Hübner, [1821] 1816
2EF496E5-4904-5BA5-88B1-B9A11BC13432
Westermannia Hübner, [1821] 1816, Verz. bek. Schmett.: 250. Type species: Westermannia superba Hübner, 1823, by original designation.
Plusiodes Guenée, 1852, in Boisduval and Guenée, Hist. nat. Ins., Spec. gén. Lépid. 5 (Noct. 1): 385. Type species: Plusiodes westermannii Guenée, 1852 (replacement of Westermannia superba Hübner, 1823).
Vestermannia Hampson, 1912, Cat. Lepid. Phalaenae Br. Mus. 11: 603 (emendation of Westermannia Hübner, [1821] 1816).
. Westermannia pseudonobilis
Qin & Han sp. nov.
C9CCF29A-5A5C-5DC4-8C1F-DD64FEC08513
https://zoobank.org/62689112-2D3A-499B-A40E-E464EF598651
Figures 9–11.
Male genitalia of Westermannia spp. (a: tegumen-vinculum; b: aedeagus). 9. W. pseudonobilis Qin & Han, sp. nov., genit. prep. QY-34, coll. NEFU; 10. W. simianshana Qin, Zhang & Han, sp. nov., genit. prep. QY-90 (a) and 36 (b), coll. NEFU; 11. W. nobilis Draudt, 1950 (with close-up of the processes on costa), genit. prep. QY-50 (51 for close-up), coll. NEFU
Figures 12–14.
Female genitalia of Westermannia spp. with close-up of the signa. 12. W. pseudonobilis Qin & Han, sp. nov., genit. prep. QY-33 (75 for close-up), coll. NEFU; 13. W. simianshana Qin, Zhang & Han, sp. nov., genit. prep. QY-91 (45 for close-up), coll. NEFU; 14. W. nobilis Draudt, 1950, genit. prep. QY-52, coll. NEFU.
Figure 15.
Distribution map and type localities of three Westermannia species in China.
Type material.
Holotype: • male, China, Yunnan, Weixi, Weideng Town, Xinhua Village, 29.VII.2024, leg. Y.Y. Jin, genit. prep. QY-34, NEFU. Paratypes: • 2 females, China, Yunnan, Weixi, Baijixun Town, Nuoge Village, 30.VII.2024, leg. Y.Y. Jin, genit. prep. QY-33 and 75, NEFU • 1 female, CHINA, Yunnan, Weixi, Baijixun Town, Haizan Village, 2.VIII.2024, leg. Y.Y. Jin, genit. prep. QY-35, NEFU.
Diagnosis.
This species is closely related to W. simianshana Qin, Zhang & Han, sp. nov. and W. nobilis Draudt but differs as follows: generally darker in overall colour; the outwardly arcuate median portion of the postmedial line on the forewing is more acute. In the male genitalia, the sclerotized plate at the base of the uncus is smaller and elliptical; the valva is broader, with minute denticles along the costa; the vesica bears a spiral band of cornuti extending from base to apex. In the female genitalia, the ductus bursae has a sclerotized binding ring at the base, overall sinuous but untwisted, and the corpus bursae is ellipsoidal and lacking an appendix bursae. Additionally, this species has currently only been recorded in Yunnan Province.
Description.
Adult (Figs 1, 2). Wingspan 30.0–30.5 mm. Head mainly white. Antennae filiform, basal portion faintly whitish, remainder dark brown. Thorax with dorsum, tegula, and patagium khaki, densely pubescent. Abdomen greyish-white, apical portion greyish-brown, anal tuft khaki. Forewing silvery greyish-brown on costal, basal, and postmedian areas, gradually paler from inner margin to costal margin; median area and outer 1/3 dark brown; a longitudinal khaki band tinged with fuscous along inner margin, extending from base to tornal angle, upper margin straight; a 8-shaped filiform and pale lines in the median line area, Cu veins pale; reniform spot dark brown, wedge-shaped, foam pale, radiating bright white at the rear; postmedial line white, slender, strongly excurved at M3-Cu2; subterminal line represented by 4–5 faintly white-edged small spots near the costal margin; fringe dark brown, apically paler; terminal line and median line areas dark brown, other parts lighter. Hindwing predominantly greyish-white, outer margin 1/3 suffused with brown, females darker than males; venation distinct; fringe desert grey.
Male genitalia (Fig. 9). Uncus elongate, nail-shaped, acute apically, surrounded by brush of coarse setae, base covered with an oval sclerite. Tegumen narrowly lingulate, approximately twice the length of uncus. Vinculum narrow, V-shaped, saccus short, weakly developed. Juxta trumpet-shaped, weakly sclerotized. Valva broadly oblong, dorsal margin serrulate with minute teeth; cucullus rounded, scattered with distinct punctures; costa strip-shaped, basal 3/4 slightly raised, distal 1/4 with a prominent hill-shaped protrusion; sacculus relatively flat, basally slightly protruding outward, then weakly curved, densely covered with long hairs. Aedeagus cylindrical, slightly sigmoidally curved, basal 1/5 covered with granules; coecum swollen; carina moderately sclerotized. Vesica tubular, nearly equal in length to aedeagus, basal 2/3 similar in diameter to aedeagus, distal 1/3 gradually tapered and dorsally recurved; a helical band of cornuti originating from ventro-basal region, cornuti spine-like, heavily sclerotized, increasing in size and becoming sparser from base to apex.
Female genitalia (Fig. 12). Papillae anales broadly flattened, short, strip-shaped, densely setose apically. Apophysis anterior and posterior slender, subequal in length. Ostium bursae shallowly funnel-shaped. Ductus bursae sinuous, robust, chute-shaped in outline, moderately sclerotized at middle part, with a strongly sclerotized ring at base. Corpus bursae ellipsoidal, nearly equal in length to ductus bursae, surface wrinkled, bearing a pair of spiny-fusiform signa at ductus-corpus bursa junction.
Distribution.
China (Yunnan).
Etymology.
The specific epithet of this species is derived from that of the similar species W. nobilis, and because of its morphology similar to that of the latter, it is named pseudo-(meaning “false”) + nobilis.
. Westermannia simianshana
Qin, Zhang & Han sp. nov.
27BC81AD-3E55-5A02-A6D3-05DC782FA1F5
https://zoobank.org/8F497A35-4F3B-412B-8444-C6D9C09DBF43
Type material.
Holotype: • male, China, Chongqing, Jiangjin, Simianshan, Dawopu, 12–13.VII.2018, leg. H.L. Han, genit. prep. QY-37, NEFU. Paratypes: • 1 male, same locality as holotype, 29.VII–2.VIII.2020, leg. H.L. Han & J. Wu, genit. prep. QY-88, NEFU • 1 male and 2 females, same locality as for holotype, 23.VII–6.VIII.2018, leg. W.J. Li & G.X. Wang, genit. prep. QY-89, 90 and 91, NEFU • 1 male, China, Chongqing, Jiangjin, Simianshan, Tudiyan, 30.VII–3.VIII.2019, leg. T.T. Zhao & S.C. Deng, genit. prep. QY-76, NEFU • 2 females, China, Chongqing, Wuxi, Yintiaoling Reserve, Baiguo Station, 24–28.VI.2022, leg. T.T. Zhao & Y.Y. Jin, genit. prep. QY-45 and 46, NEFU.
Diagnosis.
This species is closely related to W. pseudonobilis Qin & Han, sp. nov. and W. nobilis Draudt but smaller in body size; the medial figure-8 mark on the forewing is relatively narrow; the colour of the two ends of the reniform spot is obviously darker; the patch on the tornal angle is not obvious; the outwardly arcuate median portion of the postmedial line is blunter. In male genitalia, the sclerotized plate at the base of the uncus is larger and lotus-leaf-shaped; the valva is smaller, with undulate margin but lacking additional processes; the coecum is markedly inflated; the vesica is slender, tubular, distally twisted, bearing two rows of cornuti. In female genitalia, the ductus bursae is elongate, anterior half strongly sclerotized and curved, posterior half membranous and helically twisted; the corpus bursae is fusiform, lacking an appendix bursae. Additionally, this species has currently only been recorded in Chongqing Municipality.
Description.
Adult (Figs 3, 4). Wingspan 30.0–32.5 mm. Head white. Antennae filiform, basal portion faintly whitish, remainder light brown. Thorax with dorsum, tegula, and patagium almond, densely pubescent. Abdomen whitish, apical portion and anal tuft almond. Forewing paler greyish-brown on costal area, basal area and postmedian area, gradually paler from inner to costal margin; median area and outer 1/3 chocolate-brown; a longitudinal almond band tinged with fuscous along the inner margin, extending from base to tornal angle, upper margin straight; a 8-shaped filiform and pale lines in the median line area, Cu veins pale; reniform spot dark brown, narrow strip-shaped, foam pale, radiating bright white at the rear; postmedial line white, slender, smooth excurved at M3-Cu2; subternimal line represented by 4–5 faintly white-edged small spots near costal margin; fringe chocolate-brown, apically paler; the terminal line and median line areas dark brown, other parts lighter. Hindwing predominantly whitish, outer margin faintly suffused with brown, females darker than males; venation distinct; fringe whitish, blended with brown.
Male genitalia (Fig. 10). Uncus elongate, nail-shaped, sharpened apically, surrounded by coarse setal brush, base overlain by a lotus leaf-shaped sclerite. Tegumen narrowly lingulate, approximately twice the length of uncus. Vinculum narrow, U-shaped, saccus short, weakly developed. Juxta trumpet-shaped, weakly sclerotized. Valva broadly oblong; cucullus rounded, scattered with distinct punctures; costa narrowly ribbon-shaped, smooth, round apically; sacculus basally inflected, then weakly curved, densely covered with long hairs. Aedeagus cylindrical, medially slightly curved, covered with faint granules at base; coecum swollen; carina weakly sclerotized. Vesica tubular, nearly equal in length to aedeagus, basal 2/3 similar in diameter to aedeagus, abruptly narrowed and twisted spirally in distal third; apical 1/4 slightly thickened, bearing two rows of spiniform, heavily sclerotized cornuti.
Female genitalia (Fig. 13). Papillae anales broadly flattened, short strip-shaped, densely setose apically. Apophysis anterior and apophysis posterior slender, subequal in length. Ostium bursae shallowly funnel-shaped. Ductus bursae sinuous, robust, with the anterior half strongly sclerotized and posterior half membranous, twisted into a helical shape. Corpus bursae fusiform, nearly equal in length with ductus bursae, surface wrinkled, bearing a pair of spiny-oblong signa at the ductus-bursa junction.
Distribution.
China (Chongqing).
Etymology.
The species name is derived from its type locality: Simianshan (= Mount Simian) in Chongqing Municipality, China.
. Westermannia nobilis
Draudt, 1950
A70AE91D-9DB8-5335-B969-32546B8C059A
Westermannia nobilis Draudt, 1950, Mitt. Münch. Ent. Ges. 40 (1): 150, pl. 9, fig. 11. Type locality: West-tien-mu-shan [Syntype: ZFMK (Blume et al. 2010)].
Westermannia nobilis : Chu et al. 1964: 70; Chen 1999: 857, pl. 39, fig. 28; Yang et al. 2017: 551, pl. 42, fig. 3.
Material examined.
China – Jiangxi • 1 female, Jinggangshan Scenic Spot, Huangyangjie Station, 2.VIII.2024, leg. H.L. Han & Haliya, genit. prep. QY-26, NEFU. – Hunan • 2 males and 1 female, Yizhang, Mangshan Reserve, Jiangjunzhai, 30.VII–7.VIII.2021, leg. J. Wu & Q Lin, genit. prep. QY-50, 51 and 25, NEFU. – Guangdong • 3 females, Nanling, 7–9.V.2011, leg. H.L. Han & Y.Q. Hu, genit. prep. QY-58, 59 and 60, NEFU • 2 females, Shaoguan, Ruyuan, Xiaohuangshan, viewing deck, 25.V.2021, leg. M.R. Li & G. Fu, genit. prep. QY-48 and 49, NEFU. – Guangxi • 1 male and 2 females, Ziyuan, Yinzhu Laoshan National Reserve, Shuangchahe Station, 17–18.VII.2021, leg. J.J. Fan & B. Gao, genit. prep. QY-47, 52 and 53, NEFU • 1 female, Maoershan, Jiuniutang, 19.IV.2002, leg. S.L. Hao & H.J. Xue, genit. prep. QY-43, NEFU. – Chongqing • 1 male and 1 female, Jiangjin, Simianshan, Dawopu, 23.VII–6.VIII.2018, leg. W.J. Li & G.X. Wang, genit. prep. QY-54 and 56, NEFU • 1 female, same locality as above, 12–13.VII.2018, leg. H.L. Han, genit. prep. QY-36, NEFU • 1 male and 1 female, same locality as above, 29.VII–2.VIII.2020, leg. H.L. Han & J. Wu, genit. prep. QY-55 and 57, NEFU • 1 male, Jiangjin, Simianshan Nature Reserve, 29.IV.2019, leg. Z.T. Wang & J.J. Fan, genit. prep. QY-85, NEFU • 1 male, Wuxi, Lanying Township, Xi’an Countryside, 26–28.VI.2022, leg. T.T. Zhao & Y.Y. Jin, genit. prep. QY-44, NEFU.
Distribution.
China (Zhejiang, Jiangxi, Hunan, Chongqing, Guangdong, Guangxi).
Remarks.
This study provides the first record of W. nobilis in Chongqing Municipality. This species is highly similar morphologically to the two newly described species in appearance, especially W. simianshana Qin, Zhang & Han, sp. nov., which is distributed in the same area as W. nobilis in Chongqing. Therefore, the geographical distribution of W. nobilis recorded in previous studies, for which we were unable to examine specimens, may require further dissections to be determined.
Key to Westermannia nobilis and its two allied new species
| 1 | Forewing dark brown on outer 1/3; male valva with serrate costa; female ductus bursae with a sclerotized binding ring at the base | W. pseudonobilis |
| – | Forewing chocolate-brown on outer 1/3; male valva lacking serrations on costa; female ductus bursae without a sclerotized binding ring at the base | 2 |
| 2 | Tornal patch absent; male valva margin smooth, devoid of processes; female ductus bursae twisted, corpus bursae fusiform, appendix bursae absent | W. simianshana |
| – | Tornal patch present; male valva bearing two overlapped processes on the middle of costa; female ductus bursae widened at basal half, corpus bursae fabiform, with one elliptical appendix bursae | W. nobilis |
Discussion
Our study identifies three closely related species in the genus Westermannia that are highly similar in morphology and genitalia yet possess consistent and stable interspecific distinctions. This pattern of morphologically similar species complexes is not uncommon in the genus, as evidenced by Sugi’s (1991) informal concept of a “superba group” encompassing W. elliptica and W. superba. The characteristic high diversity and morphological conservatism within Westermannia underscore the necessity of establishing well-defined species groups to bring order to its taxonomy. Therefore, we suggest that a formal classification into species groups is a crucial next step for the systematics of this genus. Implementing this approach robustly, however, will require comprehensive global revision to establish rigorous definitions and boundaries for such groups.
Furthermore, the genus Westermannia also presents certain taxonomic issues at the generic level. Holloway (2003) noted that the relationships among African species currently placed in this genus, the species of Miaromima Meyrick, 1889, and those strictly defined within Westermannia remain unresolved and require further investigation. Additionally, the monotypic Eastern Asian genus Iragaodes Matsumura, 1931, which shares certain morphological and genitalic similarities with Westermannia, must be incorporated into any comprehensive revision. In fact, research of major lineages of Nolidae conducted by Zahiri et al. (2013) included these three genera and confirmed that they form a distinct clade within the subfamily Westermanniinae. However, their analysis was limited by a small number of sampled species. Although genetic data are currently unavailable for W. nobilis and two newly described species, we emphasize that molecular phylogenetic studies of this genus are imperative.
Supplementary Material
Acknowledgements
We thank Dr Wu Jun and other collectors, and we express our sincere gratitude to Ms Xin-Yu Zhang from the Simianshan Nature Reserve Administration for her help during the collection. We are profoundly grateful to the reviewers and editors for their invaluable suggestions, comments, and precise linguistic refinements of this paper.
Citation
Qin Y, Zhang C, Han H (2025) Descriptions of two new species associated with Westermannia nobilis Draudt, 1950 (Lepidoptera, Nolidae, Westermanniinae) from China. ZooKeys 1262: 21–31. https://doi.org/10.3897/zookeys.1262.168662
Additional information
Conflict of interest
The authors have declared that no competing interests exist.
Ethical statement
No ethical statement was reported.
Use of AI
No use of AI was reported.
Funding
This study is supported by a project of National Nature Science Foundation of China (No. 31872261) and Northeast Asia Biodiversity Research Center (NABRI202303; 2572022DS09).
Author contributions
Writing – original draft: YQ. Writing – review and editing: HH, CZ.
Author ORCIDs
Yue Qin https://orcid.org/0009-0009-3399-8560
Chao Zhang https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6069-1059
Huilin Han https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2045-6182
Data availability
All of the data that support the findings of this study are available in the main text.
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Supplementary Materials
Data Availability Statement
All of the data that support the findings of this study are available in the main text.