taxonID	type	description	language	source
A16B87A9C54BFF8BFF5B97A1FBAE1423.taxon	type_taxon	(Type species: Nikara castanea Moore, 1882, by monotypy).	en	Saldaitis, Aidas, Volynkin, Anton V., Speidel, Wolfgang, Zahiri, Reza (2022): A review of the genus Nikara Moore and its transfer to the Stiriinae (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae). Zootaxa 5205 (3): 201-219, DOI: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5205.3.1
A16B87A9C54BFF8BFF5B97A1FBAE1423.taxon	type_taxon	(Type species: Chrysoptera aureus Bang-Haas, 1927), syn. nov.	en	Saldaitis, Aidas, Volynkin, Anton V., Speidel, Wolfgang, Zahiri, Reza (2022): A review of the genus Nikara Moore and its transfer to the Stiriinae (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae). Zootaxa 5205 (3): 201-219, DOI: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5205.3.1
A16B87A9C54BFF8BFF5B97A1FBAE1423.taxon	discussion	Remarks. The genus Chrysonicara was erected for the species aureus whereas the species plusiodes was described under the genus Nikara. Examination of the type specimens of the two species displayed their conspecificity to each other therefore we hereby synonymize aureus with plusiodes Moreover, C. plusiodes is obviously congeneric with the type species of the genus Nikara sharing all the key generic characters listed below. Thus, we hereby synonymize Chrysonicara with Nikara.	en	Saldaitis, Aidas, Volynkin, Anton V., Speidel, Wolfgang, Zahiri, Reza (2022): A review of the genus Nikara Moore and its transfer to the Stiriinae (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae). Zootaxa 5205 (3): 201-219, DOI: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5205.3.1
A16B87A9C54BFF8BFF5B97A1FBAE1423.taxon	diagnosis	Diagnosis. The members of the genus vary in their wing colouration and patterns but are readilydistinct from most of Stiriinae distributed in North America. Nikara plusiodes is reminiscent of the North American Plagiomimicus Grote whereas N. castanea and N. cupreomicans are only vaguely similar to the West Palaearctic Stilbia Stephens (illustrated by Ronkay et al. (2001 )) in their forewing shape and pattern, and more reminiscent of the distantly related Amphipyra Ochsenheimer. All three species have a shiny suffusion on their bodies and forewings, the feature also occurring among many North American members of the subfamily. Species of Nikara also have a frontal process typical of Stiriinae (Poole 1995) but lack a terminal claw on the foretibia typical of the North American genera. In the male genitalia, species of Nikara share the synapomorphy of the subfamily recognized by Poole (1995), namely the shape and spination of the vesica which is generally ovate and somewhat elongate having a basal row of short, stubby cornuti and a more distal, diffuse patch of elongate and thin cornuti. The male genitalia of Nikara have simplified valvae structure also typical of species in the North American stiriine genera (illustrated by Poole (1995 )) but differing in the presence of a scaphium and a well-developed corona of long robust setae, whereas the latter are weak or absent in the North American species and Stilbia (illustrated by Ronkay et al. (2001 )). The claspers of N. castanea and N. plusiodes lack a harpe (similar to members of Chalcopasta Hampson and Xanthothrix H. Edwards) whereas a short harpe is present in N. cupreomicans, but positioned in the basal third of the valva, whereas valvae of other Stiriinae bear a harpe in the middle or in the distal third. Additionally, the valvae of Nikara have a well-developed, elongate clavus which is very short in most of the North American stiriines but quite elongate in certain species of Stilbia. The female genitalia of Nikara are characterised by the elongate corpus bursae having a sclerotised plate or rugose area similar to most of the North American members of the subfamily. The female of the type species of the genus has elongate and heavily sclerotized papillae anales which are also common among the North American species (illustrated by Poole (1995 )) while N. cupreomicans and N. plusiodes have shorter and weakly sclerotized papillae anales similar to those of Stilbia species (illustrated by Ronkay et al. (2001 )). Re-description. External morphology of adults (Figs 1 – 14). Medium-sized moths, forewing length 15 – 18 mm in males and 15 – 19 mm in females. Antennae of both sexes filiform. Forewing wide. Ground colour from brown, with golden shine or suffusion of shiny bluish scales. Pattern elements in subbasal and medial areas indistinct. Male genitalia (Figs 15 – 18). Uncus elongate, narrow, laterally flattened, dorso-ventrally curved, somewhat dilated subapically, apically pointed with tiny claw-like tip. Tuba analis with heavily sclerotised and rugose scaphium. Tegumen without peniculus. Juxta shield-like, with wide rounded apical depression and tiny round basal incision. Vinculum more or less equal in length to tegumen, with pointed tip. Pleurite present, as a curved and apically rounded, plate-like extension of vinculum. Valva elongate and narrow (length to width ratio from 3.8: 1 to 5: 1). Corona present, consisting of a row of strong setae. Sacculus short (ca. 1 / 4 of valva length) and narrow (ca. half of valva base width). Clavus finger-like. Harpe absent or present as short (ca. 1 / 4 of valva width), narrowly triangular process near the ventral margin of valva. Aedeagus elongate, with short (ca. 0.1 – 0.2 of aedeagus length) and rounded coecum and short (ca. 1 / 6 of aedeagus length) and apically rounded distal carinal process. Vesica sack-like, may have large (longer than the main chamber) ventral diverticulum, bearing clusters of numerous spine-like or thorn-like cornuti of various sizes. Female genitalia (Figs 19 – 23). Papillae anales trapezoidal with rounded corners, setose. Apophyses thin, rod-like, more or less equal in length; apophysis posterioris with posterior sclerotised plate protruding to ovipositor. Ostium bursae with membranous margins. Ductus bursae tubular, membranous. Corpus bursae sack-like or elongate, with membranous walls, bearing sclerotised plate posteriorly or sclerotised area medially. Appendix bursae broadly conical with wide and round apex and thick gelatinous walls, positioned in different parts of corpus bursae in different species.	en	Saldaitis, Aidas, Volynkin, Anton V., Speidel, Wolfgang, Zahiri, Reza (2022): A review of the genus Nikara Moore and its transfer to the Stiriinae (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae). Zootaxa 5205 (3): 201-219, DOI: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5205.3.1
A16B87A9C54BFF8BFF5B97A1FBAE1423.taxon	distribution	Distribution and bionomics. The genus is known from eastern Himalaya (northeastern India), northern Indochina (northern Thailand and northern Vietnam) and south-western and central China (Yunnan, Sichuan and Shaanxi Provinces). The preimaginal stages are unknown. Species of the genus occur at medium altitudes ranging from 1400 – 2100 m and inhabit mesophilous biotopes (Figs 24, 25) whereas most of North American Stiriinae and the West Palaearctic Stilbia are xerophilous (Poole 1995; Ronkay et al. 2001).	en	Saldaitis, Aidas, Volynkin, Anton V., Speidel, Wolfgang, Zahiri, Reza (2022): A review of the genus Nikara Moore and its transfer to the Stiriinae (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae). Zootaxa 5205 (3): 201-219, DOI: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5205.3.1
A16B87A9C54AFF84FF5B9681FC5614DB.taxon	description	(Figs 1 – 6, 15, 16, 19, 20)	en	Saldaitis, Aidas, Volynkin, Anton V., Speidel, Wolfgang, Zahiri, Reza (2022): A review of the genus Nikara Moore and its transfer to the Stiriinae (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae). Zootaxa 5205 (3): 201-219, DOI: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5205.3.1
A16B87A9C54AFF84FF5B9681FC5614DB.taxon	materials_examined	Material examined. INDIA: 1 male, [north of West Bengal, Darjeeling] Darjiling, Moore Coll. 94 - 106, NHMUK unique number: 014165090, gen. slide No.: NHMUK 010316228 (prepared by Volynkin) (NHMUK); 1 female, [Sikkim] Sikhim, IX. 1909. F. Moller. 1910 - 140, NHMUK unique number: 014165091, gen. slide No.: NHMUK 010316229 (prepared by Volynkin) (NHMUK); THAILAND: 1 female, Changwat Chiang Mai, Mt. Doi Phahompok, 17 km NW of Fang, 2100 m, 15. VIII. 1999, leg. T. Csővári & L. Mikus, gen. slide No.: AV 6401 (prepared by Volynkin) (WSO); 1 male, Chiang Mai, Mt. Doi Phahompok, 18 km NW Fang, 2100 m, 10 – 11. IX. 1999, leg. A. Szabo & Zita (MHB); VIETNAM: 4 females, Prov. Lao Cai, 1920 m, Fan-si-pan Mts, Sa Pa, 4 km W Cat Cat, January – March 1998, leg. Frontier organization (HNHM); CHINA: 3 male, Shaanxi, 1480 m, North from Foping, N 33 ° 42.546 ″, E 107 ° 56.418 ″, 3 – 5. viii. 2006, Floriani & Saldaitis leg., gen. slide No.: AV 5595 (prepared by Volynkin) (ASV, AFM); 1 female, Chong Guanmian Shan, 25. viii – 15. ix. 2000, 1500 m, [local] collector leg., gen. slide No.: AV 6435 (prepared by Volynkin) (HSV).	en	Saldaitis, Aidas, Volynkin, Anton V., Speidel, Wolfgang, Zahiri, Reza (2022): A review of the genus Nikara Moore and its transfer to the Stiriinae (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae). Zootaxa 5205 (3): 201-219, DOI: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5205.3.1
A16B87A9C54AFF84FF5B9681FC5614DB.taxon	discussion	Remarks. According to the original description (Moore 1882), the type female should be stored in the collection of O. Staudinger which is currently housed in MfN. Unfortunately, we could not locate the type specimen, probably it is lost. However, the topotype male specimen deposited in NHMUK was examined by the second author of the present paper.	en	Saldaitis, Aidas, Volynkin, Anton V., Speidel, Wolfgang, Zahiri, Reza (2022): A review of the genus Nikara Moore and its transfer to the Stiriinae (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae). Zootaxa 5205 (3): 201-219, DOI: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5205.3.1
A16B87A9C54AFF84FF5B9681FC5614DB.taxon	diagnosis	Diagnosis. The species can easily be distinguished from the congeners by the amber brown area along the anal forewing margin fused with the amber brown postmedial and subterminal areas. The differences between N. castanea and N. cupreomicans are discussed in details below in the diagnoses of the latter species. Re-description. External morphology of adults (Figs 1 – 6). Head and thorax dark brown, with suffusion of shiny bluish scales. Male antenna filiform. Forewing length is 15 – 18 mm in males and 16.5 – 17 mm in females. Subbasal and medial areas of forewing dark brown with suffusion of shiny bluish scales medially and along the costa but amber brown with slight suffusion of shiny bluish scales along the anal margin. Orbicular stigma narrowly elliptical, encircled with shiny bluish scales. Reniform stigma nearly circular, encircled with shiny bluish scales. Postmedial line smoothly curved medially. Postmedial area amber brown. Subterminal area pale amber brown with intense suffusion of shiny bluish scales. Cilia pale brown. Hindwing greyish brown, slightly paler at base. Discal spot reniform, indistinct. Abdomen brown. Male genitalia (Figs 15, 16). Uncus elongate, slender, laterally flattened, dorso-ventrally curved, dilated subapically, apically pointed with tiny claw-like tip. Tuba analis with heavily sclerotised and rugose scaphium. Tegumen shorter than valva. Juxta shield-like, with rounded apical depression and tiny round basal incision. Vinculum ca. 1.5 times shorter than tegumen, with thin but well-sclerotised arms, Vshaped with pointed tip. Pleurite present, as a curved and apically rounded, plate-like extension of vinculum. Valva elongate and narrow (length to width ratio ca. 5.5: 1), with nearly parallel margins. Costal margin slightly convex subbasally. Corona present. Sacculus short (ca. 0.2 of valva length) and narrow (ca. half of basal section of valva width). Clavus finger-like with rounded tip. Aedeagus elongate, nearly straight, with short (ca. 0.2 of valva length) and apically rounded distal carinal process ventrally. Vesica with long (longer than main chamber), sack-like ventral diverticulum having two short lobes apically. Subbasal cluster of cornuti band-like, consisting of numerous tiny short cornuti. Female genitalia (Figs 19, 20). Papillae analis sclerotised, posteriorly tapered with rounded tips, weakly setose. Apophyses rod-like, thin. Apophysis anterioris ca. 1.25 times longer than posterioris one, dilated apically. Ostium bursae with membranous margin. Ductus bursae short (ca. 0.75 of apophysis anterioris length), membranous, tubular. Corpus bursae strongly elongate (ca. 6.5 times longer than ductus bursae), narrow (length to medial section width ratio ca. 1: 3.3), membranous, with elliptical rugose sclerotised plate postero-laterally at right side. Appendix bursae short (ca. 1 / 10 of corpus bursae length), broadly conical with rounded apex, positioned postero-laterally at left side.	en	Saldaitis, Aidas, Volynkin, Anton V., Speidel, Wolfgang, Zahiri, Reza (2022): A review of the genus Nikara Moore and its transfer to the Stiriinae (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae). Zootaxa 5205 (3): 201-219, DOI: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5205.3.1
A16B87A9C54AFF84FF5B9681FC5614DB.taxon	distribution	Distribution and bionomics. The species is known from eastern Himalaya (north-eastern India), northern Thailand (Chiang Mai Province), northern Vietnam (Lào Cai Province) (Moore 1882; Hampson 1910; Kononenko & Pinratana 2013, as Chrysonicara aureus), and China (Shaanxi) (new country record). In China, the species was collected at light in the beginning of August at altitudes around 1500 meters in a small river valley surrounded by hills overgrown with a forest of various deciduous trees and bushes (Fig. 24).	en	Saldaitis, Aidas, Volynkin, Anton V., Speidel, Wolfgang, Zahiri, Reza (2022): A review of the genus Nikara Moore and its transfer to the Stiriinae (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae). Zootaxa 5205 (3): 201-219, DOI: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5205.3.1
A16B87A9C545FF85FF5B96D9FDA510EB.taxon	description	(Figs 7 – 10, 17, 21) Lasiplexia cupreomicans Draudt, 1950, Mitteilungen der Münchner Entomologischen Gesellschaft, 40 (1): 102, pl. 7, fig. 8 (adult) (Type locality (hereby fixed by lectotype designation): [SW China, Yunnan, Diqing Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, Adunzi] “ A-tun-tse ”).	en	Saldaitis, Aidas, Volynkin, Anton V., Speidel, Wolfgang, Zahiri, Reza (2022): A review of the genus Nikara Moore and its transfer to the Stiriinae (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae). Zootaxa 5205 (3): 201-219, DOI: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5205.3.1
A16B87A9C545FF85FF5B96D9FDA510EB.taxon	materials_examined	Type material examined. Lectotype (hereby designated) (Fig. 7): female, “ A-tun-tse (Nord Yünnan) | Mittlere Höhe (ca. 4000 m) | 20.7.1936 H. Höne ” / pink label “ Holotype | Lasiplexia | cupreomicans | ♀ Draudt. ” / “ Lasiplexia | cupreomicans | ♀ Draudt. ” (ZFMK). Additional material examined. CHINA: 4 males, 2 females, Li-kiang [Lijiang], North Yunnan Province, H. Höne [leg.], with the following dates: 11. VIII. 1934 (2 males), 12. VIII. 1934 (1 male), 23. VIII. 1934 (1 male) and 29. vii. 1934 (1 female), and 7. VIII. 1934 (1 female), unique numbers ZFMK Lep. 153596 and 153599 (males, dissected by Si-yao Huang), gen. slide Nos. AV 6639 and AV 6640 (females) (prepared by Volynkin) (ZFMK); 4 males, E Sichuan, 30 km SE from Ping Wu, 1420 m, N 32 ° 20.725 '', E 104 ° 36.650 '', 7. viii. 2006, Floriani & Saldaitis leg., gen. slide No. AV 5596 (prepared by Volynkin) (AFM, ASV & JSL); 3 males, 1 female, the same locality and collectors but 1. viii. 2006, gen. slide Nos. AV 5597 (male) and AV 6403 (female) (prepared by Volynkin) (AFM & ASV); 2 females, N Sichuan, 20 km N of Maoxian, 1820 m, N 31 ° 46.310 '', E 103 ° 42.898 '', 30. vii. 2006. Floriani & Saldaitis leg. (AFM); 1 female, Shaanxi, 1480 m, North from Foping, N 33 ° 42.546 '', E 107 ° 56.418 '', 3 – 5. viii. 2006, Floriani & Saldaitis leg. (AFM). Notes. (1) In the original description, Draudt (1950) mentioned several female specimens from A-tun-tse (with the date “ 20. VI. [19] 36 ”) and two females from Li-kiang (with the dates “ 8 und 13. VIII. [19] 34 ”), which are syntypes. In ZFMK collection, no specimens with such label data were found. However, we found a female labeled as ‘ Holotype’ from A-tun-tse collected at 20. VII. 1936 which let us to assume that Draudt made a typo in the citation of the date (June instead of July). In order to stabilize the nomenclature, we hereby designate this specimen as lectotype. (2) The type and topotype specimens housed in ZFMK are faded and lack the shiny bluish suffusion which is present in the fresh specimens collected by the senior author of the present paper.	en	Saldaitis, Aidas, Volynkin, Anton V., Speidel, Wolfgang, Zahiri, Reza (2022): A review of the genus Nikara Moore and its transfer to the Stiriinae (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae). Zootaxa 5205 (3): 201-219, DOI: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5205.3.1
A16B87A9C545FF85FF5B96D9FDA510EB.taxon	diagnosis	Diagnosis. The species is reminiscent of N. castanea, but can be distinguished by the absence of a wide brown area along the anal forewing margin which is present in N. castanea. Additionally, the terminal area of N. cupreomicans is brownish grey (brown in N. castanea), and the orbicular stigma is nearly circular (whereas it is narrowly elliptical in N. castanea). The male genital capsule of N. cupreomicans differs from that of N. castanea in the subapically slightly dilated uncus (it is strongly dilated in N. castanea), the somewhat narrower juxta (in proportion to the tegumen-vinculum complex width) and the presence of a harpe which is absent in N. castanea. The aedeagus of N. cupreomicans is ca. 2 times narrower than in N. castanea and has the narrower and somewhat shorter carinal process. The vesica of N. cupreomicans is much narrower (in proportion to the aedeagus width) than that of N. castanea, lacks a ventral diverticulum (present in N. castanea) and bears a row of tiny denticles subbasally and a row of various-sized spine-like cornuti distally and medio-laterally whereas N. castanea has a dorsal cluster of short but robust spinules subbasally and lacks cornuti distally. Additionally, the vesica ejaculatorius of N. cupreomicans is narrower than in N. castanea (in proportion to the vesica width). The vesica structure of N. cupreomicans is similar to that of N. plusiodes, the detailed comparison is provided in the diagnosis of the latter species. Compared to N. castanea, the vesica of N. cupreomicans lacks an elongate ventral diverticulum but bears an elongate row-like cluster of spine-like cornuti medially (N. castanea, there is a short cluster subbasally). The female genitalia of N. cupreomicans differ clearly from those of N. castanea by the somewhat wider and less elongate papillae anales (they are narrow and more heavily sclerotised in N. castanea) and the markedly (ca. 2 times) longer corpus bursae which is narrowed posteriorly and medially and drop-like dilated anteriorly (whereas it is sack-like in N. castanea). Additionally, in N. cupreomicans, the posterior section of the corpus bursae has a broad globular postero-lateral protrusion (absent in N. castanea), and the sclerotised plate is markedly shorter and narrower than in castanea. The appendix bursae of N. cupreomicans is short, with thick gelatinous walls and positioned sub-postero-ventrally, whereas that of N. castanea is broader, membranous and is positioned postero-laterally on the left side.	en	Saldaitis, Aidas, Volynkin, Anton V., Speidel, Wolfgang, Zahiri, Reza (2022): A review of the genus Nikara Moore and its transfer to the Stiriinae (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae). Zootaxa 5205 (3): 201-219, DOI: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5205.3.1
A16B87A9C545FF85FF5B96D9FDA510EB.taxon	description	Description. External morphology of adults (Figs 7 – 10). Antennae of both sexes filiform. Head and thorax dark brown, with suffusion of shiny bluish scales. Forewing length 15 mm in males and 15 – 16 mm in females. Sexual dimorphism limited: female has somewhat wider forewing than male. Forewing ground colour dark brown. Antemedial line double, dark brown, narrow, sinuous. Postmedial line dark brown, slightly curved. Cell dark brown between the spots. Orbicular stigma circular, encircled with shiny bluish scales. Reniform stigma moderately broad, encircled with shiny bluish scales. Subcostal area dark brown with five various sized spots with intense shiny bluish suffusion. Postmedial area with intense amber suffusion. Subterminal area brownish grey with intense shiny bluish suffusion. Cilia brown. Hindwing brown, discal spot small, circular, dark brown, indistinct. Abdomen brown. Male genitalia (Fig. 17). Uncus elongate, narrow, laterally flattened, dorso-ventrally curved, somewhat dilated subapically, apically pointed with tiny claw-like tip. Tuba analis moderately broad, with heavily sclerotised and rugose scaphium. Tegumen moderately wide, shorter than valva. Juxta shield-like, with wide rounded apical depression and tiny round basal incision. Vinculum ca. 1.5 times shorter than tegumen, with thin but well-sclerotised arms, Vshaped with pointed tip. Pleurite present, as a curved and apically rounded, plate-like extension of vinculum. Valva elongate and narrow (length to width ratio 5: 1), with nearly parallel margins. Costal margin convex subbasally. Corona present, consisting of robust setae. Sacculus short (ca. 1 / 4 of valva length) and narrow (ca. half of basal section of valva width). Clavus narrowly triangular with rounded tip. Harpe short (its length to valva width ration 1: 3.8), narrowly triangular and apically pointed. Aedeagus elongate, slightly downcurved medially, with short (ca. 1 / 5 of aedeagus length) and apically rounded distal carinal process ventrally. Vesica sack-like, approximately equal in length with aedeagus, projecting dorsad, bearing lateral row of tiny denticles subbasally, and row of various sized spine-like cornuti extending from medial section to the base of vesica ejaculatorius and terminating by a robust thorn-like cornutus apically. Female genitalia (Fig. 21). Papillae anales trapezoid with rounded corners, setose. Apophyses thin, rod-like, equal in length. Ostium bursae with membranous margins. Ductus bursae as long as apophyses, narrowly tubular, membranous. Corpus bursae extremely long, narrowed posteriorly and medially and drop-like dilated anteriorly, with globular and membranous lateral protrusion posteriorly on the right side. Posterior sclerotised plate of corpus bursae elongate and narrow. Appendix bursae broadly conical with wide and rounded apex and thick gelatinous walls, positioned sub-posteriorly on the ventral side of corpus bursae.	en	Saldaitis, Aidas, Volynkin, Anton V., Speidel, Wolfgang, Zahiri, Reza (2022): A review of the genus Nikara Moore and its transfer to the Stiriinae (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae). Zootaxa 5205 (3): 201-219, DOI: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5205.3.1
A16B87A9C545FF85FF5B96D9FDA510EB.taxon	distribution	Distribution and bionomics. The species is known from Yunnan, Sichuan and south-western Shaanxi Provinces of China. In Sichuan, the species was collected at early August at the altitude of approximately 1400 meters in the scarce mountain mixed forest dominated by various deciduous trees, bamboo and bushes and located in between small agriculture fields (Fig. 25).	en	Saldaitis, Aidas, Volynkin, Anton V., Speidel, Wolfgang, Zahiri, Reza (2022): A review of the genus Nikara Moore and its transfer to the Stiriinae (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae). Zootaxa 5205 (3): 201-219, DOI: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5205.3.1
A16B87A9C546FF80FF5B95B8FACC168B.taxon	description	(Figs 11 – 14, 18, 22, 23)	en	Saldaitis, Aidas, Volynkin, Anton V., Speidel, Wolfgang, Zahiri, Reza (2022): A review of the genus Nikara Moore and its transfer to the Stiriinae (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae). Zootaxa 5205 (3): 201-219, DOI: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5205.3.1
A16B87A9C546FF80FF5B95B8FACC168B.taxon	materials_examined	Type material examined. Photographs of the syntype of Nikara plusiodes (Fig. 11): male, “ Tali | Yun-nan ” | Nicara | plusioides | type ♂. de Joan. ” | red label “ syntype ” | “ Nikara | plusiodes Joan. | Bull. Soc. ent. | Fr., 1914, p. 419 ” | “ 1920 – 1932 | coll. L. & J. de Joannis | Muséum Paris ” | QR-code label “ MNHN, Paris | EL 29378 ” (MNHN). Lectotype of Chrysoptera (Plusia) aureus (hereby designated) (Figs 12, 22): female, “ Tsekou | Th. Monbeig | 1909. ” | “ Chrysoptera (Plusia) | aureus O. B. - Haas ” | pink label “ Type ” | “ ex coll. 1 / 1 | Bang-Haas ” | “ Horae Macrolep. | Vol. I. abgebildet | t. 10 f. 42 | beschrieb. p. 91 ” | red label “ Prp. Nr.: 12223 NKM f | Holotypus | Chrysonicara aureus | (Bang-Haas, 1927) | China, Type / Tsekou | (Plusia) aureus O. B. - Haas / Horae | Macrolep. Vol. I Abgebildet T 10. 42 | Beschrieb. p. 91 / ex coll. Bang- | Haas, 1 / 1, Manbeig Th. 1900 / | Prp. Behounek, 2017 ” (MfN). Other material examined. CHINA: 1 male, [Yunnan, Lijiang] Li-kiang, ca. 2000 m, Prov. Nord-Yuennan, 31. VII. 1934, H. Höne, gen. prep. by Kononenko (ZFMK); 1 female, Yuennaniu, 5. IV. 1934, H. Höne (ZFMK); 1 female, Yunnan, Tali, 1913 - 412, 3, unique number NHMUK 014165092, gen. prep. No. NHMUK 010316230 (prepared by Volynkin) (NHMUK).	en	Saldaitis, Aidas, Volynkin, Anton V., Speidel, Wolfgang, Zahiri, Reza (2022): A review of the genus Nikara Moore and its transfer to the Stiriinae (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae). Zootaxa 5205 (3): 201-219, DOI: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5205.3.1
A16B87A9C546FF80FF5B95B8FACC168B.taxon	discussion	Remark. In the original description of Chrysoptera (Plusia) aureus, Bang-Haas (1927) cited 3 males which are syntypes. However, in the MfN collection, we found only one female syntype specimen which indicates that the sex was incorrectly determined by the author for at least one specimen. In order to stabilize the nomenclature, we hereby designate this specimen as lectotype.	en	Saldaitis, Aidas, Volynkin, Anton V., Speidel, Wolfgang, Zahiri, Reza (2022): A review of the genus Nikara Moore and its transfer to the Stiriinae (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae). Zootaxa 5205 (3): 201-219, DOI: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5205.3.1
A16B87A9C546FF80FF5B95B8FACC168B.taxon	diagnosis	Diagnosis. The species can be easily distinguished from the congeners by its ‘ Plusiinae-like’ external appearance characterised by the elongate forewing apex, the nearly straight postmedial line, and the subterminal and terminal forewing areas ochreous with a slight golden sheen. Additionally, the basal and medial forewing areas of N. plusiodes are monotonous brown with a thin dark brown antemedial line strongly angled in the cell, whereas it is indistinct in N. castanea and N. cupreomicans. The orbicular and reniform stigmata are indistinct, whereas they are encircled with shiny bluish scales in the congeners. The male genitalia of N. plusiodes is most similar to that of N. castanea due to the absence of a harpe, but differs clearly in the subapically less dilated uncus, and the less elongate valva with a convex costal margin (whereas it is nearly straight in N. castanea). The vesica structure of N. plusiodes is reminiscent of that of N. cupreomicans, but the main chamber of the vesica of N. plusiodes is broader, the subbasal row is shorter and consisting of conspicuously longer spines, and the cornuti of the medio-distal row are conspicuously more robust. The female genitalia of N. plusiodes are distinguished from those of N. castanea and N. cupreomicans by the corpus bursae having two lateral protrusions, and the appendix bursae positioned lateroanteriorly and having a sclerotised rugose area basally which is extending into adjacent areas of the corpus bursae. Re-description. External morphology of adults (Figs 11 – 14). Antenna filiform in both sexes. Body brown with ochreous suffusion. Forewing length 17 mm in males and 18 – 19 mm in females. Forewing broadly triangular with rounded apex and somewhat convex outer margin. Forewing ground colour brown in antemedial and medial areas and pale ochreous with intense golden suffusion postmedially. Antemedial line dark brown, thin, sinuous and medially curved, diffuse. Medial line thin and indistinct, dark brown, protruding outwards and strongly angled medially. Postmedial line alomst straight, oblique, terminating at costa near apex, dark brown inwardly and ochreous with golden suffusion outwardly. Subterminal line indistinct, sunuous, represented by brown suffusion in postmedial area medially. Terminal line thin, continuous, dark brown with golden suffusion. Forewing cilia brown. Hindwing pale ochreous with brown suffusion. Hindwing pale ochreous with admixture of brown scales. Male genitalia (Fig. 18). Uncus elongate and slender, laterally flattened, downcurved subbasally, somewhat dilated distally, apically tapered with tiny claw-like tip. Tuba analis with heavily sclerotised and rugose scaphium. Tegumen shorter than valva, with arms fused in posterior half. Juxta shield-like with wide rounded apical depression. Vinculum ca. 1.5 times shorter than tegumen, with thin but well-sclerotised arms, V-shaped with pointed tip. Valva elongate and narrow (length to width ratio 4.1: 1), with nearly parallel margins distally and convex dorsal margin sub-proximally. Corona present, consisting of robust setae. Sacculus short (ca. 1 / 4 of valva length) and narrow (ca. half of basal section of valva width). Clavus narrowly triangular with rounded tip, somewhat curved medially. Phallus elongate, slightly downcurved medially and somewhat dilated distally, with broad (ca. 2 / 3 of its length) base of ductus ejaculatorius. Vesica sack-like, approximately equal in length with aedeagus, projecting dorsad, bearing basal transverse row of short but robust spines, and lateral elongate lengthwise cluster consisting of 14 short but robust spine-like cornuti proximally, several much larger thorn-like cornuti distally and terminating by the largest cornutus apically. Female genitalia (Figs 22, 23). Papilla analis trapezoid and weakly setose. Apophyses elongate and thin, more or less equal in length, apophysis anterioris thicker than apophysis posterioris. Ductus bursae tubular, narrow, membranous. Corpus bursae with two postero-lateral semiglobular protrusions (with ca. twice larger anterior one), and semi-elliptical anterior end protruding anteriorly. Appendix bursae semi-globular, positioned anterio-laterally on left side, with sclerotised rugose area basally which protruding into adjacent areas of corpus bursae.	en	Saldaitis, Aidas, Volynkin, Anton V., Speidel, Wolfgang, Zahiri, Reza (2022): A review of the genus Nikara Moore and its transfer to the Stiriinae (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae). Zootaxa 5205 (3): 201-219, DOI: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5205.3.1
A16B87A9C546FF80FF5B95B8FACC168B.taxon	distribution	Distribution. The species is known from Yunnan Province of China (Bang-Haas 1927; de Joannis 1914).	en	Saldaitis, Aidas, Volynkin, Anton V., Speidel, Wolfgang, Zahiri, Reza (2022): A review of the genus Nikara Moore and its transfer to the Stiriinae (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae). Zootaxa 5205 (3): 201-219, DOI: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5205.3.1
