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Type: Article
Published: 2026-01-20
Page range: 259-266
Abstract views: 23
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Description of a new species of the genus Halpe Moore, 1878 from Hainan, China (Hesperiidae, Hesperiinae)

College of Tobacco Science and Engineering; Zhengzhou University of Light Industry; No. 136 Ke Xue Avenue; Zhengzhou; Henan Province; 450000; P. R. China
Kadoorie Conservation China; Kadoorie Farm and Botanic Garden; Lam Kam Road; Tai Po; New Territories; Hong Kong
Sritana Condominium 2; 96 / 173; Huay Kaeo Rd. T. Suthep; A. Muang; Chiang Mai; 50200; Thailand
Wuzhishan Division of Hainan Tropical Rainforest National Park Bureau; Wuzhishan; Hainan; 572299; P.R. China
College of Tobacco Science and Engineering; Zhengzhou University of Light Industry; No. 136 Ke Xue Avenue; Zhengzhou; Henan Province; 450000; P. R. China
Lepidoptera skipper wing pattern genitalia morphological taxonomy COI distribution

Abstract

A new species, namely Halpe hainanensis sp. nov., is described from Hainan, China based on two male specimens. Judging from the wing patterns, the new species is slightly different from H. gamma Evans, 1937, H. interposita Devyatkin, 2008 and H. hsuyufengi Xue & Li, 2025, but it can hardly be distinguished from H. gammoides Devyatkin, 2008 and H. inayoshii Xue & Li, 2025. However, the male genitalia of the new species obviously differ from those of the five congeners. A molecular analysis based on the 658 bp COI gene sequences supports the validity of the new species.

 

References

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How to Cite

Xue, G.-X., Lo, Y.F.P., Inayoshi, Y., Li, J.-L. & Li, M. (2026) Description of a new species of the genus Halpe Moore, 1878 from Hainan, China (Hesperiidae, Hesperiinae). Zootaxa, 5750 (2), 259–266. https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5750.2.7