The relationships of Carterocephalus alcina Evans, 1939 and relatives (Lepidoptera: Hesperiidae: Heteropterinae)

Objective  To investigate the relationships of Carterocephalus alcina Evans, 1939 and its relatives.

Method  The relationships of C. alcina and its relatives were analyzed based on morphological characters, COI barcodes and geographical distribution using an extensive sample collection.

Result  C. alcinoides Lee, 1962 is only an individual variation of C. alcina, and therefore it is a new synonym of C. alcina. The minimum mean genetic distance between the two samples from Beijing and relatives is 3.9%, and they form a distinct clade in the phylogenetic tree. They are characterized by the presence of spots at the base of the discoidal cell of the forewing upperside and in the middle of the leading edge of the hindwing as well as the spot of M_1-2 cells extending to the submarginal zone on the hindwing upperside. C. alcina, the clade composed of two samples from Beijing, C. palaemon and C. silvicola are recovered as a strongly supported monophyletic clade.

Conclusion  C. alcinoides is a new junior synonym of C. alcina. The population which has been known as C. alcina from Beijing is actually a new species, C. longimaculatus Hou, Fan & Li sp. nov..