Review of the bicolora Fang and binghami Hampson species-groups of the genus Ovipennis Hampson with descriptions of five new species from Southwestern China and Indochina (Lepidoptera, Erebidae, Arctiinae, Lithosiini).

The Ovipennis bicolora Fang, 1986 and Ovipennis binghami Hampson, 1903 species-groups are reviewed. The identities of the records of O.binghami reported outside of its type locality are clarified. Ovipennis bicolora is rediscovered with the male and female genitalia illustrated for the first time. The male and female genitalia of O.thomasi ern, 2009 are illustrated for the first time and its specific status is confirmed. Five new species are described: O.hanae S.-Y. Huang, Volynkin & ern, sp. n. (Southwestern China), O.regina Volynkin, ern, S.-Y. Huang & Saldaitis, sp. n. (Northern Thailand and Southwestern China), O.takia Volynkin, S.-Y. Huang & ern, sp. n. (Western and Central Thailand), O.kitchingi Volynkin, S.-Y. Huang & ern, sp. n. (Northern Thailand), and O.sapa Volynkin, S.-Y. Huang, ern & Saldaitis, sp. n. (Northern Vietnam). Adults and genitalia of the new species are illustrated and compared with its congeners.

Reconstitution of RNA cap methylation reveals different features of SARS-CoV-2 and SARS-CoV methyltransferases.

Cap RNA methylations play important roles in the replication, evasion of host RNA sensor recognition, and pathogenesis. Coronaviruses possess both guanine N7- and 2'-O-ribose methyltransferases (N7-MTase and 2'-O-MTase) encoded by nonstructural protein (nsp) 14 and nsp16/10 complex, respectively. In this study, we reconstituted the two-step RNA methylations of N7-MTase and 2'-O-MTase of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) in vitro and demonstrated its common and different features in comparison with that of SARS-CoV. We revealed that the nsp16/10 2'-O-MTase of SARS-CoV-2 has a broader substrate selectivity than the counterpart of SARS-CoV and can accommodate both unmethylated and uncapped RNA substrates in a sequence-independent manner. Most intriguingly, the substrate selectivity of nsp16/10 complex is not determined by the apoenzyme of nsp16 MTase but by its cofactor nsp10. These results provide insight into the unique features of SARS-CoV-2 MTases and may help develop strategies to precisely intervene in the methylation pathway and pathogenesis of SARS-CoV-2.

A new species of the genus Eterusia Hope from western China (Lepidoptera, Zygaenidae, Chalcosiinae).

A new species Eterusia sinoraja Huang & Horie sp. n. is described from western Sichuan Province, western China. The comparison is made with the reminiscent E. raja Moore, 1859 from northeastern India. The adult and genitalia of both sexes of the aforementioned taxa are illustrated.

Letrasilta, a new genus for the Striatella cernyi Volynkin species-group with description of a new species from Xizang, China, and a replacement name for the genus group name Striatella Volynkin & S.-Y. Huang, 2019 (Lepidoptera: Erebidae: Arctiinae: Lithosiini).

The name Striatochrista nom. n. is introduced as replacement for Striatella Volynkin & S.-Y. Huang, 2019. A new genus, Letrasilta S.-Y. Huang & Volynkin gen. n. is erected to include the Striatella cernyi species-group with the new species, L. ratnasambhava S.-Y. Huang, Volynkin & Yin sp. n. from Xizang, southwestern China designated as the type species. Based on the molecular phylogenetic analysis, the new genus is found to be sister to the clade (Aberrasine + ((Indiania + Idopterum) + Striatochrista nom. n.)) but is distinguished from all the relevant genera by the unique genitalia features. Letrasilta cernyi (Volynkin, 2018) comb. n. is also reported from India for the first time. Adults and genitalia of the aforementioned taxa are illustrated. A checklist of the genus Striatochrista is also provided.

A review of the genus Agalope Walker (Lepidoptera, Zygaenidae, Chalcosiinae) with taxonomic notes and descriptions of three new genera and three new species.

A preliminary review of the genus Agalope Walker, 1854 is presented. Two new genera are established for four species-groups: Rotundagalope S.-Y. Huang & Horie, gen. n. (type species Agalope immaculata Leech, 1898, for the immaculata species-group), Paragalope S.-Y. Huang & Horie, gen. n. (type species Chelura pica Wileman, 1910, for the pica, glacialis and dejeani species-groups). An additional new genus, Agacysma S.-Y. Huang & Horie, gen. n., related to Agalope and Elcysma, is erected for the new species Agacysma sinica S.-Y. Huang & Horie sp. n. (mainland China: Chongqing, Hubei & Shaanxi). Two new species of the genus Agalope are described: A. geoffi S.-Y. Huang & Horie sp. n. (mainland China: SE. Xizang) and A. liuzihaoi S.-Y. Huang & Horie sp. n. (mainland China: SE. Xizang), forming a species-group of their own which is clearly different from congeners in their male genitalia. The taxonomic issues between Paragalope haoi (S.-Y. Huang, 2022) comb. n. and P. bieti (Oberthür, 1886) comb. n. are discussed. Moreover, following the erection of Paragalope, the homonymy of Agalope glacialis Butler, 1881 and A. glacialis (Moore, 1872) ends; hence the replacement name of the former, A. butleri Owada & Horie, 2000 syn. n., is unnecessary and hence synonymized. The following new combinations are given: Rotundagalope immaculata (Leech, 1898) comb. nov., Paragalope ardjuna (Roepke, 1936) comb. nov., P. aurelia (Oberthür, 1923) comb. nov., P. basiflava (Moore, 1879b) comb. nov., P. bieti (Oberthür, 1886) comb. nov., P. chayuensis (S.-Y. Huang & Pan, 2022) comb. nov., P. haoi (S.-Y. Huang, 2022) comb. nov., P. owadai (S.-Y. Huang, 2022) comb. nov., P. pica (Wileman, 1910) comb. nov., P. trimacula (Matsumura, 1927) comb. nov., P. wangi (Owada, 1992) comb. nov., P. dejeani (Oberthür, 1893) comb. nov., P. lucia (Oberthür, 1923) comb. nov., P. glacialis glacialis (Moore, 1872) comb. nov., P. glacialis parthenie (Jordan, 1907b) comb. nov., P. glacialis angustifasciata (Hering, 1922) comb. nov., P. glacialis postfasciata (Holloway, 2011) comb. nov. A checklist of the species and genera mentioned in the present study is given. Adults and genitalia of the newly described taxa and related ones are illustrated.

Molecular phylogeny, historical biogeography, and classification of Pseudocoladenia butterflies (Lepidoptera: Hesperiidae).

The range of the butterfly genus Pseudocoladenia includes several biodiversity hotspots, such as the Himalayas, mountains of southwestern China, and Sundaland. However, the taxonomic status of some of its species/subspecies remain controversial, and no previous phylogenetic or biogeographic analyses have been conducted. Herein, we determined the systematic relationships and biogeographic history of this genus by reconstructing its phylogeny based on six genes and 69 specimens as representatives of all known species/subspecies. Two species delimitation methods (Bayes Poisson Tree Processes and Bayesian Phylogenetics and Phylogeography) were also employed to assess the status of each taxon. Based on these results and morphological evidence, we identified 12 species and three subspecies in the genus and subsequently classified these into three species groups: P. fatih, P. dea, and P. dan. Five taxa, P. sadakoe (Sonan and Mitono, 1936) stat. nov., P. celebica (Fruhstorfer, 1909) stat. nov., P. fulvescens (Elwes and Edwarda, 1897) stat. nov., P. eacus (Latreille, 1823) stat. nov., and P. fabia (Evans, 1949) stat. nov. were all recognized as independent species. Additionally, two taxa, P. eacus sumatrana (Fruhstorfer, 1909) comb. nov. and P. eacus dhyana (Fruhstorfer, 1909) comb. nov., were placed under P. eacus (Latreille, 1823) stat. nov. as subspecies. Another new species distributed in N. Yunnan, Pseudocoladenia yunnana Fan, Cao & Hou sp. nov., was discovered and described. Divergence time and ancestral range estimation indicated that the most recent common ancestor of Pseudocoladenia was distributed in the Himalayas-Hengduan Mountain region and Indochina and diverged approximately 14.00 Ma. Continuous and episodic dispersal, vicariance, and extinction were used to determine the current geographic distribution of the genus. The P. fatih group had a prominently disjunct distribution between the Himalaya-Hengduan Mountain and Taiwan. Meanwhile, the P. dan group was first derived in Indochina and subsequently dispersed into the southeastern Asian archipelagoes. This study provides a reference for the evolutionary route of transoceanic distributed species in Asia and elaborates on the causes of biodiversity.

SARS-CoV-2 ORF3a sensitizes cells to ferroptosis via Keap1-NRF2 axis.

Viral infection-induced cell death has long been considered as a double-edged sword in the inhibition or exacerbation of viral infections. Patients with severe Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) are characterized by multiple organ dysfunction syndrome and cytokine storm, which may result from SARS-CoV-2-induced cell death. Previous studies have observed enhanced ROS level and signs of ferroptosis in SARS-CoV-2 infected cells or specimens of patients with COVID-19, but the exact mechanism is not clear yet. Here, we find SARS-CoV-2 ORF3a sensitizes cells to ferroptosis via Keap1-NRF2 axis. SARS-CoV-2 ORF3a promotes the degradation of NRF2 through recruiting Keap1, thereby attenuating cellular resistance to oxidative stress and facilitated cells to ferroptotic cell death. Our study uncovers that SARS-CoV-2 ORF3a functions as a positive regulator of ferroptosis, which might explain SARS-CoV-2-induced damage in multiple organs in COVID-19 patients and imply the potential of ferroptosis inhibition in COVID-19 treatment.

Taxonomic review of the genus Tarika Moore with descriptions of six new species from Nepal, China and Indochina (Lepidoptera: Erebidae: Arctiinae).

The Asiatic footman moth genus Tarika Moore, 1878, which used to be considered as monotypic is reviewed. Six new species are described: T. annapurna sp. n. (Сentral Nepal), T. erlanga sp. n. (China: Sichuan), T. reducta sp. n. (North Thailand), T. danieli sp. n. (China: Yunnan, Sichuan, Fujian, Shandong), T. kinha sp. n. (North Vietnam and China: Yunnan), and T. biserratula sp. n. (China: Hunan). Lectotypes are designated for Lithosia varana Moore, 1865 and Tarika nivea Moore, 1878. Adults, male and female genitalia are illustrated.

Synthesis of deuterated S-217622 (Ensitrelvir) with antiviral activity against coronaviruses including SARS-CoV-2.

S-217622 (Ensitrelvir) is a reversible severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) 3-chymotrypsin-like protease (3CLpro) inhibitor which obtained emergency regulatory approval in Japan for the treatment of SARS-CoV-2 infection on Nov 22, 2022. Herein, analogs of S-271622 with deuterium-for-hydrogen replacement were synthesized for comparison of the antiviral activities and pharmacokinetic (PK) profiles. Compared to the parent compound, C11-d2-S-217622 compound YY-278 retained in vitro activity against 3CLpro and SARS-CoV-2. X-ray crystal structural studies showed similar interactions of SARS-CoV-2 3CLpro with YY-278 and S-271622. The PK profiling revealed the relatively favorable bioavailability and plasma exposure of YY-278. In addition, YY-278, as well as S-217622, displayed broadly anti-coronaviral activities against 6 other coronaviruses that infect humans and animals. These results laid the foundation for further research on the therapeutic potential of YY-278 against COVID-19 and other coronaviral diseases.

First record of the family Neopseustidae from Yunnan, China with description of a new species (Lepidoptera, Neopseustidae).

The family Neopseustidae is reported from Yunnan Province, Southwest China, for the first time, with a new species, N. gaoligongensis Huang & Chen, sp. n., described from Mt. Gaoligong, West Yunnan, based on molecular and morphological evidence. The new species was found to belong to the N. bicornuta species-group and is closely related to N. fanjingshana Yang, 1988, but can be distinguished from it by the differences in morphology and a 3.2% COI distance. Adults and genitalia of the new species and N. fanjingshana are illustrated, and the molecular phylogeny based on COI barcoding of the genus Neopseustis is also updated.

Notes on Aulocera pygmaea (Holik, 1949) and its related taxa (Lepidoptera, Nymphalidae, Satyrinae).

In this paper, Aulocera pygmaea (Holik, 1949) and its related taxa from W. China (S. Gansu, N. Sichuan, N.W. Yunnan, S.E. Tibet) and N. Myanmar (N. Kachin) are studied. The specific status of A. pygmaea (Holik) is confirmed based upon examining the syntype series. Aulocera atuntsensis (Gross, 1959), A. melanoleuca Sakai, Aoki & Yamaguchi, 2001 stat. nov., and A. auloceroides (H. Huang, 1999) are raised or restored to specific rank rather than treated as subspecies of A. pygmaea (Holik), as in Lang (2021). The lectotype for Satyrus sybillina pygmaea Holik, 1949 is designated. Other related taxa are also discussed.

Taxonomic review of the Oriental genus Gandhara Moore with descriptions of four new species (Lepidoptera: Erebidae: Arctiinae: Lithosiini).

The genus Gandhara Moore, 1878 is reviewed. Four new species are described: Gandhara typica Volynkin & ern, sp. n. (Nepal, northeast India, northern Myanmar and northern Thailand), Gandhara clava Volynkin & ern, sp. n. (Laos and northern Thailand), Gandhara emgai Volynkin & ern, sp. n. (northern Vietnam), and Gandhara interrogativa Volynkin, ern, S.-Y. Huang & H.-L. Hu, sp. n. (northern Vietnam and southern China). Gandhara typica sp. n. is fixed as the type species of the genus Gandhara whereas Lithosia serva Walker, 1854 considered by authors as the type species of Gandhara by misidentification is transferred to the genus Collita Moore, 1878. Two new combinations are introduced: Gandhara conica (Fang, 2000), comb. n. and Collita serva (Walker, 1854), comb. n. A lectotype is designated for Lithosia serva Walker, 1854 in order to stabilise the nomenclature. Adults as well as male and female genitalia are illustrated.

Description of a new subspecies of Chonala laurae Bozano, 1999 from Southeastern China (Lepidoptera, Nymphalidae, Satyrinae).

The satyrid species Chonala laurae Bozano, 1999, formerly only known from southern Shaanxi and western Hubei Provinces in the central part of China, is recorded from Mt. Wuyi, Fujian Province in southeastern China for the first time, and the population is described as a new subspecies herein: C. laurae wuyishana Huang, Guo & Wang, ssp. n. The new subspecies can be distinguished from the nominate one by the pattern at the costa and in space 2 on the forewing upperside in males and the ground color in females, and from the closely related C. houae by the coloration of the pattern on the forewing upperside and in space 2 on the forewing underside as well as the male genital character. A brief discussion on the relationship among C. laurae laurae, C. laurae wuyishana ssp. n., and C. houae is also presented. In addition, an updated key to species and subspecies of Chonala is provided.

Taxonomic review of the Cyana adelina (Staudinger) species-group (Lepidoptera: Erebidae: Arctiinae) with descriptions of three new species and one new subspecies from Laos, Thailand and China.

The Cyana adelina (Staudinger, 1887) species-group is established and reviewed. Three new species and one new subspecies are described: Cyana yunnanensis regia ssp. n. (Northern Thailand and northern Laos), Cyana dubernardi sp. n. (China: Yunnan), Cyana khami sp. n. (central Laos), and Cyana karsticola sp. n. (northern Laos). Two new synonyms are established: Cyana yunnanensis yunnanensis (Hampson, 1903) (Chionaema) = Chionaema hoenei Daniel, 1952, syn. n., and Cyana griseilinea de Joannis, 1930 = Cyana succincta ern, 2016, syn. n. Lectotypes are designated for Bizone adelina Staudinger, 1887 and Bizone pratti Elwes, 1890. Adults, male and female genitalia are illustrated.

Contribution to the knowledge of the genus Nephelomilta Hampson, 1900(Lepidoptera, Erebidae, Arctiinae) from China with descriptions of two new species.

New information on the genus Nephelomilta Hampson, 1900 from China is reported. Two new species are described from southwestern China: N. medogensis Huang, Volynkin & Saldaitis, sp. n. from Motuo County, Xizang Autonomous Region and N. nu Huang, Volynkin & Saldaitis, sp. n. from Nujiang Valley, Yunnan Province. The female of N. yasunorikishidai Huang & Wang, 2019 is discovered and illustrated for the first time, and the species is erected into a separate species-group. Adults and genitalia of the aforementioned taxa and related ones as well are illustrated.

On the taxonomy of Barsine striata (Bremer amp; Grey) and Barsine pulchra (Butler) (Lepidoptera: Erebidae: Arctiinae) with descriptions of three new species from Indochina.

The taxonomy of Barsine striata (Bremer Grey, 1852) and B. pulchra (Butler, 1877) is revised. Three new species are described: B. evrys sp. n. (Central and South Vietnam, and South-East Thailand), B. robusta sp. n. (North Thailand), and B. laotiana sp. n. (entral Laos). One taxon is revived from synonymy and upgraded to subspecies level: Barsine pulchra pulcherrima (Staudinger, 1887), stat. rev. Miltochrista gratiosa kurilensis Bryk, 1942, is excluded from the synonymy with Barsine striata and placed in synonymy with B. pulchra (=Miltochrista gratiosa kurilensis Bryk, 1942, stat. rev.). Lectotypes for Lithosia striata Bremer Grey, 1852, Hypoprepia lanceolata Walker, 1854 and Miltochrista pulchra Butler, 1877 are designated. Adults, male and female genitalia are illustrated.

Two remarkable new species of the genus Barsine Walker, 1854 from China (Lepidoptera: Erebidae: Arctiinae: Lithosiini).

Two remarkable new species of the genus Barsine Walker, 1854 are described: Barsine qinxiae S.-Y. Huang Volynkin sp. n. from Zhejiang, Eastern China, and B. jingkuni S.-Y. Huang Volynkin sp. n. from Sichuan, Western China. The diagnostic comparison is made with Barsine roseata (Walker, 1864), B. hoenei (Reich, 1937) and B. pardalis (Mell, 1922). The lectotype for Miltochrista hoenei Reich, 1937 is designated. Adults and genitalia of the aforementioned taxa are illustrated.

Taxonomic review of Manulea (M.) tienmushanica (Daniel), comb. nov., and its allies with descriptions of two new species from mainland China (Lepidoptera: Erebidae: Arctiinae).

The Manulea tienmushanica (Daniel, 1954) species group is established, characterised and reviewed. Two new species are described: Manulea (M.) salweena sp. n. (China: Yunnan), and Manulea (M.) diaforetica sp. n. (China: Yunnan). Two new combinations are established: Manulea (M.) tienmushanica (Daniel, 1954), comb. n. and Manulea (M.) nigripuncta (Fang, 2000), comb. n. Adults, male and female genitalia are illustrated.

Contribution to the knowledge of the genus Ovipennis Hampson, 1900 with descriptions of two new species from Southern and Southwestern China (Lepidoptera, Erebidae, Arctiinae, Lithosiini).

The knowledge of the genus Ovipennis Hampson, 1900 is updated. Nanarsine milani (ern, 2009) is recorded from China and Vietnam for the first time and transferred to the genus Ovipennis based on multilocus molecular phylogenetic and morphological analyses: O. milani (ern, 2009), comb. n. Two new species related to Ovipennis semilutea species-group are described: O. mixta Huang, Zhao, Volynkin Han, sp. n. from Guizhou and Hunan and O. multicornuta Huang, Volynkin, Zhao Han, sp. n. from Sichuan. Adults and genitalia of the aforementioned taxa are illustrated.

Contribution to the knowledge of the genus Agalope Walker from mainland China, with descriptions of four new species (Lepidoptera, Zygaenidae, Chalcosiinae).

New information of the genus Agalope Walker, 1854 from mainland China is presented. Three new species of the Agalope pica species-group are described: A. haoi S.-Y. Huang sp. n. from Weixi County, Yunnan, A. chayuensis S.-Y. Huang Pan sp. n. from Chayu County, Southeastern Xizang and A. owadai S.-Y. Huang sp. n. from Bomi and Jiali Counties, Southeastern and Eastern Xizang. The little-known Agalope aurelia Oberthr, 1923 and A. lucia Oberthr, 1923 were rediscovered, with the male of the latter reported for the first time. Based on the newly discovered male, Agalope lucia is found to be a close relative of A. dejeani, hence it is excluded from the A. pica species-group and transferred to the A. bieti species-group. A new species of the Agalope hyalina species-group is also described: A. jianqingi S.-Y. Huang sp. n. from Pianma, Western Yunnan. Adults and genitalia of the aforementioned and related taxa are illustrated. An updated checklist of the genus is also provided.