Tumicla pringlei, Volynkin & László, 2020

Volynkin, Anton V. & László, Gyula M., 2020, Six new species of the genus Tumicla Wallengren, 1863 (Lepidoptera: Erebidae: Arctiinae: Lithosiini), Ecologica Montenegrina 38, pp. 36-50 : 38

Tumicla pringlei sp. n.

( Figs 7, 8 , 27 , 39 )

Type material. Holotype ( Figs 7 , 27 ): male, “ Tanzania: Amani , Malaria Institute, G. Pringle coll., BM 1966-281 ” / “Mal Inst Amani P. 517 5/63” / “ G. Pringle coll. BM 1966-281 ” / QR- code label with unique number NHMUK 010915999 , gen. slide No.: NHMUK010314595 (prepared by Volynkin) ( NHMUK).

Paratypes. TANZANIA: 1 female, with the same data as the holotype, NHMUK unique number: 010916000, gen. slide No.: NHMUK010314596 (prepared by Volynkin) ; 1 female, Tanzania: Amani, Malaria Institute, G. Pringle coll., BM 1966-281 , Mal Inst Amani P. 517 8/63; 1 female without abdomen, same data but Mal Inst Amani P. 517 7/64 ( NHMUK) .

Diagnosis. The forewing length is 10.5 mm in the male holotype and 11–11.5 mm in females. In its coloration and forewing markings, T. pringlei ( Figs 7, 8 ) is reminiscent of T. usa , T. mbeghai , T. chuquelae , T. elephantina ( Figs 1–6 ) and females of T. similis ( Figs 9–10 ) but easily recognized by its considerably smaller size, less elongate forewing and more rounded forewing apex. The male genitalia of T. pringlei ( Fig. 27 ) are most similar to those of T. similis ( Fig. 28 ) but easily distinguished by a number of diagnostic features as follows: in the male genital capsule of T. pringlei , the uncus is thicker and evenly curved (it is straight medially and curved distally in T. similis ), the juxta is much smaller than that of T. similis and the vinculum is shorter and U-shaped (it is longer and V-shaped in T. similis ). The valva of the new species is dilated medially but tapered distally whereas that of T. similis is evenly dilated distally. The distal section of the valva of T. pringlei bears two or three large triangular protrusions dorsally and one tiny protrusion ventrally, while the distal section of the valva of T. similis is irregularly dentate dorsally with short triangular protrusions but lacking any ventral protrusions. The sacculus of the new species is conspicuously narrower and shorter than in T. similis . The aedeagus of T. pringlei is considerably wider than in T. similis lacking a distal carinal process. The vesica of the new species is markedly wider than in T. similis , having a hook-like dorsal diverticulum scobinated apically, whereas the vesica of T. similis has two short but wide membranous diverticula. The ground plan of the female genitalia of T. pringlei ( Fig. 39 ) is reminiscent of T. similis ( Fig. 40 ), but in the new species the ostium and ductus bursae are markedly wider. The posterior section of the corpus bursae of the new species is considerably longer and wider than that of its congener. Additionally, the appendix bursae of T. pringlei is longer and curved apically whereas that of T. similis is very short and broadly conical.

Distribution. The new species is currently only known from the East Usambara Mountains in northeastern Tanzania.

Etymology. The new species is named after the collector of its type series, Dr Gerry Pringle, former director of the Malaria Institute in Amani, Tanzania.

Figures

Figures 1–10. Tumicla spp., adults. Depositories of the specimens: 1 and 2 in HNHM; 3, 4, 7 and 8 in NHMUK (©); 5 and 6 in ANHRT; 9 and 10 in MWM/ZSM.

Figures 27–30. Tumicla spp., male genitalia. Depositories of the specimens: 27 in NHMUK (©); 28 in MWM/ZSM; 29 and 30 in ANHRT.

Figures 39–44. Tumicla spp., female genitalia. Depositories of the specimens: 39 and 40 in NHMUK (©); 41 in ZSM; 42–44 in ANHRT.