Tumicla fisheri, 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 : 48-49

Tumicla fisheri sp. n.

( Figs 20, 21 , 32 , 45 )

Type material. Holotype ( Figs 20 , 32 ): male, “ Zambia, 1400m, Hillwood , Ikelenge ( Miombo / Riverine forest mosaic), 11°06'02''S, 24°18'59''E, 23–30.xi.2019, LepiLED Light Trap, Bashford, M., Miles, W., Mulvaney, L., Smith, R. leg., ANHRT:2019.25”, unique number ANHRT 00132379 , gen. slide No.: AV5955 ( ANHRT).

Paratypes. ZAMBIA: 7 males, 5 females, with the same data as the holotype, unique numbers: ANHRTUK 00107622, 00132326, 00132346, 00132347, 00132378, 00132380, 00132459, 00132460, 00132461, 00132479, 00132480, 00132609, gen. slides Nos.: AV5956, AV5995 (females) ( ANHRT) .

Diagnosis. The forewing length is 11–12 mm in males and 13–14 mm in females. The new species ( Figs 20, 21 ) is easily recognized by the presence of a conspicuous black streak running along the Cu vein between the forewing base and the black outer forewing area and dilated between veins M 2 and M 3, which is unique in this genus. The male genital capsule of T. fisheri ( Fig. 32 ) is similar to that of T. admiranda ( Fig. 33 ), but the uncus is somewhat longer and basally wider and the apical process of the valva is narrower than those of T. admiranda . The aedeagus of the new species is slightly shorter and wider than that of T. admiranda . The main chamber of the vesica of T. fisheri is relatively short, directed distally, bearing a dense row of numerous spine-like cornuti dorsally and apically, whereas that of T. admiranda is longer, strongly curved ventrally and almost entirely covered in spine-like cornuti. Additionally, the vesica of T. fisheri bears an isolated thorn-like cornutus laterally in its subbasal section which is absent in T. admiranda . In the female genitalia, the inner pocket-like protrusion of the 8 th sternite of T. fisheri is longer and thicker compared to T. admiranda . A similar structure is also found in Tumicla versicolor Kühne, 2007 , a species which is fundamentally different from T. fisheri in its habitus and genitalia structures ( Figs 22, 23 , 33 , 47 ). The new species has a strongly reduced ductus bursae consisting of a very short membranous section only, whereas in T. admiranda the ductus bursae is well-developed and subdivided into a wide funnel-like sclerotized posterior section (antrum) and an asymmetrical membranous anterior section. The sclerotized area of the posterior section of the corpus bursae of T. fisheri is wider with an evenly arcuate convex right margin, whereas in T. admiranda , it is narrower with a nearly straight right margin. The scobinated medial belt-like area of the corpus bursae is longer in T. fisheri compared to T. admiranda .

Distribution. The species is only known from the vicinity of Ikelenge in northwestern Zambia.

Etymology. This species is named after Mr Peter Fisher of Hillwood Farm, Ikelenge, the type locality of the new species, who together with his family have carefully managed and conserved the forests and grasslands of this incredibly biodiverse region of Africa.

Figures

Figures 20–23. Tumicla spp., adults. The specimens are deposited in ANHRT.

Figures 31–33. Tumicla spp., male genitalia. Depositories of the specimens: 31 in NHMUK (©); 32 and 33 in ANHRT.

Figures 45–47. Tumicla spp., female genitalia. Depositories of the specimens: 45 and 47 in ANHRT; 46 in NHMUK (©).