Brachylia fibigeri, Yakovlev, 2019

Yakovlev, Roman V., 2019, Two new species of Cossinae (Lepidoptera, Cossidae) from Arabian Peninsula, Ecologica Montenegrina 21, pp. 42-45 : 43

Brachylia fibigeri sp. nov. ( Figure 1 : A−B)

Material. Holotype: male, Yemen, Prov. Sana’a, 13º48′N; 44º10′E, Mahal al Houmeira , 5 km NON Qa’idah, 1840−1900 m, 6.iii.2000, leg. F. Aulombard, M. Fibiger, H. Hacker & H.P. Schreier (Museum Witt, GenPr Heterocera: 32.733).

Name. The new species is named after its collector, the prominent entomologist, specialist in Noctuoidea, Michael Fibiger (1945−2011).

Diagnosis. The new species is mostly close to the East-African species Brachylia reussi (Strand, 1913) (Type locality: Morogoro in D.O. Africa [ Tanzania]) widely spread in Kenya and Tanzania, from which it differs by the following characters :

- the reticulated pattern on the fore wing

- the absence of the brown patch on the fore wing discal area

- the absence of small prongs on the abdominal edge of the transtilla process

- the longer, sharpened transtilla processes.

Description. Fore wing length 17 mm. Wing relatively narrow, apically triangle. Antenna bipectinate, crest processes twice longer than antenna rod diameter. Tegulae and patagia grey. Fore wing grey with thin undulated transverse lines, more dense in discal area, a series of frequent black strokes along costal edge, basal area darkened, fringe pale grey unicolorous. Hind wing pale grey with poorly expressed pattern of grey thin undulated lines, fringe pale grey unicolorous.

Male genitalia. Uncus triangle, relatively short, slightly tapered apically; gnathos arms of medium length, thick; gnathos robust, densely covered with short spikes; valve apically semicircular, apex membranous, on costal edge in place of transition of sclerotized part into membranous one there is a robust double crest with two strongly sclerotized ribs on inner valve surface; transtilla process basally thick, gradually narrowing apically, uncinate, strongly curved in medium third; juxta small, triangle, apex directed abdominally, two lateral processes basally thin and gradually widening to apices; saccus semicircular, robust; phallus equal to length of valve, curved at border of proximal and medium thirds, apex obliquely cut, vesica aperture in dorso-apical position, equal to 2/3 of phallus in length, vesica without cornuti.

Female unknown.

Distribution. Known only from Yemen (Province Sana’a).

Figures

Figure 1. A. Brachylia fibigeri sp. n., holotype, B. Male genitalia of B. fibigeri, sp. n., holotype, Genital slide Heterocera: 32.733, C. Mirocossus pittawayi sp. n., holotype, D. Male genitalia of M. pittawayi sp. n., Genital slide NHMUK: 010315459.