Sicciaemorpha reducta, Volynkin & Černý, 2021

Volynkin, Anton V. & Černý, Karel, 2021, Taxonomic review of the genus Sicciaemorpha van Eecke (Lepidoptera Erebidae: Arctiinae), with descriptions of six new species from Malaysia and the Philippines, Zootaxa 4985 (1), pp. 69-80 : 76

Sicciaemorpha reducta sp. n.

( Figs 13, 14 , 21 , 27 )

Type material. Holotype ( Figs 13 , 21 ): male, “ Philippines, Mindanao, Bukidnon prov., 60 km S Talakag, Dominorog , 1271m, 23.–24. III.2009, 7°56.144´N, 124°38.5´E, leg. K. Černý & J. Lourens ” / “Slide AV5353 ♂ A. Volynkin ” (MWM/ ZSM, ex coll. CKC).

Paratypes. THE PHILIPPINES: 2 females, same data as holotype, gen. prep. No.: AV 5354 (prepared by Volynkin) ( CKC); 1 male, Mindanao, Bukidnon, 40 km NW Maramag, Dalongdong, 800m, Talakag , 7°53´N; 123°54´E; Waldrand [forest edge], 1.–3.X.1988, leg. Černý & Schintlmeister ( CKC) .

Diagnosis. The forewing length is 8.5 mm in both sexes. Sicciaemorpha reducta sp. n. is similar superficially to S. pleiadina sp. n., but differs by the somewhat smaller size, the narrower forewing, the paler coloration of the body and both wings, the smaller black dots, and the diffuse longitudinal stripes on the forewing. The male genital capsule of S. reducta sp. n. is most similar to that of S. danepan sp. n., but can easily be distinguished by the willow leaf-shaped ventro-distal process of the valva (it is rectangular with a narrow and setose additional process in S. danepan sp. n.) and the shorter (ca. 1/2 of the length of the distal lobe vs. 4/ 5 in S. danepan sp. n.) and thinner costal process curved medially (whereas it is evenly curved in S. danepan sp. n.). Additionally, the uncus of S. reducta sp. n. is thinner and less curved than in S. danepan sp. n., and the distal saccular process is somewhat more elongate and less curved in comparison to that of S. danepan sp. n. The female genitalia of S. reducta sp. n. differ clearly from those of the congeners (when known) by the presence of two long, narrow, and apically bifurcated heavily sclerotized postvaginal processes of the antrum directed posteriorly. The ventro-lateral pockets of the new species are one of the widest in the genus, similar to S. ivyalba , but having somewhat sinuous margin (whereas it is smooth in S. ivyalba ). The antrum of S. reducta sp. n. is short (less than 1/2 of the length of the ductus bursae) and nearly round, whereas it is strongly elongate and/or more or less caliciform in the congeners.

Distribution. Known from the Philippine Island of Mindanao.

Etymology. The specific epithet refers to the small, almost reduced black spots on the forewing, especially in females.

Figures

FIGURES 9–14. Sicciaemorpha spp.: adults. Depositories of the specimens: 9 and 11–13 in MWM/ZSM; 10 and 14 in CKC.

FIGURES 19–21. Sicciaemorpha spp.: male genitalia. The specimens dissected are deposited in MWM/ZSM.

FIGURES 22–27. Sicciaemorpha spp.: female genitalia. Depositories of the specimens dissected: 22 in RMNH; 23, 25 and 27 in CKC; 24 and 26 in MWM/ZSM.