Siccia hackeri, Volynkin, 2023

Volynkin, Anton V., 2023, Contribution to the knowledge of the genus Siccia Walker (= Aemene Walker, syn. n.) in the Afrotropics with descriptions of seventy-three new species, three new subspecies, and a check-list of Asiatic taxa of the genus (Lepidoptera: Erebidae: Arctiinae: Lithosiini), Ecologica Montenegrina 64, pp. 1-184 : 85-86

Siccia hackeri sp. n.

https://zoobank.org/ urn:lsid:zoobank.org:act:18668391-FB97-4BD3-A012-59285DDC42BB

( Figs 232 , 425 )

Type material. Holotype ( Figs 232 , 425 ): male, “10 Ethiopia | 05°18'47''N 36°44'07''E | 12 km W Jinka | border Mago National Park | 6.V. 2008, 930 m, Li [light] | leg. H. Hacker & H.-P. Schreier ” (the label is designed in colours of the national flag of Ethiopia) / “ Slide | ZSM Arct. 2021- 186♂ | A. Volynkin ” (MWM/ ZSM).

Diagnosis. The forewing length is 7.5 mm in the male holotype. Siccia hackeri is externally vaguely reminiscent of S. overlaeti and S. lubumbashia due to its bipectinate male antenna and ochreous forewing ground colour but distinguished by the smaller size, the broader forewing with a more elongate apex, and the grey hindwing (whereas it is pale ochreous in the aforementioned congeners). The male genitalia ground plan of the new species is similar to S. bicolorata , S. kundalila , and S. lydiae . However, the male genital capsule of S. hackeri differs greatly from the aforementioned congeners in the anellus bearing two long, slender, smoothly curved and apically pointed processes, and the proximally narrower valva with a heavily sclerotised costa bearing two processes medially: a smooth, triangular and apically rounded dorsal one, and a semielliptical and spinulose ventral one whereas in the similar congeners, the costa bears only the ventral medial process, which is markedly smaller than in S. hackeri , triangular and apically pointed. The cucullus of the new species is longer but narrower than in S. bicolorata , S. kundalila , and S. lydiae , bearing a cluster of more robust setae protruding beyond the ventral margin of the valva (it does not reach the margin in the congeners). The sacculus of S. hackeri is longer and more heavily sclerotised than in the similar congeners and bears a markedly longer and broader distal process. In addition, the uncus of the new species is postmedially dilated (whereas it is gradually distally tapered in S. bicolorata , S. kundalila , and S. lydiae ), and the subuncal lobes of the tegumen are smaller than in the congeners. In the phallus carina, S. hackeri lacks the cluster of spinules, which is characteristic of the similar species. Compared to S. bicolorata , S. kundalila , and S. lydiae , the vesica of the new species has a broader subbasal diverticulum and a vestigial distal diverticulum, and bears a more robust terminal cornutus.

The female is unknown.

Molecular data. Currently unavailable for this species.

Distribution. The new species is currently known only from its type locality in the south-western part of Ethiopia.

Etymology. The new species is named after Mr Hermann H. Hacker (Bad Staffelstein, Germany), prominent expert in the taxonomy of the Palaearctic and Afrotropical Noctuoidea and one of the collectors of the holotype. The name is a noun in the genitive case.

Figures

Figures 223–239. Siccia spp., adults. Depositories of the specimens: 223 in MHNG (photo by B. Landry); 224, 225, 227, 229–231, and 238, 239 in ANHRT (227: ex AKW); 226 and 233 in NHMUK (©The Trustees of NHMUK); 228, 236 and 237 in ALW; 232 in MWM/ZSM; 234 and 235 in MfN.

Figures 423–426. Siccia spp., male genitalia. Depositories of the specimens dissected: 423 and 424 in ANHRT; 425 in MWM/ZSM; 426 in NHMUK (©The Trustees of NHMUK).