Siccasura transtillata Volynkin & László, 2021

Volynkin, Anton V. & László, Gyula M., 2021, Siccasura, a new genus for the Afrasura numida (Holland, 1893) species-group, with descriptions of six new species (Lepidoptera: Erebidae: Arctiinae: Lithosiini), Ecologica Montenegrina 40, pp. 1-25 : 19

Siccasura transtillata Volynkin & László , sp. nov.

( Figs 15, 16 , 46 , 60 )

Type material. Holotype ( Figs 15 , 46 ): male, [ Cameroon, Mount Cameroon] “ Gr. Kamerunberg, Buea, 1– 10.xi.[19]10, 1000–1200m, E. Hintz S.G.”, gen. slide No.: AV4845 ( MFN).

Paratypes (2 females). CAMEROON : 1 female, with the same data as in the holotype, gen. slide No.: AV4846 ; 1 female, Bibundi, 16–31.i.[19]05, G. Tessmann S.G., 899/99, 591, Asura numida (Holland) 2003 det., gen. slide No.: AV4848 ( MFN) .

Diagnosis. The forewing length is 8.5 mm in the holotype male and 9–9.5 mm in females. Although Siccasura transtillata has somewhat more elongate forewings in both sexes than in other congeners but owing to the substantial intraspecific variability of the Siccasura species, the adequate identification requires the examination of the genitalia morphology. The male genital capsule of the new species is most similar to that of S. hollandi but can easily be recognized by the presence of the well-developed transtillar processes, the considerably longer and wider, shield-like juxta (it is V-shaped in S. hollandi ), the basally broader and distally tapering valva with a conspicuously smaller cucullus and the markedly broader ventro-distal process of the valva. Additionally, compared to S. hollandi , the new species has an apically somewhat dilated uncus (it is apically pointed in S. hollandi ), a shorter tegumen, a medially slightly convex costal margin and a broader sacculus. The aedeagus of S. transtillata is slightly curved medially while it is nearly straight in S. hollandi . The vesica of the new species differs from that of S. hollandi by its elongate basal plate (it is rounded in the latter species), the absence of a lateral diverticulum and the considerably weaker granulation of the main chamber which is covered in tiny but heavily sclerotized spinules in S. hollandi . The female genitalia of S. transtillata differ from those of S. hollandi and other congeners by their very broad subostial area of the 7 th sternite, the substantially broad postvaginal plate densely covered in tiny spinules (it is short and elliptical in the S. numida species-group and X-shaped in the S. morettoi species-group), and the much broader ostium bursae. The ductus bursae of S. transtillata is medially curved and heavily scobinated while those of the other congeners are straight and weakly scobinated. Additionally, the signa bursae of the new species are ribbon-like while those of the other congeners are rounded.

Distribution. Siccasura transtillata is currently known only from two localities in Cameroon (South West Region) ( Strand 1912b as numida (partim)).

Etymology. The specific epithet refers to the well-developed transtillar processes, which are unique in the genus.

Figures

Figures 9–16. Siccasura spp.: adults. Depositories of the specimens: 9–14 in ANHRT; 15 and 16 in MFN.

Figures 44–46. Siccasura spp.: male genitalia. Depositories of the specimens: 44 in ANHRT; 45 in MWM/ZSM; 46 in MFN.

Figures 55–60. Siccasura spp.: female genitalia. Depositories of the specimens: 55, 56, 58 and 59 in ANHRT; 57 in ZSM; 60 in MFN.