Cyana (Cornutivulpecula) cornutissima, Volynkin & László, 2020

Volynkin, Anton V. & László, Gyula M., 2020, Review of the Cyana rejecta (Walker, 1854) species-group, with descriptions of three new species from mainland Africa and a new subspecies from Madagascar (Lepidoptera, Erebidae, Arctiinae, Lithosiini), Zootaxa 4890 (3), pp. 330-346 : 339-345

Cyana (Cornutivulpecula) cornutissima sp. n.

( Figs 21–26 , 36–38 , 43 )

Type material. Holotype ( Figs 21 , 36 ): male, “ Zambia, 1452m, Lungu Forest Reserve , 20 km N of Mbala, North-ern Province, 08°42’27’’S 31°16’34’’E, 6–9. V.2019, MV Light Trap, Deroziér, V., László, G., Miles, W. Leg., ANHRT:2019.12” / “ANHRTUK 00105887”, gen. slide No. : AV5786 ( ANHRT) .

Paratypes (13 males and 26 females in total). ZAMBIA : 2 females, with the same data as the holotype, unique numbers: ANHRTUK 00105885, 00136597, gen. slide No.: AV6001 ; 1 female, same data, but collected by actinic light trap, unique number: ANHRTUK 00105885, gen. slide No.: AV5787 ; 1 male, 1437m, Kapishya Hot Springs, Shiwa N’gandu Estate , S11°10’13’’ E31°36’00’’, I–III.2016, M. T . Harvey coll., leg. Smith, R. & Takano , H., ANHRT :2017.29, unique number: ANHRTUK 00008294, gen. slide No.: AV5002; 1 female, same lo-cality and collectors, I.2015, unique number: ANHRTUK 00003634, gen. slide No.: AV5114; 1 female, same locality, 16–17. V .2019, LepiLED Light Trap, Deroziér, V ., László , G., Miles, W. leg., ANHRT :2019.12, unique number: ANHRTUK 00105884, gen. slide No.: AV5788; 1 male, 1460m, Mutinondo Wilderness Area , Northern Province, 12°27’06’’S 31°17’30’’E, 17–20. V .2019, MV Light Trap , Deroziér, V ., Imakando, M., László , G., Miles, W. leg., ANHRT :2019.12, unique number: ANHRTUK 00101032, gen. slide No.: AV5728; 1 female, 1684m, Danger Hill , 30 km North of Mpika, Muchinga Province, 11°37’28’’S 31°33’56’’E, 27–30.IV.2019, MV Light Trap , Deroziér, V ., László , G., Miles, W. leg., ANHRT :2019.12, unique number: ANHRTUK 00083484, gen. slide No.: AV5730; 1 male, 1 female, 1566m, Senka Hill, Mukulizi Forest Reserve , Muchinga Province, 09°05’43’’S 32°05’06’’E, 1– 6. V .2019, LepiLED Light Trap, Deroziér, V ., László , G., Miles, W. leg., ANHRT :2019.12, unique numbers: ANHRTUK 00083653, 00083652, gen. slide Nos.: AV5820 (male), AV5999 (female); 1 female, same data but collected by MV Light Trap , unique number: ANHRTUK 00082412 ( ANHRT) . KENYA: 1 male, Nairobi , 6,000 feet, Kyambu, IX.[19]46, H.L. Andrewes, unique number: NHMUK 10918070 , gen. slide No. : NHMUK010315732 (prepared by Volynkin) ; 2 females, Nairobi , 6,000 feet, H.L. Andrewes, Kyamla, IX.16 ; 1 male, 2 females, Nairobi , June 1919, Dr van Someren / Rothschild Bequest B.M. 1939-1, unique number: NHMUK 10918141 (female) , gen. slide No. : NHMUK010315781 (female) (prepared by Volynkin) ; 1 female, same locality and collector, Apr.–June 1919 ; 1 male, 1 female, Eldoma Ravine , 4.XII.[18]96, Dr. Ansorge, unique number: NHMUK 10918071 (male) , gen. slide No. : NHMUK010315733 (male) (prepared by Volynkin) ; 1 female, same locality, 10.IX.1912, H. R . Gallatly ; 1 female, same locality and collector, 9.IX.1912 ; 1 male, Brit. E. Africa: Lumbwa , 25.VIII.1922, G.W. Jeffery, B.M. 1922-377, unique number: NHMUK 10918072 , gen. slide No. : NHMUK010315734 (prepared by Volynkin) ; 1 female, same locality and collector, 4. VI .1923, B.M. 1923-403; 1 female, Suna, S. Karirondo , Jan. 1932 (W. Feather) ; 1 female, B. E. Africa, Njoro, A.J. Cholmley, 1906-265 ( NHMUK) ; UGANDA: 1 male, 67. 26, Western Uganda, Nr. Congo border, March & April 1926, Mrs. E. Barns / Joicey Bequest, Brit. Mus. 1934-120, unique number: NHMUK 10918073 , gen. slide No. : NHMUK010315735 (prepared by Volynkin) ; 1 female, Mile 478 on Uganda Rly, B. E. Africa , 19.XI.1900, C.S. Betton, 1901-136 ; 1 female, SE Ruwenzori , 3500 ft., 19. V .1906, 1906-153 / Coll. by. Hon. G. Legge & A.F. R . Wollaston ( NHMUK) ; TANZANIA: 1 male, Tanganyika sept., Mt. Meru, Momella , 1600–1800m, 11–20.. I.1964, leg. W. Forster, gen. slide No.: ZSM Arct. 2019-944 (prepared by Volynkin) ( ZSM) ; 1 female, Mamba, Kilimanjaro, March to Oct. [18]97 / Rothschild Bequest B.M. 1939-1, unique number: NHMUK 10918118 , gen. slide No. : NHMUK010315759 (prepared by Volynkin) ( NHMUK) ; ZIMBABWE: 1 female, 1900m, Manicaland Province, Vukutu , 18°21’52’’S, 32°36’29’’E, 25–26.IV.2011, R . Yakovlev leg., Ex Coll. R . Yakovlev , ANHRT : 2018.32, unique number: ANHRTUK 00143200, gen. slide No.: AV5998 ( ANHRT) ; MALAWI: 1 male, Nyasaland, valley of S Rukuru R ., 3,000 ft., 20. VI .1910, S.A. Neave , 1910-406, unique number: NHMUK 10918120 , gen. slide No. : NHMUK010315762 (prepared by Volynkin) ; 1 female, Zomba, Nyasal’d , Jan.-Feb. 1924, H. Barlow / Rothschild Bequest B.M. 1939-1, unique number: NHMUK 10918117 , gen. slide No. : NHMUK010315758 (prepared by Volynkin) ( NHMUK) ; MOZAMBIQUE: 1 female, 937m, Sofala Province, Gorongosa N.P., Mt. Gorongosa SE slope (Riverine forest / Grassland ), 18°28’58.9’’S, 34°02’40.6’’E, 8–9.VIII.2018, Actinic Light Trap, László, G., Miles, W., Vetina, A. leg., ANHRT : 2018.30, unique number: ANHRTUK 00075673, gen. slide No.: AV6000 ( ANHRT) ; SOUTH AFRICA: 3 males, 1 female, 1420m, Limpopo Province, 50 km North West of Mokopane, Waterberg Wilderness Reserve , 24°12’26’’S, 28°52’17’’E, 8–9.IV.2011, R . Yakovlev leg. / Ex Coll. R . Yakovlev , ANHRT : 2018.32, unique numbers: ANHRTUK 00070180, 00070181, 00070182, 00070183, gen. slide Nos.: AV5256, AV5257 (males) and AV5258 (female) ( ANHRT and TMSA) .

Remark. The male genitalia of the specimens from Tanzania and Kenya differ from those of the specimens from South Africa, Malawi, Zambia and western Uganda by the slightly narrower vesica with a distal diverticulum bearing a smaller number of cornuti. To clarify the taxonomic status of these populations, molecular studies would be required.

Diagnosis. Forewing length is 12–16 mm in males, 11.5–14 mm in females. As the external appearance of Cyana cornutissima sp. n. is nearly identical with that of the sympatric C. yao sp. n., the examination of the genitalia is required for reliable identification. The male genital capsule of the new species differs from those of the other taxa of the species-group by the longer and narrower uncus. The vesica of C. cornutissima sp. n. differs clearly from those of the other species of the C. rejecta species-group by the considerably larger distal diverticulum bearing a markedly more extensive row of numerous long cornuti. The configuration of the diverticula of the vesica of C. cornutissima sp. n. is most similar to that of C. rejecta , but in C. cornutissima sp. n. the subbasal diverticulum is broader basally; the 1 st medial diverticulum is larger, more elongate and more heavily scobinated; the 2 nd medial diverticulum is smaller; the 3 rd medial diverticulum is present (absent in C. rejecta ), and the subdistal diverticulum is slightly smaller and more weakly scobinated compared to those characters of C. rejecta . The female genitalia of C. cornutissima sp. n. are easily distinguishable from those of its congeners by their conspicuously long ductus bursae (the longest in the species-group) with a weakly sclerotized lateral pocket anteriorly and heavily sclerotized longitudinal wrinkles deeply protruding to the basal part of the appendix bursae, the presence of a small, button-like signum bursae (as in C. occidentalis sp. n.), and the large, sack-like, heavily sclerotized appendix bursae, which is smooth distally and anteriorly (which is short, conical and weakly sclerotized in C. rejecta and C. yao sp. n.; whereas in C. occidentalis sp. n. the appendix bursae is globular and wrinkled all over its surface).

Distribution. Northern part of South Africa, Mozambique, Malawi, Zimbabwe, Zambia, Uganda, Tanzania and Kenya.

Etymology. In Latin, the suffix ‘-issimus’ expresses the superlative. The specific epithet refers to the conspicuously long and dense cornuti of the distal diverticulum of the vesica, the longest and most numerous among the species of the C. rejecta species-group.

Figures

FIGURES 19–26. Cyana spp.: adults. Depositories of specimens: 19–24 in ANHRT; 25 in ZSM; 26 in NHMUK (©).

FIGURES 36–38. Cyana cornutissima sp. n.: male genitalia. Depositories of specimens: 36 and 37 in ANHRT; 38 in NHMUK (©).

FIGURES 39–43. Cyana spp.: female genitalia. Depositories of specimens: 39–41 in NHMUK (©); 42 and 43 in ANHRT.