Afrasura neavi ( Hampson, 1914 ) Hampson, 1914

Durante, Antonio, 2009, Revision of the Afrotropical species of Asura Walker, 1854 (Lepidoptera: Arctiidae, Lithosiinae), with the description of a new genus, Zootaxa 2280, pp. 27-52 : 45-46

Afrasura neavi ( Hampson, 1914) comb. n., stat. rev.

(Figs. 20, 21, 53, 65)

Asura neavi Hampson, 1914 , Cat. Lep. Phal. B. M., Suppl. I: 767.

Type locality. Uganda; (holotype 3 Arct. g.sl. n. 5 BMNH, examined).

Material examined. Uganda: holotype 3 Arct. g.sl. n. 5 BMNH; Ƥ Arct. g.sl. n. 5748 BMNH.

Diagnosis. Similar to A. emma , but differencing genitalically, and with forewings fringes same as the ground colour (dark in emma ). The hindwings marginal dots are diagnostic.

Description. Venation typical for the genus, with hindwings M3 and CuA1 from the same origin; coremata present. Male genitalia with stocky valva; costa with typical undulation; ala valvae distal process cone-shaped; supravalva distal end sub-triangular, as long as the ala valvae; both the valvar distal endings are stout (in A. peripherica hilara they are slender and the ala valvae end is more slender than the supravalva). Uncus long (less so in peripherica hilara ). Vesica with cornutus as long as three fifth of aedeagus length (in peripherica hilara the cornutus is similar but bears a large cluster of thorns at the distal end of the aedeagus).

Female A7 frustum of cone-shaped, sclerotized; VIII sternum membranous, VIII tergum sclerotized. Female pheromone glands longer than posterior apophyses. Ostium membranous; ductus bursae well sclerotized, cone-shaped, with the most narrow portion cephalic. Bursa partially sclerotized with a small dimple-shaped signum, internally covered by small thorns. Thorns in the proximal sclerotized portion of the bursa are larger and more scattered.

Remarks. Kühne (2005, 2008) synonymyzed Asura neavi with Asura peripherica but did not cite the material analyzed. Unfortunately, the holotype of peripherica has not been located, but it has been possible to compare the genitalia of the holotype of neavi with the genitalia of the holotype of peripherica hilara ( Kiriakoff (1958: 4) provides a differential diagnosis only pertinent to the external features of the two subspecies). Herein, neavi is reinstated to specific rank.