Lithosiccia major ( Kiriakoff, 1958 ) Volynkin, 2023

Volynkin, Anton V., 2023, Lithosiccia, a new genus with four new species from mainland Africa (Lepidoptera: Erebidae: Arctiinae: Lithosiini), Ecologica Montenegrina 65, pp. 24-39 : 28-31

Lithosiccia major ( Kiriakoff, 1958) , comb. n.

( Figs 7 , 24 )

Manoba major Kiriakoff, 1958 , Ruwenzori Expedition 1952, 1 (2): 7, figs 13, 61 (Type locality: [ Uganda] “ Ruwenzori , Mahoma River, 6700 ft ”).

Type material examined. Holotype ( Figs 7 , 24 ): male, “ Uganda: | Ruwenzori Range. | Mahoma River . | 6,700ft. 13–16.viii.1952. | D.S. Fletcher. ” / “Ruwenzori Exped. | B.M.1952-566.” / “ S. G. Kiriakoff det.. 1954 | Manoba | major sp. n. ” / red ring “Type” label / “Neg. No, | 14081” / QR-code label with unique number: NHMUK 010917757 ” / “Slide | NHMUK010315165 ” ( NHMUK).

Note. The species was assigned to the genus Palaeosiccia by Kühne (2007) without an explanation, probably due to the external similarity. Later, the species was assigned to the externally dissimilar Stictane Hampson, 1900 by László et al. (2022). However, its male genitalia structure clearly matches that of Lithosiccia .

Diagnosis. The forewing length is 10.0 mm in the male holotype. Lithosiccia major is the largest known species in the genus, which is most externally reminiscent of L. juvenis but differs in the markedly longer rami of the male antenna, the broader forewing with a more elongate apex and a larger discal marking. Since the species is known only from the single holotype specimen, which is worn, the more detailed comparison of its forewing pattern with L. juvenis is currently impossible. In the male genital capsule, L. major is similar to L. takanoi but has a longer uncus, a markedly shorter, narrower and almost straight cucullus (it is downcurved in the congener), a thinner setae of the sacculus, and a proximally broader distal saccular process. The phallus of L. major is somewhat broader than in L. takanoi (in proportion to the tegumen-vinculum complex size). The vesica of the holotype could not be fully everted therefore the detailed comparison of its shape with L. takanoi is currently impossible. However, compared to L. takanoi , the vesica of L. major bears a markedly shorter, thinner and almost straight medial cornutus (it is slightly curved in the congener), and a plate-like, rugose proximal cornutus dorsally.

The female is unknown.

Molecular data. Currently unavailable for this species.

Distribution. The species is currently known only from its type locality in western Uganda ( Kiriakoff 1958).

Figures

Figures 2–10. Lithosiccia spp.: adults. Depositories of the specimens: 2 in CMNH (photo by V. Verdecia); 3 in GMF- B; 4, 7 and 8 in NHMUK (©The Trustees of NHMUK); 5, 6, 9 and 10 in ANHRT.

Figures 23–25. Lithosiccia spp.: male genitalia. Depositories of the specimens dissected: 23 in ANHRT; 24 and 25 in NHMUK (©The Trustees of NHMUK).