Lithosiccia mikra, 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 : 31

Lithosiccia mikra sp. n.

https://zoobank.org/ urn:lsid:zoobank.org:act:3A32AF2F-AACB-4B3F-BF00-E866586AC59C

( Figs 8 , 25 )

Type material. Holotype ( Figs 8 , 25 ): male, “ Uganda: | Ruwenzori Range. | Semliki Forest . | 2,850ft. 22.viii.–3.ix.1952. | D.S. Fletcher. ” / “Ruwenzori Exped. | B.M.1952-566.” / “ S. G. Kiriakoff det.. 1954 | Comacla | juvenis Holl. ” / “27” / QR-code label with unique number” NHMUK 010918145 ” / “Slide | NHMUK010315786 ” ( NHMUK).

Diagnosis. The forewing length is 5.0 mm in the male holotype. Lithosiccia mikra is the smallest known species in the genus. It is externally vaguely reminiscent of L. juvenis but distinguished by the smaller size, the more rounded forewing apex, the dark brown forewing ground colour (it is pale brown in the congener), the indistinct forewing markings (except the relatively large discal marking), and the dark brown hindwing ground colour, which is pale greyish-brown in L. juvenis . The male genital capsule of the new species is most similar to L. takanoi but differs in the longer uncus, the shorter, narrower, distally tapered and less downcurved cucullus (it is subapically dilated in the congener), the markedly shorter and thinner setae of the sacculus, and the shorter, narrower and apically tapered distal saccular process, which is apically rounded in L. takanoi . The phallus of L. mikra is broader than in L. takanoi . In the vesica structure, the new species differs from its congeners in the lack of the rugose stripe, the longer distal cornutus, which is more protruding from the vesica surface, and the longer and utricular distal diverticulum which is conical in other species in the genus.

The female is unknown.

Molecular data. Currently unavailable for this species.

Distribution. The new species is currently known only from its type locality in western Uganda.

Etymology. The specific epithet is derived from the Greek ‘μικρό’ meaning ‘small’ and refers to the relatively small size of the new species. The name is a noun in the nominative singular in apposition.

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).