Afrasura terlineata Durante

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 : 49

Afrasura terlineata Durante sp. n.

( Figs. 32 , 72 )

Holotype: Ƥ. Ethiopia, Langano lake, 7°32’N, 38°31’E, 1580 m a.s.l., 9/ 10-2-2003, Durante legit, gen. prep. 421 MAD. Specimen lacking right forewing and mid- and hindlegs. In coll. MSNS.

Diagnosis. A. terlineata is the only species in the genus with ivory white ground colour; the proximal distal spot is small, the reniform larger. Genitalia approaching those of submarmorata .

Description. Ƥ wingspan 21 mm. Forewing upperside ground colour ivory white. Pattern blackish brown. At the base are two dots: one on the costa, another under the lower vein of the cell; basal bands not discernible, except for four dots. Median band fragmented, with prominent portion toward costa, from which it continues to inner margin as small dots and patches. Postmedian and submarginal bands visible from costa to CuA1. Marginal series of dots present, along with two dots in the cell: first rounded and proximal to the median band, second between the median and postmedian band, reniform, large. Hindwing upperside same colour as the forewing. A weak dot in the cell and weak series of dots along the termen. Forewing underside beige, with reduced and faded bands; apical region ivory white. Hindwing underside same as upperside; discal dot barely perceptible. Wing fringes ivory white. Head and thorax scales largely missing. Labial palpi porrect, not extending beyond frons, with proximal segment ivory white, and second and third segments dark. Antennae clear, filiform. Forelegs with a bright femur, tibia with dark intervals, bright tarsus except for the first tarsomere with a dark proximal patch. Mid- and hindlegs missing. Abdomen same colour as forewing. A7 with pleural pouches; A8 small, scarcely sclerotized, interrupted mid-ventrally. Female pheromone dorsal glands as long as the posterior apophyses. Ƥ ostium large, membranous; antrum funnel-shaped, not separable by ductus bursae; cervix membranous, round, with a small cluster of thorns at the protrusion of ductus seminalis, strong and vaguely helicoidal. Corpus bursae spherical, membranous, twice as large as the cervix, with roundish dimple-shaped signum and signum consisting of three parallel dashes.

Etymology. This species is named after the signum that is formed by three small dashes.

Figures

FIGURES 25 – 36. Adults of Afrasura and related genera. Afrasura: 25, A. pallescens. 26 – 27, A. peripherica hilara. 28 – 29, A. rivulosa rivulosa. 30, A. rivulosa ethiopica. 31, A. submarmorata. 32, A. terlineata. Related genera: 33, Asura cervicalis. 34, Asura lydia. 35, " Asura " phaeosticta. 36, " Asura " pectinella.

FIGURES 65 – 76. Genitalia of Afrasura and related genera. Females of Afrasura: 65, A. neavi. 66, A. numida (right: papillae anales and pheromone gland). 67, A. obliterata. 68, A. pallescens. 69, A. peripherica hilara. 70, A. rivulosa rivulosa. 71, A. submarmorata. 72, A. terlineata. 73, Asura cervicalis, female. Related genera: 74, " Asura " phaeosticta, male. 75, " Asura " phaeosticta, female. 76, " Asura " pectinella, male.