Siccia micronodula, Volynkin, 2023

Volynkin, Anton V., 2023, Contribution to the knowledge of the genus Siccia Walker (= Aemene Walker, syn. n.) in the Afrotropics with descriptions of seventy-three new species, three new subspecies, and a check-list of Asiatic taxa of the genus (Lepidoptera: Erebidae: Arctiinae: Lithosiini), Ecologica Montenegrina 64, pp. 1-184 : 71-72

publication ID	https://doi.org/ 10.37828/em.2023.64.1
publication LSID	urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:ED4A9B48-70C2-4B8D-B8F1-513B217A439B
DOI	https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.13250518
persistent identifier	https://treatment.plazi.org/id/0F7BBC0C-9365-46A5-A876-36057ADF414D
taxon LSID	lsid:zoobank.org:act:0F7BBC0C-9365-46A5-A876-36057ADF414D
treatment provided by	Felipe
scientific name	Siccia micronodula
status	sp. nov.

Treatment

Siccia micronodula View in CoL sp. n.

https://zoobank.org/ urn:lsid:zoobank.org:act:0F7BBC0C-9365-46A5-A876-36057ADF414D

( Figs 184–186 View Figures 179–189 , 406 View Figures 403–406 , 407 View Figures 407–410 , 507 View Figures 505–508 )

Paratypes. REPUBLIC OF CONGO: 4 females, 365m, Nouabale-Ndoki National Park , Mondika camp, 02°21'50.63''N 16°16'25.82''E, 07–14.ii.2023, actinic, MV & LepiLED light traps, Bakala, N., M., Dérozier, V., Kirk-Spriggs, A., László, G. leg., gen. prep. No.: AV7177 ( ANHRT) GoogleMaps ; UGANDA: 1 male, Western Region , near Misindi , Bodongo [Budongo] Forest, 1°66.853'N 31°52.328'E, 14.i.2011, at light, 600m, H. Sulak & Tom Kolb leg., gen. prep. No.: ZSM Arct. 2020-020 (prepared by Volynkin) (MWM/ ZSM) .

Diagnosis. The forewing length is 9.0–10.0 mm in males and 11.0– 11.5 mm in females. Siccia micronodula is externally reminiscent of S. takanoi but distinguished by the broader forewing with a more elongate apex, and the hindwing lacking markings whereas that of S. takanoi has a recognisable discal spot and intense greyish suffusion terminally. Compared to S. takanoi , the male genital capsule of the new species has a more distally tapered valva, a narrower and apically rounded cucullus with a markedly shorter ventral process, and a distally tapered distal saccular process (it is distally dilated in the congener) bearing a noticeably narrower cluster of setae apically. Additionally, in the new species, the ventral margin of the costa is smooth whereas it is rugose in the aforementioned congener. The phallus of S. micronodula is slightly upcurved and distally dilated whereas it is almost straight and of a uniform width in S. takanoi . The vesicae of the two species are similar but in S. micronodula , the dorsal diverticulum is markedly narrower than in the similar congener, the distal diverticulum is somewhat longer and proximally broader, and the cornuti are basally thicker. The female genitalia of S. micronodula are most similar to S. alberti but distinguished by the thicker and more heavily sclerotised subostial lobes, and the corpus bursae having a markedly longer postero-lateral, and a considerably smaller anterio-lateral clusters of spinules. Additionally, the lateral sclerotised plates of the 7 th sternite of the new species are short and smooth whereas they are elongate and strongly rugose in S. alberti . Compared to another similar species, S. takanoi , the female genitalia of S. micronodula have markedly thicker, longer and more dentate lateral subostial lobes, a longer postero-lateral and a considerably smaller latero-anterior cluster of spines in the corpus bursae, and heavily sclerotised lateral plates of the 7 th sternite, which are absent in the congener.

Molecular data. Currently unavailable for this species.

Distribution. The new species is currently known from north-eastern Republic of the Congo and western Uganda.

Etymology. The specific epithet refers to the relatively small nodular tip of the distal saccular process of the new species, which is significantly smaller than in the similar species. The name is a noun in the nominative singular in apposition.