Sonitha sophia, Prozorov & Mckenzie & Prozorova & Saldaitis & Sulak & Volkova & Yakovlev & Revay & Müller, 2023

Prozorov, Alexey M., Mckenzie, Karen, Prozorova, Tatiana A., Saldaitis, Aidas, Sulak, Harald, Volkova, Julia S., Yakovlev, Roman V., Revay, Edita E. & Müller, Günter C., 2023, Description of two new species close to Sonitha alucard from the Congolian lowland forests (Lepidoptera, Lasiocampidae, Lasiocampinae, Gastropachini), Ecologica Montenegrina 67, pp. 17-25 : 19

Sonitha sophia sp. n.

https://zoobank.org/ urn:lsid:zoobank.org:act:3D430DB2-EA69-4033-B97B-255AF82EF8D5

( Figs 1–2 , 13–14 , 17–18 , 23 )

Holotype: ♂, DRC, Mai-Ndombe , Ekongo camp, 2.75613S, 20.31538E, 350 m, XI.2017, leg. A. Prozorov, T. Prozorova et al., GS 1005 ( CGM / USTTB) . Paratypes: ♂, same data as holotype but GS 1010 ( CGM / USTTB) ; ♂ paratype of S. alucard , Gabon, Ipassa , 8.IV.1973, leg. G. Bernardi & J. Pierre, GS 2005- 04 ( MNHN) .

Description. Male ( Figs 1–2 ). Antennae, head, thorax and abdomen dark brown. Forewing. Forewing length: 16.5–17.5 mm; wingspan: 33–34 mm. Semilanceolate with rounded apex. Background color dark brown. Pattern consists of dark wavy ante- and postmedial lines and dark discal dot. Fringe dark brown. Hindwing. Somewhat ovate with almost straight outer margin. Background color dark brown. Dark discal dot pronounced. Fringe dark brown. Genitalia ( Figs 13–14 , 17–18 ). Cucullus narrows in distal half. Lobes of juxta short, widened medially. Saccus distally wide with two rounded apices. Lateral extensions of vesica elongated. Laterodistal dents of the 8 th sternite elongated. Female remains unknown.

Diagnosis. Adult males of S. sophia sp. n. have forewings with rounded apex and dark discal dot ( Figs 1–2 ), medially widened lobes of juxta, longer saccus, longer lateral extensions of vesica ( Figs 17–18 ), and longer laterodistal dents of the 8 th sternite ( Figs 13–14 ), while adult males of S. alucard have forewings with pointed apex and pale discal dot ( Figs 5–6 ), gradually narrowing lobes of juxta, shorter saccus, shorter lateral extensions of vesica ( Figs 21–22 ), and shorter laterodistal dents of the 8 th sternite ( Figs 15–16 ).

Adult males of S. sophia sp. n. have forewings with rounded apex ( Figs 1–2 ), medially less widened lobes of juxta, and distally wider saccus ( Figs 17–18 ), while adult males of S. sara sp. n. have forewings with pointed apex ( Figs 3–4 ), medially more widened lobes of juxta, and distally narrower saccus ( Figs 21– 22 ).

Distribution ( Fig. 24 ). Known from only one location in the Central Congolian lowland forests of western DRC.

Biology. Adults were collected in November from an altitude of 350 meters a.s.l. Preimaginal stages unknown.

Etymology. The species is named in honor of Sophia A. Prozorova, a beloved daughter of first and third authors of the present article.

Figures

Figures 1–8. Adult ♂ of Sonitha spp., DRC. 1–2. S. sophia, Ekongo camp, GS 1009, 1010 (CGM/USTTB). 3–4, 7–8. S. sara, Ekongo camp, GS 1008, 0871 (CGM/USTTB). 5–6. S. alucard. 5. HT, Kinshasa, GS 2010-04 (RMCA). 6. Ekongo camp, GS 1005 (CGM/USTTB). Scale bar – 1 cm.

Figures 9–16. Terminology used for ♂ genitalia description and the 8th sternites of Sonitha spp., DRC. 9–12. S. sara, Ekongo camp, GS 0871, 1007, 1008, 0589 (CGM/USTTB). 13–14. S. sophia, Ekongo camp, GS 1009, 1010 (CGM/USTTB). 15–16. S. alucard. 15. Kinshasa, GS 2010-04 (RMCA). 16. Ekongo camp, GS 1005 (CGM/USTTB). Scale bar – 1 mm.

Figures 17–22. ♂ genitalia of Sonitha spp., DRC. 17–18. S. sophia, Ekongo camp, GS 1009, 1010 (CGM/USTTB). 19– 20. S. sara, Ekongo camp, GS 1008, 0871 (CGM/USTTB). 21–22. S. alucard. 21. HT, Kinshasa, GS 2010-04 (RMCA). 22. Ekongo camp, GS 1005 (CGM/USTTB). Scale bar – 1 cm.

Figures 23–25. Collecting sites of Sonitha spp. (for details visit bit.ly/twonewsonitha).