Cicinnoscelis flavipes, Bartsch, 2013

Bartsch, Daniel, 2013, Revisionary checklist of the Southern African Sesiini (Lepidoptera: Sesiidae) with description of new species, Zootaxa 3741 (1), pp. 1-54 : 7

Cicinnoscelis flavipes new sp.

Figs 2–3 , 99 , 108 .

Specimens examined. Holotype: ♀ ( Figs 2–3 ), South Africa, KwaZulu Natal , Ndumu, 12.Jan.1980 ( TMPS).

The type specimen is somewhat damaged and partly off-rubbed and lacks the tip of the right antenna, the right fore- and mid leg, except for the fore coxa, and the tarsus of both hind legs, except for the left metatarsus. Despite to the mentioned damages this specimen is distinctive to such an extent, that no objective arguments against a description exist.

Etymology. From latin flavus (= yellow) and pes (foot). The species is named after its yellow hindtarsus.

Description ( Figs 2–3 ). Wingspan 48 mm, forewing length 22 mm, antenna 13 mm, body without legs 21 mm. Antenna bipectinate, rami with isolated scales and ciliae, ventral rami short and triangular, dorsal one rather long ( Fig. 99 ). Body, legs and wings nearly completely black; frons black with adjacent of the eyes white; labial palpus, antenna dorsally and forewing distally of cross vein densely mottled with orange-brown; fore- and mid tarsus as well as hind metatarsus (probably complete hind tarsus) dorsally orange-yellow. The male is unknown.

Genitalia ( Fig. 108 ). See genus description.

Diagnosis. Cicinnoscelis flavipes is an unmistakable species, singular within the Sesiidae by the bipectinate antenna of the female. It is very similar, but distinctly smaller than the following described C. krooni , which is one of the largest Sesiid species worldwide. The lack of orange-brown or yellow scales on the labial palpi, antennae, forewings and legs and most importantly, the simple, not bipectinate female antenna of C. krooni are further differentiating features. C. flavipes shows some similarity to C. longipes and Megalosphecia gigantipes , which both are distinguished by the stronger body, the somewhat transparent hindwing tornus and the largely orange legs.

Figures

FIGURES 1–12. Specimens of Cicinnoscelis Holland, 1893; Megalosphecia Le Cerf, 1916 and Alonina Walker, 1856: (1) Cicinnoscelis longipes Holland, 1893, ♂, Congo, Eala. (2–3) C. flavipes new sp., ♀, holotype. (4–5) C. krooni new sp., ♀, holotype. (6) Megalosphecia callosoma Hampson, 1919 ♀, holotype. 7–12. Alonina rygchiiformis Walker, 1856, (7) ♂ holotype; (8) ♂, syntype of A. difformis Hampson, 1919 new syn.; (9) ♀, syntype of A. difformis Hampson, 1919 new syn.; (10–11) ♂, Kenya, Eastern Province, road Meru to Nyambeni Hills, 10 km N/E Meru; (12) ♀ South Africa [unknown locality]. Scale bars 10 mm.

FIGURES 99–106. Scanning electron microscope pictures of antennae: (99) Cicinnoscelis flavipes new sp., #f holotype; (100) Alonina rygchiiformis Walker, 1856; (101) Anaudia felderi Wallengren, 1863; (102) Austrosetia semirufa Felder & Felder, 1874; (103) Felderiola karooensis new sp.; (104) Monopetalotaxis doleriformis (Walker, 1856); (105) Hagnogyna bartschi (Freina, 2011); (106) Sesia bembeciformis (Hübner, 1803).

FIGURES 107–108. Genitalia of Cicinnoscelis Holland, 1893: (107) Cicinnoscelis longipes Holland, 1893; (108) C. flavipes new sp, holotype.