Aphilopota tyttha (Prout, 1915) Wanke & Hausmann & Lees & Lee & Martin & Sihvonen & Staude & Rajaei, 2023

Wanke, Dominic, Hausmann, Axel, Lees, David C., Lee, Kyung Min, Martin, Geoff, Sihvonen, Pasi, Staude, Hermann & Rajaei, Hossein, 2023, The African endemic species " Nychiodes " tyttha Prout, 1915 (Lepidoptera, Geometridae, Ennominae) belongs to the genus Aphilopota Warren, 1899, Nota Lepidopterologica 46, pp. 1-17 : 1

Aphilopota tyttha (Prout, 1915) comb. nov.

Figs 2 , 3 , 4 , 5-11 , 17 , 18 , 21

Nychiodes tyttha Prout, 1915. Novitates zoologicae: a journal of zoology in connection with the Tring Museum, 22, 363. Holotype ♂ (Eritrea, Caraiai). Deposited in NHMUK (examined).

Type material examined.

Holotype, ♂, Eritrea, Caraiai, 21.xi.1905, N. Beccari, Geometridae genitalia slide No. 4976, Rothschild Bequest B.M. 1939-1, NHMUK010920109, DNA barcode sample ID BC ZSM Lep 106645, DNA barcode process ID GWOTZ396-19, BIN BOLD:AAW8833 [579 bp]; in NHMUK

Additional material examined.

1♀, Eritrea, Caraiai , 21.xi.1905, N. Beccari, Geometridae genitalia slide No. 4977, NHMUK014173598 ; 1 ♂, Kenya, Kitale , 14.9.[19]25, leg. G.W. Jeffery , NHMUK010920119; 1 ♂, [ Namibia], Sissekab , N. W. of Otavi, 1300 m, leg. K. Jordan, 11.xi.1933, NHMUK010920120; all in NHMUK . 1 ♂, South Africa, Mkuze Chaos , 27°39.490'S, 032°00'E, 28.xii. 1990, 220 m, leg. H.S. Staude ; in HSS. 1 ♂, Ethiopia, Bahar Dar , iii.1969, Lichtfang, leg. Schäuffele , g.prep. 0732/2020 D. Wanke; in SMNS. 1 ♂, Äthiopien [ Ethiopia], Awassa , Awassa Lake, Reg. Bale, 07°02.886'N, 038°27.491'E, 23.-24.v.1999, leg. R. Beck & M. Hiermeier ; 1 ♂, S. Ethiopia - SN, Arba Minch , Nechisar NP, 2.75 km SW headquarter, 1170 m (lux), 06°00'13.6"N, 37°33'23,4"E, 22.ii.2012, leg. Hacker & Schreier ; all in ZSM.

Remark.

The genus Aphilopota needs taxonomic revision, based on a broad integrative taxonomic approach. Therefore, a comparison with other species of this genus, except of the type species A. interpellans , is not possible and also not necessary here.

Diagnosis.

In A. tyttha labial palpi thin, about two thirds of the diameter of the eye (labial palpi thick, about one diameter of the eye in A. interpellans and N. obscuraria ) (Fig. 2 ). Proboscis reduced (similar in A. interpellans and N. obscuraria ) (Fig. 2 ). In the forewing venation of A. tyttha R1 arising from the cell, not reaching costa, R2 fused with R1 (similar in A. interpellans ; arising from the cell, R1 and R2 share a common stalk in N. obscuraria ) (Fig. 4 ). In the male genitalia (Figs 17-20 ) of A. tyttha valva thin, without any ampulla or harpe (similar in A. interpellans ; valva equipped with the two main processes ampulla superior and ampulla inferior in N. obscuraria ). Juxta of A. tyttha forked, large and straight, reaching up to the gnathos (juxta forked, large and tip thick, reaching far beyond the gnathos, apex bent in A. interpellans ; juxta anchor-shaped in N. obscuraria ). Aedeagus in A. tyttha thin tapered, with one long and sclerotized cornutus (aedeagus funnel-shaped, without strong cornutus in A. interpellans ; thickness of aedeagus variable with one sclerotized cornutus variable in length in N. obscuraria ). In female genitalia (Figs 21-24 ) of A. tyttha ovipositor telescopic and strongly elongated (similar in A. interpellans ; not elongated in N. obscuraria ). Corpus bursae of A. tyttha arched, tube-like elongated (arched, long in A. interpellans ; round membranous in N. obscuraria ). Signum absent in A. tyttha (similar in A. interpellans ; signum stellate in N. obscuraria ).

Tribal assignment.

According to the molecular phylogenetic analysis (Fig. 1 , Appendix 1, Fig. A1 ) and morphology (Figs 2 - 24 ), Aphilopota tyttha is classified in Boarmiini .

Re-description.

Wingspan ♂ 21-25 mm, ♀ 28 mm, average length of forewing 11.2 mm (n = 7). Antennae bipectinate in both sexes. Frons weakly convex, just reaching over the eyes, densely scaled. Labial palpi thin, about two third of the diameter of the eye. Proboscis reduced, represented by barely visible rudimentary slats (Fig. 2A ). Chaetosemata as two small patches, each located between the eye margin and the antennal base (Fig. 2B ). Foreleg epiphysis approximately as long as tibia. Base of the epiphysis starting after one fourth of tibia. Mesotibia with one pair of spurs, hindtibia with two pairs of spurs (Fig. 3 ). Head, thorax and abdomen concolorous with wings.

Ground colour of wings beige brown, transverse lines present in dark brown to black. Terminal line continuous, concolorous with transverse lines. In forewing antemedial line curved towards termen. Postmedial line curved between R5/M1 and M2. Medial area with more darker scales intermixed. In hindwing antemedial line curved towards termen on M1. Discal spots only present on underside (Figs 5-11 ).

In forewing, vein R1 arising from the cell, not reaching costa, R2 merged with R1, R3-5 with a common stalk arising from the cell. In hindwing Sc+R1 strongly curved in basal area, approximating to the cell, M2 absent, A3 and A1+2 originating separately (Fig. 4 ).

In male genitalia uncus strongly sclerotized, short, basally broad and triangular, apically pointed. Gnathos well developed and strongly sclerotized, triangular. Costa of valva sclerotized, valva thin, without any ampulla or harpe. Juxta forked and big, reaching up to gnathos. Saccus tapering. Aedeagus thin tapered, carrying one long and sclerotized cornutus. Cornutus almost same length as aedeagus (Figs 17-18 ).

Female genitalia thin and long, with strongly elongated ovipositor. Apophyses posteriores very long, apophyses anteriores 1/3 length of apophyses posteriors. Antrum sclerotized. Ductus bursae short, bend. Corpus bursae tube-like, elongated. Signum absent (Fig. 21 ).

Phenology.

Adults observed from November to May.

Biology.

Unknown.

Habitat.

Investigated specimens collected at elevations from 220 to 1300 m in dry savanna ecoregions.

Distribution.

In East Africa (Eritrea, Ethiopia, Kenya), south-western Africa (Namibia) and South Africa ( Janse 1932).

Figures

Figure 1. Phylogenetic position of Aphilopota tyttha, comb. nov. (marked with a star) within the tribe Boarmiini, supporting the tentative combination in genus Aphilopota. The numbers above the branches are the bootstrap values of the maximum likelihood IQ-TREE analysis. The complete tree is shown in Appendix 1, Fig. A 1.

Figure 2. Head structures of male specimens of A, B. Aphilopota tyttha (Prout), comb. nov., C, D. Aphilopota interpellans (Butler), and E, F. Nychiodes obscuraria (Villers). A, C, E. Head in ventral view; B, D, F. Lateral view.

Figure 3. Drawings of the legs of Aphilopota tyttha (Prout) comb. nov. A. Foreleg; B. Midleg; C. Hindleg.

Figure 4. Wing venation drawings of male specimens of A. Aphilopota tyttha (Prout) comb. nov.; B. Aphilopota interpellans (Butler), and C. Nychiodes obscuraria (Villers). In the forewing of A. tyttha and A. interpellans vein R 2 is fused with R 1 (rectangle A 1), vein R 1 and R 2 share a common stalk in N. obscuraria (rectangle C 1). Remark: as in the genus Nychiodes, the veins R 1 and R 2 are on a common stalk. This suggests that the veins R 1 + R 2 are fused to one vein in the genus Aphilopota; therefore, here we name this vein R 1 + R 2.

Figures 5 - 16. Wing pattern of Aphilopota tyttha (Prout), comb. nov., Aphilopota interpellans (Butler) and Nychiodes obscuraria (Villers). 5 - 11. A. tyttha (5. Holotype, Eritrea, Caraiai, g. prep. 4976, NHMUK 010920109; 6. Ethiopia, Awassa, Awassa Lake; 7. Kenya, Kitale, NHMUK 010920119; 8. [Namibia], Sissekab, N. W. of Otavi, NHMUK 010920120; 9. Ethiopia, Bahar Dar, g. prep. 0732 / 2020 D. Wanke; 10. South Africa, Mkuze Chaos; 11. Eritrea, Caraiai, NHMUK 014173598); 12 - 14. A. interpellans (12. South Africa, KwaZuluNatal, Vryheid, g. prep. 1314 / 2022 D. Wanke; 13. [South Africa], Transvaal, Bords du Limpopo, g. prep. 1316 / 2022 D. Wanke; 14. South Africa, KwaZuluNatal, Vryheid, g. prep. 1315 / 2022 D. Wanke); 15 - 16. N. obscuraria (15. Spain, Albarracin, g. prep. 2096 / 2017 H. Rajaei; 16. Spain, Albarracin, g. prep. 2097 / 2017 H. Rajaei); a = upperside; b = underside. Scale bar: 1 cm.

Figures 17 - 20. Male genitalia of Aphilopota tyttha (Prout), comb. nov., Aphilopota interpellans (Butler) and Nychiodes obscuraria (Villers). 17 - 18. A. tyttha (17. Holotype, Eritrea, Caraiai, g. prep. 4976, NHMUK 010920109; 18. Ethiopia, Bahar Dar, g. prep. 0732 / 2020 D. Wanke); 19. A. interpellans (South Africa, KwaZuluNatal, Vryheid, g. prep. 1314 / 2022 D. Wanke); 20. N. obscuraria (Spain, Albarracin, g. prep. 2096 / 2017 H. Rajaei). a = genitalia capsule; b = aedeagus. Scale bar: 1 mm.

Figures 21 - 24. Female genitalia of Aphilopota tyttha (Prout), comb. nov., Aphilopota interpellans (Butler) and Nychiodes obscuraria (Villers). 21. A. tyttha (Eritrea, Caraiai, g. prep. 4977, NHMUK 014173598); 22 - 23. A. interpellans (South Africa, KwaZuluNatal, Vryheid, g. prep. 1315 / 2022 D. Wanke; 22. Ventral view; 23. Lateral view); 24. N. obscuraria (Spain, Albarracin, g. prep. 2097 / 2017 H. Rajaei). Scale bar: 1 mm.

Figure A 1. Complete phylogenetic analysis from IQ-TREE, showing the phylogenetic position of Aphilopota tyttha comb. nov. (marked with a star) within the tribe Boarmiini. Support values are indicated above the branch. Node confidence values were estimated based on 1000 ultrafast bootstrap replicates.