Sicciaemorpha van Eecke, 1920

Volynkin, Anton V. & Černý, Karel, 2021, Taxonomic review of the genus Sicciaemorpha van Eecke (Lepidoptera Erebidae: Arctiinae), with descriptions of six new species from Malaysia and the Philippines, Zootaxa 4985 (1), pp. 69-80 : 70-71

Genus Sicciaemorpha van Eecke, 1920

Sicciaemorpha van Eecke, 1920 , Zoologische mededeelingen, 5, 129.

Type species: Sicciaemorpha ivyalba van Eecke, 1920 , by monotypy.

Diagnosis. Superficially, members of the genus ( Figs 1–14 ) are reminiscent of some narrow winged groups of the genera Aemene and Siccia . However, they can easily be distinguished by the bipectinate antennae of males. The male genitalia structure of Sicciaemorpha ( Figs 15–21 ) is most similar to that of the superficially dissimilar genus Padenia Moore, 1882 (illustrated by Holloway (2001: pl. 6, figs 18, 19)) due to the long membranous distal lobe taking up to 1/2 of the total length of the valva and separated from the costa, and the short costa terminating at the base of the membranous distal lobe and bearing a robust process directed dorsally. However, in the genital capsule of Sicciaemorpha , the tegumen and the vinculum are markedly longer (in comparison to the length of valvae) than in Padenia (illustrated by Holloway (2001: gen. figs 319, 320)), the costal process is unilobate, triangular or stick-shaped (whereas that of Padenia is complex and usually bearing several various shaped processes), and the sclerotized ventro-distal lobe of the valva is present (an autapomorphic feature, absent in Padenia ). Additionally, the sacculus of Sicciaemorpha is long (ca. 1/2 of the valva length) and bearing a distal process, whereas in Padenia it is conspicuously shorter (ca. 1/3 of the valva length) and bearing a subbasal process directed distally. The aedeagus of Sicciaemorpha is long (approximately the same length as the valva or somewhat longer in certain species) and thin (similar to those of Philenora Rosenstock, 1885 , Exilisia Toulgoët, 1958 and related genera), and has a short vesica (ca. 1/3 of the aedeagus length) bearing a cluster of spinules, while in Padenia , the aedeagus is shorter and wider (in comparison to the genital capsule) and the vesica is much broader and having diverticula and fields of granulation. The female genitalia of Sicciaemorpha ( Figs 22–27 ) are fundamentally different from those of Padenia (illustrated by Holloway (2001: gen. fig. 328)) in the following aspects. The antrum of Sicciaemorpha is long (from 1/2 to 3/4 of the ductus bursae length) and more or less caliciform, having a deep ventral incision and is fully fused with 7 th abdominal segment which are well-sclerotized and bearing ventro-lateral pockets, whereas the antrum of Padenia is short (ca. 1/3 of the ductus bursae length) and trapezoid, and the 7 th abdominal segments are weakly sclerotized and lack pockets. The anterior section of the ductus bursae of Sicciaemorpha is narrow (ca. 1/2 of the antrum width) and membranous, whereas it is wide (almost wide as the antrum width) and bearing elongate clusters of spines in Padenia . The corpus bursae of Sicciaemorpha is globular and lacking spines, whereas it is sack-like and bearing wide clusters of spines in Padenia . Additionally, the appendix bursae of Sicciaemorpha is small (in comparison to the corpus bursae), gelatinous and positioned ventro-posteriorly at the junction of the ductus and the corpus bursae, whereas in Padenia the appendix bursae is large (about 1/4 of the size of the corpus bursae), conical, membranous, and positioned laterally.

Description. External morphology ( Figs 1–14 ). Forewing length 8.5– 11 mm in both sexes. Sexual dimorphism limited: males have bipectinate antennae (ciliate in females) and less elongate forewing in comparison to females. Body coloration varies from white to brown in different species, thorax with black spots. Forewing elongate and narrow, with almost parallel costal and anal margins. Forewing pattern consists of numerous small black or dark brown spots. Hindwing without markings. Male genitalia ( Figs 15–21 ). Uncus elongate and thin, curved, somewhat dilated subbasally or medially. Tuba analis relatively narrow (in comparison to its length), scaphium thin but heavily sclerotized. Tegumen moderately long (ca. 2/3 of valva length) with relatively narrow arms. Vinculum somewhat shorter than tegumen, with short (ca. 1/4 of its length) and moderately sclerotized, U-shaped or rectangular saccus. Juxta elongate shield-like. Costa of valva short (terminating at base of membranous distal lobe), with robust and apically pointed process directed dorsally and ventral protrusion almost reaching base of ventro-distal process of valva. Distal lobe of valva large (ca. 1/2 of valva length), elongate, membranous. Ventro-distal process of valva large (from 1/4 to 3/4 of valva length), heavily sclerotized, fused basally with basal section of distal saccular process, directed distally or ventro-distally. Sacculus narrow (from 1/3 to 1/2 of valva width), with heavily sclerotized and apically pointed distal process directed distally or somewhat curved dorsally. Aedeagus long (approximately same length as valva or somewhat longer) and thin, in certain species somewhat curved distally, with well-developed coecum and elongate, thin and apically pointed carina. Vesica short (ca. 1/3 of the aedeagus length), narrow (as aedeagus width of somewhat broader), curved laterally, and bearing dense cluster of small spinules. Female genitalia ( Figs 22–27 ). Papillae anales rectangular with rounded corners, weakly setose. Apophyses posteriores elongate and thin, apophyses anteriores thin, approximately twice or three times shorter than posteriores ones. Ductus bursae elongate and relatively narrow (length with width ratio from 3:1 to 4:1), its anterior section membranous. Antrum wellsclerotized, long (ca. 1/2 to 3/4 of ductus bursae length), round or caliciform, with deep incision ventrally. Margins of antrum fused with sclerotized 7 th sternite forming entire structure with strongly elongate postvaginal area and shallow ventro-lateral pockets on the sides of ostium bursae. Corpus bursae globular, membranous with very weak granulation. Appendix bursae short and narrow (in comparison to corpus bursae), gelatinous, positioned ventrally or laterally at the junction of ductus and corpus bursae.

Distribution. Known from the islands of Java ( Indonesia), Borneo ( Malaysia) and the Philippine Archipelago where it reaches its highest diversity.

Figures

FIGURES 1–8. Sicciaemorpha spp.: adults. Depositories of the specimens: 1 and 2 in RMNH; 3 and 5–8 in MWM/ZSM; 4 in CKC.

FIGURES 9–14. Sicciaemorpha spp.: adults. Depositories of the specimens: 9 and 11–13 in MWM/ZSM; 10 and 14 in CKC.

FIGURES 15–18. Sicciaemorpha spp.: male genitalia. Depositories of the specimens dissected: 15 in RMNH; 16–18 in MWM/ ZSM.

FIGURES 19–21. Sicciaemorpha spp.: male genitalia. The specimens dissected are deposited in MWM/ZSM.

FIGURES 22–27. Sicciaemorpha spp.: female genitalia. Depositories of the specimens dissected: 22 in RMNH; 23, 25 and 27 in CKC; 24 and 26 in MWM/ZSM.