Paniculata weberi Park, 2018

Park, Kyu-Tek, 2018, Three new genera and ten new species of the subfamily Lecithocerinae (Lepidoptera, Lecithoceridae) from Cameroon, Africa, based on material collected in 1913 - 18, Zootaxa 4415 (3), pp. 561-579 : 570

Paniculata weberi Park , sp. nov.

( Figs. 18, 18a, 19, 20, 20a–b )

Type. Holotype: ♂, Cameroon, Efulen, H.L. Weber, AC 4938, March 6 1913, gen. slide no. CIS-6869.

Diagnosis. The new species is characterized by having prominent black scale-tuft in the basal segment of the antenna ventro-apically as noted in the diagnosis of the genus.

Description. Male ( Fig. 18, 18a, 19 ): Wingspan 14 mm. Head yellowish orange white dorsally, shiny orange white anteriorly. Compound eye large, its diameter more than half of head. Antenna longer than forewing; basal segment of antenna thickened, pale yellow all around; with a long, prominent black scale-tuft at apex ventrally, mixed with long white scales, as long as basal segment ( Fig. 18a ); flagellum orange white throughout, without distinct annulations. First segment of labial palpus about 1/3 length of 2nd, thicker towards apex; 2nd segment more or less slender, gently recurved, shiny orange white all around; 3rd segment slender, about 2/3 length of 2nd, gently recurved. Tegula and thorax orange white. Hind tibia pale orange, with black scales above middle spurs and at end. Forewing elongate, ground color orange white, with pale orange scales scattered in distal 1/3, no distinct marks or streaks; costa slightly expanded in basal 1/3 and oblique beyond 3/4; apex acute; termen oblique; fringe concolorous with forewing ground color; venation ( Fig. 19 ) as described for genus; cell long, about 2/3 length of wing, closed with weak cross vein. Hindwing pale orange white; apex acute; termen strongly oblique. Female unknown. Abdomen without spinous zones on tergites; abdominal segmentsVI with two transversal sclerites; abdominal VII with specialized, heavily sclerotized rods and a pair of long hair-pencils laterally ( Fig. 20b ).

Male genitalia ( Figs. 20, 20a–b ): Basal lobes of uncus broad, ovate, with dense setae, slightly concave on caudal margin medially. Gnathos very small; median process weakly developed, shorter than basal lobe of uncus. Tegumen broad with long setae dorsally; dorsal surface with V-shaped incision distally. Costal bar connecting tegumen and valva band-shaped, not angled medially. Valva extremely broad at base, more than twice width of cucullus; cucullus elongate, nearly parallel sided, densely setose; costal margin slightly concave medially; ventral margin concave before apex; apex rounded with short, peg-like scales apically; sacculus very broad, sclerotized, broadened distally with long setae in distal part. Vinculum broadly developed, with round apices. Juxta weak, with lobe on anterior margin medially. Phallus thick, longer than valva, as wide as base of valva, with numerous minute spinules in distal 1/3, with weakly sclerotized round plated medially and a pair of small flaps dorso-apically.

Distribution. Cameroon.

Etymology. The species name is a patronym for the collector of the type specimen.

Figures

FIGURES 18–20. Adults, venation, and male genitalia: 18, adult of Paniculata weberi sp. nov., holotype, with its label; 18a, ditto, antenna and labial palpus; 18b, ditto, lateral view of head part; 19, venation of P. weberi, paratype; 20, male genitalia; 20a, ditto, phallus; 20b, ditto, abdominal segments VI–VIII.