Delorhachis zambica Taberer, Fiebig, Giusti and László, 2023

Taberer, Tabitha R., Fiebig, Ralf, Giusti, Alessandro & László, Gyula M., 2023, Taxonomic revision of the genus Delorhachis Karsch 1896 (Lepidoptera: Limacodidae), Journal of Natural History 57 (1 - 4), pp. 54-129 : 90-91

Delorhachis zambica Taberer, Fiebig, Giusti and László sp. nov. ( Figures 37–39 ,

83, 11 5–116 , 154 )

Holotype. Male , ′ ZAMBIA 1179 m | Bruce-Miller Farm, Choma | 16°38′12̍S, 27°01′30″E | 28. ii-8.iii.2019 MV Light Trap | Dérozier, V., Imakando, M., | Miles, W., Mulvaney, L. Leg. | ANHRT:2019.5″ || ANHRTUK | 00210196 || ′ Gen. slide No. | TT 077 | prep. by T. R. Taberer ̍ ( ANHRT).

Paratypes. DRC. 1 male, Katanga, Ruwe , February 1957, Allard, R .V . leg .; 1 male, Elisabethville , January 1949, Seydel, C . leg . ( RMCA). Malawi. 2 males, Mtangatanga Forest Reserve , Mzimba District, 1615 m, 11.928°S, 33.700°E, 24 December 2015, Murphy, R .J . leg., gen. slide no. NHMUK 010317407 , QR code nos . NHMUK 014200544 , 014200607 ( NHMUK) . Zambia. 2 males, Kapishya Hot Springs, Shiwa N ̍gandu Estate , 1437 m, 11.170°S, 31.600°E, January – March .2016, M.T. Harvey Coll., Smith, R., Takano, H. leg., ANHRT:2017.29, gen. slide no. TT 078, unique IDs: ANHRTUK 00225213, 00225216; 1 male, same site, January–March 2017, M.T. Harvey Coll., Miles, W., Oram, D., Smith, L. leg., ANHRT:2017.30, gen. slide no. TT 043, unique ID: ANHRTUK 00211568; 1 male, Lumangwe Falls, Kalugwishi River , 1187 m, 9.543°S, 29.388°E, 4–7 February 2019, Dérozier, V ., Mulvaney, L ., Smith, R., Takano, H. leg ., ANHRT: 2019.4, unique ID: ANHRTUK 00229501 ( ANHRT); 1 male, Mumbwa , 25 February 1957, Dening, R .C . leg. ( NHMUK).

Description

Male external morphology. Fore wing length 10–11.5 mm. Head and collar bright orange, antenna bipectinate in basal fourth, otherwise filiform, colour as of head. Thorax and tegula uniformly chestnut brown dorsally, with a white longitudinal streak posterior-medially. Legs bright orange. Abdomen bright orange dorsally, yellowish laterally and brownish ventrally. Fore wing short, broad, triangular, with rounded apex; ground colour rusty-brown, veins contrasting black in postmedial area. Medio-ventral fascia white, circular or oval-shaped, margined with black on both proximal and distal edge. Fringe long, slightly darker than ground colour. Hind wing pale brown with beige area along anal margin, veins sometimes highlighted with brown. Underside of wing: fore wing light brown, hind wing beige without markings, fringe same as ground colour.

Female. Unknown.

Male genitalia. Uncus moderately long, tapered, pointed apically. Tegumen broad. Gnathos very broad, weakly sclerotised, rounded. Juxta very short and rounded with two short, ventral, ribbon-like distal processes; manica with a bunch of numerous, fine, relatively short, straight pseudocornuti. Vinculum short, rounded. Valva moderately broad, triangular, with more or less straight margins, apex with very small rounded distal process. Phallus medium-length, thin, medially very slightly bent, with sclerotised, apically pointed ventral surface in its basal half. Vesica membranous without cornuti.

Diagnosis

This species is a closely related allopatric sibling of D. kilosa , showing only minor differences in the genital morphology, expressed by the slightly longer and slimmer valva of D. zambica . Despite the high similarity in the male genitalia, the distinctive features are obvious in external morphology where the fore wings and abdomen are a deeper brown in D. zambica , and the abdomen possesses a wider longitudinal white streak compared to D. kilosa . The fore wing fascia of the new species is larger, white, and circular or ovoid, whilst in D. kilosa this feature is smaller, cream to Veronese green, and triangular.

Genetic information

This species was not sampled for DNA barcoding.

Etymology

The species name is in reference to Zambia, where the species is most abundant, inhabiting the extensive Miombo woodlands of the Zambian Plateau.

Distribution and habitat ( Figures 169 , 185 )

Delorhachis zambica has been found from south DRC, Malawi and Zambia, in areas dominated by miombo and scrub woodland. It appears to be separated from D. kilosa by the western branch of the Rift Valley, a biogeographic barrier inducing allopatric speciation which has seemingly driven noticeable divergences in external morphology of the two species but less so in male genitalia. Further genetic studies are required to assess the genetic divergence between these sibling species.

Figures

Figure 185. Distribution map of the D. kilosa species group (TL = type locality).

Figures 31–45. Adults. Figures 31–33. Delorhachis wetzelae shambaa ssp. nov. 31: HT, Tanzania, Amani, J (gen. slide no. NHMUK 010317397) (NHMUK); 32: PT, Tanzania, Tanga, J (gen. slide no. 36.323) (MWW); 33: PT, Tanzania, Amani, J (gen. slide no. NHMUK010317398) (NHMUK); Figures 34– 36. D. kilosa. 34: HT, Tanzania, Kilosa, J (gen. slide no. Lim-1325) (NHMUK); 35: PT, Tanzania, Kilosa, J (gen. slide no. NHMUK 010317406) (NHMUK); 36: Malawi, Ft. Johnston, J (gen. slide no. LG 5730) (OUMNH); Figures 37–39. D. zambica sp. nov. 37: HT, Zambia, Choma, J (gen. slide no. TT 077) (ANHRT); 38: PT, Malawi, Mtangatanga, J (gen. slide no. NHMUK 010317407) (NHMUK); 39: PT, Zambia, Kapishya Hot Springs, J (gen. slide no. TT 078) (ANHRT); Figures 40–42. D. syntomoctena comb. nov. 40: HT of Chrysamma syntomoctena, [DRC], West Semliki Valley, J (NHMUK); 41: PT, [DRC], West Semliki Valley, J (NHMUK); 42: DRC, Kanyatsi, J (gen. slide no. TT 028) (ANHRT); Figures 43, 44. D. manuelae sp. nov. 43: HT, Republic of the Congo, Odzala NP, J (gen. slide no. 36.324) (MWW); 14: PT, Republic of the Congo, Odzala NP, J (gen. slide no. 36.325) (MWW); Figure 45. D. bakossii sp. nov.: HT, Cameroon, Bakossi Mts., J (gen. slide no. RF 2021.898) (SMNS). Scale bar: 1 cm.

Figures 67–90. Male fore wing pattern. Figures 67, 68: Delorhachis viridiplaga; Figure 69: D. charopa stat. rev.; Figure 70: D. ochsei sp. nov.; Figures 71, 72: D. chlorodaedala; Figure 73: D. kitale; Figure 74: D. tommasoi sp. nov.; Figure 75: D. pallidifascia sp. nov.; Figure 76: D. mariae; Figure 77: D. parvinota sp. nov.; Figures 78, 79: D. meyi sp. nov.; Figure 80: D. wetzelae sp. nov.; Figure 81: D. wetzelae shambaa ssp. nov.; Figure 82: D. kilosa; Figure 83: D. zambica sp. nov.; Figure 84: D. syntomoctena comb. nov.; Figure 85: D. manuelae sp. nov.; Figure 86: D. bakossii sp. nov.; Figure 87: D. smithi sp. nov.; Figure 88: D. nimbaensis sp. nov.; Figure 89: D. baaka sp. nov.; Figure 90: D. nigrivenosa.

Figures 1–15. Adults. Figures 1–3: Delorhachis viridiplaga. 1: ST, Togo, Misahöhe, J (gen. slide no. SAV-08-31) (MfN); 2: Nigeria, Port Harcourt, ♀ (gen. slide no. NHMUK 010317401) (NHMUK); 3: Cameroon, Bascho, J (gen. slide no. RF 299.2019) (MfN); Figures 4–6. D. charopa stat. rev. 4: ST, [DRC], Mawamba-Makala, J (gen. slide no. Lim-1324) (NHMUK); 5: [DRC], Kalambe, ♀ (gen. slide no. NHMUK 010317410) (NHMUK); 6: Cameroon, Mbalmayo Menguémé, J (gen. slide no. 36.636) (RCRF); Figures 7–9. D. ochsei sp. nov. 7: HT, Ghana, Ankasa NP, J (gen. slide no. RF 2021.884) (RCRF, later ZSM); 8: PT, Ghana, Ashanti, ♀ (gen. slide no. NHMUK 010317403) (NHMUK); 9: PT, Ghana, Kakum NP, J (gen. slide no. 31.150) (RCRF); Figures 10–12. D. chlorodaedala. 10: Zambia, Hillwood, J (gen. slide no. TT 044) (ANHRT); 11: HT, Angola, Benguela, ♀ (gen. slide no. Lim-1327) (NHMUK); 12: Zambia, Kapishya Hot Springs, J (gen. slide no. TT 009 (ANHRT). Figures 13–15: D. kitale. 13: HT, Kenya, Kitale, J (gen. slide no. Lim-1326) (NHMUK); 14: Kenya, Kitale, J (gen. slide no. NHMUK 10317405) (NHMUK); 15: Sudan, Kadugli, J (gen. slide no. RF 2021.838) (RCRF). Scale bar: 1 cm.

Figures 16–30. Adults. Figures 16–18. Delorhachis tommasoi sp. nov. 16: HT, [DRC], Weko, J (gen. slide no. NHMUK 010317446) (NHMUK); 17: PT, [DRC], Uele, J (gen. slide no. RF 2022.114) (RMCA); 18: PT, [DRC], Sankuru, J (gen. slide no. RF 2022.115) (RMCA); Figures 19–21. D. pallidifascia sp. nov. 19: HT, Guinea, Monts Nimba, J (gen. slide no. TT 101) (ANHRT); 20: PT, Guinea, Dalaba, ♀ (gen. slide no. LG 5719) (ANHRT); 21: PT, Togo, Fazao-Malfakassa NP, J (gen. slide no. TT 052) (ANHRT); Figures 22, 23. D. mariae. 22: HT, [DRC], Kivu, J (gen. slide RF 1863) (RBINS); 23: PT, [DRC],Kivu, J (RBINS); Figures 24–26. D. parvinota sp. nov. 24: HT, Ivory Coast, Mt. Tonkoui Peak, J (gen. slide no. TT 100) (ANHRT); 25: PT, Ivory Coast, Mt. Tonkoui Peak, J (ANHRT);26: PT, Liberia, Nimba Mts., ♀ (gen. slide no. NHMUK 010317447) (NHMUK); Figures 27–29. D. meyi sp. nov. 27: HT, Uganda, Kibale NP, J (gen. slide no. MfN 437) (MfN); 28: PT, Uganda, Mpanga Forest, J (gen. slide no. MfN 436) (MfN); 29: PT, Kenya, Kakamega Forest, ♀ (SMNS); Figure 30: D. wetzelae sp. nov.: HT, Tanzania, Ukami Berge, J (gen. slide no. RF 297.2019) (MfN). Scale bar: 1 cm.

Figures 46–57. Adults. Figures 46–48. Delorhachis smithi sp. nov. 46: HT, Gabon, Mikongo, J (gen. slide no. TT 094) (ANHRT); 47: PT, Republic of the Congo, Odzala NP, J (gen. slide no. MWW 36.326) (MWW); 48: PT, Republic of the Congo, Odzala NP, J (gen. slide no. MWW 36.327) (MWW); Figures 49, 50. D. nimbaensis sp. nov. 49: HT, Liberia,Nimba Mts., J (gen. slide no. TT 105) (ANHRT);50: PT,Liberia, Nimba, J (gen. slide no. NHMUK 010317408) (NHMUK); Figures 51, 52. D. baaka sp. nov. 51: HT, Cameroon, Sangmelima, J (gen. slide no. RF 2021.897) (SMNS); 52: PT, Cameroon, Sangmelima, J (SMNS); Figures 53–57. D. nigrivenosa. 53: HT, Togo, Misahöhe, J (gen. slide no. SAV-08-32) (MfN); 54: Ivory Coast, Mt. Tonkoui Peak, J (gen. slide no. TT 011) (ANHRT); 55: Ivory Coast, Taï NP, J (gen. slide no. TT 031) (ANHRT); 56: HT of Miresa strigivena syn. nov., Nigeria, Lagos, ♀ (NHMUK); 57: Cameroon, La Falaise, J (gen. slide no. TT 095) (ANHRT). Scale bar: 1 cm.

Figures 58–66. Adults. Figure 58. Miresa amator comb. nov.: HT of Delorhachis amator, Tanzania, J (gen. slide no. SAV-08-42) (MfN); Figure 59. M. amica comb. nov.: HT of D. amica, Cameroon, Lolodorf, J (gen. slide no. SAV-08-41) (MfN); Figures 60–62. M. purpurea comb. nov. 60: HT of D. purpurea, Cameroon, Lolodorf, J (gen. slide no. SAV-08-58) (MfN); 61: HT of D. denisae syn. nov., [DRC], Kivu, J (gen. slide no. RF 1862) (RBINS); 62: HT of Chrysamma erythrochrysa syn. nov., [DRC], West Kivu, J (NHMUK); Figures 63, 64. M. gliricidae. 63: Ivory Coast, Mt. Tonkoui Peak, J (gen. slide no. TT 070) (ANHRT); 64: HT, Sierra Leone, Njala, ♀ (NHMUK); Figures 65, 66. Hilipoda gravidipes. 65: HT, Togo, Bismarckburg, ♀ (MfN); 66: HT of D. schultzei syn. nov., [Nigeria], Yola, J (gen. slide no. SAV-08-33) (MfN). Scale bar: 1 cm.

Figures 91–96. Male genitalia. Figures 91, 92. Delorhachis viridiplaga. 91: ST, Togo, Misahöhe, gen. slide no. SAV-08-31 (MfN); 92: Nigeria, Ikom, gen. slide no. RF 2021.835 (RCRF); Figures 93, 94. D. charopa stat. rev. 93: ST, [DRC], Mawamba-Makala, gen. slide no. Lim-1324 (NHMUK): 94: Cameroon, Mbalmayo Menguémé, gen. slide no. 36.636 (RCRF); Figures 95, 96. D. ochsei sp. nov. 95: HT, Ghana, Ankasa NP, gen. slide no. RF 2021.884 (RCRF); 96: PT, Guinea, Forêt Classée du Mont Bero, gen. slide no. GP 31.130 (RCRF). Scale bars: 1 mm.

Figures 97–102. Male genitalia. Figures 97,98. Delorhachis chlorodaedala. 97: Angola, Cuanza Sul, gen. slide no. RF 2021.887 (RCRF); 98: Zambia, Kapishya Hot Springs, gen. slide no. TT 076 (ANHRT); Figures 99, 100. D. kitale. 99: HT, Kenya, Kitale, gen. slide no. Lim-1326 (NHMUK); 100: Kenya, Kitale, gen. slide no. NHMUK 010317405 (NHMUK); Figures 101, 102. D. tommasoi sp. nov. 101: HT, [DRC], Weko, gen. slide no. NHMUK 010317446 (NHMUK); 102: PT, [DRC], Sankuru, Katako-Kombe, gen. slide no. RF 2022.115 (RMCA). Scale bars: 1 mm.

Figures 103–108. Male genitalia. Figures 103, 104. Delorhachis pallidifascia sp. nov. 103: HT, Guinea, Monts Nimba, gen. slide no. TT 101 (ANHRT); 104: PT, Togo, Fazao-Malfakassa NP, gen. slide no. TT 010 (ANHRT); Figure 105. D. mariae, HT, [DRC], Kivu, gen. slide RF 1863 (RBINS); Figures 106–108. D. parvinota sp. nov. 106: HT, Ivory Coast, Mt. Tonkoui Peak, gen. slide no. TT 100 (ANHRT); 107: PT, Ivory Coast, Mt. Tonkoui Peak, gen. slide no. TT 082 (ANHRT); 108: PT, Ivory Coast, Mt. Tonkoui Peak, gen. slide no. TT083 (ANHRT). Scale bars: 1 mm.

Figures 109–114. Male genitalia. Figures 109, 110. Delorhachis meyi sp. nov. 109: HT, Uganda, Kibale NP, gen. slide MfN 437 (MfN); 110: PT, Kenya, Kakamega Forest, gen. slide RF 2021.895 (SMNS); Figure 111. D. wetzelae sp. nov.: HT, Tanzania, Ukami Berge, gen. slide no. RF 297.2019 (RCRF); Figure 112. D. wetzelae shambaa ssp. nov.: HT, Tanzania, Tanga, gen. slide no. 36.323 (MWW); Figures 113, 114. D. kilosa. 113: HT, Tanzania, Kilosa,gen. slide no. Lim-1325 (NHMUK); 114: Malawi, Ft. Johnston, gen. slide no. LG 5730 (OUMNH). Scale bars: 1 mm.

Figures 115–120. Male genitalia. Figures 115, 116. Delorhachis zambica sp. nov. 115: HT, Zambia, Choma, gen. slide no. TT 077 (ANHRT); 116: PT, Malawi, Mtangatanga Forest Reserve, gen. slide no. NHMUK 010317407 (NHMUK); Figures 117, 118. D. syntomoctena comb. nov. 117: DRC, Mamove, gen. slide no. TT 080 (ANHRT); 118: [DRC], Uele, J gen. slide no. RF 2022.112 (RMCA); Figures 119, 120. D. manuelae sp. nov. 119: HT, Republic of the Congo, Odzala NP, gen. slide no. 36.324 (MWW); 120: PT, Republic of the Congo, Odzala NP, gen. slide no. 36.325 (MWW). Scale bars: 1 mm.

Figures 133–156. Male genitalia, valva apex. Figure 133: Delorhachis viridiplaga; Figure 134: D. charopa stat. rev.; Figure 135: D. ochsei sp. nov.; Figures 136, 137: D. chlorodaedala; Figure 138: D. kitale; Figure 139: D. tommasoi sp. nov.; Figure 140: D. pallidifascia sp. nov.; Figure 141: D. mariae; Figure 142: D. parvinota sp. nov.; Figures 143, 144: D. meyi sp. nov.; Figure 145: D. wetzelae sp. nov.; Figure 146: D. wetzelae shambaa ssp. nov.; Figure 147: D. syntomoctena comb. nov.; Figure 148: D. manuelae sp. nov.; Figure 149: D. bakossii sp. nov.; Figure 150: D. smithi sp. nov.; Figure 151: D. nimbaensis sp. nov.; Figure 152: D. baaka sp. nov.; Figure 153: D. kilosa; Figure 154: D. zambica sp. nov.; Figures 155, 156: D. nigrivenosa.

Figures 165–170. Habitat photos. Figures 165, 166: Cameroon, Central Region, forest on the bank of River Nyong near Ebogo Lodge, habitat of Delorhachis charopa (© Michael Ochse). Figure 167: Ghana, Western Region, Ankasa NP near Nkwanta camp, type locality of D. ochsei (© Michael Ochse). Figure 168: Ghana, Central Region, Kakum NP near Nkwanta camp, a collecting site of D. ochsei (© Michael Ochse). Figure 169: Zambia, near Kapishya Hot Springs, habitat of D. chlorodaedala and D. zambica (© Will Miles). Figure 170: Angola, Cuanza Sul Province, c. 80 km E Quibala, where D. chlorodaedala was collected (© Stefan Naumann).