Limacodinae, Duponchel

Taberer, Tabitha R. & László, Gyula M., 2022, A contribution to the knowledge of the slug moths (Zygaenoidea: Limacodidae) of the Maputo Special Reserve, Metamorphosis 33 (1), pp. 6-20 : 12

Unidentified Limacodinae sp. ( Figs 37 , 51 )

Material examined: Mozambique, MSR. 1 male, Futi Corridor (Sand Forest Woodland Mosaic), 17 m, 26°32′10.1″S, 32°43′09.7″E, 23–24.ii.2018, László, G., Mulvaney, J., Smith, L. leg. ANHRT:2018.2, gen. slide No. LG 5704.

Taxonomic note: Despite a thorough literature review and examination of major natural history museum and private research collections, this specimen could not be identified even to genus level. The specimen is rather worn, making it difficult to diagnose the wing pattern. Dissection of the genitalia confirmed that the specimen undoubtedly belongs to Limacodinae ( Fig. 51 ), although the clasping apparatus is largely simplified and similar in ground plan to that of numerous genera i.e. Latoia , Parasa or Stroter . Initially, due to similar external morphology, the specimen was thought to belong to the genus Gavara Walker, 1857 , but the genitalia differed significantly for it to be confidently placed in this genus ( Fig. 50 ). It is possible that this species belongs to a new undescribed genus, but based on a single worn specimen, we have refrained from describing one – further investigations are necessary.

Figures

Figures 26–37. Adults (collected in the MSR and deposited in coll. ANHRT). 26 – Zinara cymatoides, female; 27 – ibidem, male; 28 – Micraphe lateritia, male; 29 – ibidem, male; 30 – Neomocena convergens, male; 31 – ibidem, male; 32 – ibidem, male; 33 – Trogocrada deleter, male; 34 – ibidem, male; 35 – Niphadolepis auricincta, male; 36 – ibidem, male; 37 – Unidentified Limacodinae sp., male.

Figures 50–52. Male genitalia of Limacodidae (a: clasping apparatus; b: phallus). 50 – Gavara velutina (MSR), genitalia slide No. LG5703 (ANHRT); 51 – Unidentified Limacodinae sp. (MSR), genitalia slide no. LG 5704 (ANHRT); 52 – Trogocrada deleter (MSR), genitalia slide No. TT 074 (ANHRT).