Birketsmithiola Krüger, 2015

Volynkin, Anton V., 2022, Taxonomic review of the Afrotropical genus Birketsmithiola Krüger with descriptions of five new species (Lepidoptera: Erebidae: Arctiinae), Zootaxa 5205 (1), pp. 73-86 : 74

Genus Birketsmithiola Krüger, 2015

Birketsmithiola Krüger, 2015 , Generic classification of Afrotropical footman moths sensu stricto (Lepidoptera: Erebidae : Arctiinae: Lithosiini (partim): 73.

Type species: Birketsmithiola transvaalensis Krüger, 2015 , by original designation.

Diagnosis. The species of the genus are characterised by the yellow costal streak bearing a red or orange strip along the costal margin. The male genitalia of the genus are most reminiscent of the genus Mimelilema Krüger, 2015 (illustrated by Krüger 2015) but distinguished by the more asymmetrical valvae of different lengths and also having (in the B. sanguicosta species group) asymmetrical dorsal costal protrusions, whereas in Mimelilema , only the saccular processes are more or less asymmetrical. Additionally, the vinculum is more elongate and more heavily sclerotised in Birketsmithiola whereas it is only slightly protruding anteriorly beyond the base of the valvae in Mimelilema . Phalli of the two genera are similar due to the asymmetry and the presence of a midventral protrusion but the phallus of Birketsmithiola is medially curved laterad with a ductus ejaculatorius positioned dorsally whereas it is downcurved with a ductus ejaculatorius originating anteriorly in Mimelilema . In the female genitalia, the tapered and sclerotised posterior section of the corpus bursae is characteristic of the genus whereas in Mimelilema (illustrated by Krüger 2015), it is membranous and, additionally, the greater part of the 7 th sternite is modified forming a horseshoe-shaped sclerotised plate.

Re-description. Adults. Medium sized footman moths with forewing length 15.0–21.0 mm. Sexual dimorphism limited: compared to male, female with somewhat broader forewing having slightly more convex costal margin. Head red or orange. Antenna ciliate in both sexes. Prothorax with red patagia. Mesothorax and tegula grey or brownish grey. Metathorax grey or brownish grey with broad red spot medially. Forewing elongate and narrow with costal margin somewhat convex subdistally, uniform brownish grey with deep yellow costal streak bearing red or orange strip along the costal margin. Cilia deep yellow. Hindwing uniform pale ochreous with orange ochreous cilia. Abdomen pale ochreous with distal half tinged with orange ochreous. Male genitalia. Uncus elongate and slender, cylindrical, evenly downcurved medially, distally dilated in certain species, subapically tapered with tiny claw-shaped tip. Tuba analis narrow with thin and weakly sclerotised scaphium. Arms of tegumen weakly sclerotised, dilated posteriorly and fused in posterior quarter. Vinculum shorter than tegumen, heavily sclerotised with Ushaped or almost rectangular saccus. Valvae asymmetrical: right one shorter than left one and with markedly shorter dorsal medial protrusion of costa (in the B. sanguicosta species group). Dorsal part of valva lobular and apically rounded. Costa thin distally and heavily sclerotised proximally and medially, somewhat convex or with triangular dorsal protrusion medially. Sacculi broad (ca. half of valva width) and heavily sclerotised, right one slightly broader than left one. Distal saccular process narrow but robust, evenly upcurved, apically dilated and bearing cluster of short but robust spinules. Juxta with short crest ventrally and robust processes or clusters of serration posteriorly. Phallus shorter than tegumen-vinculum complex, distally dilated with short crest-like midventral protrusion, and medially curved laterad. Vesica shorter than phallus, granulose medially and distally, more or less globular with semiglobular granulose lateral and conical subapical diverticula, and, in certain species, a membranous subbasal diverticulum, short thorn-like medial cornutus and one or two additional tiny cornuti dorso-medially. Female genitalia. Papilla analis trapezoidal with rounded corners, weakly setose. Apophyses elongate and thin, apophysis anterioris somewhat shorter than apophysis posterioris. Postvaginal area weakly sclerotised and rugose. 7 th sternite with gelatinous and medially sclerotised pockets latero-anteriorly. Ostium bursae with membranous margins. Posterior section of ductus bursae tubular, membranous and curved laterad. Anterior section of ductus bursae anteriorly dilated, dorso-ventrally flattened and sclerotised. Posterior section of corpus bursae markedly narrower than anterior one, strongly protruding laterally, and with broad sclerotised plate. Anterior section of corpus bursae globular or elliptical, membranous. Appendix bursae conical, membranous, originating from posterior section of corpus bursae latero-ventrally, and directed laterad.

Distribution. Species of the genus are known from eastern and southern Africa.