Lobilema smithi, Volynkin, 2021

Volynkin, Anton V., 2021, A new species of the genus Lobilema Aurivillius (Lepidoptera: Erebidae: Arctiinae: Lithosiini) from Tanzania, Zootaxa 5052 (3), pp. 447-450 : 447-450

Lobilema smithi sp. n.

( Figs 1 , 5 )

Type material. Holotype ( Figs 1 , 5 ): male, “ Tanzania, 1759m, Maskati , Nguru Mountains, S06˚03’29.3’’;E37˚29’08.4 ’’, 31.iii–2.iv.[20]11 Light Trap, leg. Smith, R & Takano,H” / “ANHRTUK 00201067” / “Slide AV3194 ♂ A. Volynkin ” ( ANHRT).

Paratypes: 1 male with the same data as in the holotype, ANHRT unique number: 00201068, gen. prep. No.: AV6399 (prepared by Volynkin); 2 males, the same locality and collectors but 4–7.vii.2010, ANHRT unique numbers: 00201069 and 00201070 ( ANHRT).

Diagnosis. The new species ( Fig. 1 ) is distinguished externally from L. conspersa ( Figs 2, 3 ) by its pale brown body and forewing colouration (ochreous in L. conspersa ), the narrower forewing with a markedly less convex costal margin and a somewhat longer lobe, and the more expressed medial line. In the male genital capsule of L. smithi sp. n. ( Fig. 5 ), the uncus is thinner than in L. conspersa ( Figs 6, 7 ), the lobes of the anellus are rectangular, heavily sclerotised, armed with robust spinules apically and projected latero-posteriorly whereas in L. conspersa those are narrowly triangular, weakly sclerotised, covered with thinner spinules laterally and apically and projected laterally. The juxta of L. smithi sp. n. is broadly trapezoidal with a wide membranous medial area whereas that of L. conspersa is short, band-shaped and evenly weakly sclerotised. The vinculum of the new species is longer than that of L. conspersa and has a rounded tip which is rectangular in the congener. In the valva of L. smithi sp. n., the distal lobe is markedly shorter, ventrally more rounded than in L. conspersa , with a protruding apex. The costal process of the new species is conspicuously long, thin and projected distally whereas it is very short, triangular and projected ventrally in L. conspersa . Compared to L. conspersa , the sacculus of L. smithi sp. n. is markedly wider basally and has a shorter, more curved and gradually tapering distal process, which is slightly dilated subapically in the former species. The aedeagus of the new species is somewhat narrower and less curved medially than in L. conspersa . The vesica configurations of the two species are similar but the diverticula of L. smithi sp. n. are shorter and narrower. Additionally, the subbasal spinulose cluster of the vesica of the new species is wider and more heavily sclerotised than that of L. conspersa .

Description. External morphology of adults ( Fig. 1 ). Forewing length 16 mm in males. Male antenna bipectinate, brown. Head and thorax pale brown. Forewing elongate with large costal lobe, costal margin convex subapically, anal margin convex subbasally. Forewing ground colour pale brown speckled with dark brown scales. Medial line black with diffuse margins, short, straight, oblique, positioned medially between costal lobe and anal margin. Forewing cilia pale brown. Hindwing monotonous ochreous brown. Abdomen ochreous brown. Male genitalia ( Fig. 5 ). Uncus long, thin, laterally flattened, evenly curved and apically pointed. Tuba analis narrow with thin and weakly sclerotised scaphium. Tegumen short with wide arms fused in apical half. Vinculum somewhat longer than tegumen, weakly sclerotised, Ushaped. Anellus forming sclerotised plate with two more or less rectangular lobes bearing numerous robust spinules on distal surface. Juxta broad, weakly sclerotised with wide trapezoidal membranous medial section. Valva costa short with conspicuously long, slender and apically pointed basal process projected distally. Distal lobe of valva broad, rounded ventrally with short and rounded apical protrusion. Sacculus broad and trapezoid subbasally. Distal saccular process very long, curved dorsad, evenly tapered distally, apically pointed and setose dorsally. Aedeagus cylindrical with somewhat dilated and curved distal section. Vesica broad with large conical granulated ventral diverticulum, small semiglobular membranous subbasal dorsal diverticulum, globular granulated and conical membranous distal diverticula, and bandshaped ventral subbasal cluster of numerous tiny spinules. Vesica ejaculatorius originating subbasally.

Female unknown.

Distribution. The new species is known only from its type locality in the Nguru Mountains in Morogoro Region of Tanzania.

Etymology. The species is dedicated to Mr Richard Smith, founder and director of the African Natural History Research Trust, and one of the collectors of the type series who has organized and undertaken numerous entomological expeditions to Sub-Saharan Africa.

Figures

FIGURES 1–4. Lithosiina spp., adults. 2–4 – type species of the genera Lobilema and Ligulosia. Depositories of the specimens: 1, 2 and 4 in ANHRT; 3 in NHRS (Photo by T. Malm, ©NHRS).

FIGURES 5–8. Lithosiina spp., male genitalia. Depositories of the specimens: 5, 6 and 8 in ANHRT; 7 in NHRS (Photo by T. Malm, ©NHRS).