Siccia kasanka, Volynkin, 2023

Volynkin, Anton V., 2023, Contribution to the knowledge of the genus Siccia Walker (= Aemene Walker, syn. n.) in the Afrotropics with descriptions of seventy-three new species, three new subspecies, and a check-list of Asiatic taxa of the genus (Lepidoptera: Erebidae: Arctiinae: Lithosiini), Ecologica Montenegrina 64, pp. 1-184 : 24

Siccia kasanka sp. n.

https://zoobank.org/ urn:lsid:zoobank.org:act:84598A2D-40EB-47FD-962E-0C16AB33D456

( Figs 33, 34 , 295 , 464 )

Type material. Holotype ( Figs 33 , 295 ): male, “ Zambia | Central Province | Kasanka NP | S12˚546114 E30˚3743812 [-12.546114 30.3743812] | 3–4. Nov. 2012, 1100 m | leg. Elk. Ott & H. Sulak ” / “Slide | ZSM Arct. | 2020-035 ♂ | A. Volynkin ” (MWM/ ZSM).

Paratypes: ZAMBIA: 1 male, same data as holotype, gen. prep. No.: ZSM Arct. 2020-036 (prepared by Volynkin) (MWM/ ZSM) ; 1 male, the same data as previous ( GMF-B) ; 1 female, Luapula Province, 35 km N of Mansa , Mumbuluma Falls, 1191 m, S10˚55.775' E28˚44.205', 12.xi.2018, gen. prep. No.: AV6647 ( AKW) .

Diagnosis. The forewing length is 10.5–11.0 mm in males and 10.5 mm in the female. The new species differs clearly from other species in the group in its bipectinate male antenna and forewing pattern consisting of large black spots which is most reminiscent of the species of the S. cretata species-group. The male genital capsule of S. kasanka is most similar to the externally dissimilar S. buettikeri but distinguished by the longer uncus, the apically tapered valva (it is dilated in the congener), the shorter dorsal process of the cucullus positioned more distally, the shorter ventral processes of the cucullus, and the well-developed distal saccular process, which is vestigial in S. buettikeri . The phalli of the two species are alike. The vesica of S. kasanka bears a single robust cornutus whereas it has a row of smaller spine-like cornuti in the congener. The female genitalia of S. kasanka and S. buettikeri are rather dissimilar and those of the former are largely reminiscent of S. sordida from which, however, can easily be distinguished by the larger and anteriorly dilated band-like signum, the lack of a round signum, and the presence of a triangular protrusion of the postero-lateral sclerotised plate of the corpus bursae. Additionally, the distal helicoid section of the appendix bursae of the new species is markedly shorter than in S. sordida .

Molecular data. Currently unavailable for this species.

Distribution. The new species is known from two localities in central and northern Zambia.

Etymology. The specific epithet is homonymic with the type locality, Kasanka National Park in Zambia. The name is a noun in the nominative singular in apposition.

Figures

Figures 33–44. Siccia spp., adults. Depositories of the specimens: 33 and 36 in MWM/ZSM; 34 in AKW; 35 after Hacker (2016); 37–39, 43, 44 in ANHRT; 40 and 41 in MfN; 42 after Kühne (2007).

Figures 293–296. Siccia spp., male genitalia. Depositories of the specimens dissected: 293 in NHMUK (©The Trustees of NHMUK); 294 and 295 in MWM/ZSM; 296 after Hacker (2016).

Figures 464–469. Siccia spp., female genitalia. Depositories of the specimens dissected: 464 in AKW; 465 in MWM/ZSM; 466, 468 and 469 in ANHRT; 467 after Kühne (2007).