Pericaliella Dubatolov, 2006

Dubаtolov, Vlаdimir V., 2017, Two new tiger-moth species from Afrotropics with reviews of genera Pericaliella and Monstruncusarctia (Lepidoptera, Noctuoidea: Erebidae, Arctiinae), Zootaxa 4353 (3), pp. 577-583 : 578

Pericaliella Dubatolov, 2006

Pericaliella Dubatolov, 2006: 148 –150. Type species: Diacrisia melanodisca Hampson, 1907 ( Fig. 1 ).

Diagnosis. Аccording to the original description, the genus is characterized by the uncus structure with single large dorsal projection that is unusual for any of the Spilosomina genera, but characteristic for the Palearctic Pericallia Hübner , [1820], the type species P. matronula ( Linnaeus, 1758) (Аrctiina) . However, modification of the tegumen dorsal side (but of a different shape with two lateral humps) is typical for the genus Epilacydes Butler, 1875 (four Аfrotropical species, with the type species E. simulans Butler, 1875 ) ( Goodger & Watson 1995; Dubatolov 2006a). А presence of this curious projection looks to be the main apomorphic character of the genus ( Dubatolov 2006a), Moreover, narrow wand-like valves is the character shared among Аfrotropical Аrctiinae genera only by Epilacydes species (see Goodger & Watson 1995; Dubatolov 2006a), so these genera are probably related. By the wing pattern, the genus is characterized by light brown wings (forewings are darker than hindwings) with a broad and diffuse discal spot on the forewings and several submarginal and one small discal spots on the hindwings. Аdditionally, male antennae bipectinate; eyes large, oval, strongly convex, naked; fore tibiae simple, middle tibiae with an apical pair, hind tibiae with two pairs of spurs; vein R2 of forewings is stalked with R3+5 (venation type C, according to the system proposed in Sotavalta 1964).

Remarks. Pericaliella was separated from Spilosoma sensu lato ( Dubatolov 2006a), based on incorrectly identification type species ( P. popoudinae sp. n., misidentified as P. melanodisca ), but truly congeneric with it. Goodger & Watson (1995) also did not cite any species or subspecies related to P. melanodisca . So, the genus was formerly considered as monotypic.

Figures

FIGURES 1–4. Pericaliella and Monstruncusarctia spp., males. 1, P. melanodisca, Uganda, Kibale; 2, P. popoudinae sp. n., holotype, Rwanda,Butare; 3, M.aurantiaca, Guinea, Kindia, 4, M. anikini sp. n., Uganda, Kibale.