Pseudosacada N. Singh, Kirti & Ranjan, 2020

Singh, Navneet, Kirti, Jagbir Singh, Ranjan, Rahul, Chandra, Kailash & Speidel, Wolfgang, 2020, On the taxonomy of the genus Sacada Walker, 1862 from India, with descriptions of a new genus and two new species (Pyralinae, Pyralidae, Lepidoptera), ZooKeys 962, pp. 139-163 : 139

Genus Pseudosacada N. Singh, Kirti & Ranjan gen. nov.

Type species.

Paravetta flexuosa Snellen, 1890.

Diagnosis.

The new genus is morphologically most similar to the genus Sacada and can only be diagnosed on the basis of external male genitalia. In male genitalia, the uncus is broader at base, apically bifid with a shallow constriction. There are two strongly sclerotised processes arising from the latero-medial region of the uncus. The gnathos is long, reaching beyond the uncus, and with its apex having a small hook. The valva is simple and membranous, without any process. The transtilla is broad and with both the edges bearing scorpion’s "pedipalp chela"-like sclerotised process. In Sacada , the uncus is hooded, lateral structures are simple, flap-like, and without any horn-like process; the gnathos is short and hardly reaches the hood of the uncus; the valva is thicker; and the transtilla is simple.

Remarks.

The type species of the new genus was originally placed in Paravetta (type species Paravetta discinota Moore, 1865). Paravetta is now a synonym of Sacada . However, P. flexuosa is generically distinct from Sacada decora , the type species of Sacada , and therefore a new genus is erected here.

Etymology.

The genus is named for its morphological resemblance to some species of Sacada . The gender is feminine.

Distribution.

North-eastern India (Meghalaya, Mizoram, Sikkim), southern India (Karnataka); Myanmar; Vietnam; Nepal.