Afrasura hieroglyphica (Bethune-Baker, 1911) Bethune-Baker, 1911

Durante, Antonio, 2009, Revision of the Afrotropical species of Asura Walker, 1854 (Lepidoptera: Arctiidae, Lithosiinae), with the description of a new genus, Zootaxa 2280, pp. 27-52 : 43-44

Afrasura hieroglyphica (Bethune-Baker, 1911) comb. n., stat. rev.

(Figs. 15, 16, 50, 63)

Miltochrista hieroglyphica Bethune-Baker, 1911 , Ann. Mag. Nat. Hist. (8) 7: 537

Type locality. Angola, N’Dalla Tando (type 3 Arct. g. sl. n. 3 BMNH, examined).

Distribution. Republic of Guinea. Nigeria, Port Harcourt; over Obudu, 1500 m a.s.l. Cameroun. Uganda, Bugoma Forest, Unyoro. Angola.

Material examined. Rep. of Guinea: Ƥ gen. prep. 426 AD. Nigeria: 3 gen. prep. 402 MAD, ƤƤ gen. prep. 425 e 435 MAD. Cameroun: Ƥ Arct. g.sl. 5886 BMNH. Uganda: Ƥ Arct. g.sl. 5856 BMNH. Angola: type 3 Arct. g. sl. n. 3 BMNH; 3 Arct. g. sl. 5736 BMNH (this specimen was hitherto included in the BMNH series of Asura hyporhoda ).

Diagnosis. The large bands on the wings discriminate this species from all others except for hyporhoda . Male genitalia with the distal end of ala valvae well sclerotized and C-shaped. Female genitalia with characteristic sclerotization at the connection between cervix and corpus bursae; latter without signa.

Description. Forewing with large bands compared to other species, the two basal bands fused (as in hyporhoda ). Venation pattern typical except that the subcostal and radial veins (numbers 12 and 11 in Hampson, 1914) do not anastamose. Coremata between A7 and A8 sterna, large, sac shaped with two eversible tufts of androconial hairs; caudal margin of VII sternum folds cephalad to form the openings of the coremata. Eighth abdominal segment smaller than seventh and scarcely sclerotized. An H-shaped sclerotized median structure is part of the intersegmental membrane of A7 and A8. Tergally the membrane between A7 and A8 presents a thin transverse small bar. Male genitalia with distal end of supravalva finger-like, and little sclerotized; distal end of ala valvae more sclerotized, C-shaped, and with upper arm at least three times longer than inferior one. Aedeagus as long as the valva; cornutus longer than three fifth of the length of the aedeagus. Female A7 large and membranous, twice as long as A6, with sternal caudal margin slightly concave. A8 small and membranous. Pleural pouches between A6 and A7. Dorsal pheromone glands longer than posterior apophyses. Female genitalia with large ostium bursae, with a ventral V-shaped indentation; antrum large, bellshaped, as deep as half of VII sternite. Ductus bursae slightly longer and narrower than antrum, membranous with a thin sclerotization as long as the ductus, Y-shaped. Cervix pear-shaped, slender, ductus seminalis arising from caudal end. Cervix and corpus joined by a strong N-shaped sclerotization and provided with many thorns. Corpus bursae membranous, round, with many small spines inside its anterior half. Signa lacking.