Afroromieuxia, Bassi, 2021

Bassi, Graziano, 2021, New genera and species of Afrotropical Ancylolomiini Ragonot, 1889 (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae sensu lato: Crambinae), Revue suisse de Zoologie 128 (2), pp. 477-486 : 481-483

publication ID	https://doi.org/ 10.35929/RSZ.0058
DOI	https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.5646201
persistent identifier	https://treatment.plazi.org/id/B665EF3F-FFCB-FFF7-92E1-2E29FD3DFCC8
treatment provided by	Felipe
scientific name	Afroromieuxia
status	gen. nov.

Treatment

Afroromieuxia gen. n.

Figs 1-4 View Figs 1-8 , 12, 14 View Figs 9-15 , 16, 20 View Figs 16-20 , 22, 23 View Figs 21-23

Type species: Afroromieuxia bernardlandryi sp. n.

Diagnosis: Adult features closely similar to some Ancylolomia [i.e. A. prepiella Hampson, 1919 ( Fig. 5 View Figs 1-8 )], but in the latter the subterminal area is always sinuate with large black or dark brown dots. In the male genitalia the combination of strongly developed uncus and gnathos with the short and triangular tegumen and the strong pars basalis of the valva differ from related genera. In the female genitalia the heavily sclerotized ninth abdominal segment with the apophyses posteriores fused inside it, and the eighth abdominal segment – except for their apex –, are unique among Afrotropical Crambinae . Diploschistis with its sole species D. stygiocrena Meyrick, 1937 , seems related to Afroromieuxia in the female genitalia ( Fig. 21 View Figs 21-23 ) with the ninth abdominal segment partially sclerotized, but its apophyses posteriores are not fused in the eighth abdominal segment and both adult ( Fig. 6 View Figs 1-8 ) and male genitalia ( Fig. 15 View Figs 9-15 ) are far from Afroromieuxia species.

DNA analysis of the holotype of A. ustjuzhanini , the more recent specimen studied, failed to provide any product usable for sequencing. Only future analysis could fully clarify the relationship with other genera of Ancylolomiini .

Etymology: The generic name is a combination of afro (from Africa) and Romieux, in honour of Jean Romieux (1893-1951) of Geneva, a pioneer of Lepidoptera research in the Democratic Republic of the Congo whose material was essential for the present study. The gender of the new genus is feminine.

Description: Medium to large species, with labial palpi long (3.5-4 x eye diameter in side view). Ocelli and chaetosemata well developed, subrectangular forewing, straight termen and well developed and straight subterminal fascia.

Male genitalia. Uncus and gnathos fully developed. Tegumen subtriangular, with short arms; tegumen roof 0.5 x tegumen arm length. Vinculum stout, with arms subrectangular and strong dorsal projection. Juxta broad, v-shaped. Valva elongated, tapering towards apex; costal process strongly developed, 0.4 x valva length. Phallus stout, 1.3 x valva length, with two subapical lateral teeth. Female genitalia. Papillae anales well developed, concave. Apophyses posteriores fused inside eighth abdominal segment, with apex short. Sterigma rounded, slightly produced anteriorly. Ostium membranous.Ductus bursae 0.5 to 0.7 the length of corpus bursae, funnelshaped. Ductus seminalis originating from posterior half of ductus bursae. Corpus bursae oval, without signa, but often with rows of spines.

Biology: Unknown.

Distribution: Central Africa, south to Northern Zambia.