Afrocharltona, 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 : 477-479

Afrocharltona gen. n.

Figs 7-11, 13 , 17-19

Type species: Afrocharltona oblongissima sp. n.

Diagnosis: In the adult the slender forewing distinguishes Afrocharltona from Charltona . Some Prionotalis [i.e. P. balia ( Tams, 1932) ] also have forewing yellow marbled with brown, but their apex of forewing is more pointed. In the male genitalia the combination of modified uncus and the very long and narrow valva represents a distinctive feature. In the female genitalia the lateral extension of medium length branching off in the middle of the ductus bursae and the ductus seminalis originating close to the lateral extension, are unique among related genera except for the prepiella species complex in the inornata group in Ancylolomia ( Bassi & Trematerra, 2014) . In this complex, however, the lateral extension is always very thin.

The holotype and the female paratype from Zambia of A. oblongissima are barcoded, showing intraspecific distance of 1.27% and distance of 9.36% from Charltona tritonella ( Hampson, 1898) and 7.74% from Charltona plurivittalis Hampson, 1910 . However, the paucity of available barcoded specimens of Ancylolomia and allied genera does not allow a comprehensive DNA comparison, and in the future more molecular markers should be analysed to be conclusive on the relationships to other genera of Ancylolomiini .

Etymology: The generic name is a combination of afro (from Africa) and Charltona , the probably closest genus. The gender of the new genus is feminine.

Description: Medium to large species, with labial palpi rather short (2.5 - 3 x eye diameter in side view), ocelli and chaetosemata poorly developed, narrow forewing with rounded apex and arched termen.

Male genitalia. Uncus slightly longer than gnathos (1.1 x), heavily bulged dorsally and with blunt and wrinkled apex. Gnathos subtriangular, slightly upcurved apically. Tegumen with slender arms, tegumen roof 0.3 of tegumen arm length. Vinculum v-shaped, moderately produced dorsally. Juxta suboval, more or less folded medially. Pseudosaccus a small plate fused with juxta. Valva strongly elongated, tapering towards apex; costal process always developed over cucullus. Phallus stout, 0.6 x valva length, with phallobase downcurved.

Female genitalia. Papillae anales subtriangular, rounded ventrally. Apophyses well developed, roughly the length of papillae anales. Ostium concave, with sclerotized edge. Ductus bursae elongated, sclerotized and bearing a narrow lateral extension. Ductus seminalis originating at the middle of ductus bursae. Corpus bursae oval, wrinkled.

Biology: Unknown.

Distribution: Central Africa and Northern part of Southern Africa.

Figures

Figs 1-8. Habiti. (1) Afroromieuxia bernardlandryi, holotype. (2) A. bernardlandryi, female paratype. (3) A. aarviki, holotype. (4) A. ustjuzhanini, holotype.(5) Ancylolomia prepiella, male, Lesotho. (6) Diploschistis stygiocrena, male, DRC. (7) Afrocharltona oblongissima, holotype. (8) A. katanga, holotype. Scale bars = 10 mm.

Figs 9-15. Habitat and male genitalia. (9) Habitat of Afrocharltona oblongissima (photo G. Bassi, Dec., 2010). (10) A. oblongissima, holotype. (11) A. oblongissima, paratype, Botswana, Maun, uncus and gnathos in lateral view. (12) Afroromieuxia bernardlandryi, holotype. (13) Afrocharltona katanga, holotype. (14) Afroromieuxia bernardlandryi, paratype, uncus, gnathos and costal process in lateral view. (15) Diploschistis stygiocrena, DRC.

Figs 16-20. Habitat and female genitalia. (16) Habitat of Afroromieuxia ustjuzhanini (photo V.Anikin, Jan., 2011). (17) Afrocharltona oblongissima, paratype, Namibia. (18) A. oblongissima, paratype, Zambia. (19), ductus bursae with lateral extension. (20) Afroromieuxia ustjuzhanini, holotype.