Rhynchobombyx gavinfilippone Prozorov, Saldaitis & Müller, 2021

Prozorov, Alexey M., Prozorova, Tatiana A., Mapilanga, Jean Joseph, Volkova, Julia S., Yakovlev, Roman V., Traore, Mohamed M., Saldaitis, Aidas & Müller, Günter C., 2021, Seven new species of Rhynchobombyx Aurivillius, 1909 from Congolian lowland forests (Lepidoptera: Lasiocampidae), Ecologica Montenegrina 49, pp. 35-53 : 39

Rhynchobombyx gavinfilippone Prozorov, Saldaitis & Müller sp. n.

http://zoobank.org/ urn:lsid:zoobank.org:act:44E768CA-284E-4BE3-8B01-4A8A4C1E2D5E

( Figs 12–16 , 48 )

Type material: HOLOTYPE ♂, DRC, [Haut-Uele Prov., Isiro] Uele : Paulis, 1.VIII.1959, genitalia slide GU 2011-167 ( RMCA) . PARATYPES: 3♂♂, data as for holotype but collected in 5.III.1957, 1.VIII.1959, 3.X.1959, genitalia slides GU 2011-154, GU 2011-155, GU 2011-158 ( RMCA) .

Diagnosis. Externally the species resembles Rh. avadomenicarocchio and Rh. anthonychristophereaton but without forewing concavity between CuA 2 and 1A and vesica bears cornutus in male genitalia.

Description. Male habitus ( Figs 12–14 ). Head and thorax orangish, abdomen yellowish. Thorax dorsally bears triangular dark brown spot with pale center. Forewing length: 13–14 mm; wingspan: 28 mm. Wing oval-shaped, apex obtuse, external margin slightly waved. Background color uniform orangish, cilia darker brownish orange. Pattern consists of multiplied dark brown antemedial, postmedial and external crenulate lines, lunules between R 3, R 4, R 5 and M 1; blackish discal dot on R-Cu cell outer margin. Hindwing oval-shaped, external margin rounded, slightly waved. Main color from yellowish to orangish, costal and tornal fields darker brownish orange. Cilia brownish orange. Male genitalia ( Figs 15–16 ). Tegumen band-shaped, bears two short projections with bent, sharpened apexes and covered with chaetae along. Vinculum thin, ventrally widened into cup-like form. Sacculus elongated, finger-shaped with blunt apex. Cucullus tuber-like, covered with chaetae. Juxta a tiny plate fused with aedeagus. Aedeagus cylindrical with uneven dorsal sclerotized field, right by vesica and ventral c-shaped basal spur with nearly pointed apex. Vesica bag-shaped with two chambers: smaller lateral and larger main, both covered with tiny denticles; main one bears claw-like cornutus with medial fossa along it that makes it look like it consists of pair of fused cornuti. Female remains unknown, expected to be bigger and darker than male.

Etymology. The species is named in honour of Gavin Filippone (Pedricktown, New Jersey, USA). Gavin loves and collects insects, he watches programs to expand his knowledge of animals, reptiles and insects.

Distribution. The species is found in DRC, Haut-Uele Province ( Fig. 48 ).

Biology. Adults were collected in August, October and March. The only known habitat is tropical moist broadleaf forests with rare mosaic grassland patches, the elevation is around 800 m above sea-level. The larval foodplant remains unknown.

Figures

Figures 12–14. Males of Rh. gavinfilippone, all DRC, Haut-Uele Prov. 12. Holotype, genitalia slide GU 2011-167 (RMCA). 13. Paratype, genitalia slide GU 2011-155 (RMCA). 14. Paratype, genitalia slide GU 2011-154 (RMCA)

Figures 15–16. Male genitalia of Rh. gavinfilippone, both DRC, Haut-Uele Prov. 15. Holotype, genitalia slide GU 2011-167 (RMCA). 16. Paratype, genitalia slide GU 2011-158 (RMCA).

Figures 47–52. Collecting areas of Rhynchobombyx spp. 47. Congo, Cuvette-Ouest Dept., Odzala-Kakoua Nat. Park, 400–500 m, 0°23’N, 14°50’E. 48. DRC, Haut-Uele Prov., Isiro. 49. DRC, Tshuapa Prov., Lomela River, Gombe- Isongo. 50. DRC, Mai-Ndombe Prov., Ekongo camp, 02°45’23.09”S, 20°18’55.37”E. 51. DRC, Kasaï Prov., NE Ilebo and Kasai River. 52. Angola, Benguela Prov., rd. Londengo–Sumbe, ca. 80 km S Sumbe, 10 km rd. to Bumba, 280 m, 11°47’33.1”S, 14°02’17.4”E. Available from: https://www.google.com/maps/d/edit?mid=1meQVkKsMY8Qvp5cJBC2dwi_clX6l-cOD&usp=sharing [Accessed 10.XII.2021].