Palaeugoa laszloi, Volynkin, 2024

Volynkin, Anton V., 2024, The genus Palaeugoa Durante in Nouabalé-Ndoki National Park, Republic of Congo, with descriptions of two new species (Lepidoptera: Erebidae: Arctiinae: Lithosiini), Ecologica Montenegrina 73, pp. 377-390 : 384-386

Palaeugoa laszloi sp. n.

https://zoobank.org/ urn:lsid:zoobank.org:act:D5839151-907D-4A95-833C-C1336E924307

( Figs 13, 14 , 25, 26 )

Type material. Holotype ( Figs 13 , 25 ): male, “ Republic of Congo 365m | Nouabalé- Ndoki National Park , | Mondika camp | 02°21'50.63''N, 16°16'25.82''E | 27.iv.–06.v.2023, MV light trap | Dérozier, V., Kirk-Spriggs, A., | László, G., Mvouende, S. leg. | ANHRT:2023.6” / “ANHRTUK | 00322627” / “Slide | AV8536 ♂ | A. Volynkin ” ( ANHRT).

Paratypes (5 males, all in ANHRT). REPUBLIC OF CONGO : 3 males, same data as holotype, MV and actinic light traps, gen. prep. No.: AV8535; 1 male, 372m, Nouabalé- Ndoki National Park , Mbeli camp, 02°14'23.8''N, 16°23'52.1''E, 14–20.ii.2023, actinic light trap, Bakala, N., Dérozier, V., Kirk-Spriggs, A., László, G. leg. ; 1 male, 370m, Sangha Prov. , Nouabalé- Ndoki National Park, Mbeli camp (moist mixed forest), 02°12'48.5''N, 16°23'45.6''E, 25.vi.2022, MV light trap, Dérozier , V . leg.

Diagnosis. The forewing length is 8.5–9.5 mm in males. Palaeugoa laszloi sp. n. ( Figs 13, 14 ) externally differs from similar species ( Figs 15–20 ) in the reduced medial spot at the anal margin of the forewing. Additionally, compared to the sympatric P. ndoki sp. n. ( Figs 16–18 ), the new species has a remarkably paler hindwing. The male genitalia structure of P. laszloi sp. n. ( Figs 25, 26 ) is most similar to P. peregrina ( Figs 27, 28 ) known from Uganda and Rwanda but, unlike the latter, the genital capsule of the new species has a longer and broader distal section of the valva, a less prominent collis, a reduced inner costal crest, a broader medial saccular process, and more robust spinulose scobination on the dorsal side of the anellus. The phallus of P. laszloi sp. n. is distally broader than in P. peregrina and has a longer and broader ventral carinal crest, and a distally tapered dorsal serrulate carinal crest, which is distally dilated in the congener. In the vesica structure, the new species differs from P. peregrina in the longer spinulose cluster of the subbasal dorsal diverticulum extending into the vesica base laterally, the narrower medial diverticulum bearing a cluster of more robust spinulose scobination, and the shorter ventral diverticulum lacking the cluster of spinules.

The female is unknown.

Distribution. Currently only known from northeastern Republic of Congo.

Etymology. The new species is named after Dr Gyula M. László, Collections Manager, ANHRT, an expert of the subfamilies Nolinae and Thyatirinae, and the family Geometridae , and one of the collectors of the holotype and the majority of paratypes. The name is a noun in the genitive case.

Figures

Figures 13–20. Palaeugoa spp.: adults. Depositories of the specimens: 13, 14, 16–18, and 20 in ANHRT; 15 in MfN; 19 in NHMUK (©The Trustees of NHMUK).

Figures 25–28. Palaeugoa spp.: male genitalia. Depositories of the specimens dissected: 25 and 26 in ANHRT; 27 in MfN; 28 in NHMUK (©The Trustees of NHMUK).