Afroracotis, László & Hausmann & Karisch, 2023

László, Gyula M., Hausmann, Axel & Karisch, Timm, 2023, Integrative taxonomic revision of the African taxa of the Racotis Moore, 1887 generic complex (Lepidoptera, Geometridae, Ennominae, Boarmiini), Zootaxa 5308 (1), pp. 1-109 : 13

The Afroracotis squalida species-group

Diagnosis. The members of the species-group represent the largest species of the genus with forewing lengths of 21–30 mm. Further distinctive features of the species-group are the relatively elongate, apically pointed forewing with almost straight termen and the evenly arcuate, smooth hindwing margin allowing unambiguous distinction from the A. angulosa species-group which has a shorter, apically less pointed but more angled forewing with gently arched termen and medially conspicuously angled, slightly scalloped hindwing termen. On the underside of the wings, the species of the A. squalida group display more distinct, darker apical and medio-terminal patches compared to those of the A. angulosa complex. The third abdominal sternite of males bears a small tuft of fine setae, which is found also in the Zebracotis subgen. n., but absent in all other lineages of Afroracotis , while Chorocotis gen. n., described below, also possesses this character. In the male genitalia, the species of the A. squalida group have the ventral margin of the valva concave medially (it is straight, or slightly convex in the A. angulosa lineage), and a more elongate juxta with a distinctive medial constriction, whereas it is short and rounded in the sister group. The vesica configuration of the A. squalida species-group is rather characteristic, defined by the presence of two sack-like, partly scobinated diverticula and a distal cluster of robust, acute cornuti positioned at the base of the vesica ejaculatorius. In the female genitalia, the species of the complex have a longer and narrower ductus bursae with notably more dilated, globular protrusion of the cervix bursae and a considerably larger, more elongate membranous part of the corpus bursae compared to those of the A. angulosa group.

Species content

Afroracotis (Afroracotis) squalida squalida ( Butler, 1878) comb. n.

Afroracotis (Afroracotis) squalida voeltzkowii ( Pagenstecher, 1907) comb. n.

Afroracotis (Afroracotis) squalida thomensis ssp. n.

Afroracotis (Afroracotis) incompletaria incompletaria ( Guenée, 1862) comb. n.

Afroracotis (Afroracotis) incompletaria atrilunaria ( Mabille, 1893) comb. n., stat. n.

Afroracotis (Afroracotis) aliena sp. n.