Afrasura larseni, Volynkin & Saldaitis, 2021

Volynkin, Anton V. & Saldaitis, Aidas, 2021, Afrasura larseni, a new species from South Africa (Lepidoptera: Erebidae: Arctiinae: Lithosiini), Ecologica Montenegrina 46, pp. 120-124 : 121-122

Afrasura larseni sp. n.

http://zoobank.org/ urn:lsid:zoobank.org:act:7F57675A-A1DD-41FC-A4E2-BB236FC56572

( Figs 1, 2 , 7 )

Type material. Holotype: male ( Figs 1 , 7 ), [Republic of South Africa] “ RSA, South Africa, Kwazulu- Natal , Karkloof , Rockwood Forest Lodge, h- 1290m, 26–29.ii.2020. Knud Larsen leg.” / “Slide AV6480 ♂ A. Volynkin ” ( WIGJ).

Paratype: male, [ Republic of South Africa, KwaZulu-Natal Province] Hilton, Natal , 17.iii.1967, J.S. Taylor / Brit. Mus. 1967 370, unique number: NHMUK 010318318 , gen. prep. No.: NHMUK010313970 (prepared by Volynkin) ( NHMUK).

Diagnosis. Afrasura larseni sp. n. ( Figs 1, 2 ) is externally reminiscent of nominotypical A. rivulosa (Walker, 1854) ( Figs 3, 4 ) also distributed in KwaZulu-Natal Province but distinguished by the somewhat more diffuse forewing markings and the shorter dentation of the postmedial line. Additionally, the new species differs from most specimens of A. rivulosa in its somewhat larger size and wider forewing. The male genital capsule of A. larseni sp. n. ( Fig. 7 ) differs from A. rivulosa ( Fig. 8 ) in the longer and thinner uncus, the narrower and apically pointed saccus, the considerably longer valva with a dorsal margin having a submedial protrusion (the dorsal margin is almost straight in A. rivulosa ) and an elongate and narrow distal saccular process which is short and wide in the congener. The male genital capsule of the new species is most similar to the externally rather dissimilar A. tanzaniae Volynkin, 2019 ( Figs 5, 6 , 9 ) but is distinguished by the Vshaped saccus (it is more or less U-shaped in A. tanzaniae ), the presence of a submedial protrusion of the dorsal margin of the valva and the wider apical section of the valva. Additionally, the uncus of A. larseni sp. n. has a thinner apical section than in A. tanzaniae . The phallus of the new species is markedly narrower than in A. rivulosa and A. tanzaniae . The vesica of A. larseni sp. n. is considerably shorter and narrower than in A. rivulosa , bearing a shorter and thinner cornutus, smaller subbasal diverticula and lacks medial and distal diverticula. Compared to that of A. tanzaniae , the vesica of the new species is shorter and narrower, and lacks a large subbasal ventral diverticulum bearing a cluster of numerous spinules. Additionally, the cornutus is somewhat shorter and markedly thinner in the new species.

Description. External morphology of male adults ( Figs 1, 2 ). Forewing length 9.5 mm. Antenna ciliate. Body deep yellow. Forewing wide, triangular with smoothly convex costal margin and rounded apex. Forewing ground colour deep yellow. Forewing markings brown. Subbasal spot small, more or less round. Subbasal line sinuous, indistinct, interrupted on veins. Antemedial line zigzagged between costa and cell and sinuous between cell and anal margin. Medial line irregularly zigzagged, diffuse, disappearing at costal margin. Distal spot semilunar, small, diffuse. Postmedial line irregularly dentate on veins, curved outwards between R and Cu2 veins. Postmedial line smoothly curved along outer wing margin, interrupted into elliptical spots of various sizes on veins, disappearing at costal margin. Cilia monotonous deep yellow. Hindwing monotonous deep yellow without markings. Male genitalia ( Fig. 7 ). Uncus long and slender with curved distal half, distally tapered and apically pointed. Arms of tegumen fused in posterior half. Vinculum shorter than tegumen, with V-shaped saccus. Valva longer than tegumen, dilated medially, with dorsal margin having submedial protrusion, and wide and rounded apex. Sacculus moderately broad, weakly setose. Basal section of distal saccular process triangular; distal section produced forming a finger-like process bearing tiny spine apically. Juxta short, trapezoid with rounded corners. Aedeagus tubular, dilated proximally and distally. Vesica curved and directed dorsally, with two short, membranous subbasal diverticula ventrally and laterally, broad cluster of granulation medio-dorsally, and robust thorn-like cornutus distally. Basal section of vesica ejaculatorius weakly setose.

Female unknown.

Distribution. The species is known only from KwaZulu Natal Province of the Republic of South Africa.

Etymology. The new species is dedicated to Dr Knud Larsen (Dyssegård, Denmark), expert in Tortricidae taxonomy and collector of the holotype.

Figures

Figures 1–6. Afrasura spp.: adults. Depositories of the specimens: 1 in WIGJ; 2–4 in NHMUK (©The Trustees of NHMUK); 5 and 6 in ZSM.

Figures 7–9. Afrasura spp.: male genitalia. Depositories of the specimens dissected: 7 in WIGJ; 8 in NHMUK (©The Trustees of NHMUK); 9 in ZSM.