Revision of the Afrotropical species of Asura Walker, 1854 (Lepidoptera: Arctiidae, Lithosiinae), with the description of a new genus
Author
Durante, Antonio
text
Zootaxa
2009
2280
27
52
journal article
10.5281/zenodo.275270
b318026b-73cf-4c8e-bc1b-ba2efc0f3603
1175-5326
275270
Afrasura hyporhoda
(
Hampson, 1900
)
comb. n.
(Figs. 17, 18, 51)
Asura hyporhoda
Hampson, 1900
, Cat. Lep. Phal. B. M. II: 453.
Type
locality
.
Sierra Leone
(
holotype
3 in
BMNH
, abdomen not dissected).
Distribution.
Sierra Leone
.
Kenya
.
Material examined.
Sierra Leone
:
holotype
3 in
BMNH
.
Cameroun
:
ƤƤ
Arct. g.sl. 5754
BMNH
, Arct. g.sl. 5886
BMNH
.
Uganda
: 3 Arct. g.sl. n. 5736
BMNH
, Ƥ Arct. g.sl. 5856
BMNH
.
Kenya
: 3 Arct. g.sl. n. 5885
BMNH
. Herein, specimens 5736, 5856 and 5886 are classified as
hieroglyphica
; 5754 is classified as
obliterata
.
Diagnosis.
The forewing of this species has large bands, with the two basal bands fused together. Because of the variability of the bands, it is not possible to fully differentiate
hyporhoda
from
hieroglyphica
. The coremata are, however, large and double-sac shaped in
hieroglyphica
, unpaired and not deep in
hyporhoda
. The distal end of ala valvae is C-shaped in
hieroglyphica
, but long and pointed in
hyporhoda
.
Description.
The coremata (
Fig. 51
C) are on the cephalic margin of A8 sternum, unpaired, not deep and large (about half length of VIII sternum). Genitalia with long and slender uncus, bent caudally, ending in a point; tegumen slender; vinculum with saccus of medium length. Anellus completely sclerotized: ventrally by a hemispheric juxta, laterally by large sclerotizations (as large as long; valvellae), dorsally by a thin fingerlike sclerotization, that protrudes on the manica penis. Plicae centripetalis of basis valvae joined to form transtilla, reinforcing dorsal region of the anellus. Valvar costa with characteristic undulation; distal process of supravalva ventrally membranous and with roundish ending, dorsally slightly sclerotized and pointed; distal process of ala valvae longer, well sclerotized, slender, slightly bent inwards with a pointed end. Aedeagus tubular; coecum with a median concavity; vesica with three clusters of minute thorns, of which two clusters are expanded and the third compact; cornutus strong.