Revisiting the taxonomy and molecular systematics of Sesamia stemborers (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae: Apameini: Sesamiina): updated classification and comparative evaluation of species delimitation methods Author Hévin, Noémie M. C. 0000-0003-1730-0010 CBGP, INRAE, IRD, CIRAD, Institut Agro, Univ. Montpellier, Montpellier, France Author Kergoat, Gael J. 0000-0002-8284-6215 CBGP, INRAE, IRD, CIRAD, Institut Agro, Univ. Montpellier, Montpellier, France Author Zilli, Alberto 0000-0002-3416-8069 Institut des Sciences de l’Evolution de Montpellier, CNRS, IRD, EPHE, Université de Montpellier, 34095 Montpellier, France Author Capdevielle-Dulac, Claire Natural History Museum, Life Sciences, DC 2 - 2 N, Cromwell Road, SW 7 5 BD, London, UK Author Musyoka, Boaz K. Laboratoire Evolution Génomes Comportement et Ecologie, UMR CNRS 9191, IRD 247 and Université Paris Sud, Université Paris-Saclay, France Author Sezonlin, Michel Unité de Recherche UMR 247, African Insect Science for Food and Health (icipe), PO Box 30772 - 00100, Nairobi, Kenya Author Conlong, Desmond Département de Zoologie et de Génétique, Faculté des Sciences et Techniques, Université d’Abomey-Calavi, 01 BP 526 Cotonou, Bénin & South African Sugarcane Research Institute, Private Bag X 02, Mount Edgecombe, 4300, Republic of South Africa Author Van Den Berg, Johnnie School of Biological and Conservation Sciences, University of Kwazulu – Natal, Private Bag X 01, Scottsville, Pietermaritzburg, Republic of South Africa Author Ndemah, Rose School of Environmental Sciences and Development, North West University (Potchefstroom Campus), Private Bag X 6001, Potchefstroom, 2520 – Republic of South Africa Author Le Gall, Philippe International Institute of Tropical Agriculture, PO Box 2008 – Messa, Yaoundé, Cameroon Author Cugala, Domingos Eduardo Mondlane University, Faculty of Agronomy and Forestry Engineering, Av. J. Nyerere, Campus Universitario 1, Maputo, Republic of Mozambique Author Nyamukondiwa, Casper 0000-0002-0395-4980 Eduardo Mondlane University, Faculty of Agronomy and Forestry Engineering, Av. J. Nyerere, Campus Universitario 1, Maputo, Republic of Mozambique Author Pallangyo, Beatrice Department of Biology and Biotechnological Sciences, Botswana International University of Science and Technology, Private Bag 16, Palapye, Botswana. E-mail: nyamukondiwac @ biust. ac. bw Author Njaku, Mohamedi Department of Biology and Biotechnological Sciences, Botswana International University of Science and Technology, Private Bag 16, Palapye, Botswana. E-mail: nyamukondiwac @ biust. ac. bw Author Goftishu, Muluken 0000-0002-7194-9470 Biocontrol Program, PO Box 30031, Kibaha, Tanzania Author Assefa, Yoseph School of Plant Sciences, Haramaya University, P. O. Box 138, Diredawa, Ethiopia Author Kandonda, Onésime Mubenga Department of Crop Production, University of Swaziland, Swaziland Author Bani, Grégoire Faculté des Sciences agronomiques, Université de Kisangani, Kisangani, Democratic Republic of the Congo Author Molo, Richard Centre de Recherches Agronomiques de Loudima (CRAL), BP 28 – Loudima, Republic of the Congo Author Chipabika, Gilson Namulonge Agricultural and Animal Production Research Institute (NAARI), PO Box 7084 – Kampala, Uganda Author Ong’amo, George Zambia Agriculture Research Institute, Mount Maluku Central Research Station, PO Box 8 – Chilanga, Zambia Author Clamens, Anne-Laure School of Biological Science, College of Physical and Biological Sciences (Chiromo Campus), University of Nairobi, PO Box 30197, Nairobi, Kenya Author Barbut, Jérôme De ́ partement Syste ́ matique et Evolution, Entomologie, Muse ́ um National d’Histoire Naturelle, Paris, France Author Le Ru, Bruno Natural History Museum, Life Sciences, DC 2 - 2 N, Cromwell Road, SW 7 5 BD, London, UK & Laboratoire Evolution Génomes Comportement et Ecologie, UMR CNRS 9191, IRD 247 and Université Paris Sud, Université Paris-Saclay, France text Arthropod Systematics & amp; Phylogeny 2024 2024-06-13 82 447 501 journal article 298452 10.3897/asp.82.e113140 0dedf555-acec-471d-a197-0a2cfe1a1329 25470FD2-80E2-4849-A9EC-C97FB6514182 Sesamia kamba Le Ru sp. nov. Figures 5 G ; 7 M – P ; 8 D, O ; 9 D ; 10 Type material. Holotype ♂ , KENYA , Eastern Province , Mtito Andei , 02 ° 40 ′ 37 ″ S , 38 ° 11 ′ 43 ″ E , 739 m a. s. l. , V. 2004 , ex larvae in stems of Megathyrsus maximus (Jacq.) B. K. Simon & S, W. L Jacobs , gen. Prep. LE RU Bruno / 417, ( B. Le Ru leg.) ( MNHN ) . — Paratypes : KENYA : nine ♂ , six ♀ , same locality as holotype, V. 2004 – V. 2005 , ex larvae in stems of Megathyrsus maximus (Jacq.) B. K. Simon & S, W. L Jacobs , female gen. Prep. LE RU Bruno / 415, ( B. Le Ru leg.) ( MNHN ) ; five ♂ , seven ♀ , Coast Province , Ukunda , Muhaka , 04 ° 19 ′ 12 ″ S , 39 ° 32 ′ 28 ″ E , 43 m a. s. l., V. 2004 – V. 2005 , ex larvae in stems of Megathyrsus maximus (Jacq.) B. K. Simon & S, W. L Jacobs , ( B. Le Ru leg.) ( MNHN ) ; one ♂ , Coast Province , Ukunda , Muhaka , 04 ° 19 ′ 12 ″ S , 39 ° 32 ′ 28 ″ E , 43 m a. s. l., VI. 2013 , ex light trap , gen. Prep. LE RU Bruno / 572, ( B. Le Ru leg.) ( MNHN ) ; one ♀ , Coast Province , Ukunda , Muhaka , 04 ° 19 ′ 12 ″ S , 39 ° 32 ′ 28 ″ E , 43 m a. s. l., V. 2004 , ex larvae in stems of Hyparrhenia diplandra (Hack.) Stapf , ( B. Le Ru leg.) ( MNHN ) ; one ♂ , one ♀ , Coast Province , Malindi , Sokoke Forest , 03 ° 15 ′ 03 ″ S , 39 ° 52 ′ 06 ″ E , 55 m a. s. l., VII. 2003 , ex larvae in stems of Digitaria milanjiana Stapf. , ( B. Le Ru leg.) ( MNHN ) . Other material. COMORO ISLANDS : two ♂ , Comores, Mohéli , XII. 1955 , ( A. Robinson leg.) ( MNHN ) ; ETHIOPIA : one ♂ , Southern Region , Sodo , Abalama Baraka , 06 ° 34 ′ 17 ″ S , 37 ° 49 ′ 07 ″ E , 1275 m a. s. l., XI. 2004 , ex larvae in stems of Megathyrsus maximus (Jacq.) B. K. Simon & S, W. L Jacobs , ( B. Le Ru leg.) ( MNHN ) ; five ♂ , one ♀ , Oromia Region , Saja , Gibe river , 09 ° 20 ′ 56 ″ S , 37 ° 34 ′ 13 ″ E , 1442 m a. s. l., IX. 2015 , ex larvae in stems of Andropogon sp. , males gen. Prep. LE RU Bruno / 914, females gen. Prep. LE RU Bruno / 923–925, ( B. Le Ru leg.) ( MNHN ) ; KENYA : six ♂ , seven ♀ , Eastern Province , Salama , Kimakiu , 01 ° 46 ′ 57 ″ S , 37 ° 12 ′ 47 ″ E , 1724 m a. s. l., IV. 2011 , ex larvae in stems of Megathyrsus maximus (Jacq.) B. K. Simon & S, W. L Jacobs , ( B. Le Ru leg.) ( MNHN ) ; three ♂ , Nyanza Province , Ruma Park Main gate , 00 ° 38 ′ 17 ″ S , 34 ° 20 ′ 13 ″ E , 1254 m a. s. l., XI. 2012 , ex light trap , ( B. Le Ru leg.) ( MNHN ) ; one ♂ , two ♀ , Coast Province , Kwale , Shimba Hills , 04 ° 08 ′ 51 ″ S , 39 ° 26 ′ 58 ″ E , 417 m a. s. l., V. 2004 , ex larvae in stems of Megathyrsus maximus (Jacq.) B. K. Simon & S, W. L Jacobs , ( B. Le Ru leg.) ( MNHN ) ; three ♂ , three ♀ , Nyanza Province , Kisumu , Kajulu Kadero , 00 ° 01 ′ 47 ″ S , 34 ° 47 ′ 43 ″ E , 1205 m a. s. l., V. 2011 , ex larvae in stems of Megathyrsus maximus (Jacq.) B. K. Simon & S, W. L Jacobs , ( B. Le Ru leg.) ( MNHN ) ; one ♂ , Eastern Province , Mwingi , 00 ° 55 ′ 40 ″ S , 38 ° 05 ′ 40 ″ E , 994 m a. s. l., I. 2005 , ex larvae in stems of Megathyrsus maximus (Jacq.) B. K. Simon & S, W. L Jacobs , ( B. Le Ru leg.) ( MNHN ) ; two ♀ , Eastern Province , Salama , Kima Ranch , 01 ° 53 ′ 15 ″ S , 37 ° 14 ′ 36 ″ E , 1423 m a. s. l., XII. 2010 , ex light trap , ( B. Le Ru leg.) ( MNHN ) ; one ♂ , seven ♀ , Eastern Province , Machakos , Kapiti Ranch , 01 ° 38 ′ 15 ″ S , 37 ° 08 ′ 46 ″ E , 1795 m a. s. l., VI. 2012 , ex light trap , ( B. Le Ru leg.) ( MNHN ) ; one ♀ , Eastern Province , Machakos , Kapiti Plains , 01 ° 38 ′ 12 ″ S , 37 ° 10 ′ 57 ″ E , 1647 m a. s. l., I. 2012 , ex larvae in stems of Hyparrhenia filipendula (Krauss) Stapf , ( B. Le Ru leg.) ( MNHN ) ; one ♂ , one ♀ , Eastern Province , Machakos , Kapiti Plains , 01 ° 38 ′ 12 ″ S , 37 ° 10 ′ 57 ″ E , 1647 m a. s. l., I. 2016 , ex larvae in stems of Megathyrsus maximus (Jacq.) B. K. Simon & S, W. L Jacobs , ( B. Le Ru leg.) ( MNHN ) ; one ♂ , Brit. E. Africa , Sabaki Valley , 94–94, ( Gregory Coll.) ( NHM ) ; one ♂ , B. E. Africa , [ Eastern Province ], Athi ya Mawe , 16. IV. [18] 99, 1900–10, ( C. S, Betton leg.) ( NHM ) ; one ♂ , B. E. Africa , [ Eastern Province ], Athi ya Mawe , 16. iv. [18] 99, 1900–10, ( C. S, Betton leg.), [previously designed as a syntype of Sesamia epunctifera by Hampson (1902) ], ( NHM ) ; one ♂ , [ Nyanza Province ], S, Kavirondo , Suna , IV. 1932 , Rothschild Bequest B. M. 1939-1, Agrotidae genitalia slide No. 1278, ( W. Feather leg.) ( NHM ) ; MOZAMBIQUE : one ♀ , Nampula Province , Milela , 15 ° 44 ′ 45 ″ S , 37 ° 38 ′ 11 ″ E , 480 m a. s. l., III. 2010 , ex larvae in stems of Cenchrus purpureus (Schumach.) Morrone , ( B. Le Ru leg.) ( MNHN ) ; one ♀ , Cabo Delgado Province , Pemba , Megaruma , 13 ° 12 ′ 51 ″ S , 39 ° 51 ′ 57 ″ E , 244 m a. s. l., III. 2010 , ex larvae in stems of Megathyrsus maximus (Jacq.) B. K. Simon & S, W. L Jacobs , ( B. Le Ru leg.) ( MNHN ) ; one ♀ , Nampula Province , Mekuasse River , 14 ° 46 ′ 47 ″ S , 38 ° 22 ′ 32 ″ E , 452 m a. s. l., III. 2010 , ex larvae in stems of Sorghum arundinaceum (Desv.) Stapf , ( B. Le Ru leg.) ( MNHN ) ; two ♂ , Nampula Province , Nivole , 15 ° 00 ′ 45 ″ S , 39 ° 05 ′ 27 ″ E , 479 m a. s. l., III. 2010 , ex larvae in stems of Snowdenia polystachya (Fresen.) Pilg. , ( B. Le Ru leg.) ( MNHN ) ; two ♂ , seven ♀ , Nampula Province , Nivole , 15 ° 00 ′ 45 ″ S , 39 ° 05 ′ 27 ″ E , 479 m a. s. l., III. 2010 , ex larvae in stems of Megathyrsus maximus (Jacq.) B. K. Simon & S, W. L Jacobs , ( B. Le Ru leg.) ( MNHN ) ; five ♂ , Cabo Delgado Province , Nenenda , 11 ° 34 ′ 43 ″ S , 39 ° 47 ′ 00 ″ E , 413 m a. s. l., III. 2010 , ex larvae in stems of Hyparrhenia dregeana Stapf ex Stent , gen. Prep. LE RU Bruno / 18–19, ( B. Le Ru leg.) ( MNHN ) ; one ♂ , Nampula Province , Pharani , 14 ° 56 ′ 34 ″ S , 37 ° 53 ′ 22 ″ E , 584 m a. s. l., III. 2010 , ex larvae in stems of Hyparrhenia dregeana (Nees) Stent , ( B. Le Ru leg.) ( MNHN ) ; four ♂ , Nampula Province , Nakakani , 14 ° 56 ′ 15 ″ S , 38 ° 32 ′ 09 ″ E , 545 m a. s. l., III. 2010 , ex larvae in stems of Setaria parviflora (Poir.) Kerguélen , ( B. Le Ru leg.) ( MNHN ) ; TANZANIA : three ♂ , one ♀ , Mtwara Region , Ndanda , 10 ° 30 ′ 07 ″ S , 39 ° 01 ′ 02 ″ E , 306 m a. s. l., III. 2007 , ex larvae in stems of Megathyrsus maximus (Jacq.) B. K. Simon & S, W. L Jacobs , ( B. Le Ru leg.) ( MNHN ) ; one ♀ , Morogoro Region , Magole , Wami , 06 ° 26 ′ 49 ″ S , 37 ° 31 ′ 53 ″ E , 364 m a. s. l., II. 2008 , ex larvae in stems of Megathyrsus maximus (Jacq.) B. K. Simon & S, W. L Jacobs , ( B. Le Ru leg.) ( MNHN ) ; one ♀ , Morogoro Region , Nane Nane , 06 ° 48 ′ 13 ″ S , 37 ° 41 ′ 38 ″ E , 517 m a. s. l., III. 2009 , ex larvae in stems of Megathyrsus maximus (Jacq.) B. K. Simon & S, W. L Jacobs , ( B. Le Ru leg.) ( MNHN ) ; two ♂ , three ♀ , Pembe Island , Fidel Castro , 05 ° 14 ′ 09 ″ S , 39 ° 48 ′ 37 ″ E , 44 m a. s. l., V. 2008 , ex larvae in stems of Megathyrsus maximus (Jacq.) B. K. Simon & S, W. L Jacobs , ( B. Le Ru leg.) ( MNHN ) ; one ♀ , Pembe Island , Wesha , 05 ° 14 ′ 09 ″ S , 39 ° 48 ′ 37 ″ E , 44 m a. s. l., V. 2008 , ex larvae in stems of Megathyrsus maximus (Jacq.) B. K. Simon & S, W. L Jacobs , ( B. Le Ru leg.) ( MNHN ) ; one ♂ , Pembe Island , Mtwango , 06 ° 10 ′ 36 ″ S , 39 ° 16 ′ 51 ″ E , 15 m a. s. l., V. 2008 , ex larvae in stems of Megathyrsus maximus (Jacq.) B. K. Simon & S, W. L Jacobs , ( B. Le Ru leg.) ( MNHN ) ; one ♂ , Morogoro Region , Mikese , 06 ° 45 ′ 45 ″ S , 37 ° 51 ′ 50 ″ E , 434 m a. s. l., III. 2009 , ex larvae in stems of Megathyrsus maximus (Jacq.) B. K. Simon & S, W. L Jacobs , ( B. Le Ru leg.) ( MNHN ) ; two ♂ , two ♀ , Pembe Island , Kinyakuzi , 04 ° 57 ′ 30 ″ S , 39 ° 45 ′ 49 ″ E , 29 m a. s. l., V. 2008 , ex larvae in stems of Megathyrsus maximus (Jacq.) B. K. Simon & S, W. L Jacobs , ( B. Le Ru leg.) ( MNHN ) ; one ♂ , one ♀ , Pembe Island , Chake Chake , 05 ° 14 ′ 44 ″ S , 39 ° 45 ′ 49 ″ E , 13 m a. s. l., V. 2008 , ex larvae in stems of Megathyrsus maximus (Jacq.) B. K. Simon & S, W. L Jacobs , ( B. Le Ru leg.) [ MNHN ] ; one ♂ , one ♀ , Morogoro Region , Mdokwa , 06 ° 20 ′ 40 ″ S , 38 ° 33 ′ 09 ″ E , 270 m a. s. l., v. 2008 , ex larvae in stems of C. gayana , ( B. Le Ru leg.) [ MNHN ] ; one ♂ , Mtwara Region , Mtumaronga , 10 ° 12 ′ 54 ″ S , 39 ° 29 ′ 49 ″ E , 75 m a. s. l., iii. 2007 , ex larvae in stems of Megathyrsus maximus (Jacq.) B. K. Simon & S, W. L Jacobs , ( B. Le Ru leg.) ( MNHN ) ; one ♂ , one ♀ , Mtwara Region , Masasi , Mkangaula , 10 ° 51 ′ 02 ″ S , 38 ° 37 ′ 27 ″ E , 331 m a. s. l., III. 2007 , ex larvae in stems of Megathyrsus maximus (Jacq.) B. K. Simon & S, W. L Jacobs , ( B. Le Ru leg.) ( MNHN ) ; one ♀ , Iringa Province , Ilula , Kitonga Slope , 07 ° 39 ′ 58 ″ S , 36 ° 09 ′ 52 ″ E , 1097 m a. s. l., XI. 2004 , ex larvae in stems of Megathyrsus maximus (Jacq.) B. K. Simon & S, W. L Jacobs , ( B. Le Ru leg.) ( MNHN ) ; one ♀ , Morogoro Province , Sumbukulu , 07 ° 45 ′ 28 ″ S , 36 ° 55 ′ 17 ″ E , 320 m a. s. l., II. 2010 , ex larvae in stems of Megathyrsus maximus (Jacq.) B. K. Simon & S, W. L Jacobs , ( B. Le Ru leg.) ( MNHN ) ; two ♂ , four ♀ , Pwani Province , Bigwa , 07 ° 13 ′ 55 ″ S , 39 ° 09 ′ 37 ″ E , 120 m a. s. l., III. 2010 , ex larvae in stems of Megathyrsus maximus (Jacq.) B. K. Simon & S, W. L Jacobs , ( B. Le Ru leg.) ( MNHN ) ; two ♂ , Morogoro Province , Mavinga Bridge , 08 ° 19 ′ 14 ″ S , 36 ° 40 ′ 40 ″ E , 300 m a. s. l., II. 2010 , ex larvae in stems of Megathyrsus maximus (Jacq.) B. K. Simon & S, W. L Jacobs , ( B. Le Ru leg.) ( MNHN ) ; one ♂ , one ♀ , Morogoro Province , Kivukoni , 08 ° 12 ′ 51 ″ S , 36 ° 41 ′ 30 ″ E , 280 m a. s. l., II. 2010 , ex larvae in stems of Hyparrhenia schimperi Andersson , ( B. Le Ru leg.) ( MNHN ) ; five ♂ , two ♀ , Morogoro Province , Kivukoni , 08 ° 12 ′ 51 ″ S , 36 ° 41 ′ 30 ″ E , 280 m a. s. l., II. 2010 , ex larvae in stems of Megathyrsus maximus (Jacq.) B. K. Simon & S, W. L Jacobs , ( B. Le Ru leg.) ( MNHN ) ; one ♀ , Manyara Province , Kikwawilo , 04 ° 13 ′ 28 ″ S , 36 ° 43 ′ 52 ″ E , 280 m a. s. l., II. 2010 , ex larvae in stems of Megathyrsus maximus (Jacq.) B. K. Simon & S, W. L Jacobs , ( B. Le Ru leg.) ( MNHN ) ; one ♂ , Morogoro Province , Nyamawala , 08 ° 08 ′ 54 ″ S , 36 ° 25 ′ 02 ″ E , 278 m a. s. l., II. 2010 , ex larvae in stems of Megathyrsus maximus (Jacq.) B. K. Simon & S, W. L Jacobs , ( B. Le Ru leg.) ( MNHN ) ; UGANDA : one ♂ , Kasese District , Mihunga , 00 ° 21 ′ 20 ″ S , 30 ° 01 ′ 32 ″ E , 1756 m a. s. l., V. 2009 , ex larvae in stems of Cenchrus purpureus (Schumach.) Morrone , ( B. Le Ru leg.) ( MNHN ) ; three ♂ , one ♀ , Eastern Region , Ngora District , Kapir , Obur , 01 ° 39 ′ 45 ″ S , 33 ° 45 ′ 57 ″ E , 1051 m a. s. l., V. 2009 , ex larvae in stems of Megathyrsus maximus (Jacq.) B. K. Simon & S, W. L Jacobs , ( B. Le Ru leg.) ( MNHN ) ; one ♀ , Eastern Region , Ngora District , Kapir , Obur , 01 ° 39 ′ 45 ″ S , 33 ° 45 ′ 57 ″ E , 1051 m a. s. l., V. 2009 , ex larvae in stems of Setaria parviflora (Poir.) Kerguélen , ( B. Le Ru leg.) ( MNHN ) ; one ♂ , Eastern Region , Ngora District , Kapir , Obur , 01 ° 39 ′ 45 ″ S , 33 ° 45 ′ 57 ″ E , 1051 m a. s. l., V. 2009 , ex larvae in stems of Chloris gayana Kunth , ( B. Le Ru leg.) ( MNHN ) ; four ♂ , six ♀ , Central Province , Kampala , Nduundu , Quarry , 00 ° 29 ′ 33 ″ N , 32 ° 41 ′ 55 ″ E , 1167 m a. s. l., V. 2009 , ex larvae in stems of Setaria parviflora (Poir.) Kerguélen , ( B. Le Ru leg.) ( MNHN ) ; five ♂ , two ♀ , Central Province , Kampala , Nduundu , Odokomit , 01 ° 44 ′ 53 ″ N , 33 ° 34 ′ 29 ″ E , 1087 m a. s. l., V. 2009 , ex larvae in stems of Megathyrsus maximus (Jacq.) B. K. Simon & S, W. L Jacobs , ( B. Le Ru leg.) ( MNHN ) ; one ♀ , Central Province , Kampala , Nduundu , Mpanga Forest , 00 ° 12 ′ 12 ″ N , 32 ° 18 ′ 21 ″ E , 1285 m a. s. l., IV. 2004 , ex larvae in stems of Megathyrsus maximus (Jacq.) B. K. Simon & S, W. L Jacobs , ( B. Le Ru leg.) ( MNHN ) ; one ♂ , Western Province , Fort Portal , Itojo , 00 ° 50 ′ 33 ″ N , 30 ° 13 ′ 08 ″ E , 1070 m a. s. l., V. 2014 , ex light trap , ( B. Le Ru leg.) ( MNHN ) ; two ♂ , one ♀ , Western Province , Kichwamba , Kanga Bukama , 00 ° 12 ′ 54 ″ S , 30 ° 05 ′ 38 ″ E , 1277 m a. s. l., V. 2014 , ex light trap , male gen. Prep. LE RU Bruno / 708, female gen. Prep. LE RU Bruno / 709, ( B. Le Ru leg.) ( MNHN ) ; one ♂ , [ Eastern Region ], Busora , Mwiri , 20. XII. [19] 37, SES / 167, Agrotidae genitalia slide No. 1235, ( NHM ). Diagnosis. (See also the identification key of incerta subgroup, section 3.4. 2.). This species can be distinguished from the other known members of the incerta subgroup by the combination of the following characters of the male and female genitalia: tegumen with small peniculi; vinculum u-shaped at the outer margin with a large sized saccus, rectangular; sacculus with a narrow and short apical extension, curved inwards, strongly club-shaped; juxta large, the inferior plate shaped like a rounded triangle produced into a sharp point, the sides rounded, the superior plate broad and short, shortly bifid terminally; phallus short and thick; vesica with a small semi-circular flat cornutus; ventrolateral plates of female segment A 8 very large, trapezoidal, the anterior side triangle-shaped, as long as wide; ostium bursae large, funnel-shaped, sclerotized, with pointed tip on each side, ductus bursae with two narrow posterior sclerotized areas, at least 10 times longer than wide. Description. (Fig. 7 M – P ). The general shape of the female forewing is more elongated than that of the male; wing patterns similar in both sexes, but males are generally darker. Also, the ground colour of the forewing is variable from cartridge-buff to dark ochraceous according to the specimens, however most available specimens are rather ochraceous. Antenna ochraceous, serrate in the male, filiform in the female, flagellum adorned dorsally with buff scales in both sexes; palpus brown; eyes dark brown. Head and thorax covered with long light ochraceous hairs. Abdomen buff heavily suffused with fuscous scales. Forelegs light brown, otherwise ochraceous suffused with fuscous scales. Forewing ochraceous suffused with brown and fuscous scales; three more or less distinct dark brown spots, one antemedial, one at apex of cell and one postmedial; a more or less distinct longitudinal fuscous fascia along lower margin of cell, partly within, partly without cell from base of cell to the subterminal line; one subterminal line with brown elongated markings on the veins; outer margin adorned with brown spots between the veins, fringe ochraceous heavily suffused with brown and fuscous scales, basal line of fringe light ochraceous. Hindwing white extensively suffused with fuscous scales over its entire area, veins suffused with brown scales, four more or less visible brown elongated markings on the veins, fringe concolor (white), basal line of fringe buff. Underside of forewing ochraceous, heavily suffused with brown and fuscous scales over its entire area but more heavily in the medial area, fringe ochraceous heavily suffused with fuscous scales, in males; underside of forewing pale ochraceous slightly suffused with brown and fuscous scales, lore heavily in the costa, fringe ochraceous suffused with fuscous scales, in females. Underside of hindwing white suffused with brown scales, particularly in costal and apical areas, outer margin adorned with more or less visible brown spots between the veins, fringe concolor (white). — Forewing length : male 26–33 mm (x ̅ = 29.1 mm , N = 13); female 27–35 mm (x ̅ = 32.5 mm , N = 13). — Male genitalia (Fig. 8 D, O ). Tegumen with small peniculi; vinculum u-shaped at the outer margin and w-shaped at the inner margin without indentation, with a large saccus, rectangular. Valve with sacculus and cucullus separate; costa short and narrow, heavily sclerotized, ending with a stout and short straight spine, with two apical teeth; sacculus heavily sclerotized rounded at base, a narrow and short apical extension, curved inwards, strongly club-shaped, bearing numerous short and stout spines; cucullus longer than sacculus, weakly sclerotized, slightly clavate at apex, with scattered and papillated hairs; juxta large and conical, the inferior plate shaped like a rounded triangle produced into a sharp point, the sides rounded, the superior plate broad and short, shortly bifid terminally; uncus angled and stout at base, narrowed in distal part, pointed at apex, tufted with long hairs on upper side; phallus short and thick, a bit curved in the middle; lamina ventralis with an elongate carinal crest, produced into paired lateral lobes; vesica with a small semi-circular flat cornutus. — Female genitalia (Fig. 9 D ). Apophyses anteriores with spatulate tips; ventrolateral plates of segment A 8 very large, sclerotized, trapezoidal, the anterior side triangle-shaped, as long as wide; ostium bursae large, funnel - shaped, sclerotized, with pointed tip on each side; ductus bursae long and narrow, with two posterior sclerotized areas at least 10 times longer than wide; corpus bursae pyriform, without signa; ovipositor lobes at least 2.2 times longer than wide with dorsal surface bearing numerous short and stout setae, the ventral side of each lobe slightly curved; apophyses posteriores more slender than apophyses anteriores. — L 5 instar larva (Fig. 5 G ). Length 30–35 mm , width 4.0 mm; head smooth, orange brown, prothoracic shield light brown, body with ground colour pearl yellow, pinacula and caudal plate light brown. Young larvae are similar in appearance to mature ones. Etymology. Named after Kamba, the name of the tribe who live in the southern part of the Eastern Province in Kenya ; treated as a noun in apposition. Distribution. Ethiopia , Kenya , Mozambique , Tanzania and Uganda . Known from many localities in different vegetation mosaics (‘ East African coastal Zanzibar-Ihambane’ (Mosaic # 16 a), ‘ Somalia-Masai acacia- Commiphora deciduous bushland and thicket’ (Mosaic # 42), ‘ East African evergreen bushland and secondary acacia wooded grassland’ (Mosaic # 45 )) ( White 1983 ) (Fig. 10 ) belonging to the Congolian, Ethiopian and Zambezian bioregions (sensu Linder et al. 2012 ). Ecology. Larvae were collected from young stems and shoots of 17 host plants (Table S 4) belonging to the following genera: Andropogon L., Cenchrus , Chloris Sw. , Digitaria , Hyparrhenia , Hyperthelia Clayton , Megathyrsus , Panicum , Setaria , Snowdenia C. E. Hubb. , Sorghum Moench and Sporobolus growing in grasslands. It should be noted that 70 % of the larvae were collected on Megathyrsus maximus (1414 larvae reared from this host plant and found in 80 of the 131 collection sites for this species), which suggests that S. kamba shows a preference for this host plant.