Ectropa Wallengren, 1863

Taberer, Tabitha R., 2023, Revision of the family Chrysopolomidae Aurivillius, 1895 (Lepidoptera: Zygaenoidea) with the description of three new genera, Bonn zoological Bulletin 72 (1), pp. 1-23 : 8

Ectropa Wallengren, 1863

Figs 4 , 24

Wiener entomologische Monatschrift 7 (5): 141–142.

Type species. ancilis Wallengren, 1863 (by monotypy)

Holotype. ♂.

Type locality. Caffraria orientali [ South Africa] ( SNHM).

Genus re-description. Small size. Antennae bipectinate, pale beige or golden. Ground colour of head, thorax, abdomen and wings golden-brown or greyish-beige speckled with very small dark brown scales. Forewing broad with scalloped margin angularly produced at vein M3; postmedial line irregularly curved, dark brown or grey; small dark brown or grey discal spot. Distal margin dark brown or dark grey; fringe long, same as ground colour, cilia black in distal quarter. Hindwing scalloped, same colour as forewing, with dark brown or grey postmedial line protruding between veins M2 and Cu1; sometimes with very faint brown discal marking; distal margin dark brown or grey, fringe long, same as ground colour cilia black in distal quarter. Underside. Ground colour and legs golden or greyish-beige; hindtibia with two pairs of spurs. Both wings golden brown or greyish-beige but slightly paler than upperside, postmedial lines of both fore- and hindwings visible; forewing discal spot dark brown, hindwing also with brown discal spot. Male genitalia. Single posterior process of transtilla triangular, rounded apically; paired anterior processes of transtilla narrow, relatively short and completely separated. Valve wide at base and then constricted into a hook, curving dorsally in distal portion. Juxta flat, rectangular. Phallus short, narrow, medially curved.

Diagnosis. Ectropa species can be separated from allied taxa based on the scalloped margin of both wings which are strongly produced and angled at vein M3. Within the male genitalia, the combination of the triangular and apically rounded posterior process of the transtilla, the constricted dorsally curved valve and the medially curved phallus are diagnostic for species in this genus.

Distribution. The genus has a disjunct distribution, one species known from South Africa and the other from Tanzania.

Species content E. ancilis Wallengren, 1863 E. adam Kurshakov & Zolotuhin, 2013

Figures

Figs 4–10. Adults.4. Ectropa ancilis, South Africa (NHMUK). 5. Muscectropa alberici, Ivory Coast (ANHRT). 6. Ectropona dargei, Tanzania (ZSM). 7. Pseudectropona revelii, Liberia (ANHRT). 8. Chrysectropa roseofascia, Ivory Coast (ANHRT). 9. Chrysopolomides nivea, Sierra Leone (ANHRT). 10. Vietteopoloma madagascariensis, Madagascar (MNHN).

Figs 24–28. Male genitalia (a = clasping apparatus; b = phallus). 24. Ectropa ancilis, South Africa, genitalia slide No. TT 216 (ANHRT). 25. Muscectropa alberici, Ivory Coast, genitalia slide No. TT 214 (ANHRT). 26. Ectropona dargei, Tanzania, genitalia slide No. ZSM Sp. 1596 (ZSM). 27. Pseudectropona revelli, Liberia, genitalia slide No. TT 213 (ANHRT). 28. Vietteopoloma madagascariensis, Madagascar, genitalia slide No. TT 218 (MNHN).