Siccia mondika Volynkin, 2025

Volynkin, Anton V., Saldaitis, Aidas & Müller, Günter C., 2025, Eight new species of the genus Siccia Walker from mainland Africa (Lepidoptera: Erebidae: Arctiinae: Lithosiini), Zootaxa 5659 (2), pp. 191-209 : 198-207

Siccia mondika Volynkin , sp. nov.

( Figs 23 , 45, 46 )

Type material. Holotype ( Figs 23 , 45 ): male, “ Republic of Congo 365m | Nouabalé-Ndoki National Park , | Mondika camp | 02°21'50.63''N, 16°16'25.82''E | 27.iv.–6.v.2023, actinic light trap | Dérozier, V., Kirk-Spriggs, A., | László, G., Mvouende, S. leg. | ANHRT:2023.6” / “ANHRTUK | 00380866” / “Slide | AV8705 ♂ | A. Volynkin ” ( ANHRT).

Paratypes: 2 males with same data as in holotype, MV and actinic light traps, gen. slide Nos.: AV8706 ♂, AV8707 ♂ ( ANHRT) .

Note. Belongs to the S. microsticta Hampson, 1914 species-group established by Volynkin (2023).

Diagnosis. The forewing length is 10.5–11.0 mm in males. Siccia mondika sp. nov. ( Fig. 23 ) is superficially very similar to large specimens of the sympatric S. takanoi Volynkin, 2023 and S. micronodula Volynkin, 2023 (illustrated by Volynkin (2023)) and reliable identification requires the examination of the genitalia structures, which are fundamentally different in the new species with its proximal section of the sacculus bearing a dense cluster of spinules whereas it is smooth in S. takanoi and S. micronodula (illustrated by Volynkin (2023)). The male genitalia structure of S. mondika sp. nov. ( Figs 45, 46 ) is most similar to S. ursulae Kühne, 2007 ( Figs 24 (adult), 47) known from western Kenya, from which the new species differs externally in the shorter and broader forewing, the smaller antemedial costal spot, and the lack of the medial and subapical costal spots. The male genital capsule of S. mondika sp. nov. is distinguished from S. ursulae by the medially broader uncus, the broader cucullus, the broader folded proximal section of the sacculus bearing a longer cluster of spines, and the shorter apical spines on the distal saccular process tip. The phallus of the new species is longer than in S. ursulae . The vesica configurations of the two species are similar, but unlike in S. ursulae , S. mondika sp. nov. has more cornuti, which are also longer, and somewhat broader subdistal and distal diverticula.

The female is unknown.

Distribution. Northern Republic of Congo (Nouabalé-Ndoki National Park).

Etymology. The specific epithet is derived from the type locality of the new species, Mondika camp in Nouabalé-Ndoki NP. The name is a noun in the nominative singular in apposition.

Figures

FIGURES 18–26. Adults of Siccia spp. Depositories of the specimens: 18, 19, 21, 22, 25 and 26 in NHMUK; 20 and 23 in ANHRT; 24 in MfN.

FIGURES 45–47. Male genitalia of Siccia spp. Depositories of the specimens dissected: 45 and 46 in ANHRT; 47 in MfN.