ZooKeys 122: 45–69, doi: 10.3897/zookeys.122.1213
Cossidae of the Socotra Archipelago (Yemen)
Robert Borth1,†, Povilas Ivinskis2,‡, Aidas Saldaitis2,§, Roman Yakovlev3,|
1 LepBio, LLC
2 Nature Research Centre, Akademijos 2, LT–08412 Vilnius-21, Lithuania
3 Altai State University, Lenina 61, Barnaul, 656049, Russia

Corresponding author: Povilas Ivinskis (ivinskis@ekoi.lt).

Academic editor: Niklas Wahlberg

received 8 March 2011 | accepted 18 July 2011 | Published 11 August 2011


(C) 2011 Robert Borth. This is an open access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original author and source are credited.


For reference, use of the paginated PDF or printed version of this article is recommended.

Abstract

The faunistic composition of the family Cossidae (Lepidoptera) of the Socotra Archipelago is revised. Five species are recognized, including two new species (Mormogystia brandstetteri and Meharia hackeri), and dubious identifications and records are discussed. Adults and genitalia are illustrated and bionomic details, DNA barcodes and a synonymic checklist for Socotran cossids are provided. A review of their distribution reveals that at least 80 percent of Socotra’s cossids are unique to the archipelago, which is renowned for its endemism. A checklist listing all the species from generas Meharia, Mormogystia, Aethalopteryx, Azygophleps, as well as the synonymy and distribution is provided.

Keywords

Lepidoptera, Cossidae, Meharia, Mormogystia, Aethalopteryx, Azygophleps, new species, Socotra, Yemen

Introduction

This paper results from a collaborative project “The Lepidoptera of Socotra Islands/Yemen – an integrative study of the fauna for reconstruction of evolutionary scenarios and for determination of conservation needs”, between the Zoologische Staatssammlung, (München, Germany), the Nature Research Centre (Vilnius, Lithuania) and Museum of Socotra Archipelago Conservation & Development Programme (Hadibo, Socotra, Yemen).

Socotra, which lies 240 km east of the Horn of Africa and 380 km south of the Arabian Peninsula, is a well-known source of material for biogeography and evolution studies – a living laboratory with a high degree of endemism. It was explored by both English (described by Hampson 1899) and Austrian (described by Rebel 1907) natural history expeditions just before the turn of the 20th century, but it remained effectively inaccessible during the 1900s due to its geographic isolation, extreme natural conditions and military concerns. Wranik’s 1999 summary of existing natural history knowledge addressed Lepidoptera conservation issues of the Socotra Archipelago, but was based primarily on information gained during those earlier expeditions. Collaboration of one of us (AS) with the SCDP, collecting from late February to early March and November 2008, March 2009 and January provided new data contributing to the understanding of Socotra’s Cossidae fauna.

The Socotra Archipelago consists of four islands with Socotra (130 kilometres in length and 30–40 kilometres in width) accounting for 95% of the archipelago’s land mass. Socotra, regarded as one of the most alien looking places on earth, has three main geographical features: (1) narrow coastal plains, (2) a limestone plateau extending across most of the island with karst caves, deep valleys and steep escarpments from 300 to 700 m, and (3) the Haghier Mountains in the centre of the island, which rise to 1, 519 m (Miller and Cope 1996)

Socotra is a tropical desert with average highs between 27oC and 34oC and annual rainfall of only 130–170 mm. Rain is more intense in the higher mountains, which form the most important watershed and where many periodical watercourses run to the north and south. Permanent springs can also be found there, especially on the northern side. Otherwise, springs and streams are sporadic relying on rainfall. Climate conditions, rainfalls and major wind systems are dominated by seasonal monsoons of the Indian Ocean with most rain occurring during the Northern Hemisphere winter. The monsoon season causes strong winds and high seas, which cut off the island completely during the time of the southwest monsoon from May to September (Miller and Cope 1996, Wranik 1999).

The Socotra Archipelago is thought to have been part of the Gondwana supercontinent before it detached during the Miocene. In Tertiary times, Socotra was separated as part of a fault block from the African-Arabic tectonic plate and was formed coincident with the Gulf of Aden. As a result of its extremely long isolation, Socotra is of major biogeographical interest and more than one third of all its plants and possibly animals are found nowhere else. Botanists rank Socotra’s flora, including the extraordinary dragon´s blood tree Dracaena cinnabari, to be among the most important and endangered island floras of the world. It is generally suggested that the endemic plants and animals are relicts and descendants of ancient flora and fauna, which have survived since the Mesozoic era (Miller and Cope 1996, Wranik 1999).

Socotra Archipelago fauna is composed of tropical-subtropical arboreal and eremic elements derived from African, Asian or south-Arabian and endemic origins (Wranik 1999). No comprehensive investigations of the insular fauna of Socotra are available and ambiguous taxonomic definitions have repressed faunistic analysis and development of species checklists. Wranik (1999) examined a limited number of groups including Odonata in which only one of 20 species is endemic and Saltatoria where over half of about 50 species are endemic. Wranik found Tenebrionidae to have the highest level of endemism: most of about 30 species are endemic, indicating a Somalarabic relationship, while others are may be relicts from a more ancient fauna already extinct on the mainland.

About 250 species of Lepidoptera are currently reported from Socotra in the literature including 30 species of Rhopalocera(Hacker 1999), 89 Noctuidae (Hacker and Saldaitis 2010), over 40 Pyralidae(Hacker 1999), 28 Geometridae (Hausmann 2009) and others from less studied groups. Rebel (1907) suggested that 1/3 of the Lepidoptera fauna of the Socotra Archipelago was endemic, with a dominance of Afrotropical relationships.

We present five Cossidae species from Socotra, excluding Eremocossus proleuca (Hampson, 1896) and Azygophleps inclusa (Walker, 1856) which were mistakenly attributed to Socotra by Hampson (1903), Rebel (1907) and Hacker (1999). Eremocossus proleuca which was erroneously synonymized by Wiltshire (1980) as Eremocossus reibellii (Oberthür, 1876) does not occur on Socotra but was probably confused with one of the two new Cossidae species described in this paper. Azygophleps inclusa is distributed only in tropical Africa and differs from the similar Azygophleps larseni which is distributed in the Arabian peninsula and Socotra island.

Materials and methods

Material was collected in February through early March and November 2008, March 2009 and January 2010 using artificial light.

DNA barcodes (658 base pairs of Cytochrome Oxidase Subunit I 5’ region, (COI-5P) were sequenced by Paul Hebert’s laboratory at the University of Guelph for 15 Cossidae specimens.

Abbreviations

LT locus typus (type locality)

Abbreviations of depositories

ASV private collection of Aidas Saldaitis (Vilnius, Lithuania)

BMNH Natural History Museum (London, UK)

JBW private collection of Johann Brandstetter (Winhöring/Kronberg, Germany)

LLE private collection of Lutz Lehmann (Eisenhüttenstadt, Germany)

MNHN Muséum National d’Histoire Naturelle (Paris, France)

MWM/ZSM Museum Thomas Witt (Munich, Germany)/Zoologische Staatssammlung, München (Germany)

NRCV Nature Research Centre (Vilnius, Lithuania)

RYB private collection of Roman Yakovlev (Barnaul, Russia)

SCDP Museum of Socotra Archipelago Conservation & Development Programme

Systematic accounts
Genus Mormogystia Schoorl, 1990

http://species-id.net/wiki/Mormogystia

Mormogystia Schoorl, 1990, Zool. Verhandelingen 263: 75–78. Type species – Cossus reibellii Oberthür, 1876.
Diagnosis.

Mormogystia is distinguished from all other Cossidae genus by having large silvery areas on the forewing.

Description.

Medium sized, brightly coloured moths. Male antennae bipectinate with very short processes; female antennal pecten much reduced. Large silvery areas on the forewing forming fasciae make this the only Cossidae genus to have such a high contrast pattern. Hindwings are uniform.

Male genitalia. Uncus elongate, with tapering or rounded broad apex; arms of gnathos short, fused to form a medium-size gnathos densely covered with small spines; valvae shovel-shaped, with pronounced sacculus and a large triangular costal projection; transtilla projections short, thick and uncinate; juxta saddle-shaped, with long lateral projections directed upwards; saccus massive, semicircular; aedeagus short, straight, thick; vesica opening located dorsoapically, its edges with short, spiny processes; vesica without cornutus.

Female genitalia. Short oviductus; papillae anales wide, elliptic; apophyses posteriores ⅓ longer than apophyses anteriores; ostium broad, covered with falciform postvaginal plate; ductus wide, sclerotised; bursa membranous, sack-shaped, without signa.

Remarks.

This small genus includes four species distributed in north Africa, Levante, Arabian peninsula and Kenya (Yakovlev 2011 ).

Mormogystia brandstetteri Saldaitis, Ivinskis & Yakovlev sp. n.

urn:lsid:zoobank.org:act:48E8D1AE-EAD6-4DBD-AA0A-AC40BB375524

http://species-id.net/wiki/Mormogystia_brandstetteri

Figs 1, 2, 21, 27
Type material.

Holotype ♂ (Fig. 1), central part of Socotra Island, Diksam loc., 14 January 2010, leg. A. Saldaitis (deposited in MWM/ZSM; slide No. BJ 1524). Paratypes: 77 ♂ and ♀ (Fig. 2), with same labels as holotype; Socotra Archipelago, Samha Island W., N 12°09', E 052°59', 23–24 February 2008, leg. A. Saldaitis; Socotra Archipelago, Abd al Kuri Island, Towanie vill. env., N 12°10', E 052°13', 25–27 February 2008, leg. A. Saldaitis; Socotra Island, Di Hamri loc., 1 March 2008, leg. Saldaitis; Socotra Island, Di Hamri loc., 20–21 November 2008, leg. Saldaitiene & Saldaitis; Socotra Island, hills near Hadibu, 21 March 2009, leg. A. Saldaitis; Socotra Island, Diksam canyon, 23 March 2009, leg. A. Saldaitis; W Socotra, Shuab, coast line, mangroves, 24 March 2009, leg. A. Saldaitis; N Socotra Island, Ayhft valley, 22 November 2008, leg. A. Saldaitis; S Socotra Island, Wadi Difarroha South side, 15 January 2010, leg. A. Saldaitis; N Socotra Island, Ayhft valley, 12 January 2010, leg. A. Saldaitis; N Socotra Island, Wadi Kam, 13 January 2010, leg. A. Saldaitis; N Socotra Island, top of Ayhft valley, 17 January 2010, leg. A. Saldaitis; E Socotra Island, sand dunes near Irisseyl loc., 18 January 2010, leg. A. Saldaitis; NE Socotra Island, Wadi Difarroha, North side, 19 January 2010, leg. A. Saldaitis (coll. ASV; JBW; LLE; MWM/ZSM; NRCV; RYB). Slide No. BJ 1532 (female).

Figures 1–6.

Mormogystia spp., adults. 1 Mormogystia brandstetteri, male, holotype, Yemen, Socotra (MWM/ZSM) 2 Mormogystia brandstetteri, female, paratype, Yemen, Socotra (ASV) 3 Mormogystia proleuca, male, S.Oman, Dhofar (ASV) 4 Mormogystia proleuca, female, S.Oman, Dhofar (ASV) 5 Mormogystia reibellii, male, Algeria, Tassili Mts. (ASV) 6 Mormogystia equatorialis, male, holotype, Kenya (MNHN);

Diagnosis.

The new species differs from the related species Mormogystia reibellii (Oberthür, 1876) (Fig. 5), Mormogystia proleuca (Hampson in Walsingham et Hampson, 1896) (Figs 3, 4) and Mormogystia equatorialis (Le Cerf 1933) (Fig. 6) in external appearance, genitalia, DNA and distribution. The new species has a larger wingspan than its congeners: Mormogystia brandstetteri sp. n. 33–35 mm, Mormogystia reibellii 27–31 mm, Mormogystia proleuca 25–29 mm, Mormogystia equatorialis 26 mm. All species of the genus Mormogystia have a similar forewing pattern, but the ground colour of the new species is black as opposed to light ochre, light brown and brown, respectively, for Mormogystia reibellii, Mormogystia proleuca and Mormogystia equatorialis. The head, thorax and abdomen of Mormogystia brandstetteri are intense grey compared to light yellow in Mormogystia reibellii andlight yellow and white in Mormogystia proleuca and Mormogystia equatorialis. Unlike the other species Mormogystia brandstetteri has a black costal spot on the ventral hindwing; in Mormogystia reibellii (Figs 23, 24)and Mormogystia proleuca (Fig. 22) uncus apically tapering, strongly sclerotised valvae not widening and not forming a straight angle; in Mormogystia brandstetteri uncus broad, apex of valvae form a straight angle; in Mormogystia reibellii and Mormogystia proleuca saccus rounded, apically without denticle, whereas in the new species saccus pointed, apically with a denticle; Mormogystia proleuca aedeagus at the basal end markedly narrowing, gradually widening towards apex; Mormogystia reibellii aedeagus of the same width from its middle to apex; in Mormogystia brandstetteri aedeagus widening at proximal end, gradually tapering towards apex. In the most closely related species, Mormogystia proleuca, the bursa is apically broader than basally (Fig. 28) unlike in the new species where the corpus bursae is significantly broader.

Distribution.

Mormogystia brandstetteri is endemic to the Socotra Archipelago while Mormogystia reibellii is distributed in North Africa and the northern part of the Arabian peninsula, Mormogystia proleuca is found in the southern part of the peninsula, and Mormogystia equatorialis is widespread in Kenya. Hampson (1903) and Rebel (1907) believed Mormogystia proleuca to be endemic to the Socotra Archipelago and later Hacker (1999) reported Mormogystia reibellii from Socotra, but the new species described herein was probably implied.

Molecular Analysis.

While molecular results alone are insufficient to definitively separate Mormogystia brandstetteri from Mormogystia proleuca, they help corroborate the morphological evidence. Evolutionary distances using the Kimura two-parameter model for comparing four specimens of Mormogystia brandstetteri to four Mormogystia proleuca and to three Mormogystia reibellii specimens, was at least 1.55% and 5.65%, respectively.

Description.

Male: Forewing costal margin length of holotype 15 mm, wingspan 33 mm; mean forewing length of paratypes 16 mm, wingspan 35 mm; head, thorax, abdomen and tegulae grey; antennae bipectinate, ½ the length of forewing; ground colour of forewing black, with white silvery pattern. Three white silvery patches form the pattern: fascia of even width runs along the entire costal margin, median fascia widening medially reaches the outer margin of forewing; lower silver patch originates at basal edge and extends along dorsal wing margin to middle. This patch enclosed by ground colour; adterminal line white; fringe grey. Dorsal surface of forewing greyish-white; costal, outer and dorsal margins greyish-black. Hindwing uniform, white, with greyish black spot at costal margin. Female (Fig. 2): Forewing length of allotype 23 mm, wingspan 48 mm; antennae filiform; wing pattern as in males. Intraspecific variation. Adterminal line in some specimens missing; contours of silvery spots forming the pattern vary; hindwings grey.

Male genitalia (Fig. 21). Uncus broad, slightly narrower than its length; apex wide, slightly rounded; arms of gnathos long and strong; gnathos very broad, with rounded apex; apex of saccus gradually tapering, with a pointed denticle; valvae symmetrical, with straight margins, gradually widening apically; costal margin with strong and wide sclerotisation; apex flat; arms of transtilla medium sized, strong, denticle-shaped; juxta large, strongly sclerotised, belt-shaped with a small indentation apically and a conspicuous boat-shaped margin at the basal area; aedeagus strong, straight, large, widening at the proximal end; vesica simple, wide, without cornuti.

Female genitalia (Fig. 28). Papilla analis narrow, covered with short, thin setae; apophysis posterioris 1.4 times longer than apophysis anterioris; antevaginal plate belt-shaped, pointed at the ends; ductus bursae sclerotised; corpus bursae shaped like a long narrow sac, not sclerotised; signa absent.

Bionomics and distribution.

Both males and females of the new species were strongly attracted to light and were distributed in almost all habitats of Socotra Island as well as the smaller islands of the archipelago – Samha and Abd al Kuri. Acacia is a likely food plant for Mormogystia brandstetteri as larvae of the closely allied species Mormogystia proleuca feed on Acacia [Hampson, 1896]. Also, the new species is especially abundant in the central part of the island, in deeper canyons or rich oasis-like valleys where forests haven’t been cut for fuel like elsewhere on the island. Diksam canyon (Fig. 30), a prime locality for Mormogystia brandstetteri, contains the following plants: Acacia pennivenia, Jatropha unicostata, Lycium socotranum, Gnidia socotrana, Buxus hildebrandtii, Croton socotranus, Leucas virgata, Cissus hamaderohensis, Punica protopunica, Ficus vasta, Euphorbia socotrana, Jathropha unicostata, Lycium socotranum, Gnidia socotrana, Buxus hildebrandtii, Trichocalyx sp., Mitolepis intricata, Ballochia spp., Aloe perryi, Adenium obesum, Asparagus africanus, Seddera fastigiata, Aerva lanata, Rhinacanthus scoparius, Levandula nimmoi, Ocimum forskahlei, Cissus hamaderohensis (Miller and Cope 1996). Mormogystia brandstetteri flies with several other Socotra Archipelago endemic moths such as Meharia yakovlevi Saldaitis & Ivinskis, 2010, Aethalopteryx diksami Yakovlev & Saldaitis, 2010, (Cossidae), Pelosia sokotrensis (Hampson, 1900), Siccia butvilai Saldaitis & Ivinskis, 2008, (Arctiidae), Cerocala socotrensis Hampson, 1899, Agrotis brachypecten Hampson, 1899, Leucania diopsis Hampson, 1905 and Mythimna sokotrensis Hreblay, 1996 (Noctuidae).

Etymology.

The new species is dedicated to our good friend Johann Brandstetter, an eminent German painter and entomologist.

Genus Meharia Chrétien, 1915

http://species-id.net/wiki/Meharia

Meharia Chrétien, 1915, Ann. Soc. Ent. Fr. 84: 367. Type – species: Meharia incurvariella Chrétien, 1915.
Synonymy: Blalia Rungs, 1943; Rungs, [1943], 1942, Bull. Soc. Sc. Nat. Maroc. 22: 174. Type species – Blalia vittata Rungs, [1943].
Diagnosis.

Meharia is distinguished from all other Cossidae genus by a number of apomorphous characters: the specific “tineoid appearance”, the reduction of the lateral processes of the juxta, the specific dorsolateral sclerotization of the asymmetric aedeagus and the specific ribbon – like epiphysis.

Description.

These are small to medium sized moths, females larger; eyes naked; male and female antennae bipectinate along their length; proboscis reduced; legs long, slender; foretibia bearing a ribbon-like epiphysis; forewing elongate, rounded on the outer margin; forewing pattern has alternate dark and pale spots and bands transversely; hindwing uniform.

Male genitalia. Simple; uncus unpaired, short, beak-shaped; tegumen massive; arms of gnathos short, slightly broadened distally, fused to form small gnathos; valvae short, broad, with no harpe and processes costally; juxta without lateral processes, simple; saccus protruding backwards, small; aedeagus rather long, slightly curved and asymmetical due to dorsoapical sclerotisation.

Female genitalia. Ovipositor lobes short, slightly acute apically, covered with relatively short, thick bristles, in the shape of triangular sclerites, with long and rather wide apophyses posteriores on the lower part, strongly widening oar-like in the cranial fourth and bearing a slender membranous-like border; tergite and sternite of the 8th segment fused to form a complete circle; sternite slightly swollen, membranous caudally; tergite strongly elongate, bearing a pair of apophyses anteriores, widening oar-like cranially, approximately as long as ½ the length of apophyses posteriores; opening of ostium strongly protruding cranially, located on membrane between the 7th and 8th segments; ostium membranous, with poorly sclerotized lateral bands; antrum membranous, tube-shaped, 1½ times longer than the 8th tergite, narrowing sharply, separate form membranous ductus bursae; corpus bursae membranous, saccular, without signa.

Remarks.

Eleven species of Meharia have been reported so far (Yakovlev and Saldaitis 2008), primarily from the deserts and arid mountains of the Western Palearctic and Africa.

Meharia hackeri Saldaitis, Ivinskis & Yakovlev sp. n.

urn:lsid:zoobank.org:act:730024CA-3646-4660-9FBD-C307773D0E94

http://species-id.net/wiki/Meharia_hackeri

Figs 9, 10, 13, 14
Type material.

Holotype ♀ (Fig. 9), NE Socotra Island, Wadi Difarroha, North side, 19 January 2010. leg. A. Saldaitis (deposited in MWM/ZSM); (slide No PI 2011/1) Paratypes: 3 ♀ (Fig. 10), S Socotra Island, Wadi Difarroha, South side, 15 January 2010. leg. A. Saldaitis; (coll. ASV; MWM/ZSM); (slide No BJ 1523).

Diagnosis.

The new species differs from the related species Meharia acuta Wiltshire, 1982 (Figs 8, 12) by forewing pattern, DNA and distribution. In Meharia acuta, the basal spot at the costal wing margin is missing. Meharia hackeri has a straight basal fascia at the costal wing margin for ¼ the length of forewing and a narrow white fascia, with a wide interruption antemedially and a narrow interruption tornally, running along the entire inner margin. Meharia acuta has no such fascia, but has a wide subterminal band. DNA barcodes clearly separate Meharia hackeri from Meharia acuta. Three identical sequences of Meharia hackeri were compared to those of a single Meharia acuta specimen resulting in a significant 7.48% variation.

Meharia acuta is distributed in the Arabic peninsula, Meharia hackeri is endemic to Socotra Island.

Description.

Female: Forewing costal margin length of holotype 10 mm, wingspan 21 mm; forewing length of paratypes 11 mm, wingspan 22 mm; antennae slightly longer than half the length of forewing; bipectinate, color white, black at base; head and tegular yellowish-white; labial palpi yellowish brown, white at base; ground colour of forewings yellowish-brown with white longitudinal fascia forming wing pattern, basal fascia in the costal area straight, running to ¼ the length of forewing, curved fascia extending medially from inner margin to ⅔ the length of forewing, its extension ends at terminal wing margin, medially the fascia and its interrupted portion in terminal area bordered by dark brown scales with black inserts; narrow white fascia, widely interrupted antemedially and narrowly interrupted tornally, runs along the entire inner margin, cilia yellowish-white, ventral forewing brown; hindwing greyish-yellow, cilia light brown, ventral hindwing brown.

Male genitalia: unknown.

Female genitalia (Figs 13, 14): Papilla analis triangular, covered with short, thin, very long setae; apophysis posterioris about the same length as papilla analis; apophysis anterioris very short, broad, with V-shaped sclerotisation apically; ostium concave; antrum weakly sclerotised basally with a loop forming very narrow ductus bursae; corpus bursae not sclerotised, shaped like a small sac.

Bionomics and distribution.

Known only from the central part of Socotra Island. Meharia hackeri is likely endemic to Socotra Island. All specimens were collected in mid-January; Meharia hackeri females were attracted to light and appear to have a very local distribution as the species was discovered only in Difarroha Valley (Fig. 31). The new species was collected in the central part of the country in an oasis-type valley dominated by various tree and shrub species such as: Jatropha unicostata, Lycium socotranum, Gnidia socotrana, Buxus hildebrandtii, Croton socotranus, Punica protopunica, Ficus vasta, Euphorbia socotrana, Jathropha unicostata, Mitolepis intricata, Aloe perryi, Adenium obesum (Miller and Cope 1996). It flies with several other Socotra Archipelago endemic moths such as Meharia yakovlevi Saldaitis & Ivinskis, 2010, (Cossidae), Pelosia sokotrensis (Hampson, 1900), (Arctiidae), Cerocala socotrensis Hampson, 1899, Agrotis brachypecten Hampson, 1899, Plecoptera butkevicii Hacker & Saldaitis, 2010, Acantholipes canofusca Hacker & Saldaitis, 2010, Stenosticta wiltshirei Hacker, Saldaitis & Ivinskis, 2010 (Noctuidae).

Etymology.

The new species name is dedicated to Hermann Hacker, a prominent German lepidopterist, who has contributed much to the investigation of macro-moths of the Arabian peninsula and Africa.

Meharia yakovlevi Saldaitis & Ivinskis, 2010

http://species-id.net/wiki/Meharia_yakovlevi

Figs 7, 11
Meharia yakovlevi Saldaitis & Ivinskis, 2010a, Esperiana 15: 379.
Description.

Male genitalia (Fig. 11): The authors examined the genital structures of several more male specimens, noting that the valvae are variable in shape being slightly narrower and slightly concave in costal and dorsal areas. The vesica is narrow, long, and almost the same length as aedeagus.

Distribution.

This species was described from a single male. This specimen was collected in Hadibu environs, in the hills covered by dense shrubby vegetation dominated by the following plants: Rhus thyrsiflora, Buxus hildebrandtii, Carphalea obovata, Sterculia africana, Dracaena cinnabari, Rhus thyrsiflora, Carphalea obovata, Tamarindus indica, Commiphora socotrana, Commiphora ornifolia, Commiphora parvifolia, Boswellia ameero, Boswellia elongata, Boswellia bullata, Boswellia dioscorides, Boswellia nana, Punica protopunica, Acacia pennivenia, Cephalocroton socotranus, Indigofera socotrana, Dirachma socotrana, Allophylus rubifolius, Maerua socotrana, Acridocarpus socotranus, Sterculia africana, Zizyphus spina–christi, Ficus vasta, Ficus salicifolia, Arthrocarpum gracile, Ormocarpum caeruleum (Miller and Cope 1996). In January 2010, five more specimens were collected (1 ♂, N Socotra Island, Wadi Kam, 13 January 2010, leg. A. Saldaitis (Fig. 7); 2 ♂ central part of Socotra Island, Diksam loc., 14 January 2010, leg. A. Saldaitis; 2 ♂ S Socotra Island, Wadi Difarroha South side, 15 January 2010, leg. A. Saldaitis). Meharia yakovlevi appears to be a very rare and local species showing a slightly higher abundance in the central part of the country with oasis-like valleys and canyons with relict woody vegetation. These habitats were dominated by the following plants: Jatropha unicostata, Lycium socotranum, Gnidia socotrana, Buxus hildebrandtii, Croton socotranus, Punica protopunica, Ficus vasta, Euphorbia socotrana, Jathropha unicostata, Mitolepis intricata, Aloe perryi, Adenium obesum (Miller and Cope 1996).

Figures 7–14.

Meharia spp., adults and genitalia. 7 Meharia yakovlevi, male, Yemen, Socotra (NRCV) 8 Meharia acuta, male, N.Oman, Nizwa (ASV ) 9 Meharia hackeri , female, holotype, Yemen, Socotra (MWM/ZSM) 10 Meharia hackeri, female, paratype, Yemen, Socotra (ASV) 11 Meharia yakovlevi, male, prep. BJ1526 12 Meharia acuta, male, prep. ASL2010S 13 Meharia hackeri, female, holotype, prep. PI2011/1 14 Meharia hackeri, female, paratype, prep. BJ1523;

Genus Aethalopteryx Schoorl, 1990

http://species-id.net/wiki/Aethalopteryx

Schoorl, 1990, Zool. Verhandelingen 263: 174–175. Type species – Phragmatoecia atrireta Hampson, 1910.
Diagnosis.

Aethalopteryx is distinguished from close Trismelasmos Schoorl, 1990, Acosma Yakovlev, 2011, Strigocossus Houlbert, 1916 and AzygophlepsHampson, 1892 genus by having cup-shaped antennae in both sexes, forewings with slight reticulated patterns and reduced arms in males gnathos and particularly genital structure of the females.

Description.

Medium sized moths. Male and female antennae cup-shaped; forewing elongate with slight reticular pattern, often with a spot in the costal area and spots in the postdiscal area; hindwing with indistinct reticular pattern.

Male genitalia. Uncus long, thin, basally considerably narrower than width of tegumen; arms of gnathos reduced; tegumen massive; valvae with slightly uneven margins and with rounded apex; saccus massive, semicircular; juxta broad, with wide leaf-shaped lateral processes; aedeagus slightly bent, vesica with a long belt-shaped sclerite forming the projection of lateral aedeagus wall.

Female genitalia. Form short oviductus; papilla analis elongate, gradually narrowing; apophyses posteriores twice the length of apophyses anteriores which are furcate at basal part; ductus membranous, broad, very short; corpus bursae shaped like a long narrow sac, with a star-shaped signum on the lateral surface; bulla located in basal third of bursa on a long membranous ductus.

Remarks.

Thirty-four species of Aethalopteryx have been reported (Yakovlev 2011), primarily from the east Africa with some distributed elsewhere in Africa or in the Arabian peninsula.

Aethalopteryx diksami Yakovlev & Saldaitis, 2010

http://species-id.net/wiki/Aethalopteryx_diksami

Figs 20, 26
Aethalopteryx diksami Yakovlev & Saldaitis, 2010, Esperiana Memoir 5: 334, Pl. 20: fig. 5.
Description.

Male genitalia (Fig. 26). The authors examined several more male specimens and found some variation in the genital structures. Valvae of newly examined specimens were significantly wider; apex rounded; costal margin even; vertical juxta processes not tapering, with obtuse apices; vesica simple, long, tapering, almost the same length as aedeagus.

Distribution.

A newly described species, highly local, known only from the central part of Socotra Island from two valleys: the Diksam canyon (Fig. 30) and the Difarroha valley (Fig. 31), which are characterized by the following relict woody vegetation: Dracaena cinnabari, Buxus hildebrandtii, Croton socotranus and numerous other endemic plants (Miller and Cope 1996).

Genus Azygophleps Hampson, 1892

http://species-id.net/wiki/Azygophleps

Azygophleps Hampson, 1892, Fauna Brit. India 1: 309.Type species – Hepialis scalaris Fabricius, 1775.
Synonymy: Azygophlebs Aurivillius, 1925, Ergeb. Zweit. Deutsch. Zentral-Afrika-Exped. 1910–1911: 1349; An incorrect subsequent spelling of Azygophleps Hampson, 1892.
Diagnosis.

Azygophleps is distinguished from similar genera such as Sansara Yakovlev, 2004, Strigocossus Houlbert, 1916 and Aethalopteryx Schoorl, 1990 by its females’ apically bipectinate antennae, its long forewings rounded at the apex, the abscence of arms in its males’ gnathos, its thick aedeagus, and a short, wide ductus and corpus with a small star-like signum in its females.

Description.

Medium sized moths. Male antennae cup-shaped, those of female bipectinate (apically with gradually reducing pectin); forewing long, with rounded apex, with dense reticular pattern formed by transverse lines and spots; hindwing lightly coloured and uniform.

Male genitalia. Uncus medium-sized, apically hooked; arms of gnathos absent; tegumen medium sized, usually wider than basal part of uncus; valvae with almost straight margins and wide rounded apex; juxta medium-sized, with long, narrow, well-sclerotised lateral processes; saccus semicircular, massive; aedeagus thick, with long sclera forming aedeagus wall.

Female genitalia. Forming long ovipositor; papilla analis stretched, slightly tapering towards apex; apophyses posteriores more than twice as long as apophyses anteriores which are forked basally; ductus short, wide, sclerotised at base; corpus sac-shaped, with a small star-like signum; bulla located on the apical part of bursa.

Remarks.

Twenty-eight species of Azygophleps have been reported (Yakovlev 2011), primarily throughout Africa with a few species distributed in the Arabian peninsula and Asia.

Figures 15–20.

Azygophleps spp. and Aethalopteryx spp., adults. 15 Azygophleps inclusa, female, holotype, South Africa, Durban (BMNH) 16 Azygophleps larseni, male, holotype, S.Oman, Dhofar (MWM/ZSM) 17 Azygophleps larseni, male, paratype, S.Oman, Dhofar (ASV) 18 Azygophleps larseni, female, paratype, S.Oman, Dhofar (ASV) 19 Azygophleps larseni, female, paratype, Yemen, Socotra (MWM/ZSM) 20 Aethalopteryx diksami, male, paratype, Yemen, Socotra (ASV);

Figures 21–24.

Mormogystia spp., males genitalia. 21 Mormogystia brandstetteri, male, holotype, prep. BJ1524 22 Mormogystia proleuca, male, prep. BJ1527 23 Mormogystia reibellii, male, prep. BJ1525 24 Mormogystia reibellii, male, prep. BJ1528;

Figures 25–29.

Azygophleps sp. and Aethalopteryx sp., male genitalia and Mormogystia spp. and Azygophleps sp., female genitalia. 25 Azygophleps larseni, male, paratype, prep. BJ1536 26 Aethalopteryx diksami, male, paratype, prep. BJ1529 27 Mormogystia brandstetteri, female, paratype, prep. BJ1532; 28. Mormogystia proleuca, female, prep. BJ1533; 29. Azygophleps larseni, female, paratype, prep. BJ1537;

Azygophleps larseni Yakovlev & Saldaitis, 2011

http://species-id.net/wiki/Azygophleps_larseni

Figs 16–19, 25, 29
Azygophleps larseni Yakovlev & Saldaitis, 2011, Neue Entomologische Nachrichten 66: 84, Pl. 8: Figs 28–29.
Description.

Female size and wing pattern similar to the male, however in Socotra specimens the pattern of the forewing is darker and the dorsal margin of hindwing has a reticular pattern. Antennae in females are cup-shaped as in males, but pecten are significantly shorter. Both female specimens from Socotra Island differ from typical Azygophleps larseni from Oman in external appearance. Without opportunity to compare Azygophleps larseni male genitalia we abstained from assigning the Socotra population to a separate taxon. Hampson (1903), Rebel (1907) and Hacker (1999) mistakenly attributed Azygophleps inclusa (Walker, 1856) (Fig. 15) to Socotra Island.

Male genitalia (Fig. 25). Oman’s Azygophleps larseni male paratypus specimen’s genitalia illustrated showing strong aedeagus, apically three times wider than proximally and simple, rounded, short vesica.

Female genitalia (Fig. 29). Papilla analis stretched, rounded apically; apophyses posteriores more than twice longer than apophyses anteriores which are forked at basal part; ductus short, wide, sclerotised basally; corpus sac-shaped, with a small star-like signum; bulla sclerotised, located on the median part of bursa.

Bionomics and distribution.

This species is distributed in Iraq, Iran, Oman and mainland Yemen. Two specimens were caught in Socotra Island, ♀ (collecting date: Yemen, 500 m, Socotra isl., Ayhft riv. valley, 25 November 2008, Saldaitiene & Saldaitis leg.). Azygophleps larseni in Socotra is a very rare and local species. The Ayhft valley is a unique place in Socotra, with 80% of all vegetation found in Socotra Island. This valley is constantly fed by fresh water from the Haghier Mountains and its slopes are densely covered by tropical-type evergreen trees and shrubs: Dracaena cinnabari, Rhus rhyrsiflora, Euryops arabicus, Buxus pedicillata, Gnidia socotrana, Cocculus balourii and many other plants(Miller and Cope 1996).

Figures 30, 31.

Mormogystia sp. and Meharia sp., biotopes. 30 Central part of Socotra Island, Diksam Valley. Type locality of Mormogystia brandstetteri sp. n. 31 Northeast Socotra Island, Wadi Difarroha Valley. Type locality of Meharia hackeri sp. n.

Checklist of species
Genus Mormogystia

Mormogystia reibellii (Oberthür, 1876), Hypopta reibellii Oberthür, 1876, Et. Ent. 1: 40, pl. 4: fig. 1. LT: Biskra [Algeria]. Distribution: North part of Saudi Arabia, North Oman, UAE, Israel, Egypt, Algeria, Libya, Tunisia, Mauritania, Niger, Chad.

= Hypopta mussolinii Turati, 1927, Atti Soc. Ital. Scienze Naturali 66: 322, fig. 5. LT: Giarabub [NE Libya].

= Hypopta cognata Krüger, 1939, Ann. Mus. Libico Storia Nat. V. 1: 331–332, Tav. 13: fig. 13–14. LT: Beni Ulid [Libya].

=Hypopta reibelli – Wiltshire, 1980b, Jour. Oman Stud. Special report 2: 189; An incorrect subsequent spelling of reibellii Oberthür, 1876.

Mormogystia proleuca (Hampson in Walsingham et Hampson, 1896), stat. n., Eremocossus proleuca Hampson in Walsingham et Hampson, 1896, Proc. Zool. Soc. London: 276, pl. 10: 24. LT: Aden, Yerbury [South Yemen]. Distributuion: Southern Saudi Arabia (Asir Mountains), South Oman (Dhofar), Yemen.

Mormogystia equatorialis (Le Cerf, 1933), Hypopta reibeli (sic!) Obt. ssp. equatorialis Le Cerf, 1933, Bull. Soc. Entomol. France: 158. LT: Lokitang, dans les monts Lubur, au Nord du lac Rodolphe [Lokitaung, Lake Turkana, N Kenya]. Distribution: N Kenya.

Mormogystia brandstetteri Saldaitis, Ivinskis & Yakovlev sp. n.


Genus Meharia

Meharia philbyi Bradley, 1952, Entomologist, LXXXXV (1074): 241–242: LT: Arabia, Kashabiya [Saudi Arabia]. Distribution: Saudi Arabia, Yemen, Oman.

Meharia acuta Wiltshire, 1982, Fauna Saudi Arab., 4:276, pl. 1: fig. 3, 3a. LT: wadi Hanaka [Saudi Arabia]. Distribution: Saudi Arabia, Oman, Yemen.

Meharia hackeri Saldaitis, Ivinskis & Yakovlevsp. n.

Meharia tanganyikae Bradley, 1952, Entomologist, LXXXXV (1074): 242–244. LT: Tanganyika, Ngaruka. Distribution: E Africa.

Meharia semilactea (Warren et Rothschild, 1905), Novit. zool., 12: 32, pl. 4 (12). LT: Nakheila, R. Atbara [NW Sudan]. Distribution: Israel, Jordan, Saudi Arabia, Oman, UAE, Yemen, Egypt (Sinai peninsula), N Sudan, Morocco, Mauritania.

Meharia yakovlevi Saldaitis & Ivinskis, 2010a, Esperiana 15: 379. LT: hills near Hadibu, Socotra Island [Yemen]. N [North]. Distribution: Yemen (Socotra Isl.).

Meharia incurvariella incurvariella Chrétien, 1915, Ann. Soc. Ent. Fr., 1915: 368. LT: Biskra [Algeria]. Distribution: Algeria, Morocco.

= Blalia vittata Rungs, [1943], 1942, Bull. Soc. Sc. Maroc. 22 (1942): 174, pl. 1: fig. 17. LT: Maroc, Saharien, Od Khiruf [Morocco].

Meharia incurvariella persica (Wiltshire, 1946); Blalia vittata persica Wiltshire, 1946a, Proc. R. Ent. Soc. London, Ser. B, 15: 120. LT: Shiraz [Fars, SW Iran]. Distribution: Iran, Afghanistan, Pakistan.

Meharia tancredii Sutton, 1963, Ann. Mag. Nat. Hist. 6 (13): 365–366, fig. 1–2, 6. LT: Meyan Kaleh peninsula, N Iran. Distribution: N Iran.

Meharia scythica D. Komarov et Zolotuhin, 2005. Nota lepid. 28 (1): 52–53, fig. 1–4. LT: [Russia] Astrakhan Prov., Akhtuba Distr., passing-track Martovsky, outsk. Bolshoe Bogdo Mt. Distribution: Russia, Volgograd and Astrakhan regions.

Meharia fischeri Yakovlev & Saldaitis, 2008b, Eversmannia 15–16: 49. LT: Marokko [Morocco], Jbel Bani, 3 km S Tiggane, 18 km SW Tata. Distribution: Morocco.

Meharia avicenna Yakovlev, 2011, Neue Entomologische Nachrichten 66: 1–129. LT: Iran, Hashtijan, 90 km S Gom. Distribution: Iran.


Genus Aethalopteryx

Aethalopteryx atrireta (Hampson, 1910), Phragmatoecia atrireta Hampson, 1910a, Ann. Mag. Nat. Hist. 8 (6): 129; LT: Bechuanaland, Lake N’gami [Botswana]. Distribution: Botswana, S Africa.

Aethalopteryx obscurascens (Gaede, 1930), Xyleutes obscurascens Gaede, 1930, Gross-Schmett. Erde, 14: 547, Taf. 79h; LT: Maraquo, Centr. Abyss. [Central Ethiopia]. Distribution: Ethiopia.

Aethalopteryx obsolete (Gaede, 1930), Xyleutes obscurascens obsolete Gaede, 1930, Gross-Schmett. Erde, 14: 547, Taf. 79g; LT: White Nile [Central Sudan]. Distribution: Sudan, Tanzania, Swaziland.

Aethalopteryx steniptera (Hampson in Poulton 1916), Duomitus steniptera Hampson in Poulton 1916, Proc. Zoll. Soc. London: 166, pl. 2: fig. 31; LT: Somaliland, Mandera, 47 miles SW of Berbera [Somalia]. Distribution: Somalia.

Aethalopteryx pindarus (Fawcett, 1916), Duomitus pindarus Fawcett, 1916: 733; LT: Kenya, Kedai. Distribution: Kenya, Uganda, S Africa.

Aethalopteryx wiltshirei Yakovlev, 2009, Euroasian Entomol. J; LT: Saudi Arabia, Azir, Al Foqa, Olea-Dodonea Zone. Distribution: Saudi Arabia.

Aethalopteryx simillima (Hampson in Poulton 1916), Duomitus simillima Hampson in Poulton 1916, Proc. Zoll. Soc. London: 166, pl. 2: fig. 32; LT: Somalia, 47 miles SW of Berbera. Distribution: Somalia, Ethiopia.

Aethalopteryx grandiplaga (Gaede, 1930), Xyleutes grandiplaga Gaede, 1930: 547; LT: Chad, Oubangui, Chari, Bangui [Central African Rep.]. Distribution: Central African Rep., Congo.

Aethalopteryx tristis (Gaede, 1915), Hyleutes tristis Gaede, 1915, D. Ent. Ztschr. Iris, 28: 147–148.LT: Nama-Land [Namibia]. Distribution: Namibia, Kenya, S Africa.

Aethalopteryx mesosticta (Hampson in Poulton 1916), Duomitus mesosticta Hampson in Poulton 1916, Proc. Zool. Soc. London: 165, pl. 2, fig. 20; LT: Somalia, Mandera. Distribution: Somalia.

Aethalopteryx diksami Yakovlev & Saldaitis, 2010, Esperiana, Memoir 5: 333–337; LT: C Socotra [Central Socotra] isld., Top of Diksam valley. Distribution: Socotra Island, Yemen.

Aethalopteryx squameus (Distant, 1902), Duomitus squameus Distant, 1902, Entomologist, 35: 213; LT: Transvaal, Pretoria (S Africa). Distribution: South Africa, Botswana, Mozambique, Malawi, Ghana, Angola, Tanzania.

= Azygophleps atriplaga Le Cerf, 1919b, Bull. Mus. Nat. Hist. Nat. 25: 30; LT: Rivière Kuando, frontière Sud-Est Angola-Rhodesia [Kwando Riv., W Angola].

Aethalopteryx dictyotephra (Clench, 1959), Kyleutes (sic!) dictyotephra Clench, 1959, Veröff. zool. St. Samml. Münch. 6: 13–14, pl. II: fig. 6–7; LT: SW Africa, Okahandja [Namibia]. Distribution: SW Africa.

Aethalopteryx nilotica Yakovlev, 2011, Neue Entomologische Nachrichten 66: 1–129. LT: Sudan, Blue Nile Prov., Wadi Medani. Distribution: Sudan.

Aethalopteryx anikini Yakovlev, 2011, Neue Entomologische Nachrichten 66: 1–129. LT: S Africa, Free State, 15 km S Bloemhof, Sandveld N.R., S 27°43'55", E 25°45'06". Distribution: S Africa.

Aethalopteryx forsteri (Clench, 1959), Xyleutes forsteri Clench, 1959, Veröff. zool. St. Samml. Münch. 6: 14–15, pl. II: fig. 8–9; LT: SW Africa, Okahandja [Namibia]. Distribution: SW Africa.

Aethalopteryx gyldenstolpei (Aurivillius, 1925), Xyleutes gyldenstolpei Aurivillius, 1925, Ark. Zoology, 17A (32): 20; LT: Ituri [Congo, Ituri prov.]. Distribution: Congo.

Aethalopteryx masai Yakovlev, 2011, Neue Entomologische Nachrichten 66: 1–129. LT: Kenya, Kibwezi; Distribution: Kenya.

Aethalopteryx elf Yakovlev, 2011, Neue Entomologische Nachrichten 66: 1–129. LT: Somalia m., Kisimayo. Distribution: Somalia.

Aethalopteryx politzari Yakovlev, 2011, Neue Entomologische Nachrichten 66: 1–129. LT: Somalia m., Caanole Fluss. Distribution: Somalia, Tanzania, Kenya.

Aethalopteryx gazelle Yakovlev, 2011, Neue Entomologische Nachrichten 66: 1–129. LT: Kenya, South Coast, Marenche forest. Distribution: Kenya.

Aethalopteryx rudloffi Yakovlev, 2011, Neue Entomologische Nachrichten 66: 1–129. LT: Swaziland, Ndzevane area, Matala near Nsogo, 240 m, Akazien, Agaven Buscland, S 26°58'; E 031°58'. Distribution: Swaziland.

Aethalopteryx kisangani Yakovlev, 2011, Neue Entomologische Nachrichten 66: 1–129. LT: Rep. Congo (Zaire), 17 km N Kisangani, Masako Field Stat., 388 m, N 00°36'; E 25°15', 02–08.02.2008. Distribution: Zaire.

Aethalopteryx sulaki Yakovlev, 2011, Neue Entomologische Nachrichten 66: 1–129. LT: Kenya, Eastern Province, Umg. Meru, 2 km NE Isiolo, S 00°21.623; E 37°36.231. Distribution: Kenya.


Genus Azygophleps

Azygophleps liturata (Aurivillius, 1879), Zeuzera liturata Aurivillius, 1879, Öfversigt af Kongl. Vetenskaps-Akademiens 7: 48–49 LT: Damara [Namibia]. Distribution: Namibia, Botswana, S Africa (Gründberg, 1910; Vári et al., 2002).

= Zeuzera aurivillii Kirby, 1892, Cat. Lep. Het. 1: 872; Replacement name for Zeuzera liturata Aurivillius, 1879.

Azygophleps leopardina Distant, 1902, Entomologist 35: 213–214; LT: Transvaal, Pretoria. Distribution: S Africa, Zambia, Namibia, Kenya.

= Azygophleps borchmanni Grünberg, 1910, Denkschriften Med.-Naturwiss. Ges. Jena. Vierter Bd.: 140; LT: Rietfontein [E Namibia].

= Azygophleps leopardinae – Dalla-Torre, 1923, Lep. Cat.: 43; An incorrect subsequent spelling of Azygophleps leopardina Distant, 1902.

Azygophleps nubilosa Hampson, 1910; 1910a, Ann. Mag. Nat. Hist. 8 (6): 129. LT: Uganda. Distribution: Uganda, Tanzania, S Africa.

Azygophleps atrifasciata Hampson, 1910; 1910b, Proc. Zool. Soc. London: 481; LT: NE Rhodesia, Kalungwisi distr., High Plateau [Zambia]. Distribution: Zimbabwe, Zambia, Uganda, Kenya, Angola, Malawi, S Africa.

Azygophleps regia (Staudinger, 1891), Zeuzera (?) regia Staudinger, 1891, Dtsch. Entomol. Ztschr. Iris 4: 253; LT: Hadjin [Turkey]. Distribution: Turkey, Pakistan, Iran, Iraq.

= Zeuzera regina – Wiltshire, 1957, Lep. Iraq: 146; An incorrect subsequent spelling of regia Staudinger, 1891.

Azygophleps afghanistanensis (Daniel, 1964), Zeuzera regia afghanistanensis Daniel, 1964, Opuscula Zool. 77: 6; LT: O-Afghanistan, Sarobi, Gulbahar [E Afghanistan]. Distribution: Afghanistan.

Azygophleps albofasciata (Moore, 1879), Zenzera (sic!) albofasciata Moore, 1879a, Descr. of new ind. lep. ins. from the coll. of the late Mr. W.S. Atkinson, M.A., F.L.S. & C., director of the Public Instruction, Bengal: 87; LT: Darjiling [India]. Distribution: India, Pakistan.

Azygophleps confucianus Yakovlev, 2006; 2006b, Tinea 19(3): 205–207, figs, 18–19, 54; LT: China, SE Tibet, Markam; Distribution: China (SE Tibet, NW Sichuan, Yunnan, Guizhou, Qinghai).

Azygophleps inclusa (Walker, 1856), Zeuzera inclusa Walker, 1856, List. Spec. Lepid. Ins. Brit. Mus. 7: 1534; LT: Port Natal [Durban, South Africa]. Distribution: Kenya, Tanzania, Zambia, Angola, Malawi, Mosambique, Botswana, South Africa, Lesotho, Uganda, Congo, Ghana, Sierra Leone, Guinea, Republic of Côte d’Ivoire.

= Zeuzera petax Wallengren, 1860, Wien. Entomol. Monatshcr 4 (2): 43; LT: Caffraria orientali [S Africa].

Azygophleps larseni Yakovlev & Saldaitis, 2011, Neue Entomologische Nachrichten 66: 1–129. LT: S. [South] Oman, Dhofar, Rakyut. Distribution: Iraq, Iran, Oman, Yemen, Socotra island.

Azygophleps kovtunovitchi Yakovlev, 2011, Neue Entomologische Nachrichten 66: 1–129. LT: Lesotho, 45 km Mokhothand. Distribution: Lesotho.

Azygophleps sheikh Yakovlev & Saldaitis, 2011, Neue Entomologische Nachrichten 66: 1–129. LT: W Saudi Arabia, N-Asir, 40 km W Taif, Distribution: Saudi Arabia, Yemen.

Azygophleps sponda (Wallengren, 1875), Zeuzera sponda Walengren, 1875, Öfver. Kongl. Vetenskaps-Akad. Förh. 32 (1): 96; LT: Transvaalia [S Africa, Transvaal]. Distribution: S Africa.

Azygophleps cooksoni Pinhey, 1968; 1968, Ann. Transvaal Mus. 25 (9): 156, pl. 13: fig. 2; LT: Muden, Natal. Distribution: Southern Africa (Natal prov.).

Azygophleps melanophele Hampson, 1910; 1910a, Ann. Mag. Nat. Hist. 8 (6): 130; LT: S Nigeria, Sapele [Kenya]. Distribution: Central Africa.

Azygophleps ganzelkozikmundi Yakovlev, 2009, Euroasian Entomol. J. 8 (3): 359–360; LT: Uele, Paulis [Congo]. Distribution: Camerun, Congo.

Azygophleps asylas (Cramer, 1779), Phalaena asylas Cramer, 1779, De uitlandsche kapellen voorkomende in de drie waereld-deelen Asia, Africa en America, by een verzameld en beschreeven: 61–62, pl. CXXXVII (C); LT: Cape [S Africa]. Distribution: Central to Southern Africa.

= Zeuzera strigulosa Walker, 1856, List Spec. Lep. Ins. Brit. Museum 7: 1534;LT: Cape [S Africa].

= Zeuzera canadensis Herrich-Schäffer, [1854], Sammlung aussereuropäscher Schmetterlinge: 58, Fig. 168; LT: Quebec (error).

Azygophleps pusilla (Walker, 1856), Zeuzera pusilla Walker, 1856, List Spec. Lep. Ins. Brit. Museum 7: 1538; LT: North India. Distribution: India.

Azygophleps albovittata Bethune-Baker, 1908, Ann. Mag. Nat. Hist. (8) 2: 263; LT: N Nigeria, Lokoja District; Distribution: Nigeria, Ghana, Uganda, Congo, Kenya, Guinea, Zimbabwe.

Azygophleps pallens (Herrich-Schäffer, [1854]), Phragmataecia pallens Herrich-Schäffer, [1854], Samml. aussereurop. Schmett. 1 (1), Taf. [35]: 169; LT: Guinea. Distribution: Sierra-Leone, Uganda, Nigeria, Cameroon, Kenya, Sudan.

Azygophleps simplex Aurivillius, 1905, Owk. f. Zool. 2 (12): 42; LT: [Nigeria]. Distribution: Nigeria.

Azygophleps liliyae Yakovlev, 2011, Neue Entomologische Nachrichten, 66: 1–129. LT: Tanzania, Mbulu in town, 1800 m, S 03°52'00", E 035°32'17". Distribution: Tanzania.

Azygophleps legraini Yakovlev & Saldaitis, 2011, Neue Entomologische Nachrichten, 66: 1–129. LT: Cameroon, Adamaoua, nr. Ngaoundéré, Ngaoundaba; Distribution: Cameroon.

Azygophleps godswindow Yakovlev & Saldaitis, 2011, Neue Entomologische Nachrichten, 66: 1–129. LT: RSA [Republic South Africa], Mpumalanga, nr. Graskop, 1750 m, God’s Window Rd. Distribution: S Africa.

Azygophleps otello Yakovlev, 2011, Neue Entomologische Nachrichten, 66: 1–129. LT: Mauritania, Boghe. Distribution: Mauritania.

Azygophleps equatorialis Yakovlev, 2011, Neue Entomologische Nachrichten, 66: 1–129. LT: ♂, Congo, Odzala NP, 0, 23N; 14, 50E. Distribution: Congo.

Azygophleps scalaris (Fabricius, 1775), Phalaena (Hepialus) scalaris Fabricius, 1775, Syst, Ent.: 590; LT: China; Distribution: Pakistan, India, China, Sri-Lanka, Maynmar, Thailand, Cambodia, Bangladesh, Mauritania, Somali, Senegal, Republic of Côte d’Ivoire, Ghana, Nigeria, Congo, Kenya, Angola, Namibia, Tanzania, Sudan.

= Zeuzera bivittata Walker, 1865, List Lep. Het. Brit. Mus. 32 (suppl. 2): 586–587; LT: North Hindostan.

Azygophleps aburae (Plötz, 1880), Zeuzera aburae Plötz, 1880, Ent. Zeit. Stetting: 77; LT: Bei Aburi [Ghana]. Distribution: Zimbabwe, Kenya, Ghana, Cameroon, Sudan.

Azygophleps boisduvalii (Herrich-Schäffer, 1854), Zeuzera boisduvalii Herrich-Schäffer, 1854, Samml. aussereurop. Schmett., 1 (1): 58, Taf. 35: 167; LT: Gatam (Sierra Leone). Distribution: Africa (Guinea, Sierra Leone, Ghana, Cameroon, Nigeria, Sudan, Ethiopia, Kenya, Uganda, Congo, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Senegal, Malawi, Republic of Côte d’Ivoire).

Table 1.

Voucher and GenBank numbers for barcoded individuals (deposited in NRCV).

Mormogystia proleuca QUNOD300-10 HQ970475
Mormogystia proleuca QUNOD301-10 HQ970476
Mormogystia proleuca QUNOD302-10 HQ970477
Mormogystia proleuca QUNOD303-10 HQ970478
Mormogystia reibellii QUNOD304-10 HQ970479
Mormogystia reibellii QUNOD305-10 HQ970480
Mormogystia reibellii QUNOD307-10 HQ970482
Meharia hackeri QUNOD309-10 HQ970483
Meharia hackeri QUNOD310-10 HQ970484
Meharia hackeri QUNOD311-10 HQ970485
Meharia acuta QUNOD312-10 HQ970486
Mormogystia brandstetteri QUNOD336-10 HQ970510
Mormogystia brandstetteri QUNOD337-10 HQ970511
Mormogystia brandstetteri QUNOD338-10 HQ970512
Mormogystia brandstetteri QUNOD339-10 HQ970513
Acknowledgements

The preparation of this paper has been greatly supported by friends and colleagues, whose efforts are deeply appreciated. We are especially grateful to Mr Vladas Sciavinskas (Vilnius, Lithuania) and Mr Tomas Zubacikas (Vilnius, Lithuania) for their assistance with imago pictures and to Mr Janos Babics (Budapest, Hungary) and Mr Balázs Benedek (Törökbálint, Hungary) for their expertise in preparing, photographing and comparing genitalia. The authors are also grateful to the BMNH Council of Trustees for providing the opportunity to publish images of type specimens stored in the Natural History Museum, London and especially to Dr. Jadranka Rota (Copenhagen, Denmark) for corrections and valuable proposals.

The authors are very thankful to Mr Mohmmed Amer, Mr Ahmed Saeid Suliman, Mr Salem Dahag Ali and Mr Fouad Naseeb Saeed Khamees (SCDP, Hadibo, Socotra, Yemen) for helping make the Aidas Saldaitis expeditions to Socotra possible and to Mrs Rasa Saldaitiene and Mr Marius Butkevicius (Vilnius, Lithuania) for their companionship and unwavering enthusiasm and patience during those expeditions.

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