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Accepted by M. Pellinen: 23 Mar. 2016; published: 10 May 2016
ZOOTAXA
ISSN 1175-5326 (print edition)
ISSN
1175-5334
(online edition)
Copyright © 2016 Magnolia Press
Zootaxa 4109 (4): 445
–
457
http://www.mapress.com/j/zt/
Article
445
http://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.4109.4.3
http://zoobank.org/urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:3032A644-F738-410A-92B2-5B385E0956A9
Haplopacha (Lepidoptera: Lasiocampidae) reviewed: four new species, first
descriptions of the genitalia of both sexes, and unique alar scale organs
STEEN DUPONT
1,3
, THOMAS J. SIMONSEN
2
& ALBERTO ZILLI
1
1
Natural History Museum, Department of Life Sciences, Cromwell road, SW7 5BD London, UK
2
Natural History Museum Aarhus, Wilhelm Meyers Alle 210, Universitetsparken 8000 Aarhus C., Denmark
3
Corresponding author. E-mail: steen.dupont@nhm.ac.uk
Abstract
The collection of five specimens of Haplopacha at Ndumo Nature Reserve in South Africa highlights unknown species
diversity in the monotypic genus. A total of four new species; H. riftensis sp. nov., H. tangani sp. nov., H. lunata sp. nov.
and H. ndoumoi sp. nov., were identified in the Natural History Museum of London collection and the study of fresh spec-
imens also revealed the presence of uniquely characteristic alar scale patches absent from the original species description
of the genus type species H. cinerea. Based on the new species the descriptions of Haplopacha is amended. The identifi-
cation of the new species was done using conventional light microscopy and scanning electron microscopy of the general
morphology, wing venation and genitalia observations.
Key words: wing scales, wing venation, morphology
Introduction
Lasiocampidae are a family of Lepidoptera comprising approximately 2,000 species (van Nieukerken et al. 2011)
occurring in most bioregions except Antarctica and New Zealand (Common, 1990). The family has several
common names which refer to a number of morphological peculiarities in several of the moths’ lifestages. The
prolegs of the caterpillars have skin flaps giving the family the common name “Lappet moths”, whereas the
cocoons have a distinct egg shape which earned the family the name “Eggars” (e.g. Scoble, 1992). The scientific
name Lasiocampidae, however, refers to the generally hairy appearance of caterpillars (from Greek “Lasios” =
hairy and “campe” = caterpillar). Adults vary in size, but are usually stout-bodied animals.
The genus Haplopacha Aurivillius, 1905 is currently monobasic; the type species Haplopacha cinerea
Aurivillius, 1905 was described based on a single male specimen present in the collections of the Natural History
Museum of London (NHM). The species description is short, with a footnote referring to the poor condition of the
specimen (Aurivillius 1905). Additional descriptions of H. cinerea are found in Aurivillius (1927) and Pinhey
(1975). All descriptions mention a row of nine submarginal black dots on the forewing, and all illustrations in the
three publications show two additional black spots, one basally on the forewing, and the other terminally in the
discal cell. Aurivillius (1927) also included a table of African lasiocampid genera with a descriptive key. In this
table, he described one of the diagnostic forewing characters of Haplopacha as: “Forewing above with lustrous,
dark dots formed of erect scales” (p. 208). No publication has hitherto described the genitalia of Haplopacha.
Recent collecting activities in the Kwa-Zulu Natal province in South Africa produced five specimens of
Haplopacha, which were clearly distinct from the type specimen of H. cinerea in the collections of NHM. Further
study of the type, nine accessioned specimens in the NHM, and the new material revealed several new species,
based on both external characters and genitalia morphology. The scope of this study is therefore to give a detailed
description of the morphology of the male and female genitalia of Haplopacha, analyse the unique ‘dark spots’ in
the basal and discal area of the forewing, and describe the new species identified.
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Material and methods
Fifteen specimens, including the male holotype of Haplopacha cinerea, were included in the study (Table 1). The
specimens were studied under conventional light microscopy (Zeiss Stemi SV11 and Leica M125) and
Environmental SEM (LEO 1455VP). For genitalia preparations, the abdomen was removed and macerated
overnight in 10% KOH (aqueous) at 55 °C. After maceration the abdomens were dissected and the genitalia
cleaned, stained in saturated chlorazol black (75% ethanol) for 30 seconds, and transferred to absolute ethanol
before being mounted onto slides in euparal (ASCO Laboratories). Wing venation was in most cases examined by
applying a drop of absolute ethanol to the wings. However, a single set of wings from one specimen
(BMNH(E)_1377242) was removed and cleaned of scales in absolute ethanol before being mounted on a slide in
euparal. To study the ultrastructure of wing scales from the basal and distal wing spots, we removed scales from H.
ndoumoi (BMNH(E)_1377245) using a pin. The scales were mounted on SEM stubs, and coated with 15nm gold/
palladium (Jeol JFC.2300HR high resolution fine coater). The discal wing spots and associated wing scales of all
specimens were also studied using scanning electron microscopy with specimens uncoated at low vacuum. General
morphological nomenclature follows Lemaire & Minet (1998), wing venation nomenclature follows Wootton
(1979), and wing scale nomenclature follows Kristensen & Simonsen (2003).
Results
Haplopacha is a genus of stout, hairy moths with small and three segmented porrect labial palps (Fig. 2) and frons
with a sclerotized prominence. As in the whole family, chaetosemata and ocelli are absent. The frontal prominence
is a rounded coronet with approximately 10–13 small teeth and a dorsal lamella the base of which extends to the
centre of coronet (Fig 2). The antennae are bipectinate in both sexes till the apex (Fig. 2). In almost all males
examined, the antenna is yellow/orange in colour with dense rami. In the females, the antenna is grey and the rami
are less dense that in the males. The vestiture of thorax, forewing, fore-and mid-legs is off-grey or brown with
white tipped scales. Furthermore, the tarsal segments 2–5 of fore- and mid legs are covered by black iridescent
scales. The hind legs are beige and less conspicuously hairy than the other legs, and the tarsi are concolorous with
the rest of the leg. The tibial spur-formula is 0-2-2. The abdomen is short and uniformly grey or brown, depending
on the species. There is noticeable variation in wing pattern between the species (Fig. 1). The common pattern
elements of forewing include ante- and postmedial lines, which define a median field. The two crosslines may be
more or less conspicuous. All specimens except one (see descriptions) have 9–10 intervenular submarginal spots,
the two most caudal of which are only narrowly separated.
All species have two distinct spots on the forewing: one basal just caudal to the cubital stem, and one at the
distal margin of the open discal cell (Fig. 3). The spots are comprised of sinuous, S-shaped spatulate scales
arranged in a “class 1-irregular incurve” pattern, after a notation employed to depict petal formation in
Chrysanthemum flowers (Singh, 2006) (Figs. 4A, 5). The scales in both spots are metallic iridescent changing from
a black/green silver to a mat coppery shine, depending on the angle of observation. The scales are elongate, with a
long and narrow “handle”, and a rounded apical margin with a small central tooth. The surface sculpturing is
relatively simple with narrow primary ridges, cross ribs, apparent vestiges of oblique crests, and few minute pores
on the abwing surface (Fig 4B). On the adwing surface, the “handle” appears to have ridges, but the scale body is
without sculpturing. The wing membrane beneath these scales does not appear structurally different from that of
the surrounding wing surface, but the scale sockets are much denser (Fig. 4C). The function of the basal and discal
wing spots are unknown, and although the scale configuration seems to suggest they are scent organs, neither the
scales themselves nor the underlying cuticle indicate any role in scent emission or dispersal. Alternatively, the
iridescent nature of the scales reflecting light of different wavelengths from different angles may indicate that they
are involved in visual communication. Future histological and optical studies of the wing spots will likely provide
new information on their functions.
The wing venation is identical in all species, and corresponds to the pattern generally observed in the family,
i.e. the Bihma configuration sensu Holloway (1987), with (R); ((Rs1, Rs2)Rs3); (Rs4, M1) (Fig. 3A). On the
forewing, vein R originates near the middle of cell and runs closer to Sc than to Rs1-3, Rs2 and Rs3 branch
independently off Rs1 and Rs4 and M1 share a common stalk. Discal cell open, and CuP absent. Veins A1 and A2
merged except for a short basal fork (Fig. 3A). The humeral area in the hind wing is expanded and reinforced by
the humeral vein (Fig. 3B). The expanded humeral area makes the costal margin straight (Fig. 3B). Basally, R and
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Sc are narrowly separate, forming a narrow precostal cell (Fig. 3B), described by Aurivillius (1905) as diagnostic
for Haplopacha when compared to Chondrostega; M1 originates from the upper margin of the open discal cell
whereas M2 and M3 share a short common stalk beyond the lower margin of the cell (Fig. 3A). The discocellular
vein is discernible as a small vestigial veinlet at the posterior margin of the cell. CuA1, CuA2, A1+A2 and A3 are
present and fully developed (Fig. 3A).
In all species the male genitalia have a bipartite valve. The valve comprises a non-sclerotized dorsal cucullus
and a well sclerotized ventral sacculus (vs). The sacculus also bears a ventral saccular lobe (Fig. 6). The juxta is
small and synscleritous with the phallus in all specimens. Female genitalia vary considerably and are detailed in the
species descriptions.
Taxonomy
Haplopacha Aurivillius, 1905
Haplopacha Aurivilius, 1905. The Transactions of the Entomological Society of London, 1905: 323.
Type species: Haplopacha cinerea Aurivillius, 1905, by monotypy.
Diagnosis. Aurivillius (1905: 323) described Haplopacha as: “A very distinct genus, allied to Chondrostega and
Chondrostegoides, but differing from both in vein 8 of fore-wing being emitted from the long stalk of 9 and 10 and
vein 8 of hind-wing not anastomosing from base with the cell, but forming a narrow precostal cell”.
Based on the new material and the specimens available at the NHM London, we can now provide a more
detailed description and diagnosis. However, it is first necessary to mention that in the wing venation as described
and illustrated by Aurivillius (1905) vein Rs1 appears to be missing. In reality, Rs1-Rs2 share a long common stalk
and separate close to the wing apex in all specimens studied (Fig. 3 and above). All species can readily be
recognised by the subterminal, transverse row of black dots (9–10 depending on species) on forewing, and the dark,
metallic forewing spots. The fore- and mid legs are concolorous with the thorax, with tarsal segments 2–5
iridescent black. The hind legs are paler brown, more closely matching the colour of the hind wing than the mottled
one of thorax. The genus is easily distinguished from the overall similar Chondrostega Lederer, 1858 and
Chondrostegoides Aurivillius, 1905 by the presence of the distal spurs on mid- and hind tibiae.
Haplopacha cinerea Aurivillius, 1905
Transactions of the Entomological Society of London, 1905: 324.
Type(s): holotype ♂, in NHM.
Type locality: Rhodesia, Sebakwe.
Material examined. 5 specimens: Holotype, male (Fig. 1A) (BMNH(E)_1378811, NHM London, dissected
but genitalia missing), Rhodesia, Sebakwe.
Male (Fig. 1B) (BMNH(E)_1377238, NHM London, genitalia from collection slide: Lasiocampidae #105
(Fig. 6A), Transvaal, Lydenburg, coll. Distant. Male (Fig. 1C) (BMNH(E)_1377239, NHM London, genitalia from
collection slide: Lasiocampidae #1141 (Fig. 6B)), [South Africa], Noord Kaap, Barberton, 16.10.[19]1909,
G.W.Jeffery [leg.]. Female (Fig. 1D) (BMNH(E)_1377240, NHM London, Tams dry genitalia dissection (1955/
795) mounted on slide: Lasiocampidae #1571 (Fig. 7A)). S Africa, Transvaal, Sabie Bridge, 10.x.1931. Female
(NHRS), S. Rhodesia, Sebakwe, D. Dods 1901 (abdomen missing).
Diagnosis. The triangulate forewings that are beige grey and have 10 submarginal dots as well as an oval basal
wing spot are characteristic of H. cinerea. Although H. lunata also has a triangulate grey forewing, its crescent
shaped discal wing spot clearly sets these two species apart.
Distribution and localities (Fig. 8): Except for the type specimen all other specimens are from South Africa,
including Traansvaal Lydenburg, Sabie and Noord Kaap.
Flight period. Collection dates are only known for two of the South African specimens and both were
collected in the first half of October.
Redescription. Original description by Aurivillius (1905, pp 324) reads:“♂. Cinereous grey; fore-wing with
two obsolete transverse fuscous lines or shades, a dark dot at end of cell and a submarginal series of black dots;
hind-wing on both sides and fore-wing below unicolorous fuscous grey. Antenna with the branches yellowish-
brown. Expanse 26 mm”.
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FIGURE 1. Habitus of Haplopacha spp. including H. cinerea (A–D): A) holotype male, B) male, C) male, D) female; H.
riftensis (E–F): E) holotype male, F) paratype female; H. tangani (G–H): G) holotype male, H) paratype female; H. lunata (I):
I) holotype male; H. nduomoi (J–K): J) holotype male, K) paratype female; and Haplopacha sp. indet. (L).
FIGURE 2. Cephalic and egg morphology of Haplopacha showing: A) the cephalic sclerotized prominence (sp), the porrect
labial palps (p) and the orange bifurcate antennal segments of H. cinerea male; B) eggs of H. tangani with apical light beige
coloration, lateral dried residue patch (rp) and clustering of three eggs (a).
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FIGURE 3. Schematic wing venation of Haplopacha showing the location of the basal and discal wing spots (bws, dws), the
open discal cells of forewing and hind wing, the residual discal cell veinlets (dcv) as well as a magnified portion of the anterior
hind wing base (B) showing the expanded humeral area (hu), humeral vein (huv) and the characteristic precostal cell (pcc).
The original description above includes only the wing pattern and a comment on the bifurcation and
colouration of the antenna. Our observations on the holotype and the three additional specimens allows us to extend
the description with more accurate wing pattern characteristics as well as male and female genitalia characters.
Forewing pale beige-grey, triangulate with straight costa, and 10 submarginal dots without distinct white inner
margins. Antemedial and postmedial lines jagged and distinctly creating a median field which spans whole width
of wing. Basal wing spot approximate oval with major axis parallel to costa. Hind wing brown with slightly lighter
postmedial fascia.
Male genitalia (Fig. 6A,B): Vinculum narrow and undifferentiated. Valve with short lobe-like cucullus, this
tapered distally and longest superiorly, set high on vinculum-tegumen ring on level with gnathos, with dense
covering of long filiform scales. Dorsal margin of cucullus straight and parallel to basal portion of ventral margin,
which in turn extends at least half the width of cucullus. Sacculus extends into a saccular process as far as tip of
cucullus, forming a sclerotized triangulate claw with minute spines. Saccular process approximately 2/3 in length
of whole sacculus and with sparse covering of setae. Uncus heavily sclerotized and spatulate. Gnathos broadly
rounded and sclerotized. Phallus broad and rounded at base in lateral view, tapering into sharp apex; in dorsal view
its base (coecum) appears rounded, widening towads middle of phallus, which truncates into a rounded tongue
corresponding to its distal third. Vesica bulbous, with an oval patch of curved, distally oriented cornuti.
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FIGURE 4. SEM images of the discal wing spot of H. nduomoi showing: A) a s-shaped wing spot scale, B) the adwing scale
sculpturing of a wing spot scale and C) the wing integument below the discal wing spot illustrating the denser wings spot scale
sockets (ss) compared to the surrounding wings scale sockets (ws).
Female genitalia (Fig. 7A): Abdominal segments VII–VIII weakly sclerotized. Sternum VIII sclerotized
caudad of ostium bursae, with distal margin forming a transverse ridge with squared indent. The transverse ridge
protrudes to such an extent that it overlays ostium bursae, this not wider than ¼ of width of segment VIII. Antrum
narrow subrectangular, ridged and fairly sclerotized . Corpus bursae missing from the dissected specimen. Papillae
anales small, rounded and adpressed, facing outwards. Anterior and posterior apophyses similar, undifferentiated
long and narrow, approximately 1.5x the length of segment VIII.
Notes. The single female specimen without an abdomen in the NHRS is from the type locality and, according
to the label, collected four years before Aurivillius described H. cinerea. Since Aurivillius was based at the NHRS,
it is reasonable to ask whether this specimen in fact represents a syntype. However, the original description ends
with the statement: “A single, rather badly damaged specimen” (Aurivillius 1905, p. 324). It is clear that
Aurivillius only used the single male specimen as the basis for the description, and the specimen in NHRS cannot
be considered a type.
Haplopacha riftensis sp. nov.
(Fig. 1E,F)
Type(s): holotype ♂, in NHM.
Type locality: Nyasaland, Mt Mlanje [= Mulanje].
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FIGURE 5. SEM images of the discal wing scale spots of H. cinerea (A–C), H. riftensis (D–E), H. tangani (F–G), H. lunata
(H), H. nduomoi (I–K) and Haplopacha sp. indet. (L). All the species with the exception of H. lunata show a “class 1-irregular
incurve” scale arrangement (after Singh, 2006).
Material examined. 2 specimens: Holotype male (Fig. 1E) (BMNH(E)_1377241, NHM London, dissected
but genitalia absent), Nyasaland, Mt. Mlanje [= Mulanje], 6.III.1913, S.A. Neave [leg.].
Paratype: Female (Fig. 1F) (BMNH(E)_1377244, NHM London, dissected and genitalia mounted on slide:
Lasiocampidae #1531 (Fig. 7B)), same data as holotype.
Diagnosis. Although similar to H. tangani sp. nov. in wing shape and brownish wing tint, H. riftensis has less
sharp ante- and postmedial lines due to more diffuse pale lining of lines, proximally and distally, respectively. The
basal wing spots however are surrounded by a larger white scale patch.
Distribution and localities (Fig. 8). Both known specimens were collected in Mt Mulanje, Malawi.
Flight period. Because the only examined specimens were collected in copula the only data available is that
they were on the wing in early March.
Description. Forewing warm reddish brown, darkest in anterior portion, and widely irrorated with cinereous
grey in basal and distal fields of male, less conspicuously so in female. Costal margin sinusoidal, slightly concave
before middle, then convex until broadly rounded wing apex. Antemedial and postmedial lines irregular and fairly
diffuse. Submarginal spots black with prominent white inner margins, in number of nine. Basal wing spot round.
Hind wing dark brown.
Male genitalia: Unknown.
Female genitalia (Fig. 7B): Abdominal segment VIII with sclerotized sternum. Ostium bursae wide, at least
half the width of the segment VIII, with a straight posterior lip with lateral ridges. Antrum sclerotized and broadly
rounded before junction with straight ductus bursae. Corpus bursae with pair of transverse, slightly crescent-shaped
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signa. Papillae anales short, stout and cylindrical, adpressed with segment VIII facing outward. Anterior and
posterior apophyses similar, undifferentiated long and narrow, approximately as long as segment VIII.
Note. Specimens collected in copula (based on label “in cop” annotation).
Etymology. The species name refers to the Great Rift Valley that has Mt Mulanje in its southern range.
FIGURE 6. Male genitalia of H. cinerea (A–B), H. tangani (Holotype) (C), H. lunata (Holotype) (D), H. nduomoi (Holotype)
(E). Abbreviations are as follows: gnathos (gn), phallus (ph), uncus (un), vesica cornuti (vec), valve cucullus (vc), valve
sacculus (vs) and valve saccular lobe (vsl).
Haplopacha tangani sp. nov.
(Fig. 1G, H)
Type(s): holotype ♂, in NHM.
Type locality: Mlingano Tanga, Tanzania.
Material examined. 2 specimens: Holotype male (Fig. 1G) (BMN(E)_1377280, NHM London, dissected and
genitalia mounted on slide: Lasiocampidae #1569 (Fig. 6C)), Mlingano Tanga, Tanzania, Aug. 1966, I. Robertson
[leg.].
Paratype: Female (Fig. 1H) (BMN(E)_1377281, NHM London, Tams dry genitalia dissections (1955/815)
mounted on slide: Lasiocampidae #1561 (Fig. 7C)), [Mt] Mlanje, Nyasaland, Feb 1923, H. Barlow [leg.].
Diagnosis. Overall similar to H. riftensis, but the ante- and postmedial lines of the forewing are more sharply
defined by white lining, proximal and distal to the two lines, respectively. Furthermore, the female genitalia are
markedly different, especially in the sclerotized collar that is present around the ostium bursae.
Distribution and localities (Fig. 8). This species shows the broadest range out of congeners, the holotype
having been collected in north Tanzania, and the paratype in south Malawi It is worth noting, however, that
association between the only male and female specimens known is tentative. The latter, showing superficial
resemblance with female H. riftensis, both coexisting in southern Malawi, was matched with the holotype in
consideration of its general agreement in pattern too and by the fact that the female paratype of H. riftensis was
found in copula with holotype of the latter.
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FIGURE 7. Female genitalia of H. cinerea (A), H. riftensis (Paratype) (B), H. tangani (Paratype) (C), H. nduomoi (Paratype)
(D) and Haplopacha sp. indet. (E). Abbreviations are as as follows: anterior vaginal plate (avp), lateral ridge (lr), ostium
bursae (ob), ostium collar [sterigma] (oc), signum (sgn) and transverse ridge (tr).
Flight period. Without more data little more can be said about the flight period of this species other than it was
recorded in August and February.
Description. Forewing with costal field warm brown, remainder of wing surface, including very base,
cinereous grey. Costal margin sinusoidal, slightly concave before middle then bowed before rounded apex. Ante-
and postmedial lines irregularly crenulated, lined proximally and distally, respectively, with white. Distal field
irrorated with grey, more conspicuously so in male. Submarginal spots in number of nine, black with prominent
white inner margins. Basal wing spot round. Hind wing almost unicolorous warm brown as costal field of
forewing except for lighter brown postmedial line.
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Male genitalia (Fig. 6C): Vinculum dorso-laterally widened and sclerotized, and with fairly pronounced
saccus. Cucullus as a great lobe, originating high on the vinculum-tegumen ring, its dorsal margin concave to
rounded apex, ventral one smoothly convex. Sacculus broad at base, then abruptly constricted at middle, then
terminating into finger-like process bearing several stout spines on apex. Saccular basal lobes very large, rounded
and with sparse covering of small setae. Uncus triangular with lateral rounded protrusions and truncated rounded,
somewhat claw-shaped distal hook. Gnathos subtriangular with a rounded tip. Phallus short, straight cylindrical,
and without cornuti on vesica.
Female genitalia (Fig. 7C): Abdominal segments VII and VIII entirely sclerotized. Ostium bursae recessed
into pouch created by fused anterior and posterior lips that create a sterigma almost as wide as sternum VIII. The
anterior lip of sterigma forms a broadly concave curve whereas the posterior one is straighter but deeply
invaginated midventrally. Ostium bursae at least 1/3 as wide as sternum VIII. Antrum sclerotized, and broadly
rounded where it tapers into ductus bursae. Corpus bursae is missing in the studied specimen. Papillae anales small
rounded and adpressed with the papillae anales facing outwards.
Together with the female specimen there was a papered triangle with 29 eggs. The eggs are dark brown, oblong
with a light beige circle with a dark spot at the middle in either end (Fig. 2B). The chorion is sculptured with
ordered concavities. Each egg has a dried residue patch on its lateral surface. The residue patch does not appear to
be in the same spot on all eggs. Furthermore, three eggs were observed to be stuck together at random angles.
Etymology. The name tangani is both a reference to part of the species’ range, that includes Tangyanika, and
the collecting locality of the holotype, Tanga.
Haplopacha lunata sp. nov.
(Fig. 1I)
Type(s): holotype ♂, in NHM.
Type locality: District of the Great Craters, Tanganyika Territory.
Diagnosis. This species is most easily distinguished by the crescent-shaped discal spot, grey lunulate
submarginal spots of forewing and pale-coloured hind wing.
Distribution and localities. Only a single specimen from Northern Tanzania.
Flight period. February–March.
Material examined: Holotype male (Fig. 1I) (BMNH(E)_1377279, NHM London, Tams dry genitalia
dissections (1955/796) mounted on slide: Lasiocampidae #1572 (Fig. 6D)), District of the Great Craters,
Tanganyika Territory, Feb.–March 1921, TA. Barnes [leg.].
Description: Forewing triangular, grey-coloured, with pale cinereous tinge in basal and distal fields. ante- and
postmedial bands not sharply defined all the way to costa, thus making median field somewhat blurred anteriorly
Antemedial line straight and very oblique inferiorly. Submarginal spots darker grey, lunulate. Basal wing spot oval
with major axis oriented parallel to the costa. Discal wing spot crescent-shaped, spanning the entire width of open
discal cell and lined with white scales along inner margin. Hind wing pale beige-brown.
Male genitalia (Fig. 6D): Vinculum undifferentiated, U-shaped. Cucullus very small and flimsy, finger-like,
originating high on vinculum-tegumen ring. Sacculus large, overpassing cucullus by at least a full length of the
cucullus itself with stout, distally spatulate saccular process, which is exteriorly ornamented with small spines.
Saccular lobes about 1/3 of basal width of sacculus, with sparse covering of long setae. Uncus and gnathos missing
from the preparation. Phallus broad cylindrical, slightly curved. Vesica as a cylindrical elongation of phallus with
single terminal straight cornutus, at least ½ as long as phallus itself.
Etymology. The species name lunata refers to the characteristic crescent shape of the discal wing spot.
Haplopacha ndoumoi sp. nov.
(Fig. 1J, K)
Type(s): holotype ♂, deposited in the Ditsong Museum South Africa.
Type locality: Ndumo Game Reserve, Kwazulu Natal, South Africa.
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Material examined. 5 specimens: Holotype, male (Fig. 1J), dissected and genitalia mounted on slide (Fig.
6E), Red Cliffs, Ndumu Game Res., Kwazulu Natal, South Africa, 26°51'10.08"S, 32°12'21.24"E, 28.XI.2014, (at
light) S. Dupont leg.
Paratypes: Female (Fig 1K), (BMNH(E)_1378812, in NHM, genitalia dissected and mounted on slide:
Lasiocampidae #1568 (Fig. 7D), Viewing tower near main gate, Ndumu Game Res., Kwazulu Natal, South Africa,
26°54'44.26"S, 32°16'19.70"E, 05.XII.2014, (at light) S. Dupont leg. Female, (BMNH(E)_1377242, NHM
London, genitalia dissected and mounted on slide: Lasiocampidae #SD1633), same data as holotype. Female
(BMNH(E)_1377245, NHM London, not dissected), same data as holotype. Female, (deposited in the Ditsong
Museum South Africa, Not dissected), Croc farm house, Ndumu Game Res., Kwazulu Natal, South Africa,
26°54'25.77"S, 32°19'12.35"E, 29. XI.–01.XII.2014, (at light), S. Dupont.
Diagnosis: Both sexes can be recognised by the pure grey forewing ground colour without any brown tint and
dark blackish-grey hind wings. Males can be distinguished from most congeners by the short spatulate and strongly
sclerotized uncus, the short, broad and rounded cucullus, and the narrow and elongate sacculus with a pointed but
rounded tip. Females can be recognised by the extremely long and narrow ductus bursae without a basal widening,
the short and well separate cristae, and a broad, flatly U-shaped ridge posterior to ostium bursae. Both in
appearance and structural features the new species appears to be closest to H. cinerea, from which it can be
distinguished by the more rounded basal spot of forewing (slightly elliptical in cinerea), ground colour of hind
wing darker than that of forewing, hence more contrasting with, the broader and more rounded cucullus, the
smaller basal saccular lobes and the more broadly open indentation of posterior margin of sternum VIII in the
female.
Distribution and localities. Known only from the type locality (Ndumo Game Reserve).
Flight period. Adults have been collected between end November and early December.
Description. Forewing with submarginal row of dots consisting of 9 black dots preceded by distinct whitish
suffusion, with the two subtornal dots more or less merged into single, elongate spot. Antemedial line faint.
Metallic discal spots large with dense scales. Habitus otherwise as in general description and species diagnosis.
Male genitalia (Fig. 6E): Vinculum narrow, without distinct saccus. Distal tip of sacculus with minute
microtrichia on inner surface, valva otherwise as in diagnosis. Uncus as in diagnosis. Gnathos strongly sclerotized,
broad and rounded. Phallus broad and rounded at base, narrowing to a rounded point distally; vesica without
cornuti. Juxta normal as for the genus.
Female genitalia (Fig. 7D): Segments VII and VIII weakly sclerotized. VIII with broad, sclerotized ridge
posterior to ostium bursae (see diagnosis). Ostium bursae at least 1/3 the width of segment VIII. Antrum with
sclerotized ridges, slightly wider than ductus bursae. Ductus bursae very long and narrow. Corpus bursae elongate
pear-shaped, with a pair of short, sclerotized serrate signa, transversely oriented. Papillae anales small rounded and
adpressed.
One of the studied females was observed to have a single egg attached to the papillae anales. The egg is oblong
dark brown with chorion provided with ordered concavities (Fig. 2C). The terminal circle with a centred spot
(micropyle) as described for eggs of H. tangani was only faintly visible.
Etymology. The species name refers to the Ndumo Game Reserve, type- and so far only locality known for
this species.
Haplopacha sp. [unassigned]
(Fig. 1L)
Material examined. Female (Fig. 1L) (BMNH(E)_1377243, NHM London, Tams (1955/794) dry genitalia
dissections mounted on slide: Lasiocampidae #1570 (Fig. 7E)), N. Rhodesia, Fort Jameson, J.M. Phipps [leg.].
The exterior appearance of this specimen is not very different from both H. riftensis and H. tangani. The
female genitalia however are markedly different in the heavy sclerotization of abdominal segments VII and VIII as
well as by distinct annulations of the postvaginal plate (Fig. 7E). Because there are no male specimens that can be
associated with this female and in the genitalia preparation both the ductus and corpus bursae are lacking, we do
not feel there is enough information to erect a new species on this specimen.
DUPONT ET AL.
456
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Zootaxa 4109 (4) © 2016 Magnolia Press
FIGURE 8. Distribution map of Haplopacha, with localities presented by numbers 1–9: 1. Ngorongoro crater, Tanzania
(Tanganyika), 2. Mlingano Tanga, Tanzania (Tanganyika), 3. Jameson Fort, Zambia, 4. Mt Mulanje [= Mlanje], Malawi, 5.
Sebakwe, Zimbabwe (Rhodesia), 6. Skukuza (Sabie bridge), South Africa, 7. Lydenburg, South Africa, 8. Barberton, South
Africa, 9. Ndumo Nature Reserve, South Africa. The species are designated by shapes: H. cinerea (open circle), H. riftensis
(closed circle), H. tangani (open triangle), H. lunata (closed square), H. nduomoi (open square) and Haplopacha sp. indet.
(closed triangle)
Discussion
The addition of four new species and a temporarily unassigned specimen possibly representing a fifth one to
Haplopacha shows that this genus is more diverse and widespread than suspected. The very characteristic basal
and discal wing spots, the cephalic sclerotized prominence, the cinereous grey or warm brown colouring and the
dark iridescent fore- and mid tarsi make members of the genus easily identifiable at light traps. Their characteristics
Zootaxa 4109 (4) © 2016 Magnolia Press
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HAPLOPACHA REVIEWED
and the fact that the distribution of the genus spans over approximately 3,000 km along South East Africa (Fig. 8)
will undoubtedly make the collecting additional species likely. There are possibly also other species lying
unrecognized in other collections to those examined by us. Indeed, during the review of the present article V. V.
Zolotuhin brought specimens of Dasychirinula chrysogramma Hering, 1926 to our attention. Although the overall
resemblance of the two studied females is striking and Dasychirinula is certainly very closely related to
Haplopacha the large number of dissimilarities means that we do not feel confident in synonymising the latter
genus with Haplopacha. The discrepancies are the presence of only a single distal wing spot, a V shaped cephalic
prominence, the absence of plumous fore and mid legs, the absence of darkened tarsal scales and the quadruple
spiralled and sclerotized ductus bursae.
Due to poor knowledge about the life habits of the genus, studies on the function of the head prominence and
role of peculiar scale spots of forewing opens exciting new prospects for research into this interesting group of
moths.
Acknowledgments
We would like to thank Ashley Kirkspriggs and the Natural History Museum of Bloemfontein for organising the
fieldtrip where the South African species where collected. Steve Marshall, Benjamin Price and Daniel Whitmore
for keeping the nightly light company and the pre dawn collecting less dull. Ian Kitching has been a great support
and a helping hand with the newly collected material. Kjell Arne Johansson, Tobias Malm and Rasmus Hovmöller
are thanked for help and support during TJS’ visit to the Swedish Museum of Natural History. Vadim V. Zolotuhin
is thanked for making us aware further material of Haplopacha and Dasychirinula, and for additional helpful
review comments. Joel Minet is thanked for helpful review comments. The work presented here would not have
been possible without the funding from the Villum Kann Rasmussen foundation, the Carlsberg Foundation and the
workspace provided by the Natural History Museum of London. Synthesys Grant SE-TAF-5543 allowed TJS to
examine the specimen in the collections of the Swedish Museum of Natural History in Stockholm.
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