New Data on Tiger Moths of the Genus Siccia (Lepidoptera, Arctiidae) with Description of Two New Species

Abstract

Two new species, Siccia dudai and Siccia butvilai, are described. These species exhibit features characteristic of the genus, but differ from the other species of the same genus in size, wing pattern and the genital structure. The appearance of the new species, their genital structure and habitats are described and figured. The female genitalia of Siccia buettikeri Wiltshire, 1988 are described and illustrated for the first time.

Full text

Acta Zoologica Lituanica, 2008, Volumen 18, Numerus 4
ISSN 1648-6919
NEW DATA ON TIGER MOTHS OF THE GENUS SICCIA
(LEPIDOPTERA, ARCTIIDAE) WITH DESCRIPTION OF TWO NEW
SPECIES
Povilas IVINSKIS,
Aidas SALDAITIS
Institute of Ecology of Vilnius University, Akademijos 2, LT-08412 Vilnius-21, Lithuania.
E-mail: entlab@centras.lt; saldrasa@gmx.net
Abstract. Two new species, Siccia dudai and Siccia butvilai, are described. These species exhibit
features characteristic of the genus, but differ from the other species of the same genus in size, wing
pattern and the genital structure. The appearance of the new species, their genital structure and habitats
are described and gured. The female genitalia of Siccia buettikeri Wiltshire, 1988 are described and
illustrated for the rst time.
Key words: Siccia sp. n., Arctiidae, Lepidoptera, Oman, Socotra
In t r o d u c t I o n
During the rst and second Lithuanian-German expe-
dition to the Dhofar region in southern Oman and the
rst Lithuanian expedition to Socotra Island (Yemen),
the authors collected a few specimens of small-sized
Arctiidae species attributed to the genus Siccia. So far,
only the species Siccia arabica Wiltshire, 1983 and
S. buettikeri Wiltshire, 1988, have been known from the
Arabian peninsula (Wiltshire 1983, 1988; Hacker 1999),
whereas no reports concerning the representatives of the
genus Siccia have been received from Socotra Island
(Rebel 1907; Hacker 1999).
The new species resemble S. arabica, but are markedly
smaller in size and differ in a number of morphological
features.
Ma t e r I a l a n d M e t h o d s
The material was collected in late September 2006, July
2007, late February and early March by using an Osram
160W mixed light bulb and a black light bulb with a
Honda 350 generator.
de s c r I p t I o n
Siccia dudai sp. nova Ivinskis, Saldaitis
Holotype: male S. Oman, Dhofar, 20 km SW of Al
Mughsayl, h- 640 m, 20-23 9. 2006. Leg. Krueger,
Saldaitis. In the collection of the Museum Witt (Munich,
Germany).
Paratypus: 1 male, S. Oman, NE of Salalah, Dhofar
Mts, Khubrart (Tiger), h- 900 m, 8-24. 7. 2007. Krueger,
Saldaitis leg. 1 male, S. Oman, Dhofar, NE of Jihjat,
h- 550 m, 25. 9. 2006. Leg. Krueger, Saldaitis. 1 female,
the same label as holotypus. 2 females, S. Oman, NE of
Salalah, Dhofar Mts, Khubrart (Tiger), h- 900 m, 8-24.
7. 2007. Krueger, Saldaitis leg. 3 females, S. Oman,
W of Salalah, 20 km W of Al Mughsayl, h- 640 m
slopes to the Arabian Sea (Camels), 8-24. 7. 2007.
Leg. Krueger, Saldaitis. 1 female, S. Oman, NE of
Salalah, Dhofar Mts, Madinat al Hagg (Jungle),
h- 560 m, 8-24. 7. 2007. Leg. Krueger, Saldaitis. 2 males
and 2 females, S. Oman, Dhofar, Wadi Al Mugshayl,
70 m, 19.-22.9.2006, leg. J. Krueger & A. Saldaitis.
3 males and 3 females, S. Oman, Dhofar, 20 km SW of
Al Mughsayl, 640 m, 20.-23.9.2006, leg. J. Krueger &
A. Saldaitis. 2 females, S. Oman, Dhofar, Wadi Razat,
770 m, 21.9.2006, leg. J. Krueger & A. Saldaitis. 1 male,
S. Oman, Dhofar, 20 km E of Jihjat, 550 m, 25.9.2006,
leg. J. Krueger & A. Saldaitis.
Paratypes will be deposited in the Institute of Ecology
of Vilnius University, Museum Witt (Munich, Germany)
and private collections of A. Saldaitis (Vilnius, Lithua-
nia) and J. Dūda (Joniškis, Lithuania).
Description. Measures: forewing length of holotype
5 mm, wingspan 12 mm, in paratypes forewing length
5–6 mm, wingspan 12–14 mm. Wing pattern is typical
of the genus Siccia (Fig. 1). Characteristic features of
Siccia dudai: head, thorax and patagia light grey, ab-
domen dark grey; forewing grey, black at base, costal
margin yellowish grey, with 4 transverse arrays of
large dark spots. Outer wing margin with black scales,
small black spot present on tornal margin. Hindwings
DOI: 10.2478/v10043-008-0034-8

257
Siccia, Arabia
white, with brown black spots in median, subterminal
and terminal wing area. Subterminal spots medially
develop into fascia.
Underside pattern of forewing and hindwing matches
upperside pattern, but forewing veins are whitish pink
and those on wing margins are blackish white.
Figure 1. Siccia dudai. Upperside: A – paratypus female,
B – holotypus male, C – paratypus female.
Male genitalia: Uncus straight, with rounded apex,
valvae slightly asymmetrical, tapered, end of left valva
with 5 spiny projections, that of right valva with 4 pro-
jections, clasper large, bent downwards; juxta mark-
edly quadrangular, anterior lobes short, posterior lobes
separated by deep wide excision. Vinculum wide and
rounded. Aedeagus short and massive, with three groups
of large spiny cornuti, of which one group consists of 6,
the second of 4 cornuti, whereas the third group contains
one stout cornutus and sclerotised plate (Fig. 2).
A
B
1 mm
Figure 2. Siccia dudai. Holotypus male genitalia: A – capsule,
B – aedeagus.
Female genitalia: Papillae anales wide, bent semicircu-
larly; apophyses posteriores of equal width lengthways,
almost three times longer than apophyses anteriores.
Ductus bursae very wide, same width as bursae at widest
part. Corpus bursae almost same length as ductus bur-
sae, about 1/2 of corpus bursae sclerotised, spiny signa
apically form large aggregations, corpus bursae basally
covered with small spiny signa, ductus seminalis deve-
lops distinct bulla at apex of corpus bursae (Fig. 3).
1 mm
Figure 3. Siccia dudai paratypus female genitalia.
Diagnosis: The new species resembles Siccia arabica
Wiltshire, 1983 and Siccia melanospila Hampson, 1911
from East Africa, but differs from the two species by
being smaller and having a different wing pattern and
genital structure. Siccia arabica wingspan 17 mm,
abdomen creamy white, forewing creamy, with ve
large black costal spots transforming into interrupted
forewing lines. In males, valvae with developed apical
process (digitus), aedeagus without cornuti, markedly
widening from middle to apical part.
S. melanospila wingspan 24 mm, antennae pinnate, large
black spots forming broken lines. In males, valvae dou-
ble sclerotised; aedeagus without prominent cornuti.
The second species known from the Arabian peninsula,
S. buettikeri Wiltshire, 1988, can be easily distinguished
from the new species by the wing pattern (wings pale
brown, without black spots and solid lines) and size
(wingspan 26.5 mm).
Siccia paucipuncta Hampson, 1918 is another African
species of similar size (wingspan 12 mm) as the described
Siccia dudai sp. n., but differs from the latter in the colour
of wings (dark and red brown colours dominate).
Siccia dudai sp. n. is close to the recently described spe-
cies S. eberti Kühne, 2007, S. chogoriae Kühne, 2007
and S. elgona Kühne, 2007 distributed in Kenya and
Zimbabwe (Kühne 2007), but differs from them in
size (S. eberti wingspan – 16–17 mm, S. chogoriae
wingspan – 15 mm, S. elgona wingspan – 19 mm) and
the structure of the male genitalia. In S. eberti, uncus
massive and tapering, valvae wide, with blunt process
in costal part; aedeagus long, with 2 large cornuti. In
S. chogoriae, uncus long and narrow; valva apically
with prominent processes in costal and ventral regions;
A
C
B
10 mm

258
Ivinskis P., Saldaitis A.
aedeagus stout, with narrow cornutus tapering at each
end and extending 2/3 of aedeagus length. In S. elgona,
valvae medially widening, with three-lobed apex,
ventral and costal branches spiny, strongly chitinised,
aedeagus stout, with one long plate-shaped cornutus
tapering towards both ends.
Peter Kautt (Kautt 1999) in the list of Yemen Arctiidae
mentions Siccia sp. The specimens mentioned by the author
most probably belong to the newly described species.
Bionomics and distribution: The Dhofar region, the
southernmost province of Oman, is a world away from
the industrialised north and separated geographically
by an interminable rock desert. The Dhofar region is
the only place in the Arabian peninsula with constant
annual precipitation. From mid-June to mid-September,
southwestern monsoon winds bring moisture that usu-
ally occurs as very dense fog. At that time, the Dhofar
region looks like a green oasis surrounded by a desert.
This is the reason for a great variety of endemic ora
and fauna species in the region.
Two types of habitats dominate in the Dhafar region –
dry river valleys in the lowlands rich in grass species
and different Acacia species (Acacia tortilis, A. ehren-
bergiana, A. senegal, Acridocarpus orientalis, etc.) and
narrow deep valleys in the mountains (Fig. 4) abundant
in different bush and tree species (Maytenus dhofarien-
sis, Croton confertus, Blepharis permum, Euphorbia
larica, Physoleucas arabica, Ficus salicifolia, etc.).
Siccia dudai was collected in both types of habitats,
but was not abundant there. Only 1–2 specimens were
caught by light traps, but not every night. Together with
the new species, other species of Arctiidae were also
trapped (Teracotona murtafaa Wiltshire, 1980, Galtara
somaliensis ssp. regalis Wiltshire, 1980, Digama me-
ridionalis ssp. thamaritica Wiltshire, Pelosia arabica
Rebel, 1907). It is likely that Siccia dudai is an endemic
species of the Dhofar region.
Nothing is known about pre-imaginal stages and host-
plants of the species. Presumably, its caterpillars are
polyphagus like those of other Arciidae species.
Etymology: Named after Mr Juozas Dūda (Joniškis,
Lithuania), an enthusiastic lepidopterist and the authors’
good friend.
Siccia butvilai sp. nova Saldaitis, Ivinskis
Holotype: Male Socotra Island, N Hadhier Mts, h-900 m
near Dicksam loc. 05.03. 2008. Leg. A. Saldaitis (depos-
ited in the Museum Witt, Munich, Germany).
Paratypus: 1 male Socotra Island, N Hadhier Mts,
h-900 m near Dicksam loc. 05.03.2008. Leg. A. Saldaitis
(deposited in the Museum Witt, Munich, Germany).
Description: Measures: Forewing length of holotype
6 mm, wingspan 13 mm, same data for paratype. Wing
pattern is typical of the genus Siccia (Fig. 5). Charac-
teristic features of Siccia butvilai: head, patagia greyish
white, abdomen greyish white; forewing whitish grey.
Small black spots on whitish grey background produce
wing pattern. One small costal spot present in basal
region, 2 spots develop into sub-basal fascia, median
fascia reduced, with only one spot present medially,
post-median fascia made up of 2 spots and narrow line
originating medially, several indistinct spots produce
terminal fascia. Hindwings greyish white, plain co-
loured, slightly lighter than forewings.
Underside of forewing dark grey, with 2 black median
spots. Underside of hindwing greyish white, plain co-
loured.
4 mm
A B
Figure 5. Siccia butvilai. Upperside males: A – holotypus,
B – paratypus.
Genitalia: Male; uncus long, with small apiculum,
valvae rounded, symmetrical, of nearly same width
lengthwise, with small costal projection, 2 spiny
processes in ventral part and wide ventral fold. Juxta
trapezium-shaped, vinculum wide, tapering. Aedeagus
long, stout, widening towards apex, with two groups of
elongate plates medially and very inconspicuous plates
apically (Fig. 6).
Diagnosis: The new species resembles Siccia gypsia
Hampson, 1914 known from West Africa, S. chogoriae
Kühne, 2007 from Kenya and S. caffra Walker, 1854
from South Africa, but differs from them in smaller size,
Figure 4. Biotope of Siccia dudai. S Oman, Dhofar, Wadi Al
Mugshayl. Photo by A. Saldaitis.

259
Siccia, Arabia
wing pattern and the genital structure. Siccia gypsia
Hampson, 1914 wingspan 20–22 mm, forewing chalky
white, with large black spots, some specimens have
prominent black median fascia. In males, valvae very
narrow, juxta with 5 apexes. S. chogoriae Kühne, 2007
wingspan 15 mm, forewing and hindwing silvery grey,
forewing with 3 costal spots and 2 median spots. In
males, uncus long and narrow, valvae apically with
distinct processes in costal and ventral parts, aedeagus
stout, with narrow cornutus tapering towards both
ends and extending 2/3 of aedeagus length. S. caffra
Walker, 1854 forewing cream white, with numerous
black spots evenly scattered throughout forewing area.
In males, uncus widening towards apex, valvae very
wide, apically rounded, with blunt extension in costal
area, pointed spike in median area and with pointed apex
in ventral area. Aedeagus with 3 large spiny cornuti.
The genital structure of males of the genus Siccia is
very variable. The male genitalia of S. butvilai are very
close to those of S. conformis Hampson, 1914, but the
characters that discriminate the latter species from the
rst are as follows: valvae wide basally and tapered api-
cally, apiculus projections longer and narrower, ventral
fold of valva extends lengthwise markedly narrowing
medially, then widens towards pointed narrow apex,
aedeagus with large ventral spine at apex.
Externally S. conformis is easily distinguished from the
new species. The two species are well geographically
isolated from each other. S. butvilai is endemic to Socotra
Island, whereas S. conformis is described from Nigeria.
Bionomics and distribution: The Socotra Archipelago
is a part of the Republic of Yemen and is located in the
northwestern Indian Ocean, some 400 km south of the
Arabian peninsula. The archipelago consists of the main
island of Socotra (3,625 km²) and three smaller islands
of Abd Al Kuri, Samha and Darsa.
A long geological isolation of the island from neighbour-
ing Arabia and Africa has resulted in very high levels
of endemism. The island in fact has been historically
known for its unique vegetation. In Socotra Island alone,
over 400 endemic plant species are found.
In the northwestern part of Socotra Island, there are the
Haghier Mountains reaching 1,525 metres above sea
level. The eastern and central parts of the island receive
some rain during the fall and winter, while the western
part is arid. In spring, from March to May, temperatu-
res usually rise above 40 degrees Celsius. The climate
is characterised by seasonal monsoon winds blowing
from the north-east from October to May and from the
south-west from June to September.
S. butvilai was collected in the northern part of the
Haghier Mountains, in the upper part of the Dicksam
canyon, where Dracaena cinnabari, Adenium obesum,
Croton socotranus, Euphorbia arbuscula, Tephrosia
apollinea, Acacia pennivenia and other plant species
dominated (Fig. 7).
Siccia butvilai was not found abundantly, only two
specimens were light trapped during the night. Seve-
ral endemic Noctuidae species were also collected at
the same time: Cerocala socotrensis Hmp., Agrotis
brachypecten Hmp., Leucania diopsis Hmp. and Myt-
himna sokotrensis Hrb.
Siccia butvilai is likely an endemic species of Socotra
Island.
Nothing is known about pre-imaginal stages and host-
plants of the species. Presumably, the caterpillars are
polyphagous like those of other Arctiidae species.
Etymology: named in honour of Mr Rimantas Butvila
(Joniškis, Lithuania), a keen entomologist and the au-
thors’ good friend.
Siccia buettikeri Wiltshire, 1988
The authors found three female specimens of Siccia
buettikeri from Saudi Arabia in the private collection
of Mr A. Legrein (Liege, Belgium). Wiltshire, 1988 de-
Figure 6. Siccia butvilai. Holotype. Male genitalia: A – cap-
sule, B – aedeagus.
Figure 7. Biotope of S. butvilai. Socotra Island N Hadhier Mts.
Photo by A. Saldaitis.
A B
1 mm

260
Ivinskis P., Saldaitis A.
scribed this species from a single female leaving out the
genital description. The authors present a short descrip-
tion of the female genital structure of Siccia buettikeri
adding the picture to it (Fig. 8).
Figure 8. Siccia buettikeri Wiltshire, 1988 female genitalia.
Description of Siccia buettikeri Wiltshire, 1988 female
genitalia: Papillae anales wide, with wide at apex, apo-
physes posteriores joined to papillae anales near middle.
Apophyses posteriores at the second third of their length
have sclerotised buldge. Apophyses anteriores nearly
twice shorter than apophyses posteriors, very wide at
base, gradually tapering at apex. Ductus bursae wide,
sclerotised, ostium bursae nearly two times wider than
ductus bursae. Bulla seminalis wide, opening in ostium
region. Corpus bursae wide, with microscopic dotty
sclerotisation in wall, ductus seminalis located sideways
on bottom of corpus bursae.
ac k n o w l e d g e M e n t s
The authors are indebted to Mr Thomas Witt (Munich,
Germany) for valuable suggestions and other help, to
Ms Lina Jasiukonytė for ink drawing and to Dr Jolanta
Rimšaitė for valuable comments. Thanks are also due
to Mr Albert Legrein (Liege, Belgium) for providing
access to his collection and to Mr Juergen Krueger
(Bilovec, Czech Republic) for his assistance during the
expedition to Oman.
re f e r e n c e s
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the Arabian Peninsula with a survey of the spread with
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na u j o s Si c c i a g e n t I e s r ū š y s (Le p i d o p t e r a ,
a
r c t i i d a e ) i š om a n o
P. Ivinskis, A. Saldaitis
s
a n t r a u k a
Straipsnyje pateikiami naujų mokslui meškučių rūšių iš
Omano Siccia dudai sp. n., Siccia butvilai sp. n. aprašai.
Aprašomos rūšys skiriasi nuo kitų šios genties rūšių
sparnų piešiniu, genitalijomis ir paplitimu. Pateikiamas
Siccia buettikeri patelės aprašymas.
Received: 17 June 2008
Accepted: 26 November 2008
1 mm