Hypotrabala bettinae, Weber & Revay & Verdecia & Müller & Prozorova & Yakovlev & Saldaitis & Volkova & Prozorov, 2024

Hypotrabala bettinae View in CoL sp. n.

https://zoobank.org/ urn:lsid:zoobank.org:act:F83D35FA-5EE8-4111-9CE9-6F9A4E600B76

( Figs 11, 14 View Figures 8–14 , 18 View Figures 15–21 )

Holotype: ♂, “E. Nigeria: Ikom , 22-24.xii.1970, H.Politzar,” [Cross River State, 5.96165, 8.72058, 110 m], GS 29028 (ex Kuchler coll., CGM / USTTB). GoogleMaps

Description. Male ( Fig. 11 View Figures 8–14 ). Flagellum, head and thorax speckled reddish brown, yellow, and dark brown. Abdomen straw colored. Forewing. Forewing length: 22.5 mm. Somewhat triangular, elongated; outer margin wavy; apex blunt. Wings brown with crenulated dark brown medial lines with yellow outer contour, somewhat reniform yellowish discal spot, faint zigzag dark brown outer line with yellow contour and multiple yellow areas in basal field, anal area of medial field, outer field near costa and along veins. Fringe speckled dark brown and yellow. Hindwing. Somewhat trapezoid with wavy outer margin. Basal half straw, distal half speckled brown and straw colored with yellowish veins. Fringe speckled dark brown and yellow. Genitalia ( Fig. 18 View Figures 15–21 ). Tegumen a narrow band with laterocaudal socii. Socii elongated, apically narrow with pointed apex. Vinculum medially split, with juxta forming a pair of elongated narrow ventrolateral outgrowths. Valvae two and half times longer than socii, curved, covered with chaetae along distal half, apically pointed. Juxta surrounds phallus, bears medium-sized dorsal dent. Phallus claw-like, gradually narrows towards apex. Vesica bag-like with two medial lines of cornuti reaching apex of phallus. Female remains unknown.

Diagnosis. H. bettinae sp. n. differs from:

1) H. obscura with yellow elements in pattern of forewings (compare Figs 11 and 12 View Figures 8–14 ); larger socii, distal half of valvae covered with chaetae, and bigger distal cornuti (compare Figs 18 View Figures 15–21

and 19);

2) H. leopoldi sp. n. with lighter coloration with yellow elements in pattern (compare Figs 11 View Figures 8–14

and 1–3 View Figures 1–7 ); shorter socii with pointed apices, longer and narrower valvae covered with chaetae along distal half, larger dorsal dent on juxta, elongated narrow ventrolateral outgrowths,

bigger distal cornuti (compare Figs 18 and 15 View Figures 15–21 );

3) H. benjamini sp. n. with overall lighter coloration and basally lighter colored hindwings

(compare Figs 11 View Figures 8–14 and 5–7 View Figures 1–7 ); apically pointed socii, longer valvae, and larger dorsal dent on juxta (compare Figs 18 and 16 View Figures 15–21 );

4) H. carlottae sp. n. with apically pointed socii and wider dorsal dent on juxta (compare Figs

18 and 17); distribution west of the Dahomey Gap ( Fig. 14 View Figures 8–14 ).

Distribution ( Fig. 14 View Figures 8–14 ). Cross-Sanaga-Bioko coastal forests in Nigeria.

Biology. Adult was collected in December from an altitude of 110 m. Preimaginal stages unknown.

Etymology. The species is named in honor of the beloved wife of the senior author, Bettina, for everything she did for him and their family.