Didugua, DRUCE, 1891

8. DIDUGUA DRUCE, 1891 View in CoL

Didugua Druce, 1891 ; Biol. centr. -amer., Lep. Heterocera 1: 483. Type species: Didugua argentilinea Druce, 1891 . Biol. centr. -amer., Lep. Heterocera 1: 483, 3: pl. 40, f. 13.

Adults. ( Figure 1H View FIGURE 1 , 10E View FIGURE 10 ) Head: male antennae pectinated to or more than basal half, simple filiform in females; antennal tufts present; third segment of labial palpus long; ocelli present. Thorax: male prothoracic leg with no scent pocket; tarsal claws bifid. Wings: males 30 to 35 mm, females 33 to 40 mm; wing pattern coloration brown; forewing with bright white markings best described as a narrow line with two broadened regions, though these markings are similar to those found in Notoplusia Schaus and Ankale Weller ; accessory cell present. Abdomen: hair-like terminal tufts present. Male terminalia ( Figure 6B View FIGURE 6 ): The eighth sternite and tergite simple. SSO absent; valvae costa sclerotized with small processes at apex; uncus tripartite, the apex consists of a bulbous and membranous tip while the base are sclerotized horns; socii well developed, arrowhead-like; juxta circular with two long very sclerotized apodemes rising to the base of the uncus; costulae absent. Aedeagus long and thin, with a foot like callosum. Female terminalia ( Figure 9A View FIGURE 9 ): eighth tergite and sternite simple; papillae anales short with four sclerotized horns laterally; anterior and posterior apophysis long; ductus bursae short and sclerotized; corpus bursae striated in all the surface with no signum.

Diagnosis. Easily recognizable due to the characteristic shape of the bright white markings found on the forewing, these markings formed by a thin line and two regions expanded downward toward the anal margin of the wing. The circular juxta with sclerotized apodemes as well as the presence of a tripartite uncus and broad, flattened socii are also unique.

Comments. The common name for the North American representative of this genus is the “Silvered prominent” which alludes to the shiny silver markings on the forewings. The caterpillars of the type species are commonly observed and can be recognized due to the bright red head and legs, and a boldly patterned body with yellow, white, and black stripes. Recorded host plants include Serjania atrolineata ( Sapindaceae ) (ACG database) and S. brachycarpa Miller et al. (2021) . Thiaucourt and Chacón (2014) dealt with most of the species in a thorough revision, however, we note high morphological similarities between some species, so an updated revision with different approaches may support the need for taxonomic changes such as revised synonymy.

The species Didugua modica Dognin, 1924 has been assigned to Didugua since its original description, but Thiaucourt and Chacón (2014) noted its dissimilarity to other members of the genus. These authors did not examine the genitalia and so were unsure of the generic assignment. In the process of this study, we examined the type of D. modica in the USNM along with its genitalia ( Figs 12G, H View FIGURE 12 , 14F View FIGURE 14 ) and determined that it belongs to the new genus Falcicaputis gen. n. described below, and as such is transferred to that genus as F. modica comb. n.. Furthermore, the species Didugua albipuncta (Schaus) does not belong to Didugua but to Poresta based on our examination of the type and the male genitalia of a member of a series of this species in the USNM and is transferred accordingly, see the Poresta section for more information. The species D. riachuela (Jones) is of uncertain placement in Didugua due to similarities with some Phyllopalpia species. We were unable to dissect D. riachuela to confirm placement.

Distribution. From USA to Brazil.

Species included (11).

Didugua aragua Thiaucourt & Chacón, 2014 View in CoL

Didugua argentilinea Druce, 1891 View in CoL *

Didugua asymetrica Thiaucourt & Chacón, 2014 View in CoL

Didugua beckeri Thiaucourt & Chacón, 2014 View in CoL

Didugua guatemaltica Thiaucourt & Chacón, 2014

Didugua leona (Druce, 1898) View in CoL

Didugua moinieri Thiaucourt & Chacón, 2014 View in CoL

Didugua pittieri (Schaus, 1924) View in CoL

Didugua riachuela (Jones, 1912)

Didugua toddi Thiaucourt & Chacón, 2014 View in CoL