Architesma nkwaji, Volynkin, 2025

Volynkin, Anton V., 2025, Contribution to the knowledge of the Afrotropical Archithosia Birket-Smith generic complex with the description of a new genus, nineteen new species and a new subspecies, and introduction of new combinations (Lepidoptera: Erebidae: Arctiinae: Lithosiini), Ecologica Montenegrina 82, pp. 1-63 : 22

publication ID	https://doi.org/10.37828/em.2025.82.1
publication LSID	lsid:zoobank.org:pub:35522E72-ABB8-47C1-AB07-3B7BF7391755
DOI	https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.16961942
persistent identifier	https://treatment.plazi.org/id/1D5087DA-FFF5-215B-FF1E-FBFF411EF8E2
treatment provided by	Felipe
scientific name	Architesma nkwaji
status	sp. nov.

Treatment

Architesma nkwaji View in CoL sp. n.

https://zoobank.org/ urn:lsid:zoobank.org:act:93EF6D34-5445-4101-9DB3-1C13AC9632E4

( Figs 55 View Figures 53–62 , 120 View Figures 118–121 )

Diagnosis. The forewing length is 14.5 mm in the male holotype. Architesma nkwaji sp. n. is externally reminiscent of the sympatric A. diffusa sp. n. and A. sordida , but has a somewhat narrower forewing. However, considering the high external polymorphism of Architesma species, reliable identification is possible only thorough the examination of the genitalia structures. The male genital capsule of A. nkwaji sp. n. is similar to A. diffusa sp. n. but differs clearly in the thinner arms of the vinculum, the markedly shorter valva with a considerably shorter and more distally tapered valvula, the proximally broader and distally tapered editum-costa complex, and the shorter and narrower sacculus bearing shorter and thinner basal, and shorter and proximally narrower distal processes. The phallus of A. nkwaji sp. n. is shorter than in A. diffusa sp. n. (in proportion to the annulus length), and has a less prominent ventral carina and a noticeably broader coecum. In the vesica of A. nkwaji sp. n., the distal diverticulum is shorter and distally narrower than in A. diffusa sp. n.

The female is unknown.

Distribution. The new species is currently known only from its type locality in north-western Zambia.

Etymology. The specific epithet is derived from the private Nkwaji Wildlife Reserve , where its unique holotype specimen was collected. The name is a noun in the nominative singular in apposition.