Sphingidae Taxonomic Inventory

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Descriptions of two new genera and four new species out of “Gastroplakaeis delicatulus” (Lepidoptera, Lasiocampinae)

Publication Type:Journal Article
Year of Publication:2025
Authors:V. Vardecia, Cipolla, A., Beavogui, A. H., Petrányi, G., Saldaitis, A., Yakovlev, R. V., Sulak, H., Volkova, J. S., Revay, E. E., Müller, G. C., Prozorova, T. A., Prozorov, A. M.
Journal:Ecologica Montenegrina
Volume:93
Start Page:84
Pagination:84-107
Date Published:25/12/2025
Keywords:BARCODING, CAMEROON, CATALOGUE, COI, DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF THE CONGO, DNA, GABON, GASTROPLAKAEIS, GHANA, GUINEA, IVORY COAST, LASIOCAMPIDAE, LEPTOMETA, MALE GENITALIA, MAXIMUM LIKELIHOOD, NIGERIA, PLOCA, PLOCOIDES, ZAMBIA
Abstract:

"Numerous dissections and barcoding efforts revealed that what was initially identified as Gastroplakaeis delicatulus Aurivillius, 1911 is actually a complex of two genera and five species: Ploco gen n. delicatulus comb. n. (type locality is in southern Ghana), P. sarah sp. n. (type locality is in southern Nigeria), P. donnalee sp. n. (type locality is in northern Democratic Republic of the Congo), P. johnsenior sp. n. (type locality is in northern Zambia), and Plocoides gen. n. johnjunior sp. n. (type locality is in central Democratic Republic of the Congo). The new genera are close relatives of Gatroplakaeis [sic] Möschler, 1887, and Leptometa Aurivillius, 1927; all four differ mostly in the shape of the dorsal processes of the tegumen and shape and position of the phallus. A phylogenetic tree, distribution map, and photos of adults and their genitalia are provided."

URL:https://dx.doi.org/10.37828/em.202 5.93.7
STI taxonomic comments: 
The first author's family name is incorrectly given on the first page as "Vardecia" rather than "Verdecia".
Scratchpads developed and conceived by (alphabetical): Ed Baker, Katherine Bouton Alice Heaton Dimitris Koureas, Laurence Livermore, Dave Roberts, Simon Rycroft, Ben Scott, Vince Smith