Architesma odzala sp. n.

https://zoobank.org/ urn:lsid:zoobank.org:act: 6993B852-59D0-47CC-9FEC-57084D7F3838

(Figs 67–69, 132, 133, 166)

Type material. Holotype (Figs 67, 132): male, “ Republic of Congo 390m | Odzala- Kokoua National Park, | Lobo research camp | 00°35'04''N, 14°53'12''E | 23–25.xi.2024, LepiLED light | trap. Bashford, M., Elliott, I., | Kirk-Spriggs, A. leg. | ANHRT:2024.19” / “ANHRTUK | 00201544” / “Slide | AV9090 ♂ | A. Volynkin ” (ANHRT).

Paratypes (2 males, 2 females, all in ANHRT). REPUBLIC OF CONGO: 1 female, same data as in holotype but 22–30.xi.2024, MV light trap, gen. slide No.: AV9091 ♀; 2 males, 1 female, 390m, OKNP, Lobo Research Camp, 00°35'04''N, 14°53'12''E, 20–27.ix.2024, MV light trap, Bashford, M., László, G., Volynkin, A., Yaba Ngouma, S. leg., gen. slide No.: AV9071 ♂.

Diagnosis. The forewing length is 11.5–13.0 mm in males and 16.0– 16.5 mm in females. Architesma odzala sp. n. is the smallest known species in the genus Architesma, which is most externally reminiscent of the sympatric A. inermis sp. n. but distinguished from it by the somewhat smaller size, the distally narrower forewing with a smoother tornus, the paler, olive brown body and forewing ground colour (vs. brownish-grey in the congener), and the diffuse and dark olive brown transverse line of the forewing, which is more distinct and black in the congener. The genitalia of the two species are fundamentally different and the male genital capsule of A. odzala sp. n. is most similar to A. turlini sp. n. and A. sordida, differing from the former species in the proximally broader uncus, the distally broader scaphium, the proximally broader and apically pointed ampulla (it is distally foot-shaped in the congener), the shorter valvula, and the shorter sacculus with less curved basal and proximally narrower and less upcurved distal processes. Compared to A. sordida, the male genital capsule of A. odzala sp. n. has a distally broader scaphium, a distally upcurved and apically pointed, setose ampulla (whereas it is straight, thumb-shaped and spinulose in A. sordida), a shorter valvula, and a shorter distal saccular process. The phallus of A. odzala sp. n. is more similar to A. turlini sp. n. but less curved proximally, while that of A. sordida is distally broader and has a smaller coecum. In the vesica, A. odzala sp. n. differs from both its congeners in the considerably longer distal diverticulum. The female genitalia of A. odzala sp. n. are clearly distinct from other known species in the genus by their longer and heavily sclerotised 8 th tergite, and the sterigma structure, which combines a large swollen posterior section of the postvaginal formation (which is similar to that of A. ampullaria sp. n. but markedly broader and longer), and a short triangular antevaginal plate covering the ostium bursae ventrally. The structure of the anterior section of the corpus bursae of A. odzala sp. n. is also unique among the Architesma species with its membranous anterior section bearing only a small area of very sparse scobination medially (whereas in all other known species the anterior section is evenly scobinate), and the heavily gelatinous anterior part of the posterior section of the corpus bursae also lacking the scobination whereas in other congeners it is more thin-walled and heavily scobinate.

Distribution. The new species is currently known only from its type locality in northern Republic of Congo.

Etymology. The specific epithet is derived from Odzala-Kokoua National Park, where the new species is found. The name is a noun in the nominative singular in apposition.