Aurotalis argyrastis Hampson 1919, comb. n.

Aurotalis argyrastis (Hampson, 1919) comb. n.

Fig. 28

Charltona argyrastis Hampson, 1919b: 306, 307.

Holotype: ♂ [Kenya, 0°23’N, 34°29’E], Brit[ish] E[ast] Africa, N[orth] Kavirondo, Nasisi Hills, 4800 f[ee]t, 14.VI.1911, (S. A. Neave), 1912-92, GS 11157 BM (6001 Błeszyński), Charltona argyrastis type ♀ H[a]mps[o]n, BMNH(E) 1378093. Deposited in BMNH.

Type locality: Kenya, Nigeria.

Diagnosis: This species is easily separated from the other known members of the genus by virtue of its pale forewings. A. delicatalis (Hampson) (Fig. 2) and rubbed A. nigrisquamalis (Hampson) have pale forewings too, but they have smaller females (25 mm versus 30 mm). The female genitalia have an unusual wrinkled extension between the ductus and corpus bursae that is not found in any other species of the genus.

Additions to original description:

Female genitalia (Fig. 28): Papillae anales rather straight margined. Apophyses posteriores as long as apophyses anteriores. Ostium bursae funnel-shaped, membranous. Ductus bursae as long as corpus bursae, moderately sclerotized and distally with large globular and strongly wrinkled extension. Corpus bursae suboval. Ductus seminalis opening in globular extension of ductus bursae.

Distribution: Kenya, Nigeria.

Remarks: Males are unknown. The second specimen known is a female from Northern Nigeria, Ropp Hills, 20.VII.1920, and has no abdomen.