Effect of textile colour on vector mosquito host selection: a simulated field study in Mali, West Africa.

BACKGROUND: The effect of clothing colour on the biting rates of different vector mosquito species is not well understood. Studies under tropical field conditions are lacking. This study aimed to determine the influence of clothing colours on mosquito biting rates in rural and suburban settings in West Africa. METHODS: We performed a simulated field study in a suburban and a rural site in Mali using Mosquito-Magnet traps utilizing CO2 and other attractants, which were covered with black, white, and black/white striped textile sheets covers. These targets operated continuously for 10 consecutive days with bright nights (around full moon) and 10 consecutive days with dark nights (around new moon). Trapped mosquitoes were collected and catch rates counted hourly. Mosquitoes were morphologically identified to the species complex level (Anopheles gambiae s.l. and Culex pipiens s.l.) or species level (Aedes aegypti). A subset of Anopheles specimens were further identified by molecular methods. RESULTS: Under bright-night conditions, An. gambiae s.l. was significantly more attracted to black targets than to white and striped targets; during dark nights, no target preference was noted. During bright nights, Cx. pipiens s.l. was significantly more attracted to black and striped targets than to white targets; a similar trend was noted during dark nights (not significant). For day-active Ae. aegypti, striped targets were more attractive than the other targets and black were more attractive than white targets. CONCLUSIONS: The study firstly demonstrated that under field conditions in Mali, West Africa, mosquito catch rates were influenced by different clothing colours, depending on mosquito species and light conditions. Overall, light colours were least attractive to host-seeking mosquitoes. Using white or other light-coloured clothing can potentially reduce bite exposure and risk of disease transmission in endemic tropical regions.

Review of the bicolora Fang and binghami Hampson species-groups of the genus Ovipennis Hampson with descriptions of five new species from Southwestern China and Indochina (Lepidoptera, Erebidae, Arctiinae, Lithosiini).

The Ovipennis bicolora Fang, 1986 and Ovipennis binghami Hampson, 1903 species-groups are reviewed. The identities of the records of O.binghami reported outside of its type locality are clarified. Ovipennis bicolora is rediscovered with the male and female genitalia illustrated for the first time. The male and female genitalia of O.thomasi ern, 2009 are illustrated for the first time and its specific status is confirmed. Five new species are described: O.hanae S.-Y. Huang, Volynkin & ern, sp. n. (Southwestern China), O.regina Volynkin, ern, S.-Y. Huang & Saldaitis, sp. n. (Northern Thailand and Southwestern China), O.takia Volynkin, S.-Y. Huang & ern, sp. n. (Western and Central Thailand), O.kitchingi Volynkin, S.-Y. Huang & ern, sp. n. (Northern Thailand), and O.sapa Volynkin, S.-Y. Huang, ern & Saldaitis, sp. n. (Northern Vietnam). Adults and genitalia of the new species are illustrated and compared with its congeners.

Description of two new species of Dinometa from East Africa with remarks on D. maputuana (Lepidoptera, Lasiocampidae, Lasiocampinae).

The genus Dinometa Aurivillius, 1927 (type species Gastroplakaeis maputuana Wichgraf, 1906) is reviewed, with two new species described: Dinometa ethani sp. n. from Tanzania and Dinometa abigailae sp. n. from Kenya and Tanzania. All Dinometa species showed no significant differences in male genitalia, but D. ethani sp. n. and D. abigailae sp. n. are allopatric with D. maputuana. D. abigailae sp. n. has specific reddish spots on hindwings that distinguishes it from closely distributed D. ethani sp. n. Two D. maputuana specimens collected at the same night and locality in the Republic of South Africa have an intraspecific variation of 1.52% in cytochrome c oxidase subunit I, while all barcoded D. maputuana are 2.432.74% distant from D. ethani sp. n. Adults, male genitalia and distribution maps of all three species are illustrated.

Notes on Central Asian Furcula with description of a new species.

Genitalia of the female holotype of the Central Asian species Furcula terminata (Wiltshire, 1958) (TL: northeastern Afghanistan) were studied for the first time. They showed a clear similarity with the genitalia of Furcula gorbunovi Schintlmeister, 1998 (TL: Gissar Range, Tajikistan) and Furcula mimonovi Schintlmeister, 1998 (TL: Karakalpakstan, Uzbekistan). Males of F. terminata from Afghanistan were not found in the collections. However, the specimens from neighboring Tajikistan and topotypes of F. gorbunovi and F. mimonovi were studied and all of them have pointed apex of the costal process of valva specific for the bifida-group, not the furcula-group as suggested previously. Considering the morphological similarity and overlapping distribution areas of the three studied taxa, two new synonyms are established for F. terminata: F. gorbunovi syn. n. and Furcula mimonovi syn. n. The population of Tian Shan and Alay Range in Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan, previously regarded as F. terminata, are described here as a new species based on differences in the genitalia of both sexes.

New records of Lasiocampidae (Lepidoptera) from Zanzibar Island with taxonomic notes and description of one new species of Odontopacha Aurivillius, 1909.

Seven genera and seven species of Lasiocampidae are newly recorded from the Zanzibar Island (Unguja): Bombycopsis C. & R. Felder, 1874 with Bombycopsis nigrovittata Aurivillius, 1927; Pallastica Zolotuhin & Gurkovich, 2009 with an unidentified species; Dollmania Tams, 1930 with an unidentified species; Mallocampa Aurivillius, 1902 with Mallocampa leighi Aurivillius, 1922; Eucraera Tams, 1930 with Eucraera witti Prozorov, 2016; Philotherma Möschler, 1887 with Philotherma montibia Strand, 1912; and Odontopacha Aurivillius, 1909 with Odontopacha fenestrata Aurivillius, 1909. The species are followed with taxonomic notes updating the status and distribution of the taxa. Bombycopsis nigrovittata is shown to have the maximum p-distance of 0.3% in cytochrome c oxidase I from Bombycopsis pallida Joannou & Krüger, 2009. Two specimens of Pallastica sp. from Zanzibar are different in wing coloration but identical genetically, both are 0.8-1.2% far from sequenced specimens collected in southern Malawi and eastern Zimbabwe and altogether 3.0-3.8% far from the Zambian and Malawian populations considered to be Pallastica pallens (Bethune-Baker, 1908). The barcoding revealed two distinct lineages of Dollmania in Tanzania with a p-distance of 3.5-3.7% between them, neither can be attributed to either Dollmania marwitzi (Strand, 1913) or Dollmania reussi (Strand, 1913) until the primary types or fresh topotypes are sequenced. The species Ph. montibia is taken out from the synonymy to Philotherma rosa (Druce, 1887) and is stated to be a bona species because of the difference in wing pattern and p-distance of 5.7-5.9%. A new species of the genus Odontopacha - Odontopacha dargei sp. n. - is described from southern Kenya and northern Tanzania where it occurs sympatrically with O. fenestrata. It differs from O. fenestrata by the paler coloration with the spotted external fascia on both wings and a p-distance of 3.04-3.65%. Lectotypes for D. marwitzi and Ph. montibia are established. Mallocampa leighi is recorded from Tanzania for the first time. Females of Chrysopsyche lutulenta Tams, 1923 earlier recorded from Zanzibar Island are figured and the species is recorded from DRC for the first time.

Taxonomic review of the genus Tarika Moore with descriptions of six new species from Nepal, China and Indochina (Lepidoptera: Erebidae: Arctiinae).

The Asiatic footman moth genus Tarika Moore, 1878, which used to be considered as monotypic is reviewed. Six new species are described: T. annapurna sp. n. (Сentral Nepal), T. erlanga sp. n. (China: Sichuan), T. reducta sp. n. (North Thailand), T. danieli sp. n. (China: Yunnan, Sichuan, Fujian, Shandong), T. kinha sp. n. (North Vietnam and China: Yunnan), and T. biserratula sp. n. (China: Hunan). Lectotypes are designated for Lithosia varana Moore, 1865 and Tarika nivea Moore, 1878. Adults, male and female genitalia are illustrated.

A new genus of Afrotropical Lasiocampini: Revaya gen. n. (Lepidoptera, Lasiocampidae, Lasiocampinae).

A new genus Revaya gen. n. with Revaya yahya sp. n. (type-species) and Revaya edita sp. n. are described. A detailed diagnosis for the new genus is provided and compared with three closely related genera: Catalebeda Aurivillius, 1902; Ptyssophlebia Berio, 1937; and Oplometa, Aurivillius 1894. Male genitalia of Oplometa cassandra (Druce, 1887) and female genitalia of Ptyssophlebia discocellularis (Strand, 1912) are illustrated for the first time. Catalebeda producta, P. discocellularis and O. cassandra are recorded for the first time in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

On the taxonomy of the genus Isochlora Staudinger with descriptions of two new species from Mongolia and Qinghai, China (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae: Noctuinae).

Two new species of the genus Isochlora Staudinger, 1882 are described: I. hreblayi Volynkin, Tth, Titov & Saldaitis, sp. n. (western Mongolia) and I. kozlovi Volynkin, Titov, Matov & Saldaitis, sp. n. (Qinghai Province, China). The type species of the genus-group names Chamyla Staudinger, 1900 and Grumia Alphraky, 1892 (I. arctomys Alphraky, 1897 and I. flora (Alphraky, 1892), respectively) are examined, and their synonymy with Isochlora is revised. The synonymy of Chamyla idia Staudinger, 1900 with Isochlora arctomys Alphraky, 1897 is revised as junior synonymies. Lectotypes are designated for Isochlora arctomys Alphraky, 1897, Chamyla idia Staudinger, 1900 and Grumia flora Alphraky, 1892. Isochlora intricans (Alphraky, 1882) is reported from Kazakhstan for the first time. Adults as well as male and female genitalia are illustrated.

Phragmacossia bozanoia new species from southern Greece with some notes on Phragmataecia and Phragmacossia (Lepidoptera, Cossidae, Zeuzerinae).

The taxonomic relationship between the genera Phragmataecia Newman, 1850 and Phragmacossia Schawerda, 1924 is considered. Diagnostic characters and distribution of the species Phragmataecia castaneae (Hbner, 1790), Phragmataecia albida (Erschoff, 1874), Phragmacossia ariana (Grum-Grshimailo, 1899), Phragmacossia territa (Staudinger, 1879), and Phragmacossia minos Reisser, 1963 are studied in detail. A new species, Phragmacossia bozanoi sp. n., is described from the Peloponnese Peninsula and the South Greek mainland.

Taxonomic review of the Cyana adelina (Staudinger) species-group (Lepidoptera: Erebidae: Arctiinae) with descriptions of three new species and one new subspecies from Laos, Thailand and China.

The Cyana adelina (Staudinger, 1887) species-group is established and reviewed. Three new species and one new subspecies are described: Cyana yunnanensis regia ssp. n. (Northern Thailand and northern Laos), Cyana dubernardi sp. n. (China: Yunnan), Cyana khami sp. n. (central Laos), and Cyana karsticola sp. n. (northern Laos). Two new synonyms are established: Cyana yunnanensis yunnanensis (Hampson, 1903) (Chionaema) = Chionaema hoenei Daniel, 1952, syn. n., and Cyana griseilinea de Joannis, 1930 = Cyana succincta ern, 2016, syn. n. Lectotypes are designated for Bizone adelina Staudinger, 1887 and Bizone pratti Elwes, 1890. Adults, male and female genitalia are illustrated.

On the identity of Conisania leuconephra Draudt, 1950 with a description of a new species from Xizang, China (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae: Noctuinae).

The identity of Conisania leuconephra (Draudt, 1950) from Yunnan (China) is revised. A new species Conisania sejilaensis sp. nov. is described from Xizang (China). The adults as well as the male and the female genitalia of the new and related species are illustrated.

Contribution to the knowledge of the genus Nephelomilta Hampson, 1900(Lepidoptera, Erebidae, Arctiinae) from China with descriptions of two new species.

New information on the genus Nephelomilta Hampson, 1900 from China is reported. Two new species are described from southwestern China: N. medogensis Huang, Volynkin & Saldaitis, sp. n. from Motuo County, Xizang Autonomous Region and N. nu Huang, Volynkin & Saldaitis, sp. n. from Nujiang Valley, Yunnan Province. The female of N. yasunorikishidai Huang & Wang, 2019 is discovered and illustrated for the first time, and the species is erected into a separate species-group. Adults and genitalia of the aforementioned taxa and related ones as well are illustrated.

Redescription of the genus Arcilasisa Walker with notes on its taxonomic placement (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae: Noctuinae).

The poorly known monotypic noctuid genus Arcilasisa Walker, 1865 is redescribed. The hitherto unknown male and female genitalia of the type species of the genus, A. sobria Walker, 1865 are illustrated and diagnosed for the first time. The genus is placed in the Apamea Ochsenheimer, 1816 generic complex belonging to the subtribe Apameina Guene of the tribe Apameini Guene. The lectotype for the type species of the genus, Arcilasisa sobria Walker, 1865 is designated.

Anchoscelis fuscomixta noravanka, a new subspecies from Armenia (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae: Noctuinae).

A new subspecies of the genus Anchoscelis Guene, 1839, Anchoscelis fuscomixta noravanka ssp. n. is described from south-west Armenia. The new subspecies belongs to the nominate subgenus of Anchoscelis and is similar, besides Anchoscelis fuscomixta (Gyulai L. Ronkay, 2006), to Anchoscelis pauli (Staudinger, 1892), Anchoscelis kindermanni (Fischer von Rslerstamm, 1839) and Anchoscelis consueta (Herrich-Schffer, 1852). Adults and male and female genitalia of the new subspecies and the similar taxa are illustrated. The habitat of the new subspecies is characterised and illustrated.

On the taxonomy of Barsine striata (Bremer amp; Grey) and Barsine pulchra (Butler) (Lepidoptera: Erebidae: Arctiinae) with descriptions of three new species from Indochina.

The taxonomy of Barsine striata (Bremer Grey, 1852) and B. pulchra (Butler, 1877) is revised. Three new species are described: B. evrys sp. n. (Central and South Vietnam, and South-East Thailand), B. robusta sp. n. (North Thailand), and B. laotiana sp. n. (entral Laos). One taxon is revived from synonymy and upgraded to subspecies level: Barsine pulchra pulcherrima (Staudinger, 1887), stat. rev. Miltochrista gratiosa kurilensis Bryk, 1942, is excluded from the synonymy with Barsine striata and placed in synonymy with B. pulchra (=Miltochrista gratiosa kurilensis Bryk, 1942, stat. rev.). Lectotypes for Lithosia striata Bremer Grey, 1852, Hypoprepia lanceolata Walker, 1854 and Miltochrista pulchra Butler, 1877 are designated. Adults, male and female genitalia are illustrated.

Taxonomic review of Manulea (M.) tienmushanica (Daniel), comb. nov., and its allies with descriptions of two new species from mainland China (Lepidoptera: Erebidae: Arctiinae).

The Manulea tienmushanica (Daniel, 1954) species group is established, characterised and reviewed. Two new species are described: Manulea (M.) salweena sp. n. (China: Yunnan), and Manulea (M.) diaforetica sp. n. (China: Yunnan). Two new combinations are established: Manulea (M.) tienmushanica (Daniel, 1954), comb. n. and Manulea (M.) nigripuncta (Fang, 2000), comb. n. Adults, male and female genitalia are illustrated.

On the taxonomy of the Conistra generic complex with descriptions of three new genera and a new species (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae: Noctuinae).

Three new genera of the Conistra Hbner generic complex are described: Marcinistra gen. n. (Type species: Conistra metallica Hreblay L. Ronkay, 1998), Baimistra gen. n. (Type species: Conistra (s. l.) baima Benedek, Babics Saldaitis, 2011) and Vargalorta gen. n. (Type species: Agrocholorta taiwanawae L. Ronkay, G. Ronkay, Gyulai Varga, 2017). A new species, Marcinistra leichina sp. n. is described from north-western Yunnan Province of China. The genus Suginistra L. Ronkay, G. Ronkay, Gyulai Varga, 2017 is considered to be closely related to Conistra. Seven new combinations are established: Marcinistra metallica (Hreblay L. Ronkay, 1998), comb. n., Baimistra baima (Benedek, Babics Saldaitis, 2011), comb. n., Baimistra pusilla (Benedek, Babics Saldaitis, 2011), comb. n., Vargalorta taiwanawae (L. Ronkay, G. Ronkay, Gyulai Varga, 2017), comb. n., Vargalorta nawae (Matsumura, 1926), comb. n., Vargalorta amamiensis (Shikata, 2015), comb. n. and Vargalorta kimurai (Shikata, 2015), comb. n. A check-list of valid taxa of the Conistra generic complex is provided. The genus Edentelorta L. Ronkay, G. Ronkay, Gyulai Varga, 2017 (Type species: Gortyna edentata Leech, 1889) is synonymised with Etlorta Kononenko, 2016 erected for the same type species: Etlorta Kononenko = Edentelorta L. Ronkay, G. Ronkay, Gyulai Varga, syn. n.; the combination of the type species of the genera is revised: Etlorta edentata (Leech, 1889), comb. rev. Adults, male and female genitalia of Marcinistra gen. n., Baimistra gen. n., Vargalorta gen. n., Suginistra and four subgenera of Conistra are illustrated.

Taxonomic review of the subgenus Tatsipolia Benedek, Behounek, Floriani & Saldaitis of the genus Dasypolia Guenée with descriptions of two new species from southern Xizang, China (Insecta, Lepidoptera, Noctuidae).

The subgenus Tatsipolia Benedek, Behounek, Floriani & Saldaitis, 2011 of the genus Dasypolia Guenée, 1852 is reviewed. Two new species, D. (T.) sejilaensissp. nov. and D. (T.) cerritulasp. nov. are described from the Linzhi (Nyingchi) Prefecture in southern Xizang, China. The adults and the male and female genitalia of all species in the subgenus are illustrated. Additionally, Dasypolia (Auropolia) carlotta Floriani, Benedek, Behounek & Saldaitis, 2011 is reported from Xizang for the first time.

Taxonomic review of the Agrisius guttivitta Walker species group with transfer of the genus Agrisius Walker to the family Nolidae Bruand and descriptions of five new species (Lepidoptera: Nolidae: Eligminae).

The genus Agrisius Walker, 1855 is transferred from the family Erebidae, subfamily Arctiinae to the family Nolidae, subfamily Eligminae. The Agrisius guttivitta Walker species group is reviewed and five new species are described: Agrisius soror sp. n. (North Vietnam), Agrisius witti sp. n. (China, Yunnan), Agrisius cernyi sp. n. (North and West Thailand), Agrisius kachina sp. n. (North Myanmar), and Agrisius frater sp. n. (China, Shaanxi). A new synonymy is introduced: Agrisius vernalis Dubatolov, Kishida & Wang, 2012 = Agrisius fangchenglaiae Orhant, 2015, syn. n. Adults and male and female genitalia are illustrated.

Revision of the Lemonia taraxaci complex, with a description of a new species from Italy and clarification of the status of Lemonia strigata (Lepidoptera: Brahmaeidae: Lemoniinae).

The species Lemonia taraxaci (Denis & Schiffermüller, 1755) is divided into three species based on distribution areas and cytochrome c oxidase subunit 1 (COI) distances above 2%: Central European Lemonia taraxaci (type locality: Austria, Vienna area), Eastern European to South Siberian Lemonia sibirica Wnukowsky, 1934 stat. rev., bona sp. (type locality: Russia, Novosibirsk Oblast, Ozero-Karachi and Russia, Altai Krai, Kornilovo), and Italian Lemonia italiana sp. n. (type locality: Italy, Calabria centr., Sila grd., Casali del Manco, San Nicola Silano (CS)). Authorship of Lemonia strigata Antoshin & Zolotuhin, 2011 is reconsidered. The close relation between the typical L. strigata and taraxaci-like adults from the Balkans is proven genetically. According to this, L. strigata is suggested to be a junior synonym of taraxaci-looking Lemonia taraxaci var. montana Buresch, 1915 (type locality: Bulgaria, Rhodope Mts, Musala), although further DNA investigation is needed to prove this hypothesis.