Revision of the genus Palaeugoa Durante, 2012, with descriptions of seven new species (Lepidoptera: Erebidae: Arctiinae: Lithosiini)

The paper provides the taxonomic revision of the genus Palaeugoa Durante, 2012. Seven new species are described: P. moa Volynkin & László, sp. nov. (Sierra Leone), P. smithi Volynkin & László, sp. nov. (Gabon, Cameroon, Republic of the Congo, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Uganda), P. megala Volynkin & László, sp. nov. (Rwanda), P. takanoi Volynkin & László, sp. nov. (Gabon), P. asafis Volynkin & László, sp. nov. (Cameroon), P. aristophanousi Volynkin & László, sp. nov. (Gabon) and P. ngoko Volynkin & László, sp. nov. (Cameroon). Nolidia peregrina Hacker, 2014 described in the family Nolidae is transferred to the genus Palaeugoa Durante, 2012 of the family Erebidae: Palaeugoa peregrina (Hacker, 2014), comb. nov. The lectotype of Xanthetis spurrelli Hampson, 1914 is designated. Adults, male and female genitalia of all species discussed are illustrated in 27 colour and 29 black and white figures. The genitalia were dissected and mounted in euparal on microscope slides. The photos of adults were taken using a Nikon D3100/AF-S camera equipped with a Nikkor, 18–55 mm lens. The photos of genitalia were taken by the same camera attached to a microscope with an LM-scope adapter. All pictures were processed using the Adobe Photoshop CC 2018® software. or a few spines apically. Distal plate of vesica absent. Female genitalia . Papillae anales rectangular with rounded corners, weakly setose. Apophyses posteriores long and thin. Apophyses anteriores very short and thin (in P. camerunensis and P. smithi ) or fully reduced (in P. spurrelli and P. secunda ). Postvaginal area of 8 th abdominal segment weakly sclerotized, rugose and weakly dentate, or thick-walled membranous and slightly rugose (in P. camerunensis ). Ostium bursae moderately broad, with membranous dorsal margin; antevaginal plate broad but very short, band-like, weakly sclerotized. Ductus bursae short, narrow, thick-walled membranous, longitudinally rugose. Corpus bursae elliptical, posterior end moderately sclerotized and rugose; medial section weakly sclerotized, longitudinally rugose and densely covered in short spinules; anterior section densely spinulose or scobinated. Appendix bursae broad, globular or elliptical, membranous or weakly setose, erected laterally, with basal section narrow, weakly sclerotized and rugose. incision. Vinculum short and broad, U-shaped. Valva moderately broad and elongate, its costal margin medially convex. Cucullus setose, strongly tapered distally, apically pointed (in P. asafis ) or narrowly rounded with a bunch of short spinules in P. takanoi . Costal process claw-like, relatively short and narrow, apically pointed, directed ventrally. Sacculus relatively narrow, with a long and narrow distal process and a shorter, narrow, curved medial process. Aedeagus narrow, medium long, with well-developed coecum. Vesica short and moderately broad, with two or three short, globular diverticula and one cluster of robust cornuti. Distal plate of vesica absent. Female genitalia . Papillae anales broadly trapezoidal with rounded corners, sparsely setose. Apophyses thin, apophyses posteriores ca. 3 times longer than apophyses anteriores. Ostium bursae moderately broad. Antevaginal plate moderately sclerotized, broad reverse-trapezoidal with undulate posterior margin. Ductus bursae short and relatively narrow, tubular, thick-walled membranous, slightly wrinkled. Corpus bursae teardrop-shaped, directed in right angle to ductus bursae axis, its distal (broader) section densely covered in small spinules; apical section thick-walled and slightly wrinkled. Appendix bursae markedly longer than corpus bursae, consists of three sections: basal section perpendicular to ductus bursae axis, medially dilated-globular, heavily sclerotized, thick-walled and slightly wrinkled; medial section directed anterio-laterally, strongly tapered, thick-walled and slightly wrinkled; distal section directed anteriorly, dilated, globular, basal section densely covered in fine denticles, medial and distal sections sparsely spinulose.


Introduction
Palaeugoa Durante, 2012 was erected as a monotypic genus for Xanthetis spurrelli Hampson, 1914 described from Ghana (Durante 2012). Five years later, the second species of the genus, P. secunda Volynkin, 2017 was described from the coastal lowland forests of Sierra Leone. The third species, P. camerunensis (Strand, 1912) was transferred to Palaeugoa from the genus Asura Walker, 1854 by Volynkin et al. (2019). Durante suggested the genus to be closely related to Eugoa (unassigned to any tribes of Lithosiini) based on the "dorsal processes of the tegumen and short and stout uncus" (Durante 2012). However, in Palaeugoa the uncus is weakly sclerotized, dorso-ventrally flattened and fully fused with tuba analis whereas in Eugoa, the uncus is conspicuously more robust and clearly separated from tuba analis. Furthermore, the processes treated by Durante as part of the tegumen, in fact erect from the valval costal margin, representing transtillar processes. Other characters of the male and female genitalia of the genus suggest closer link to the members of the subtribe Nudariina. Volynkin et al. (2019) provisionally placed it in the Asura/Miltochrista generic complex, although such characters as the uncus fused with tuba analis and the Species content of the genus Palaeugoa P. spurrelli species-group spurrelli (Hampson, 1914) moa Volynkin & László, sp. nov.

Taxonomic account
The P. spurrelli species-group Diagnosis. The members of the species-group are characterized by the bright yellow or pale orange wing and body colouration. In the male genitalia, the species-group is distinguished by the combination of the following features: (1) the anellus is membranous (it is partially covered in very small spinules only in P. smithi); (2) the transtillae bear large lobe-like processes which are interconnected by a thick-walled membrane or fused basally; (3) the cucullus is broad, with a relatively long membranous ventral part; (4) the costal process may bear an elongate but short crest.
Description. External morphology of adults. Small moths with forewing length 6.5-12 mm in males and 9.5-11 mm in females (the female of P. megala is unknown). Sexual dimorphism limited: females slightly larger than males with slightly longer and broader forewing. Antennae of both sexes sparsely ciliate. Body and wing colouration varies from bright yellow to pale orange with some pinkish suffusion in certain species. Forewing pattern diffuse, brownish. Subbasal line shortly zigzagged, sometimes interrupted into series of dots. Antemedial lines irregularly undulate, interrupted, consisting of series of dots. Medial line more or less parallel with and running close to the antemedial line, irregularly undulate, may be interrupted at veins. Postmedial line irregularly zigzagged, strongly curved outwards opposite the cell, its posterior end curved towards tornus. Subterminal line broad, irregularly undulate, running parallel with the postmedial line, interrupted into series of spots of different sizes. Terminal line is represented by a row of small dots at veins which sometimes connected to each other by a pale suffusion. Cilia colouration as forewing ground colour. Hindwing considerably paler than forewing, without pattern.
Male genitalia. Uncus short, dorso-ventrally flattened, broad at base, tapered distally, rounded apically, weakly sclerotized, sparsely setose, fully fused with tuba analis. Tuba analis thick, membranous, subscaphium weakly setose. Tegumen short and narrow. Anellus membranous (weakly spinulose in P. smithi). Juxta broad but short, ribbon-like, weakly sclerotized, in some species with a conspicuous medial process directed ventrally. Vinculum short, broad, U-shaped. Transtillae with large lobe-like flattened processes, which may be connected with thick-walled intrategumenal membrane or fused into one plate (as in P. smithi). Valva elongate, moderately broad. Costa with an elongate but short transverse crest on its inner surface (absent in P. camerunensis and P. smithi). Cucullus broad, setose, with large membranous ventral part. Sacculus narrow, with elongate and apically pointed distal process, in some species (viz. in P. smithi and P. megala) also with an elongate and apically pointed medial process directed postero-dorsally. Aedeagus elongate and narrow, nearly straight, without processes (except in P. camerunensis where slightly sinuous bearing a plate-like medio-dorsal crest). Vesica relatively short, with several short granulated diverticula, in some species (P. smithi and P. megala) also with one or two elongate diverticula bearing one or a few spines apically. Distal plate of vesica absent. Female genitalia. Papillae anales rectangular with rounded corners, weakly setose. Apophyses posteriores long and thin. Apophyses anteriores very short and thin (in P. camerunensis and P. smithi) or fully reduced (in P. spurrelli and P. secunda). Postvaginal area of 8 th abdominal segment weakly sclerotized, rugose and weakly dentate, or thick-walled membranous and slightly rugose (in P. camerunensis). Ostium bursae moderately broad, with membranous dorsal margin; antevaginal plate broad but very short, band-like, weakly sclerotized. Ductus bursae short, narrow, thickwalled membranous, longitudinally rugose. Corpus bursae elliptical, posterior end moderately sclerotized and rugose; medial section weakly sclerotized, longitudinally rugose and densely covered in short spinules; anterior section densely spinulose or scobinated. Appendix bursae broad, globular or elliptical, membranous or weakly setose, erected laterally, with basal section narrow, weakly sclerotized and rugose.
Additional material examined  Volynkin); 8 males, the same locality and collectors, but III.2017; 5 males, the same locality and collectors, but IV.2017 (MWM/ZSM); 1 male, Guinee Forestiere, Bossou Forest and Institut de Recherche Environmentale de Bossou (Lowland Forest-Farmland), 690m, 07°38'32"N, 08°30'30"W, 24-31.vi.2019, MV Light Trap, Dérozier, V., Suah Dore, J., Koivagui, S., Miles, W., Sáfián, S., Warner, R. leg., ANHRT:2019. LIBERIA: 1 male, Lofa county, Wologizi Mts, Rosewood Camp, 585m, 8°06'14.9"N, 9°58'27.3"W, 18.xi.-1.xii.2018, MV Light Trap, Sáfián, Sz., Simonics, G. leg., ANHRT:2018  Diagnosis. The forewing length is 7-9.5 mm in males and 10-11 mm in females. The species slightly varies in size, forewing width and the intensity of pinkish suffusion on the wings. Palaeugoa spurrelli is very similar externally to P. secunda and P. moa and reliable identification is possible only by the examination of the genitalia structures. In the male genitalia, the broad and setose transtillar process bearing a short but broad inner protrusion is characteristic for the species. The vesica of P. spurrelli may bear one or two tiny spinules on the tips of lateral and medial diverticula which may also be absent within the same population. The frequent lack of spines is probably due to their deciduous character and loss during copulation. The differences between P. spurrelli, P. moa and P. secunda are discussed in details below in the diagnoses of the two latter species.
Distribution. The species is known from Guinea, Liberia, Ivory Coast (new records) and Ghana (Hampson 1914).
The records from Cameroon (Delabye et al. 2020) and western Kenya (Kühne 2008) were based on misidentification representing other species of the genus (see below). Diagnosis. The forewing length is 8 mm in the male holotype. The new species is externally indistinguishable from P. spurrelli, P. secunda and P. camerunensis. The male genital capsule of P. moa is most similar to that of P. secunda, but differs from it by the conspicuously broader base of the transtillar process, the considerably longer medial process of the juxta, and the larger costal process. The aedeagus of the new species differs from that of P. secunda by its more elongate proximal section. The vesica configurations of the two species are very similar, but the main chamber of the vesica is slightly narrower in P. moa than in P. secunda. In comparison to that of P. spurrelli, the genital capsule of P. moa has a conspicuously more elongate and distally narrower transtillar process lacking an inner triangular protrusion and a shorter but more prominent costal process. The vesica of the new species differs from that of P. spurrelli by its larger and longer medial diverticulum. Female is unknown.

Palaeugoa moa
Distribution. The new species is known only from a primary lowland forest in the Tiwai Island of the Moa River in Sierra Leone.
Etymology. The specific epithet refers to the type locality by the Moa River. Volynkin, 2017 (Figs 5, 6, 33-35, 52) Palaeugoa secunda Volynkin, 2017, Zootaxa 4353 (2): 385, figs 1, 2, 5, 7 (Type locality: "Sierra Leone, 180 m, Western Area Peninsula Forest Reserve, N08°20'57''; W13°10'42''").  Diagnosis. The forewing length is 7.5-8.5 mm in males and 10 mm in females. Palaeugoa secunda is very similar externally to P. spurrelli and P. moa. Some male specimens of P. secunda have slightly broader forewing than that of the other two congeners, but the reliable identification requires examination of the genital structures. The male genital capsule of P. secunda differs from that of P. spurrelli by the conspicuously narrower and more elongate transtillar process lacking an inner triangular protrusion, the slightly longer juxta with shallower basal depression. In addition, the valva of P. secunda bears a conspicuously shorter medial dorsal process, and a much smaller, narrow-triangular costal process, which is elongate crest-like in P. spurrelli. The female genitalia of P. secunda are very similar to those of P. spurrelli, but distinguishable by the somewhat smaller papillae anales, the slightly stronger dentation of the postvaginal area of the 7 th sternite, and the noticeably longer antevaginal plate which has a shallower medial depression at the ostium bursae. The corpus bursae of P. secunda has a slightly shorter area of spinulose scobination medially and a somewhat broader appendix bursae bearing more robust spinulose scobination compared to those of P. spurelli. The differences between P. secunda and P. moa are discussed in the diagnosis of P. moa.

Palaeugoa secunda
Distribution. The species is known only from the western coast of Sierra Leone, its type series was collected in the lowland forest of the Western Area Peninsula (Volynkin 2017). (Strand, 1912) (Figs 7-11, 36, 37, 53, 54) Asura camerunensis Strand, 1912 Diagnosis. The forewing length is 6.5-9 mm in males and 9.5-10 mm in females. The species is similar superficially to P. spurrelli, P. moa and P. secunda, but can be recognized by its paler yellow forewing ground colour and darker reddish wingpattern, especially the dots of the terminal line. However, worn specimens can be distinguished by the examination of the genitalia only. The male genital capsule of P. camerunensis differs clearly from those of the three, aforementioned species by the broader uncus and distal section of tegumen. The transtillar process of P. camerunensis is more heavily sclerotized than that of the related species, elliptical with setae along its outer margin only, having a broad, plate-like base and a short subbasal ventral process on its inner margin, whereas that is weakly sclerotized, triangular or trapezoidal, covered in setae on the whole surface, lacking a plate-like base and a subbasal ventral process in P. spurrelli, P. moa and P. secunda. The juxta of P. camerunensis is conspicuously narrower than that of its congeners, lacking a medial ventral process which is characteristic for P. spurrelli, P. moa and P. secunda. The new species lacks the costal process of the valva which is present in the related species, in addition the ventroapical margin of the cucullus is evenly rounded whereas that is conspicuously rounded-quadrangular in P. spurrelli, P. moa and P. secunda. The aedeagus of P. camerunensis differs from that of all other congeners by the presence of the characteristic dorso-medial sclerotized crest; moreover, it is slightly dilated subdistally and tapered distally, whereas the aedeagi of the related species have more or less even width in their full length. The configuration of the vesica has a similar ground plan in the four allied species, but in P. camerunensis the medial section is more heavily granulated lacking a lateral diverticulum (which is present in P. spurrelli, P. moa and P. secunda); the dorsal diverticulum is narrower (which is rather globular in the congeners); the medial diverticulum bears one subdiverticulum only (whereas the analogous character in its congeners display two small subdiverticula); in addition, P. camerunensis has a further, distal diverticulum which is absent in P. spurrelli, P. moa and P. secunda. The female genitalia of P. camerunensis differ from those of P. spurrelli and P. secunda by the considerably less sclerotized and smooth-surfaced postvaginal area of the 7 th sternite which is conspicuously rugose in the congeners and the presence of the apophyses anteriores which are fully reduced in P. spurrelli and P. secunda. In addition, P. camerunensis has a markedly narrower antevaginal plate with a sinuous posterior margin (which is rather concave in the related species), a somewhat longer ductus bursae, a more heavily sclerotized medial section and less scobinated and slightly shorter anterior section of the corpus bursae, and a conspicuously smaller, and less scobinated appendix bursae compared to those characters of P. spurrelli and P. secunda.

Palaeugoa camerunensis
Distribution. The species was described from the coastal area of Cameroon (Strand 1912). Delabye et al. (2020) also reported the species from the country, misidentified as P. spurrelli. The recently discovered specimens from Gabon and the Democratic Republic of the Congo represent new country records. The species is presumably associated with the Guinea-Congolian lowland rainforest.  Diagnosis. The forewing length is 6.5-8 mm in males and 8.5-9.5 mm in females. The new species differs externally from the other members of the P. spurrelli species-group by its smaller size, the darker orange-red colouration of the head, thorax and forewing densely suffused with pinkish scales, the considerably more reddish brown forewing pattern, and the intense pinkish suffusion on the hindwing which is pale yellow in the related species. The male genital capsule of P. smithi differs from that of the other congeners by the configuration of the transtillar processes which are fused into a common plate with a deep medio-distal depression, whereas the transtillar processes are detached in the other relatives. The valva shape of the new species is most similar to that of P. megala due to the presence of the medial saccular process (which is absent in P. spurrelli, P. moa, P. secunda and P. camerunensis), but differs from it by the straight costal margin (which is medially convex in P. megala) and the absence of a costal process (present in P. megala). In comparison with P. megala, the new species has considerably narrower apical part of the cucullus, a somewhat narrower distal saccular process which is less curved dorsally and a slightly less elongate medial saccular process with conspicuously broader base which is projected more distally than in P. megala. Furthermore, in P. smithi the anellus is weakly spinulose (membranous in other species of the P. spurrelli species-group), the juxta is short and broad, ribbon-like without a medio-ventral process (similarly to that of P. camerunensis), whereas in P. megala, the juxta is markedly longer and broader bearing a conspicuous medio-ventral process (as in P. spurrelli, P. moa and P. secunda). The aedeagus of P. smithi is slightly curved medially, evenly tapered distally (that of P. spurrelli, P. moa, P. secunda and P. megala is straight and evenly wide in its full length, whereas that is slightly S-curved and broadened proximally and subapically in P. camerunensis), having a well-developed coecum (which is very short in P. camerunensis and absent in the other four species). The vesica of the new species is considerably shorter and narrower than that of the other relatives, having an elongate medial diverticulum bearing robust cornuti apically varying in number from one to three, whereas the vesica of P. moa, P. secunda and P. camerunensis lack cornuti, that o P. spurrelli bears only very small spinules and that of P. megala is much broader having two long diverticula projecting adversely, both bearing robust apical cornuti varying in number from one to three. The female genitalia of P. smithi is easily distinguishable from those of the other members of the species-group by the markedly smaller corpus bursae having evenly sclerotized posterior section (that is rugose in other species) and evenly spinulose-scobinated medial and anterior sections (in other species the medial section is more heavily scobinated and may be weakly sclerotized). In addition, the new species has a conspicuously large and elongate appendix bursae projecting from the right side of the corpus bursae, whereas in the other species, that is shorter, more or less globular, projecting from the left side of the corpus bursae.

Palaeugoa smithi
Distribution. Palaeugoa smithi is known to date from Cameroon, Gabon, the Republic of the Congo, the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Uganda, inhabiting the equatorial rainforests of central Africa.
Remark. Kühne (2008) reported and illustrated specimens referred as 'Asura spurrelli' from western Kenya (Kakamega Forest) without genitalia illustration. The specimens illustrated are very similar to P. smithi and probably belong to this species. In the course of the preparation of this paper, the authors could not locate specimens from Kenya to confirm the identification by the genital morphology.
Etymology. The species is dedicated to Mr Richard Smith, founder and trustee of the African Natural History Research Trust, organiser of extensive entomological exploratory program in Sub-Saharan Africa.      Diagnosis. The forewing length of the new species is 11.5-12 mm in males. Palaeugoa megala can easily be distinguished from all other species of the P. spurrelli species-group by its considerably larger size. The male genital capsule of the new species is most similar to that of P. smithi due to the presence of a medial saccular process, but differs from it clearly by the broader uncus, the shorter, densely spinulose and detached transtillar processes (in P. smithi those are longer, fused into one smooth-surfaced plate with a deep medio-distal depression), the membranous anellus (which is weakly spinulose in P. smithi) and the presence of a large medio-ventral process of juxta (absent in P. smithi). In addition, the new species has somewhat wider vinculum, convex costal margin of valva (straight in P. smithi), a well-developed costal process (absent in P. smithi), broader cucullus compared to those of P. smithi. The medial saccular process of P. megala is considerably longer, somewhat thicker, narrower at base and erected medially, whereas that is shorter and narrower in P. smithi having a markedly broader basal section erected distally. The distal saccular process of the new species is somewhat more robust, more curved dorsally compared to that of P. smithi. The aedeagus of P. megala is conspicuously larger than that of P. smithi, it is straight, equally wide in its full length with a very short coecum, whereas that of P. smithi is slightly arched medially and gradually tapered distally, having a well-developed coecum. The vesica of P. megala is markedly broader than that of P. smithi, having two elongate, adversely projected lateral diverticula bearing robust cornuti apically, whereas that of P. smithi has a single, shorter diverticulum directed distally, bearing apical cornuti. Female is unknown.

Palaeugoa megala
Distribution. The species is known from Rwanda only, the type specimens were collected in the high elevation rainforest of the Nyungwe Forest.
Etymology. 'Megalo' is a Latin transliteration of the Greek word 'μεγάλο' meaning 'large'. The specific epithet refers to the size of the new species which is the largest in the species-group.

The P. takanoi species-group
Diagnosis. The members of the species-group are characterized by their pale creamy forewing ground colour with dark greyish indistinct pattern and suffusion between the veins. The male genitalia of the species-group display the combination of the following distinctive characters: (1) the anellus is weakly sclerotized (that is membranous in the P. spurrelli species-group, whereas it is thick-walled and densely covered in numerous robust spines in the P. peregrina species-group); (2) the transtillar processes are narrow and fully detached (those are larger, lobe-like and interconnected by the intrategumenal membrane or fused in the P. spurrelli species-group, while represented by a densely spinulose medio-ventral thickening of transtillae in the P. peregrina species-group); (3) the cucullus is distally tapered and heavily sclerotized, its ventral membranous section is very short and narrow, situated basally (whereas in the P. spurrelli and P. peregrina speciesgroups the cucullus is broad, lobe-like, with a large ventral membranous section); (4) the costal process is well-developed, pointed, claw-like, directed ventrally (whereas that is represented by an elongate but very short crest or even may be absent in the P. spurrelli and P. peregrina species-groups). The female genitalia differ from those of the P. spurrelli species-group by (1) the broad antevaginal plate (which is narrow, ribbon-like in the P. spurrelli species-group); (2) the conspicuously lateral direction of the corpus bursae in right-angle with the axis of the ductus bursae (in the P. spurrelli species-group the corpus bursae is directed more or less anteriorly); and (3) the complex configuration of appendix bursae consisting of three wellseparated sections (which is simply globular with a narrow neck-like base in the P. spurrelli species-group).
Description. Small moths with forewing length 6.5-8 mm in males and 8.5 mm in females. Sexual dimorphism limited: female slightly larger than male with somewhat more elongate and broader forewing. Antennae of both sexes sparsely ciliate. Body and wing colouration pale brownish or creamy. Forewing pattern indistinct, represented by a suffusion of dark greyish scales between veins. Hindwing with pale suffusion of dark scales. Male genitalia. Uncus short, dorso-ventrally flattened, weakly sclerotized and densely setose, fully fused with the tuba analis. Tuba analis broad, membranous, subscaphium weakly setose. Tegumen short and narrow. Anellus weakly sclerotized (in P. asafis bearing two clusters of short denticles). Juxta weakly sclerotized, broadly triangular with rounded corners and a broad and deep medio-basal incision. Vinculum short and broad, U-shaped. Valva moderately broad and elongate, its costal margin medially convex. Cucullus setose, strongly tapered distally, apically pointed (in P. asafis) or narrowly rounded with a bunch of short spinules in P. takanoi. Costal process claw-like, relatively short and narrow, apically pointed, directed ventrally. Sacculus relatively narrow, with a long and narrow distal process and a shorter, narrow, curved medial process. Aedeagus narrow, medium long, with well-developed coecum. Vesica short and moderately broad, with two or three short, globular diverticula and one cluster of robust cornuti. Distal plate of vesica absent. Female genitalia. Papillae anales broadly trapezoidal with rounded corners, sparsely setose. Apophyses thin, apophyses posteriores ca. 3 times longer than apophyses anteriores. Ostium bursae moderately broad. Antevaginal plate moderately sclerotized, broad reverse-trapezoidal with undulate posterior margin. Ductus bursae short and relatively narrow, tubular, thick-walled membranous, slightly wrinkled. Corpus bursae teardrop-shaped, directed in right angle to ductus bursae axis, its distal (broader) section densely covered in small spinules; apical section thick-walled and slightly wrinkled. Appendix bursae markedly longer than corpus bursae, consists of three sections: basal section perpendicular to ductus bursae axis, medially dilated-globular, heavily sclerotized, thick-walled and slightly wrinkled; medial section directed anterio-laterally, strongly tapered, thick-walled and slightly wrinkled; distal section directed anteriorly, dilated, globular, basal section densely covered in fine denticles, medial and distal sections sparsely spinulose. Volynkin & László,43,56) Type material. Holotype (Figs,17,43) Diagnosis. The forewing length of the new species is 6.5-7 mm in males and 8.5 mm in female. Palaeugoa takanoi differs externally from the related P. asafis by its pale yellow head and thorax (those are creamy in P. asafis), the yellow costa, terminal area and cilia of the forewing (in P. asafis these are agree with the ground colour), the more intense blackish suffusion between the veins, (which is reddish brown and more diffuse in P. asafis), and the intense dark grey suffusion on the hindwing (whereas in P. asafis the hindwing is only sparsely suffused with pale brownish scales medially). The male genital capsule of the new species differs clearly from that of P. asafis by the medially dilated uncus (which is considerably narrower with parallel margins in P. asafis), the thick-walled membranous anellus (which bears two clusters of small denticles in P. asafis) and the conspicuously more elongate juxta bearing a short conical apical protrusion (which is shorter in P. asafis lacking a protrusion). The valva of P. takanoi is markedly narrower with slightly convex costal margin (that is considerably broader, with its costal margin bearing a large roundedtriangular medio-dorsal protrusion in P. asafis). The tip of the cucullus of P. takanoi is narrowly rounded, bearing a bunch of fine spinules (which is apically pointed lacking spinules in P. asafis). The costal process of the valva is much shorter and basally broader in the new species than in P. asafis, in addition, the transtilla process of P. takanoi is finger-like and densely spinulose, whereas that is wide, lobe-like, bearing a cluster of long, acute cornuti in the related species. The medial saccular process is gently curved and apically rounded in the new species, whereas that is slightly S-shaped and apically pointed in P. asafis; the distal saccular process is considerably longer and slightly thicker in P. takanoi than in P. asafis. The aedeagus of the new species is considerably shorter and somewhat thicker than that of P. asafis. The vesica of P. takanoi is much thicker than that of P. asafis, bearing two subbasal granulated diverticula dorsally, (whereas P. asafis has only one subbasal diverticulum), the medio-ventral diverticulum of the new species is considerably broader than that of P. asafis, and the distal chamber of the vesica is much broader in P. takanoi than in its congener, bearing a broad cluster of robust cornuti which are less numerous and somewhat smaller in P. asafis. As the female of P. asafis is unknown the female genital morphology of P. takanoi is compared to that of the P. spurrelli species-group: the new species has a considerably broader antevaginal plate, its corpus bursae is perpendicular to the axis of the ductus bursae (in the P. spurrelli species-group that is directed more or less anteriorly), in addition, its appendix bursae is conspicuously enlarged, consisting of three sections whereas that of the P. spurrelli species-group is simply globular with a narrow neck-like base.

Palaeugoa takanoi
Distribution. The new species is known to date only from Gabon, however, it is supposedly more widely distributed in the central-western African lowland rainforests.
Diagnosis. The forewing length is 8 mm in males. Palaeugoa asafis can be distinguished from P. takanoi by its creamy head and thorax (which are pale yellow in P. takanoi ), the monochromatic forewing ground colour (in P. takanoi the forewing costa, terminal area and ciliae are bright yellow), the reddish brown and more diffuse suffusion between the veins (in P. takanoi the suffusion is blackish and much more intense), and the paler hindwing with a slight brownish suffusion medially (which is strongly and evenly suffused with dark grey scales in P. takanoi). The male genital capsule of P. asafis differs from that of P. takanoi by the evenly narrow uncus (which is medially broadened in P. takanoi), the presence of two clusters of small denticles on anellus (in P. takanoi the anellus lacks sclerotized structures) and the shorter juxta without a protrusion whereas the juxta is longer, bearing a short conical apical protrusion in P. takanoi. The valva of the new species is broader and somewhat shorter with the costal margin having a large rounded medio-dorsal protrusion, whereas that of P. takanoi is narrower with slightly convex costal margin, in addition the cucullus of P. asafis is apically pointed without spinules whereas that is narrowly rounded bearing a cluster of small spinules in P. takanoi. The new species has much longer, basally narrower and more curved costal process compared to that of the related species and shorter and broader, lobe-like transtillar processes directed distally, bearing numerous long and robust cornuti along its outer margin whereas that is finger-like, shortly dentate, and directed dorsally in P. takanoi. The medial saccular process is slightly S-curved and apically pointed in P. asafis, whereas that is evenly arched and rounded apically in P. takanoi, in addition, the distal saccular process is considerably shorter and somewhat narrower in the new species than in its congener. The aedeagus of the two related species are similarly straight tubular with welldeveloped coecum, but that of P. asafis is somewhat smaller than that of P. takanoi if compared to the size of the genital capsule. The vesica of P. asafis is markedly narrower than that of P. takanoi, bearing one dorsal granulated diverticulum subbasally (there are two subbasal diverticula in P. takanoi), the medio-ventral diverticulum is conspicuously narrower than that of P. takanoi, and the distal chamber of the vesica is much smaller than that of P. takanoi armed with a narrow cornuti field consisting of a cluster of smaller spines, whereas the analogous cornuti field is more extensive, consisting of more robust spines in P. takanoi. Female is unknown.
Distribution. The type specimens of the new species were collected in a dryer lowland rainforest in central Cameroon.
Etymology. 'Asafis' is a Latin transliteration of the Greek word 'ασαφής' meaning 'indistinct'. The specific epithet refers to the species' indistinct pattern.

The P. peregrina species-group
Diagnosis. Members of the species-group differ from those of other Palaeugoa lineages by their more densely ciliate male antennae and the pale creamy yellow wing colouration with greyish brown forewing pattern consisting of indistinct shades and intense suffusion between veins. The male genitalia are characterized by the combination of the following characters: (1) the anellus is broad, thick-walled, densely covered in robust spines; (2) the transtillar processes are modified into a densely spinulose medio-ventral thickening fused with the anellus distally; (3) the cucullus is elongate, apically rounded, with a relatively long membranous ventral part; (4) the costal process is represented by a very short crest; (5) the aedeagus bears one or two characteristic longitudinal distal crests.
Description. External morphology of adults. Small moths with forewing length 8-11.5 mm in males. Male antennae densely ciliate. Body pale creamy yellow with admixture of brown scales. Forewing ground colour pale creamy yellow, pattern greyish brown, indistinct, represented by an extensive spot at wing base, an indistinct shade in the antemedial area, a longitudinal shade in the cell, a large elongate medial patch at anal margin, a dense suffusion along the costal margin near apex and a sparse suffusion between veins. Forewing cilia pale greyish brown. Hindwing pale creamy yellow with pale brownish suffusion. Male genitalia. Uncus short, dorso-ventrally flattened, weakly sclerotized and setose, fully fused with the tuba analis. Tuba analis broad, membranous, subscaphium weakly setose. Tegumen short and narrow. Anellus broad, thick-walled, densely covered in robust spines. Juxta weakly sclerotized, broad, trapezoidal or triangular, basally concave. Vinculum short but wide, with well-developed, broad saccus. Transtilla thickened and densely spinulose, fused with dorsal part of anellus distally. Valva relatively short and moderately broad, costal margin convex medially, cucullus narrow, apically rounded, weakly setose, ventral membranous section relatively long. Costal process very short, crest-like, erected in right angle to costal margin. Sacculus moderately wide, with a medium long, robust distal process and a short but broad medial process directed ventrally. Aedeagus relatively large when compared to the size of the genital capsule, bearing one or two conspicuous, longitudinal distal crests. Vesica short but relatively broad, with three or four diverticula with scobination, granulation or clusters of spines. Distal plate of vesica narrow and very weakly sclerotized or absent (in P. peregrina).
Female unknown.
Palaeugoa peregrina (Hacker, 2014), comb. nov. (Figs 22-24 Diagnosis. The length of the forewing is 10-11.5 mm in males. Palaeugoa peregrina differs externally from its two relatives by its markedly larger size and the more intense brownish suffusion in the subterminal area of forewing. The male genital capsule of P. peregrina differs from that of the other members of the species-group by the much longer spines on the ventral part of anellus, the conspicuously angled medial section of the costal margin of the valva forming a medio-dorsal triangular protrusion (in P. aristophanousi and P. ngoko the costal margin is gently rounded) and the robust, curved and densely setose medial saccular process which is considerably shorter and smooth in P. aristophanousi and P. ngoko. The aedeagus of P. peregrina differs from those of P. aristophanousi and P. ngoko by the broadened and spinulose distal section of the dorsal distal crest, whereas that is evenly narrow and smooth in P. aristophanousi and P. ngoko. The vesica of P. peregrina is similar to that of P. aristophanousi, but differs from it by the absence of a subbasal ventral diverticulum, the less elongate medial diverticulum, and the more extensive cluster of cornuti on the ventral diverticulum. The configuration of the vesica of the new species and P. ngoko are conspicuously different, expressed by the different positions of diverticula and the presence of robust cornuti on the dorsal diverticulum in P. ngoko, whereas the dorsal diverticulum is only finely spinulose in P. peregrina.
The female is unknown. Distribution. The species is hitherto known only from Uganda and Rwanda.   Diagnosis. The length of the forewing is 8-9 mm in males. Palaeugoa aristophanousi can be distinguished from P. peregrina and P. ngoko by its rather greyish forewing colouration and the conspicuously darker, pale greyish brown hindwing whereas the forewings are rather brownish-reddish, the hindwings are creamy yellowish in P. peregrina and P. ngoko. Additionally, the new species differs from P. peregrina by its markedly smaller size and the less elongate forewing. The male genital capsule of the new species differs from that of P. peregrina by the shorter spines on the ventral part of anellus, the gently arched costal margin of the valva (which is strongly angled in P. peregrina) the narrower cucullus with heavily setose ventral margin (which is membranous in P. peregrina); the conspicuously narrower and slightly longer distal saccular process and the much shorter, triangular and non-setose medial saccular process which is longer and broader, slightly curved, finger-like and densely setose in P. peregrina. The aedeagus of the new species differs from that of P. peregrina by the narrower dorsal distal crest lacking a spinulose dilated distal plate. The vesica structure of P. aristophanousi is similar to that of P. peregrina, but differs by the presence of the subbasal ventral diverticulum, the more elongate medial diverticulum, and the conspicuously smaller cluster of cornuti on the ventral diverticulum. The comparison with male genitalia of P. ngoko is provided under the diagnosis of the latter species.
Distribution. The new species is hitherto known only from Gabon, nevertheless, it is presumably more widespread in the central-western African lowland rainforests.

Palaeugoa ngoko
Diagnosis. The forewing length is 9 mm in the male holotype. Palaeugoa ngoko is reminiscent externally of P. peregrina, but differs by its smaller size and less intense brownish suffusion on the forewing. The male genital capsule of P. ngoko differs from that of P. peregrina by the conspicuously smaller spines on the ventral part of the anellus, the somewhat narrower valva with gently arcuate costal margin (which is strongly angled medially in P. peregrina), the broader cucullus, the much shorter, broadly triangular medial process of sacculus lacking setae (which is longer and broader, slightly curved, finger-like and densely setose in P. peregrina) and the conspicuously narrower and longer distal saccular process. In comparison with those characters of P. aristophanousi, the genital capsule of P. ngoko has smaller spines on the ventral surface of the anellus, slightly more elongate valva with somewhat less arched costal margin, broader cucullus lacking setae ventrally, basally broader but much shorter medial saccular process and somewhat broader and longer distal saccular process. The aedeagus of P. ngoko is most similar to that of P. aristophanousi, but in P. ngoko the ventral distal crest is absent, and the dorsal distal crest is conspicuously broader and longer. The vesica of the new species differs markedly from that of both related species by the ventral diverticulum bearing a cluster of three long and robust cornuti (whereas in P. peregrina and P. aristophanousi the ventral diverticulum is armed with a cluster of numerous short and fine spinules), in addition, the presence of a cluster of seven, long and robust cornuti which character is absent in P. peregrina and P. aristophanousi.
Further differences between the vesica configuration of P. ngoko and P. aristophanousi are the larger and heavily scobinated subbasal ventral diverticulum (which is smaller and granulated in P. aristophanousi), the membranous dorsal diverticulum (heavily scobinated and granulated in P. aristophanousi) and the smaller and less intensely granulated distal diverticulum of the new species.
Distribution. The new species is known by its single holotype collected in the historic locality of Bitje in South Cameroon.
Etymology. Ngoko is another name of the Dja River. The new species was presumably collected near the shores of the river. Chimpanzee Foundation, Liberia) and Mr Jerry Garteh (Society for the Conservation of Nature, Liberia) for their help in organising ground logistics of ANHRT expedition in Liberia; Mr Darlington Tuaben and Mr Mike C. Doryen, Kederick F. Johnson (Forestry Department Authority, Liberia) for issuing research permit. The Authors declare that to the best of their knowledge they conform to the national regulations and meet with the conditions and requirements of International Conventions concerning collecting/export and handling of the specimens presented in this Article.