Aziba Walker 1865

Aziba Walker, 1865 gen. rev. (Figs 7–11, 15–17, 24–27, 34–36, 38, 45–46) Type species: Aziba transversa Walker, 1865, by subsequent designation by Whalley (1964). Aziba Walker, 1865. Lepidopterous Insects in the Collection of the British, 32: 520; species included: A. transversa, A. reticula.— Guenée, 1877. Annales de la Société entomologique de France, (5) 7: 296.—H. Druce, 1895, in Godman & Salvin. Biologia Centrali-Americana. Insecta. Lepidoptera —Heterocera, 2: 187; syn.: Vadata, Siculodes.— Whalley, 1964. Annals and Magazine of Natural History, (13) 7 (74): 126. Taxonomic history. The genus was described based on two species: Aziba transversa Walker, 1865 and Aziba reticula (Guenée, 1858). Guenée (1877) synonymized Aziba with Siculodes. Taxonomic comments. We concluded that Aziba transversa is distinct concerning the characters of Siculodes after examining the wing morphology and genitalia of both sexes of the type species of Siculodes (S. aurorula) and Aziba gen. rev. (A. transversa) and therefore is herein revalidated. Diagnosis. See diagnosis for Siculodes. Redescription. Thorax: labial palps larger than width of thorax; spots or defined lines on ventral surface on both wings; forewing with branch R parallel and close to Sc, separating into R 1 and Rs when reaching 2/5 of Sc and disc cell. Rs divided into following branches: R 2, R 3 +R 4 and R 5; branch R 3 +R 4 bifurcates at different distances, R 2 and R 3 reaching costal margin, R 4 reaching apex and R 5 ending at external margin, apex pointed similar to a half moon, and outer margin sinuous, less pronounced in females; frenulum and retinaculum only in A. falcata and A. mediula, absent in other species; metathoracic tibia with four long spurs. Male genitalia: tegumen wider than long; uncus triangular and with pointed apex directed ventrally, base as wide as tegumen, lateral margins covered by short, fine bristles; gnathos narrow and sclerotized, projected postero-ventrally; valva longer than wide and with bristles on inner surface, narrowing obliquely from distal half, costa straight (except in A. vehemensaria), apex rounded, sacculus rectangular; fultura inferior with short, fine bristles; aedeagus cylindrical with dorsal opening for ductus ejaculatorius. Female genitalia: tergite VIII square or rectangular in lateral view; lamella antevaginalis and ostium membranous; antrum sclerotized and remaining of ductus bursae membranous; corpus bursae globose and well distinct from ductus bursae; and papilla analis wider than long, covered in long, fine bristles.