Antheua lobo Laszlo & Schintlmeister 2025, sp. nov.

A new moth species, Antheua lobo, has been discovered within the Odzala-Kokoua National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site in the Republic of Congo. This species is distinguished by its smaller size (forewing length 19–22 mm in males and 23 mm in females), unique genitalia morphology, and absence of a pale discal spot characteristic of related species like A. obtusipuncta. Key distinguishing features include a blackish shadow at the base of the forewing anal margin, bilobated uncus tip, shorter socius processes, and less sclerotized female genitalia. The discovery was made through extensive light-trapping surveys conducted near the Lobo research camp, which revealed A. lobo's restriction to isolated savannah and grassland habitats within the Congo Basin. This finding highlights the biodiversity richness of Odzala-Kokoua, emphasizing the importance of protected areas in conserving unique species.

Schintlmeister, A., & László, G. M. (2025). Antheua lobo Laszlo & Schintlmeister 2025, sp. nov. Zenodo. https://doi.org/10.5281/ZENODO.20166728