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A new species recently described:
Cricula vietnama Brechlin, Nässig & Naumann, 1999
published in: Senckenbergiana biologica 78: 187 
(The 15th species of the genus, the third species of the genus known from Vietnam)

See here a short extract of the text with a few of the illustrations:
 
Notes on the Cricula Walker 1855 of Vietnam, with description of a new species 
(Insecta, Lepidoptera, Saturniidae)
by 
Wolfgang A. NÄSSIG, Ronald BRECHLIN & Stefan NAUMANN
Abstract: The present knowledge about the species of the saturniid genus Cricula from Vietnam is compiled. Three species are known: Cricula trifenestrata (Helfer, 1837), Cricula jordani Bryk, 1944 and a third species, which is described as new: Cricula vietnama n. sp. It belongs, just like C. jordani, to the species-group of C. andrei Jordan, 1909, but is smaller and differs in many details of the genitalia. All three species are compared, illustrated, and the genitalia of both sexes are shown. A few notes and rectifications to a recent publication on the Cricula species of China are added.  Published in:
Senckenbergiana biologica, vol. 78 (1/2) : 183–192

15 February 1999

Cricula vietnama Brechlin, Nässig & Naumann, new species

Males:
The new species (Figs. 9–15) is on average distinctly smaller than C. jordani (lfw in males: 33.8 mm, which is approximately the same lfw. as for C. trifenestrata; for C. jordani the lfw. is 39.2 mm). The colouration and pattern of the smaller specimens from Mt. Fan-Si-Pan resemble that of the Sumatran endemic C. sumatrensis Jordan, 1939 or of some Himalayan populations of C. andrei Jordan, 1909, while the larger specimens from Tam Dao are more similar to very pale, small specimens of C. jordani. The variability range seems to be comparable to that of C. jordani, but the dominating colour is the yellowish form here (in C. jordani it is the reddish orange form). Typical is the constant yellowish- to orange-brownish ground colour, always suffused with some dark violet scales, and the suffusion of the marginal areas of the wings: with greyish and dark violet scales on the fw, with dark violet scales only on the hw. In C. jordani the suffusion is usually not of this dark violet colour. The rear part of the fw is distinctly brighter than the rest of the fw; in the tornal edge the marginal area is nearly pale yellow. This brightening of the tornal area is also found in many other Cricula species, but is on average less pronounced in these. One male from Mt. Ngoc Linh in southern (or S-Central) Vietnam (Fig. 12) is pinkish orange and resembles the analogous red colour variants in C. jordani. The hw eyespot and the discoidal fw eyespot are on average distinctly larger than in C. jordani, and also the second fw spot is usually much more prominent (and sometimes with a hyaline centre) than in jordani

Holotype male Cricula vietnama, ex Senck. biol. 78: 185
Male holotype
Holotype: Male (Figs. 9, 20), “Vietnam (N)/Tonkin, Tam Dao, 60 km NW Hanoi, 21,34' N, 105,20' E [sic], 900 m, 20.–30. IV. [19]95, lg. local people, ex coll. Dr. Ronald Brechlin”, ex CWAN in Senckenberg-Museum, GP 959/96, SMFL 4170. — Lfw. 34 mm.
(Pictures taken from the colour plate of the original description, enlarged; male and female not to the same scale)
Females: 
Similar to the females of C. jordani, slightly smaller. The apex is less pointed.  The dark reddish colour of the submarginal area is also found between some of the veins in the otherwise distinctly more orangy median area. The submarginal area is less lightened with greyish scales. 
Female genitalia (GP 993/96, see Fig. 24). The ostium bursae is much less sclerotized and much smaller than in C. jordani. The general size of the female genitalia is as well slightly smaller than in C. jordani. The lamella postvaginalis is smaller and less pronounced than in C. jordani; however, its median indentation is broader, but not so deep.
Paratype female Cricula vietnama, ex Senck. biol. 78: 185
Female paratype (CCAS)
Male genitalia:
Genitalia (Figs. 20, 21) much smaller than in C. jordani, in size (not in shape and structure) similar to C. trifenestrata. Vesica slender, with only one, but relatively long, tube with an apical cornutus; the two other cornuti are positioned basally, lateral of the tube. There is a sclerotization, sometimes a small spine, at the distal end of the aedeagus tube. Shape of sella variable, sometimes with a distinct part of the two branches still united (Fig. 20), sometimes the bifurcation starts very close to the base (Fig. 21). Apex of the costal part of the valve very elongate; harpe prominent, but narrow. Sacculus of the valves relatively strong. Scaphium broad. 
The small size and especially the slender shape of the aedeagus and vesica are diagnostic. 
Male genitalia of Cricula vietnama, ex Senck. biol. 78: 188

The full text can be read in Senckenbergiana biologica, volume 78 (1999), pages 183–192.


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Last update 18. January 2002, 5. January 2005, 8. VII. 2008; 29.V.2018
Copyright for the text and illustrations by Senckenberg, journal Senckenbergiana biologica (this scientific journal ceased publication in the meanwhile).