Two distinct species have been previously confused under the name Cupidesthes robusta Aurivillius, 1895. The newly recognised species is described here as C. ultramarina sp. nov., occurring from central Cameroon to northeastern Democratic Republic of the Congo. In contrast, C. robusta has only been observed from western Cameroon to Liberia, where a recently collected male specimen has enabled the description of a new subspecies, C. robusta marginata ssp. nov., endemic to West Africa.

Résumé:       Deux espèces distinctes ont été jusqu’à présent confondues sous le nom de Cupidesthes robusta Aurivillius, 1895. La nouvelle espèce, qui est décrite ici sous le nom de C. ultramarina sp. nov., est présente du centre du Cameroun au nord-est de la République démocratique du Congo. Par contre, C. robusta n’a été observé que de l'ouest du Cameroun au Liberia, où un mâle récemment capturé a permis la description d'une nouvelle sous-espèce, C. robusta marginata ssp. nov., endémique d’Afrique occidentale.

The identity of Botis bicolor Swainson, [1821] is established, and topotypes are designated. Externally similar species from Africa are studied: the identity of Diaphania perspicillalis (Zeller, 1852), bona spec, stat. rev., comb. nov., and of Diaphania desmialis (Mabille, 1900) comb. nov. is discussed; and a new species Diaphania unipunctalis sp. nov. is described from South Africa. The synonymy of all species is discussed as is their distribution, and some remarks on the generic placement are given. Illustrations are given for the adult moths, genitalia and tympanal organs.

Whilst range expansions out of Africa and Europe into the Middle East are frequently attributed to climate change, some recently recorded occurrences are more likely a result of anthropogenic activities.