Scrobipalpa turiensis, Bidzilya, 2021

Bidzilya, Oleksiy V., 2021, A review of the genus Scrobipalpa Janse, 1951 (Lepidoptera, Gelechiidae) in the Afrotropical region, Zootaxa 5070 (1), pp. 1-83 : 15-16

Scrobipalpa turiensis sp. nov.

Figs 15, 16 , 98 , 160

Material examined. Holotype ♂, KENYA, Rift Valley , Turi, 8000 ft, 15.v.1999, D.J.L. Agassiz (DJLA slide No. 1519 = gen. slide 281/14, O. Bidzilya) ( DA) . Paratype ♀, same data as holotype, but 12.xi.1999 (gen. slide 117/17, O. Bidzilya) ( DA) .

Diagnosis. The new species is characterised by its large size, its greyish-brown forewing with a diffuse grey oblique basal fascia, an irregular grey spot at 2/3 of costa, and grey markings in the cell. In addition, the yellowish white base of the hindwing contrasting with the grey cilia is also characteristic. Scrobipalpa subroseata is smaller (wingspan 12–17 mm), more contrasting, and lacks the grey oblique fascia and uniform cilia on the hindwing; S. wieseri sp. nov. is larger and darker, and the cilia of the hindwing are unicoloured. A very short (not extending to the top of pedunculus), broad saccus in combination with broad vincular process, broad valva, and phallus with a long (1/2 length of phallus) caecum are characteristic of the male genitalia of S. turiensis . Those of S. incola and S. ochroxantha sp. nov. differ in having a longer saccus, a shorter (less than 1/2 length of phallus) caecum, and a narrower gap between the vincular processes; S. concreta also has broad saccus, but its saccus is longer (extending to or exceeding the top of the pedunculus), and the vincular processes are narrower (not broader at the base than the sacculus). The female genitalia can be distinguished by broad and short segment VIII, elongated foam-sculptured lobes of ventromedial depression, large corpus bursae and comparatively long slender signum. The female genitalia of S. turiensis are most similar to those of S. diversa sp. nov., but they differ in that the foam-sculptured lobes of the ventromedial depression situated closer to the anterior margin of segment VIII in S. diversa .

Description. Adult ( Figs 15, 16 ). Wingspan 19.8–21.3 mm. Head light brown, with few scattered brown-tipped scales, frons white; labial palpus strongly upcurved, palpomere 2 light grey, densely mixed with brown except for upper surface, palpomere 3 light grey with brown basal and subapical ring, about 2/3 length and 1/3 width of palpomere 2; scape brown, antennal segments light brown with white rings; thorax and tegulae as in head; forewing covered with grey brown-tipped scales, grey oblique fascia from 1/3 of costa to mid-width, diffuse grey spot at 2/ 3 in mid-width, indistinct brown spot in middle and in 2/3 of costa, termen and costal margin distinctly mottled with brown, two brown dots edged with ochreous in fold and at 1/3 width before mid-length, another one at 2/3 length; cilia grey black-tipped; hindwing dark greyish brown, cilia grey, but yellow to white at base.

Male genitalia ( Fig. 98 ). Uncus subtriangular, gradually narrowed posteriorly; gnathos hook short, strongly curved at base, culcitula well developed; tegumen about 2.5 times longer than wide, anterior margin with deep rounded emargination extending nearly to 1/2 length, with gradual transition to uncus; valva broad, nearly uniform in width throughout, apex pointed, reaching top of uncus; sacculus 1/3 length of valva, situated closely to vincular process, moderately broad and tapered apically; vincular processes slightly broader at base and as long as sacculus, rounded apically, separated by broad U-shaped incision; vinculum wide; saccus short, broad at base, apex truncate, not exceeding top of pedunculus; phallus short, caecum weakly inflated, 1/2 length of phallus, distal portion straight, apex pointed, apical hook curved.

Female genitalia ( Fig. 160 ). Papillae anales ovate, densely covered with setae, apically pointed; apophyses posteriores about 3 times as long as apophyses anteriores; segment VIII twice as wide as long, posterior and anterior margins weakly emarginated, subgenital plates broad, without modification, lobes of ventromedial depression ovate, densely covered with foam-sculpture, broadly separated; apophyses anteriores as long as segment VIII, rodlike; ductus bursae long, narrow, uniform in width, colliculum broad; corpus bursae large, as long as ductus bursae, ovate, signum stout with long basal plate, distal hook weakly curved, narrowed apically, with pointed tip.

Biology. Host plant unknown. Adults have been recorded in May and November at an altitude of about 2450 m.

Distribution. Kenya.

Etymology. The species name refers to the type locality Turi in the Rift Valley Province of Kenya.

Figures

FIGURES 11–20. Scrobipalpa spp., adults. 11–14. S. wieseri sp. nov. 11. South Africa, Bakgalta, HT, male (gen. slide 131/21, OB). 12. South Africa, PT, Bakgalta, male (gen. slide B.M. No. 34184). 13. Namibia, Windhoek, PT, female. 14. Namibia, Windhoek, PT, male. 15, 16. S. turiensis sp. nov., Kenya, Turi. 15. HT, male (DJLA slide No. 1519 = gen. slide 281/14, OB). 16. PT, female (gen. slide 117/17, OB). 17–20. S. concreta, South Africa 17. HT, female (gen. slide 11018). 18. W Cape, Gourikwa, male. 19. Grahamstown, male. 20. Louis Trichardt, male (gen. slide 87/17, OB). Sale bar = wingspan.

FIGURES 96–101. Scrobipalpa spp., male genitalia. 96, 97. S. wieseri sp. nov. 96. South Africa, Bakgalta, HT (gen. slide 131/21, OB). 97. Windhoek, PT (gen. slide 115/12, OB). 98. S. turiensis sp. nov., Kenya, Turi, HT (gen. slide 281/14, OB). 99–101. S. concreta. 99. South Africa, Grahamstown (gen. slide 255/12, OB). 100. South Africa, Louis Trichardt (gen. slide 87/17, OB). 101. Saudi Arabia, Asirgebirge, PT of asiri (gen. slide Am. 5777).

FIGURES 160, 161. Scrobipalpa spp., female genitalia. 160. S. turiensis sp. nov., Kenya, Turi, PT (gen. slide 117/17, OB). 161. S. concreta, South Africa, Pretoria, HT (gen. slide 11018).