Hellinsia birichevskayae Kovtunovich & Ustjuzhanin, 2017

Kovtunovich, V., Ustjuzhanin, P., Morney, M. De, Udovichenko, P. & Bezverkhov, Yu., 2017, Fauna of Plume Moths (Lepidoptera: Pterophoridae) of Garden Route National Park, South Africa, Zootaxa 4350 (3) : -

Hellinsia birichevskayae Kovtunovich & Ustjuzhanin sp. nov.

( Figs 10–11 )

Type material: Holotype male, ( TMSA 15336 ), Republic of South Africa, Eastern Cape, Garden Route N.P., Tsitsikamma , 34°01'S 23°53'E, h 94 m, 0 6 – 08.xii.2016, Kovtunovich V., Udovichenko P. & Bezverkhov Yu. ; Paratype, male, (CUK 312), South Africa, Western Cape, Kogelberg, Upper Palmiet R [iver], 30.iii.1981, D.M. Kroon.

External characters. Wingspan 14 mm. Head with pale brown scales. Thorax and tegula yellow. Labial palpus thin, straight, equaling diameter of eye. Antenna pale yellow. Forewing yellow, with a small elongate brown spot in middle and a distinct dark brown round spot at cleft base; a dark brown longitudinal streak present along costal edge of first lobe above cleft base; fringe inside cleft brown, noticeably paler only in apical part of second lobe. Hindwing darker than forewing, fringe pale grey. Legs pale yellow.

Male genitalia. Valvae asymmetrical. Two harpes present above the lower basal sclerotized plate of the left valva; first harpe in the form of a large, almost straight spike, second harpe closer to center, with a complex structure resembling an arched fold, and with two small spike-like processes above it. A longitudinal ribbon-like sclerotized crest present in centre of right valva. An arched fold adjoined to longitudinal crest above lower basal sclerotized plate. Anellus arms short, wide; left arm significantly wider than right arm. Uncus long, slightly wider in middle, tapered to apex. Saccus with a wide oval arch. Phallus robust, curved, slightly shorter than valva, vesica without cornuti.

Female unknown.

Diagnosis. In the male genitalia, Hellinsia aethiopica (Amsel, 1963) , but clearly differs from it by the wide anellus arms, the long uncus, differently shaped saccus and the curved phallus.

Distribution: South Africa.

Flight period: March, December.

Etymology. The species is named after Irina Birichevskaya , an employee of the diplomatic service, who rendered great assistance in organizing the expedition.

Figures

FIGURES 10 – 11. Hellinsia birichevskayae Kovtunovich & Ustjuzhanin sp. nov. 10. Adult (Holotype, TMSA); 11. Male genitalia (Holotype, TMSA 15336).