Ethmia johnpringlei Phillips

Phillips-Rodriguez, Eugenie, Powell, Jerry A., Hallwachs, Winnie & Janzen, Daniel H., 2014, A synopsis of the genus Ethmia Huebner in Costa Rica: biology, distribution, and description of 22 new species (Lepidoptera, Gelechioidea, Depressariidae, Ethmiinae), with emphasis on the 42 species known from Area de Conservacion Guanacaste, ZooKeys 461, pp. 1-86 : 30-31

Taxon classification Animalia Lepidoptera Depressariidae

Ethmia johnpringlei Phillips sp. n. Figures 27, 72, 117, 160

Diagnosis.

This species can be distinguished by its smaller size and the presence of three curved large distal setae on the valva of male genitalia.

Description.

Male: FW length 7.1-7.8 mm (n = 3). Head: Labial palpus elongated surpassing base of antenna, grayish with black rings in II segment middle and subapical, a wide black ring subapical in III segment; front and crown grayish, occipital black tuft at mid-dorsum. Thorax: Grayish. FW ground color grayish, with a series of elongated dark markings, the most conspicuous an oblique line originating at costa before middle reaching a longitudinal line that goes from middle to near termen; three irregular black dots on posterior half: one at 0.20 × from base, one close to midline and third near tornus. HW ground color white, costa simple. Abdomen: Brownish, genital scaling pale ochreous. Genitalia (Fig. 72) with uncus lacking; valva emarginate bellow apex, with apical “plume”, and distally three curved, strong, large setae.

Female: FW length 7.9-8.3 mm (n = 3). Head and thorax: As described for male. Abdomen: Genitalia (Fig. 117) with sterigma simple; base of ductus sclerotized; antrum membranous; signum a short fold with irregular margin.

Holotype.

Male: 11-SRNP-104923, DNA Barcoded, Costa Rica: Guanacaste: ACG, Sector Maritza, Manta Mecate 587 m, 1.x.2011, R. Franco & S. Ríos. Deposited in INBio. Paratypes: Costa Rica: Guanacaste: ACG: Sector Maritza, Manta Mecate 587 m, 1.x.2011, R. Franco & S. Ríos. Est. Maritza, Lado Oeste del Volcán Orosi, 600 m, 2M 13.v.1988 Janzen and Hallwachs, 10M 11F 1.viii.1990, II curso Parataxónomos, 17M 27F 1.vii.1990, I Curso Microlepidoptera. 4 km W. Sta. Cecilia, 300 m 1M 17.iv.1983, Janzen & Hallwachs (BMNH, INBio, EME, USNM).

Distribution and biology.

Ethmia johnpringlei has been collected in northern Costa Rica on the western sides of Cordillera Volcánica de Guanacaste, from 300 to 600 m in the intersection between ACG dry forest and rain forest. The food plant and immature stages are unknown.

Etymology.

Ethmia johnpringlei is named in honor of John Pringle of Stanford University, the father of Rob Pringle of Princeton University, and a member of the very small and select group of academic faculty who have supported ACG land purchase for permanent conservation.