Alucita erzayi Ustjuzhanin & Kovtunovich, 2024

Ustjuzhanin, Peter, Kovtunovich, Vasily, Delabye, Sylvain, Maicher, Vincent, Safian, Szabolcs, Streltzov, Alexander & Tropek, Robert, 2024, Magnifying the hotspot: descriptions of nine new species of many-plumed moths (Lepidoptera, Alucitidae), with an identification key to all species known from Cameroon, ZooKeys 1193, pp. 25-48 : 25

Alucita erzayi Ustjuzhanin & Kovtunovich sp. nov.

Figs 16 , 17

Type material.

Holotype • ♂, (NECJU 230708), Cameroon, PlanteCam, 1100 m a.s.l., Mount Cameroon, 4.1175°N, 9.0709°E, 11-23.IV. 2014, lgt. V. Maicher, Sz. Sáfián, Š. Janeček, R. Tropek.

Differential diagnosis.

The male genital structures of this new species resemble those of Alucita longipenis Ustjuzhanin & Kovtunovich, 2018. As in A. longipenis , the aedeagus of the new species is very long, but it is slightly shorter, has fewer curves, and is straight for the distal portion. Additionally, the saccus of A. erzayi is gently curved distally and apically acute, while in A. longipenis the saccus is bent and apically acute. The wingspan of the new species is 14 mm, whereas it is 18-23 mm for A. longipenis .

External characters.

The head, thorax, and tegulae are yellowish white. The labial palpi are thin, straight, and twice as long as the longitudinal eye diameter. The antennae are pale yellow. The wingspan is 14 mm, and the wings are pale yellow, interspersed with brown strokes and spots. Two small dark brown patches are present in the basal portion of the costa of the first lobe of the fore wing. Indistinct pale brown regions of scales are present in the medial and distal portions of the first two lobes. The fringe on the wings is pale yellow, and the hind legs are pale yellow.

Male genitalia.

The uncus is relatively long and evenly wide throughout its length, with a rounded apex. The gnathos is long and narrow. The valves are reduced. The anellus arms are long and evenly narrow throughout their length. The saccus is long, elongated, and smoothly bent caudally, with a clearly acute apex. The aedeagus is very long, ~ 4 × longer than the entire genital structure, forming two arched curves in the medium part. No cornuti are present.

Distribution.

The species was found in Cameroon only.

Flight period.

The species was collected in April.

Etymology.

The species is a noun in apposition. ‘Erzayi’ is a word in the Bakweri language, which is the dominant local language in the Mount Cameroon region, and it translates to “feather”. This corresponds with the appearance of many-plumed moths’ feather-like characteristic wing lobes.

Figures

Figures 16, 17. Alucita erzayi Ustjuzhanin & Kovtunovich, sp. nov. 16 adult male, holotype, NECJU 17 male genitalia and structures of the segment VIII of the male abdomen, holotype, NEJCU, preparation slide no. 230708. Scale bar: 5 mm.