Agdistis ruhanga Kovtunovich & Ustjuzhanin

Kovtunovich, Vasily & Ustjuzhanin, Petr, 2015, New species of plume moths of the genus Agdistis Hübner, 1825 (Lepidoptera: Pterophoridae: Agdistinae) from southern Africa. 7, Zootaxa 4033 (4), pp. 555-566 : 561

Agdistis ruhanga Kovtunovich & Ustjuzhanin sp.nov.

( Figs. 11–12 )

Type material. Holotype ♂, BMNH (22751), Rep. S. Africa, Northern Cape, Hope Town, 25.iv.1995, P. Langenhaer. Paratypes: 1 ♂, DNMNH (15274), Rep. S. Africa, Free State, Oranjekrag, H.F. Verwoerd Dam, 07– 14.x.1968, H.J. Potgieter; 1 ♂, (CUK 230), Rep. S. Africa, Northern Cape, Orania, Hopetown, 2949′S 2424′E, 06.i.1971, H. Snyman.

External characters. Wingspan 25–28 mm, holotype 25 mm. Forewing grey with four dark spots, two of which larger and round, located in distal part of wing, parallel to distal margin. Basal and middle part of wing with two small black spots. Hindwing grey, significantly darkened in anal part. Fringe of both wings pale grey.

Male genitalia. Valvae asymmetrical, rather wide, middle part with prominent protrusions from outside. Left valva terminates with notched margin. Right valva widened in middle part, distal part tapered. Costal processes long, extending beyond middle of valvae, in distal part greatly expanded and resembling a fish tail. Uncus furcate. Sternum VIII with well-defined oval notch. Lobes of sternum VIII short, icicle-like. Phallus in distal part slightly bent and tapered, its length equal to that of valvae.

Female unknown.

Diagnosis. A. ruhanga is distinctive by the shape of the uncus and left valva. It resembles A. myburgi Kovtunovich & Ustjuzhanin, 2009 and A. eberti Arenberger, 2009 , but differs from them by the pointed right valve, the wide costal processes of the valvae in their distal part, the short icicle-like lobes of sternum VIII and by the long, mores straight phallus.

Distribution. Republic of South Africa (Northern Cape, Eastern Cape, Free State).

Flight period. January, April, October.

Etymology. The species is named after the deity Ruhanga from Bantu mythology.

Figures

FIGURES 11 – 12. Agdistis ruhanga Kovtunovich & Ustjuzhanin sp. nov. 11. Adult, holotype; 12. Male genitalia (slide 22751 BMNH).