Pselnophorus hunti Ustjuzhanin & Kovtunovich

Ustjuzhanin, P., Kovtunovich, V. & Ustjuzhanina, A., 2015, New species of African Plume moths (Lepidoptera, Pterophoridae), Zootaxa 3957 (1), pp. 137-142 : 139

Pselnophorus hunti Ustjuzhanin & Kovtunovich sp. nov.

( Figs. 4–5 )

Type material: Holotype, male, ( BMNH 22737), N. Zambia, Mutinondo, Miombo, 12°27' S 31°17' E, h 1450 m, 01.01.2011, leg. V. Kovtunovich & P. Ustjuzhanin. Paratypes, 2 ♂ (CUK) N. Zambia, Mutinondo, 1390 m, Miombo, 02.01.2010, S 12º23' E 31º19', leg. J. Lenz.

External characters. Wingspan 15 mm. Head, thorax and tegulae dark brown. Labial palpi thin, short, length equal to the eye diameter or smaller. Antennae thick, flattened, light brown. Fore wings dark brown; costal margin significantly paler; a small dark spot at cleft base and another midway between cleft and wing base with a white streak between the two dark spots. At second lobe base there is a wide light spot. Fringe inside cleft monochromatic, dark brown. Fringe at anterior distal margin of second lobe white. Second lobe fringe also white along anal margin bordering aforementioned white spot. Hind wings unicolored, dark brown.

Male genitalia. Valves asymmetrical. Harpe on left valve stout and hamate. Harpe on right valve small, rodshaped, located along valve base. Uncus simple, of uniform thickness, pointed and slightly bent at termen. Anellus branches wide, narrowed in distal part. Aedeagus short and straight, slightly narrowed at base and tapered to point in distal part.

Female unknown.

Diagnosis. In male genitalia, the species is distinguished by the hamate harpe on the left valve. The new species is similar to Pselnophorus jaechi Arenberger, 1993 , from which it differs by the absence of a corresponding harpe on the right valve and by the different shape of the valves.

Distribution: Zambia.

Flight period: January.

Etymology. The species is named in honor of Jenny Hunt (Harare, Zimbabwe), who helped with our expeditions in Africa.

Figures

FIGURES 4 – 5. Pselnophorus huntii Ustjuzhanin & Kovtunovich, sp. nov. 4. Adult, holotype; 5. Male genitalia holotype (slide 22737 BMNH).