Pararhigognostis stichocentra ( Meyrick 1932 )

Baraniak, Edward & Agassiz, David, 2024, Pararhigognostis-a new genus for Plutella stichocentra Meyrick, 1932 (Lepidoptera, Plutellidae), with a redescription of its male and female genitalia, Zootaxa 5536 (2), pp. 248-260 : 252-258

Pararhigognostis stichocentra ( Meyrick 1932)

Plutella stichocentra Meyrick, 1932: 118 .

Plutella stichocentra Meyrick, 1932 : Afromoths.net online data base.

Plutella symmorpha Bradley, 1965: 113 , syn. nov.

Plutella symmorpha Bradley, 1965 : Afromoths.net online data base.

Diagnosis. Because the genus is monotypic, features detailed in the diagnosis of the genus above will serve to distinguish this species.

Redescription ( Fig.1 ). The forewing span 16–22mm. Forewing mostly grey-brown, with a small proportion of single white and brown scales; costal margin grey-brown, with a small proportion of white-yellowish scales apically; basal area grey-brown, near costal margin in central part with admixture of yellowish ones, and near dorsal margin with conspicuous, large proportion of white scales; inconspicuous dark band composed of black scales at wing base, interrupted, reaching 2/3 of dorsal margin length; a narrow band basal band extending from its base to the same point, composed of yellow scales; in central parts of wings, above this a bicoloured band, a narrow yellow band starts, extending to its outer margin; wing apex grey-brown, with scattered yellowish scales; cilia coloured similarly, with a markedly larger proportion of white scales; dorsal margin white-grey from its base to 2/3 its length, with single, irregularly scattered black scales at its margin.

Hindwing lanceolate, mostly white-grey; cilia long, coloured similarly.

Abdomen: white-grey, scales slightly shiny. Male genitalia as described from genus. Female genitalia as described for genus.

Note. We designate 1♂ as a lectotype (marked by Meyrick as a type (red label), (Mt. Chilalo, moorland, ca 12000–13000 ft. 18.12.1926. H. Scott leg. Britt. Mus. 1927-127, labelled as type, preserved in the Natural History Museum, London, England) and all the others (4♂♂, 4♀♀) as paralectotypes.

Type locality. Mount Chilalo , Abyssinia ( Meyrick 1932), is an isolated, volcanic mountain in south-eastern Ethiopia. The highest point (4036 m a.s.l.), in the Arsi Zone of the Oromia Region, is located on the border between the Hitosa and Tiyo districts. The volcano last erupted in the Pleistocene ( Gashaw & Didita 2015). Its Ethiopian afro-alpine and subafroalpine ecosystems are unique habitats ( Schweiger et al. 2015; Uhlig & Uhlig 1991).

Additional material examined: 24♂♂, 21♀♀

NHMUK: 5♂♂, 4♀♀, Abyssinia: Mt. Chilalo , moorland, ca 12000 –13000 ft. 18.12.1926. H. Scott leg. ; 1♂, Kenya: Aberdare Range , Mt. Kinango, 8000 ft. 10.1934. F.W. Edwards leg. ( Bradley (1965), as Plutella symmorpha ).

DA; Kenya: 3♀♀, 16.10.1998, 31.10.1998, 2.05.1999 , 1♂, 13.05.1999, Rift Valley Prov., Turi , 8000ft., D.J.L. Agassiz leg. ; 1♀, 31.10.1998 , 1♀, 15.12.1999, Rift Valley, Lake Elementeita , D.J.L. Agassiz leg. ; 1♂, 02.05.2003, Rift Valley, Lake Baringo , D.J.L.Agassiz leg. ; 3♂♂, 20.10.1998, 02.10.2004, 05.12.2011, Rift Valley, Lake Naivasha , D.J.L. Agassiz leg. ; 1♂, 27.11.2005, Rift Valley, Gilgil , D.J.L. Agassiz leg. ; 1♀, 24.10.2013, Central, Castle Forest Lodge , D.J.L. Agassiz leg. ; 1 ♂, 27.10.2016, Castle Forest Lodge , D.J.L. Agassiz leg. ; 1♂, 30.11.2011, Central, Naro Moru , D.J.L. Agassiz leg. ; 1♀, female, 10.10.1999 , 1♀, 10.05.2000, Western, Kericho 7000ft., D.J.L. Agassiz leg. ; 1♀, 01.11.2013, Eastern, Lewa , D.J.L. Agassiz leg. ,

EB; Kenya: 1♀, 04.12.1998, Rift Valley, Prov. Turi , 8000ft, D.J.L. Agassiz leg. ; 1♀, 16.10.1998, ditto, D.J.L. Agassiz leg. , 1♂, 06.07.1999, Rift Valley, Turi , 8000 ft., D.J.L. Agassiz leg. ; 1♂, 31.10.1998, Western Pr. , Kericho, 7000ft., D.J.L. Agassiz leg.

NHMO; Kenya: 1♀, 22– 24.11.2008, Rift Valley Province: Gilgil, 2110 m., L. Aarvik, D. Agassiz & A. Kingston leg. ; 1♂ and 1♀, 27.11.2010, ditto, L. Aarvik & T. Gilligan leg. ; 2♀♀, 17– 21.11.2006, Rift Valley Province: Mt. Elgon Nat. Park , Chorlim Gate, Rongai camp, 2206 m., L.O. Hansen & K. Sund leg.

Uganda: 1♀, 10– 11.11.2007, Kabarole Distr.: Ruwenzori Mts., Nyakalengija , 1700 m., L. Aarvik & M. Fibiger leg. ; 1♀, 4− 7.11.2007, Kabale Distr.: Ruhija , 2330 m., L. Aarvik & M. Fibiger leg.

MHB; South Africa: 2♂♂, 05− 06.11.2012, 2♂♂, 08− 13.11.2012, 2♂♂, 14.11.2012, 1♂, 22– 26.11.2013, Eastern Cape, Graaff-Reinet , Asante Sana Game Farm , W. Mey leg.

Biology. Larvae in November, on Helichrysum citrispinum Delile, 1843 ( Asteraceae ), ( Meyrick 1932)

Distributional area. The species is known so far from Ethiopia, Kenya, Uganda, and South Africa. The host plant of caterpillars, Helichrysum citrispinum , occurs at high altitudes in mountains ( Schweiger et al. 2015; Uhlig & Uhlig 1991; Coe 1967) with a range which includes also Tanzania, Somalia, and Namibia ( GBIF Secretariat 2019) and is more extensive than the currently confirmed distribution range of this lepidopteran. The moth was also recorded in South Africa, where H. citrispinum is absent. Probably caterpillars develop there on other plant species of the genus Helichrysum .

The localities where the species has been recorded are mostly at altitude 2000−2500 m except at the higher latitude of South Africa, reflecting the distribution of its host plants.

Figures

FIGURES 1–2. 1. Pararhigognostis stichocentra: adult female, paralectotype, preserved in coll. Meyrick, in NHMUK; 2. paralectotype labels: A, type, female, B, label of type (paralectotype), C, accession number in NHMUK, D, localities, E, note about of host plant.