Postplatyptilia flinti Gielis, 1991

Matthews, Deborah L., Miller, Jacqueline Y., Simon, Mark J. & Goss, Gary J., 2019, Additions to the plume moth fauna of The Bahamas (Lepidoptera: Pterophoridae) with description of four new species, Insecta Mundi 708 (708), pp. 1-35 : 4-5

Postplatyptilia flinti Gielis, 1991

Fig. 4 , 27a, b , 41

Diagnosis. Similar to Stenoptilodes brevipennis and S. taprobanes in size and wing maculation except costal triangle and other markings somewhat bolder. Best distinguished from these species by paired cream-colored lateral metathoracic patches ( Fig. 4 ). Male genitalia characterized by symmetrical valvae with divided sacculus and overriding cucullus, and a distally projecting spine-like saccus, longer than uncus ( Fig. 27a ). Female genitalia characterized by medially notched lamina postvaginalis flanked lat- erally by sclerotized spade-shaped lobes extending posterad from short apophyses anteriores; Antrum triangular, corpus bursae with paired spine-like signa ( Fig. 41 ).

Pinned material examined. BAHAMAS: Grand Bahama Island: vic. Barbary Beach, 26.558526°, −78.536983°, 26.x.2014, DLM, JYM, MJS, RMR (14 ♂, slide DM 2099, 4 ♀, slide DM 2100).

Life history. The larval hostplant is unknown. Adults were all, however, collected while flying and perching in patches of Scutellaria havanensis Jacq.

Distribution. This species is known from Argentina, Brazil, and Paraguay ( Gielis 2006). In The Bahamas it is thus far only known from one locality on Grand Bahama Island.

Figures

Figures 2–9. Bahamas Pterophoridae pinned adults. 2) Lioptilodes albistriolatus ♀, Cat Island, 23.vi.2014. 3) Lantanophaga pusillidactylus ♂, South Andros Island, 31.iii.2014. 4) Postplatyptilia flinti ♀, Grand Bahama Island. 5) Stenoptilodes brevipennis ♀, Grand Bahama Island. 6) Stenoptilodes taprobanes ♀, Abaco. 7) Michaelophorus salensis Matthews, new species, ♀, holotype, Great Inagua, 24–25.vii.2014. 8) Sphenarches anisodactylus ♀, New Providence Island. 9) Megalorhipida leucodactylus ♀, San Salvador Island, 23.vii.2015. Scale line below each name equals 1 mm.

Figures 25–28. Bahamas Pterophoridae male genitalia. 25a) Lioptilodes albistriolatus, slide DM 2159. 25b) phallus, same individual. 26a) Lantanophaga pusillidactylus, slide DM 2161. 26b) phallus, same individual. 27a) Postplatyptilia flinti, slide DM 2099. 27b) phallus, same individual. 28a) Stenoptilodes brevipennis, slide DM 2101. 28b) phallus, same individual.

Figures 37–42. Bahamas Pterophoridae female genitalia. 37) Lioptilodes albistriolatus, slide DM 2150. 38) Lantanophaga pusillidactylus, slide DM 2155. 39) Stenoptilodes taprobanes, slide DM 2157. 40) Stenoptilodes brevipennis, slide DM 2156.41) Postplatyptilia flinti, slide DM 2100. 42) Megalorhipida leucodactylus, slide DM 2154.