Mesophleps acutunca, Li & Sattler, 2012

Li, Houhun & Sattler, Klaus, 2012, A taxonomic revision of the genus Mesophleps Hübner, 1825 (Lepidoptera: Gelechiidae) 3373, Zootaxa 3373, pp. 1-82 : 32

Mesophleps acutunca sp. nov.

( Figs 34, 66, 95, 125)

♂, ♀. Wingspan 10.0–11.0 mm. Head light yellow, frons lead grey. Labial palpus segment 2 relatively thin, dark brown to black, distally white, 3 slightly shorter than 2, white, sometimes apex brown. Antenna with alternating white and dark brown rings. Forewing ochreous yellow, scattered with ochreous brown scales, sometimes costa with basal two-fifths lighter, distal three-fifths dark brown to black, distinctly interrupted by oblique white line running from distal quarter to termen, along termen with some black scales; black discocellular spot distinct, sometimes with shadow towards tornus, discal spot absent, black plical spot small but distinct.

Genitalia ♂ ( Fig. 66). Uncus small, bud-shaped, medially cleft; gnathos hooks stout, conical, as long as uncus; valva narrow, widest near apex; tegumen short, relatively broad, distally bulging; downturned distal part of vinculum about one-quarter its total length, sclerotized posterior margin narrow, medially notched; phallus basally bulbous, distal portion unusually short.

Genitalia ♀ ( Figs 95, 125). Dorso-posterior margin of segment VIII straight, not medially extended; sclerotized antrum short, funnel-shaped; posterior margin of subostial plate broadly excavated medially; ductus bursae thin, about 1.2 times length of apophyses anteriores, entering corpus bursae postero-laterally; corpus bursae oval, distinctly longer than ductus bursae; ductus seminalis very thin, from cervix bursae bursae.

Remarks. M. acutunca is unique in the palpigera -group and differs from all other members in the unusual uncus/gnathos structure of the male and the deeply concave subostial plate in the female. But the ductus bursae entering the corpus bursae laterally and the ductus seminalis arising from the cervix bursae confirm the position of acutunca in this group.

Biology. Host-plant unknown.

Distribution. China (Hunan, Henan).

Etymology. The specific name is derived from the Latin prefix acut- (acute) and Latin word uncus (uncus), in reference to the small, acute, bud-shaped uncus.

Material examined (27 ♂♂, 5 ♀♀, including 4 ♂♂, 3 ♀♀ genitalia preparations)

Holotype ♂, China, Hunan Province, Zhangjiajie , 650 m, 7.viii.2001 (Houhun Li & Xinpu Wang) (genitalia slide no. L03074 ; NKUM).

Paratypes. China: 25 ♂♂, 5 ♀♀, Henan Province, Neixiang County, Baotianman , 1350 m, 13–15.vii.1998 (Houhun Li) ( NKUM; 2 ♂♂, 1 ♀ in BMNH) ; 1 ♂, Henan Province, Xixia County, Huangshi’an , 890 m, 17.vii.1998 (Houhun Li) ( NKUM) .