Tawaya luteola M. Omelko, Ponomarenko et N. Omelko, 2021

Ponomarenko, Margarita G., Omelko, Michail M. & Omelko, Natalia V., 2021, New genus of gelechiid moths (Lepidoptera: Gelechiidae) from Borneo, and its four new species, Zootaxa 5004 (3), pp. 465-480 : 473-474

Tawaya luteola M. Omelko, Ponomarenko et N. Omelko sp. n.

Type material. Holotype: ♂, Borneo, E Malaysia, state of Sabah, 24 km N Tawau , 29.08.2019 (leg. M. Omelko); GS 157 (♂) MP.

Diagnosis. The new species is distinguished by characters of the male genitalia: the tegumen with a well-developed longitudinal ridge in the anterior half with a rounded posterior margin; the processes of the juxta evenly tapering towards setaceous apices; and the aedeagus can-opener-shaped in the distal part, which is strongly sclerotized. In contrast, the related T. rutila has medial lobes in the distal part of the juxtal processes, the latter dilated before the apex, and the aedeagus is evenly narrowed apically.

Adult ( Fig. 5 ). Head whitish. Antennal scape black, white-ringed distally; flagellum with white alternated with black. Labial palpus with basal segment black; second segment black, white distally; third segment white with black rings at base and before apex.

Forewing length 2.5 mm. Forewing greyish-yellow; proximal part without pattern, with dispersed brownish and black scales along costal margin; distal part with two black spots bordered by white—just beyond middle and at about 0.8 wing length, closer to dorsal margin. Fringe brownish along costa in apical part, brownish-yellow at apex, dark grey along termen and dorsal margin. Hindwing and fringe greyish-brown. Femora of forelegs pale sandy, with conspicuous darkening on outer surface, tibia sandy on medial side, blackish on outer surface, with white band at middle and white distally. Femora of mid-leg sandy, with brownish darkening on outer surface; tibia dark brown with whitish collar distally. Hind-leg pale sandy with darkening on femora, tibia, and tarsi; tibia with yellowishbrown brush of short hair-like scales dorsally.

Male genitalia ( Figs 16‒18 ). Tegumen rhomboidal, with sclerotized longitudinal ridge at middle of anterior part, lateral angles strongly sclerotized at junction with basal processes of valva and parategminal sclerites. Cucullus evenly narrowing towards apex, with dense crest of flattened chaetae along rounded apex, with large quadrangular basal process. Aedeagus long, exceeding total length of genitalia, tubular, parallel-sided in proximal 0.5, distal strongly sclerotized part can-opener-shaped, tapering distally toward elongate, pointed apex. Ejaculatory duct entering along longitudinal axis. Vinculum, juxta, and probably sacculi fused into single ventral sclerite surrounding aedeagus latero-ventrally; distal processes of juxta pointed apically, with strong setae in apical part laterally. Saccus triangular, its length equal to its basal width.

Female unknown.

Distribution. Malaysia (Sabah).

Etymology. The species name is derived from Latin “ luteolus ” meaning yellowish, referring to the colour of the forewings.

Figures

FIGURES 1–9. Adults, wing venation and 2nd sternite of Tawaya gen. n. spp. 1, T. flaventia sp. n., holotype, male; 2, T. flaventia, paratype, female; 3, T. rutila sp. n., holotype, male; 4, T. rutila, paratype, female; 5, T. luteola sp. n., holotype, male; 6, T. armeniaca sp. n., paratype, male; 7, T. armeniaca, paratype, female; 8, T. flaventia, venation, voucher V-MP-621; 9, T. luteola sp. n., 2nd sternite of the female. Scale bar 0.5 mm.

FIGURES 16–21. Male genitalia of Tawaya gen. n. spp. 16, T. luteola sp. n., holotype, GS 157 MP; 17, T. luteola, ventral view; 18, T. luteola, dorsal view; 19, T. armeniaca sp. n., voucher V-MP-623, GS 154 MP; 20, T. armeniaca, ventral view; 21, T. armeniaca, dorsal view. Scale bar 0.1 mm.