Xyrosaris lucae, Agassiz, 2019

Agassiz, David J. L., 2019, The Yponomeutidae of the Afrotropical region (Lepidoptera: Yponomeutoidea), Zootaxa 4600 (1), pp. 1-69 : 35

42. Xyrosaris lucae sp. nov.

Description of adult ( Plate 6 ). Wingspan: 10–13 mm. Head tufted, whitish, face shining; labial palpus segment 3 of similar length to segment 2, but covered with whitish scales; antenna about ¾ length of wing, scape pale brown, flagellum annulate pale brown and whitish. Thorax and tegula whitish. Forewing ground colour whitish suffused pale brown, paler in dorsal half of wing, three black dots near costa in basal half of wing, a further row of 4–5 dots along fold, a black spot beneath fold at about 1/8, a black line around apex, fringe dark fuscous at apex. Hindwing narrow, pale grey. Abdomen and legs whitish brown.

Male genitalia ( Plate 16 ). Uncus square, socius long and curved, valva crescent-shaped, saccus over half length of valva. Aedeagus about twice length of valva, containing a single long cornutus.

Female genitalia ( Plate 26 ). Lamella postvaginalis lobes separated by a gently concave space, ostium small, conical, ductus almost as long as abdomen, at first with scobination on one side, a sclerotised scobinate zone immediately before corpus bursae which widens gradually, signum comprised of a stellate plate with spines protruding laterally.

Diagnosis. Distinguished from other species by having the dorsal half of the forewing rather paler than the costal half, in the male genitalia by the very distinctive shape of the valva and in the female especially by the signum with its long spines.

Biology. Not known, adults recorded in February to June, August, and October to December.

Derivation of the name. Named after my grandson Luke.

Distribution. Common at high altitude in Kenya, also recorded from Malawi and Republic of South Africa.

Type material. Holotype ♂ KENYA: Rift Valley Prov. , Turi 8000 ft, 13.i.1999 D.J.L. Agassiz. 30 paratypes: 9 ♂ 8 ♀ same locality as holotype 5.ii.1999, 9.iii.1999, 12.iii.1999, 13.iii.1999 (2), 18.iii.1999 (2), 14.vi.1999, 25.xi.1999, 27.xi.1999, 28.xi.1999, 29.xi.1999, 9.ii.2000, 29.ii.200 (2), 29.vi.2000 (2); Central , Castle Forest Lodge , 2050 m, 0°22’51’’S 37°18’35’’E 1 ♂ 24.xi.2013, 1 ♂ 7.v.2015, 1 ♀ 7.v.2015, 1 ♀ 26.x.2016, 1 ♀ 27.x.2016, 1 ♂ 28.x.2016; Eastern, Lewa 2050 m, 0°8’24.5’’N 37°27’23.8’’E 1 ♂ 26.xi.2011, Central, Aberdares Country Club 6000 ft 27.iv.2003 D.J.L. Agassiz; Rift Valley, 1 ♂ Soysambu Estate 1800 m 18.iv.2005 D.J.L. Agassiz ( DJLA).

Other material examined: (abdomen detached): same locality as holotype 9.ii.2000, 29.ii.2000 D.J.L. Agassiz; 1 ♂ Eastern, Lewa 2050 m , 0°8’24.5’’N 37°27’23.8’’E; 1 ♂ Central, Aberdares Country Club 6000 ft 2.iv.2000 D.J.L. Agassiz; 1 ♀ MALAWI: Ntchisi, 1500 m 13°22’S 34°00’E 11.xii.2 002 D.J.L. Agassiz; REPUBLIC OF SOUTH AFRICA: 1 ♀ East Cape, Sneeuberg, Asante Sana 2–6.iv.2014 leg. W. Mey ( MfN) .

Figures

PLATE 6. The codes X1 to X6 refer to presently undescribed species, and are used to identify the specimens, and are also used in the museums where they are deposited.

PLATE 16.

PLATE 26.