Platyptilia sochivkoi, Kovtunovich & Ustjuzhanin, 2011

Kovtunovich, Vasily & Ustjuzhanin, Petr, 2011, On the fauna of the plume moths (Lepidoptera: Pterophoridae) of Lesotho, African Invertebrates 52 (1), pp. 167-167 : 170-171

Platyptilia sochivkoi sp. n.

Figs 4–6

Etymology: The species is named after our colleague Andrey Sochivko (Moscow), who accompanied us on expeditions to South Africa and Lesotho.

Diagnosis: Externally, the new species can be well distinguished by the presence of a bright white mark along the external edge of the first and second lobes of the forewing. In male genitalia, it resembles Platyptilia periacta Meyrick, 1910 in the shape of the valvae, uncus, and aedeagus, but can be easily distinguished from the latter species by the shape of the saccus and anellus. In female genitalia, it differs well from other South African species by very short signae.

Description:

External characters. Forehead with distinct cone-shaped bundle of brown scales. Labial palps light grey, rather long, 1.5× as long as eye diameter, tapering apically. Antennae thin, brown. Forewing length in holotype 10 mm. Wingspan 16–23 mm (21 mm in holotype). Forewings light brown. Costal triangle indistinct. Cleft base in forewing with elongated dark stroke, sometimes poorly expressed. First and second lobes with distinct white strokes in apical parts (some have strokes on first lobe only). Hindwings uniformly ash-grey. Third lobe with dark brown scales on outer margin from base to midlength.

Male genitalia. Valvae of even width. Uncus simple, with small bulb at apex. Anellus branches narrow and short; additional sprouts not large, narrowed towards apex. Outer edge of saccus has broad hilum, inner edge has deep, wedge-shaped cutout. Aedeagus arcuate, basal projection located obliquely towards cekum.

Female genitalia. Anal papillae narrow, oval. Rear apophysises rather long and thin. Vaginal plates in form of 2 ovals. Front apophysises thin, rather long. Antrum long, narrowed towards inflow to ductus. Bursa large, oval, with 2 small aculeiform signa.

Holotype: ♂ 25 km W Sani Pass , 29°26'S: 29°09'E, 17–18.iii.2010, at light, V. Kovtunovich & A. Sochivko ( BMNH, № 22894).

Paratypes: 9♂ 6♀ same data as holotype ( CUK, except 1♀ in BMNH, № 22895) .

Distribution: Lesotho.

Remarks: Alpine species.

Figures

Figs 1–6. New Platyptilia from Lesotho: (1–3) P. bowkeri sp. n., male genitalia (1), female genitalia (2), habitus (3); (4–6) P. sochivkoi sp. n., habitus (4), male genitalia (5), female genitalia (6).