Acalyptris hilli Stonis & Diškus, 2020

Stonis, Jonas R., Diškus, Arūnas, Remeikis, Andrius, Vargas, Sergio A. & Solis, M. Alma, 2020, Diagnostics and updated catalogue of Acalyptris Meyrick, the second largest genus of Nepticulidae (Lepidoptera) in the Americas, Zootaxa 4748 (2), pp. 201-247 : 217

publication ID	https://doi.org/ 10.11646/zootaxa.4748.2.1
publication LSID	lsid:zoobank.org:pub:CBB8899F-0DE8-491E-B6C1-468C2FDBE54C
DOI	https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.3704956
persistent identifier	https://treatment.plazi.org/id/F74AB8CA-E126-45D2-9F58-85FE6832598F
taxon LSID	lsid:zoobank.org:act:F74AB8CA-E126-45D2-9F58-85FE6832598F
treatment provided by	Plazi
scientific name	Acalyptris hilli Stonis & Diškus
status	sp. nov.

Treatment

12. Acalyptris hilli Stonis & Diškus , sp. nov. ( Figs 65–77 View FIGURES 65–74 View FIGURES 75–83 )

Diagnosis. External characters of A. hilli are not always sufficient for species identification, however, the new species differs from the most Neotropical Acalyptris by the silvery glossy forewing with strong purple iridescence and black postmedian fascia ( Figs 65–67 View FIGURES 65–74 ). In the male genitalia, the presence of large cornuti in the phallus, uniquely-shaped uncus ( Fig. 77 View FIGURES 75–83 ), large, bilobed juxta ( Fig. 69 View FIGURES 65–74 ), and extremely short vinculum ( Fig. 69 View FIGURES 65–74 ) easily distinguishes A. hilli from all known Acalyptris species.

Description. Male ( Figs 65–67 View FIGURES 65–74 ). Forewing length 2.2 mm; wingspan 4.9 mm (n = 1).

Head. Scape cream with some pale ochre scales; frontal tuft dark ochre; collar small, comprised of brownish cream piliform scales; antenna distinctly shorter than one-half length of forewing; flagellum dark grey-brown on upper side and underside, with some golden gloss and purple iridescence, with about 30 segments.

Thorax. Tegula and thorax dark grey, glossy, with some blue and purple iridescence; forewing pale grey with strong purple iridescence, some yellowish cream tint along costal margin, distinctive, oblique, postmedian fascia comprised of brown-black or black scales and some black scales apically ( Fig. 65 View FIGURES 65–74 ); fringe silvery shiny, pale grey (or grey on tornus), without fringe line; forewing underside grey-brown, with some purple iridescence, without androconia or spots, except a small, elongated scaless spot at the base. Hindwing and fringe dark grey-brown on upper side and underside, with slight purple iridescence, without spots or androconia. Legs glossy, dark grey-brown on upper side, brownish cream on underside.

Abdomen. Black with purple iridescence on upper side, glossy cream on underside; anal tufts distinctive, browngrey or pale brown; genital plates brownish cream. Genitalia ( Figs 68–77 View FIGURES 65–74 View FIGURES 75–83 ) with capsule about 235 µm long, 210 µm wide. Pseuduncus with two wide lobes ( Fig. 75 View FIGURES 75–83 ). Uncus three-lobed ( Figs 76, 77 View FIGURES 75–83 ). Phallus about 280 µm long, with horn-like carinae and spine-like cornuti ( Figs 70–72 View FIGURES 65–74 ).

Female. Unknown.

Bionomics. Host plant is unknown. Adults fly in May (one specimen was attracted at light). Otherwise, biology is unknown.

Distribution ( Fig. 1 View FIGURE 1 ). Currently known from a single locality in Peru, Departamento de Junín: Selva Central, Satipo ( Figs 2–5 View FIGURES 2–11 ).

Etymology. The species is named in honour of Simon R. Hill (London, U.K.), a passionate collector and friend.

Type material. Holotype: ♂, PERÚ: Junín Region, Satipo , 11°15ꞌ30ꞌꞌS, 74°37ꞌ56ꞌꞌW, elevation 1660 m, at light, 13–15.v.2018, J. R. Stonis & S. Hill, genitalia slide no. AD951 ( ZMUC).