Agdistis samknotti, Kovtunovich & Ustjuzhanin, 2015

Kovtunovich, Vasily N. & Ustjuzhanin, Petr Ya., 2015, New species of plume moths of the genus Agdistis Hübner, 1825 (Lepidoptera: Pterophoridae: Agdistinae) from southern Africa. 6, African Invertebrates 56 (1), pp. 137-137 : 142

Agdistis samknotti sp. n.

Figs 7–10

Etymology: The species is named after the type locality, Sam Knott Nature Reserve.

Diagnosis: The new species resembles A. quagga Arenberger, 2009 in the shape of the valvae and aedeagus, but differs significantly from it in the presence of the narrow excavation on the uncus, as well as in having narrower costal projections and long projections of sternite VIII. The new species also resembles A. buffelsi sp. n. in having apically split valvae and in the shape of the uncus; however, it differs significantly from the latter in the shape of the costal projections of the valvae and sternite VIII lobes. In females, the new species is similar to A. korana Arenberger, 1988 in the shape of lamina postvaginalis , but differs in the short antrum and ductus bursae.

Description:

External characteristics ( Figs 7, 8 ): Wingspan 19–20 mm (20 in holotype). Forewing dark grey with two black spots in distal part of forewing parallel to outer margin; another black spot closer to forewing base below costal margin. Hindwing uniformly grey with noticeable darkening in anal region.

Male genitalia ( Fig. 9 ): Valvae symmetrical, with small depressions along upper edge in basal part; apical portion of each valva slightly split. Costal projections on valvae narrow, thickened in middle and apical parts, barely reaching beyond midlength of valva. Uncus broad, with narrow excavation apically. Sternite VIII with oval-shaped incision; lobes of sternite VIII long and narrow. Aedeagus slightly bent, as long as costal projection.

Female genitalia ( Fig. 10 ): Papillae anales oval-shaped. Apophyses posteriores thin and long, 3× as long as papillae anales. Apophyses anteriores short and spine-like. Lamina antevaginalis V-shaped. Lamina postvaginalis of sternite VII in form of two rectangular lobes. Antrum short, tubular. Ductus seminalis long, oval-shaped; bursa copulatrix rounded, as long as ductus seminalis.

Holotype: ♂ SOUTH AFRICA: Eastern Cape: Sam Knott Nat. Res., 33°01'S 26°47'E, 5–6.iii.2010, Kovtunovich & Sochivko ( BMNH, gen. pr. 22733).

Paratypes: Same data as holotype, 1♀ ( BMNH, gen. pr. 22734), 2♂ ( CUK) .

Distribution: South Africa: Eastern Cape.

Remarks: Flight period: March.

Figures

Figs 7–10. Agdistis samknotti sp. n., adults and genitalia: (7, 9) holotype, male, BMNH 22733; (8,10) paratype, female, BMNH 22734.