Ptycerata nupponeni, Bidzilya & Karsholt, 2021

Bidzilya, Oleksiy & Karsholt, Ole, 2021, A review of the Palearctic Ptycerata Ely, 1910 (= Caulastrocecis Chrétien, 1931 syn. nov.) based on morphology (Lepidoptera, Gelechiidae), Zootaxa 5026 (2), pp. 151-181 : 167

Ptycerata nupponeni sp. nov.

Figs 13 , 73

Type material. Holotype ♂, “ Russia, Altai mts., 51˚40’N, 85˚45’E, Katun valley, 600 m, near Ust-Sema village , 01.vii.2001, K. Nupponen leg.” | “gen. slide 246/16, O. Bidzilya “ ( NUPP).

Diagnosis. Ptycerata nupponeni sp. nov. is a rather large (wingspan 17 mm), bright, uniformly coloured species that differs from its congeners by its (for Ptycerata ) unique yellowish brown forewings without markings. The male genitalia are distinguished by broad, apically broadly rounded and short (not reaching the apex of uncus) valva in combination with the slender distal part of phallus.

Adult ( Fig. 13 ). Wingspan 17 mm. Head. thorax and tegulae light brown; labial palpus upcurved, brown, palpomere 2 brown, its upper and outer surface before apex white, palpomere 3 acute, about 1/2 width and almost as long as palpomere 2, white. Forewing uniformly covered with grey scales tipped with yellowish brown, fringe light grey. Hindwing white, fringe light brown.

Variation. Only one specimen was available for study.

Male genitalia ( Fig. 73 ). Uncus parallel-sided, 1.5 times longer than broad, posterior margin straight. Gnathos stout, hook-shaped, strongly widening ventrally and curved before middle, distal part slender with upcurved pointed tip. Tegumen trapezoidal, gradually narrowing posteriorly, lateral flaps curved inwardly and almost joining in middle, anteromedial emargination shallow, extending to about 1/4–1/5 length of tegumen. Valva as broad as uncus, extending to top of uncus, direct, weakly broadening to half length, then gradually rounded, both dorsocaudal and ventrocaudal angles short but distinct. Vincular lobes slender, extending to 2/3 length of valva, apex weakly rounded, covered with short hairs, separated by deep triangular incision. Vinculum slender, band-shaped. Saccus slender, extending far beyond top of pedunculus. Distal part of phallus straight, about 1/3 width and as long as moderately inflated caecum, lamina ducti ejaculatorii slender, longer than phallus.

Female genitalia. Unknown.

Biology. Host plant unknown. The holotype was collected in early July at an altitude of 600 m.

Molecular data. Unavailable.

Distribution. Russia (Altai).

Etymology. The new species is dedicated to Kari Nupponen (Espoo, Finland), who collected the holotype, and in recognition of his contribution to the study of Palearctic Lepidoptera .

Figures

FIGURES 1–21. Ptycerata spp.Adults. 1–4. P. furfurella. 1. Russia, Sarepta, LT (gen. slide 647, D. Povolný). 2. Russia, Sarepta (gen. slide 97/11, O. Bidzilya). 3. Kazakhstan. 4. W Kazakhstan, Uralsk, HT of salinatrix (gen. slide 9059). 5. P. gypsella, France. 6–9. P. cryptoxena. 6. Austria. 7. Slovakia. 8. Ukraine, Crimea. 9. Ukraine, Crimea. 10–12. P. sumpichi sp. nov., Italy 10. HT (gen. slide 176/20, O. Bidzilya). 11. PT (gen. slide 324/19, O. Bidzilya). 12. PT. 13. P. nupponeni sp. nov., Russia, Altai, HT. 14–21. P. transbaikalica sp. nov. 14. Russia, Agutsakan, HT. 15. Russia, Kyra, PT, male. 16. Russia, Kyra, PT, female. 17. Russia, Kyra, PT, male (gen. slide 100/07, O. Bidzilya). 18. Russia, Kyra, PT, male (gen. slide 72/10, O. Bidzilya). 19. Russia, Kyra, PT male (gen. slide 180/20, O. Bidzilya). 20. Russia, Altai, female. 21. Russia, Altai, female.

FIGURES 70–75. Ptycerata spp. Male genitalia. 70, 71. P. cryptoxena. 70. E Ukraine (gen. slide 114/13, O. Bidzilya). 71. E Ukraine (gen. slide 102/12, O. Bidzilya). 72. P. sumpichi sp. nov., Italy, PT (gen. slide 324/19, O. Bidzilya). 73. P. nupponeni sp. nov., Russia, Altai, HT (gen. slide 246/16, O. Bidzilya). 74, 75. P. transbaikalica sp. nov., Russia, Zabaikalskiy krai, Kyra 74. PT (gen. slide 72/10, O. Bidzilya). 75. PT (gen. slide 100/07, O. Bidzilya).