Agdistis pseudomeyi Kovtunovich & Ustjuzhanin

Kovtunovich, Vasily & Ustjuzhanin, Petr, 2015, New species of plume moths of the genus Agdistis Hübner, 1825 (Lepidoptera: Pterophoridae: Agdistinae) from southern Africa. 7, Zootaxa 4033 (4), pp. 555-566 : 560-561

Agdistis pseudomeyi Kovtunovich & Ustjuzhanin sp.nov.

( Figs. 9–10 )

Type material. Holotype ♂ ( BMNH 22750), S. Africa Rep., Northern Cape, 80 km SW of Springbok, Namaqua National Park, S 3003′ E 1727′, 120 m, 05.x.2009, Kovtunovich V. & Ustjuzhanin P. Paratypes: 5 ♂, same data as holotype, ( DNMNH 15273, CUK), 1 ♂, ( DNMNH 15759) Rep. S. Africa, Western Cape, Matjesfontein, 3313′S 2035′E, 18. x.1954, G. van Son.

External characters. Wingspan 21–22 mm, holotype 21 mm. Forewing grey with four dark spots, three of which aligned in dorsal part of wing. Basal spot small, indistinct; middle spot slightly larger than basal spot; distal spot even larger and rounded as compared to other spots. Fourth spot in distal part of wing costal margin, faintly connected with dorsodistal part. Hindwing grey. Fringe of both wings pale grey.

Male genitalia. Valvae symmetrical, narrow, furcate at distal part; base of valva with small folds. Costal processes well defined, at distal part separated and sole-like. Uncus oval, with triangle cut in apical part. Sternum VIII with deep oval notch. Phallus slightly arched, a little shorter than the length of valva.

Female unknown.

Diagnosis. A. pseudomeyi is distinctive by the form of the valva and the oval notch of sternum VIII in the male. The species is similar to Agdistis meyi Arenberger, 2008 , but differs from it by the shape of the uncus, costal processes of the valvae and the arched phallus.

Distribution. Republic of South Africa (Northern and Western Cape).

Flight period. October.

Etymology. The naming of the species is due to the similarity to the closely related species Agdistis meyi .

Figures

FIGURES 9 – 10. Agdistis pseudomeyi Kovtunovich & Ustjuzhanin sp. nov. 9. Adult, holotype; 10. Male genitalia (slide 22750 BMNH).