Ptychocroca simplex Brown and Razowski, new species

Fig. 7, 35

Diagnosis. The male of P. s i m p l e x is superficially most similar to those of P. crocoptycha and P. galenia; all three species have a tuft of erect scales near the base of the costa of the forewing, and a patch of dense beige­orange scales on each side of the pouch concealing the hairpencil in the hindwing. The male genitalia of P. s i m p l e x can be distinguished from those of P. galenia and P. crocoptycha by the absence of the conspicuous thorn from the venter of the valva about 0.4 the distance from the base to the apex of the valva and the shorter, stouter valva.

Description. Male forewing (Fig. 35) with tuft of upraised scales near base of costa. Male hindwing with hairpencil in fold of vein CuP, with patch of dense beige­orange scales on each side of pouch. Male genitalia (Fig. 7) with uncus, socii, and gnathos as described for the genus. Transtilla with mesal fold well developed. Valva moderately broad throughout basal portion; rounded concavity between angular termination of sacculus and ventro­caudal convexity relatively weak; comb of the disc rudimentary; region of plication small. Aedeagus similar to congeners; vesica with patches of cornuti more limited than in congeners. Female genitalia unknown.

Holotype, ɗ, Chile, Valparaiso, 30 Sep–8 Oct 1883, Walker 3076 (BMNH).

Paratype. Chile: Valparaiso, 1884, Walker (BMNH).

Distribution and biology. This species is known only from Valparaiso.

Etymology. The specific epithet refers to the somewhat simple valva of the male genitalia.