Mesophleps species (Yunnan)

Li, Houhun & Sattler, Klaus, 2012, A taxonomic revision of the genus Mesophleps Hübner, 1825 (Lepidoptera: Gelechiidae) 3373, Zootaxa 3373, pp. 1-82 : 41-42

Mesophleps species (Yunnan)

( Figs 48, 104, 134)

♀. Wingspan 23.0 mm. Labial palpus segment 2 black, without dorsal scale tuft, apex white, 3 very thin, about as long as 2, white, base and apex brown. Antenna greyish brown. Wings relatively long and narrow; forewing light yellow, with scattered ochre scales; costa with broad black stripe narrower towards base; termen with black spots and scales; discocellular, discal, and plical spots indistinct, composed of few black scales.

Genitalia ♂. Unknown.

Genitalia ♀ ( Fig. 104, 134). Papilla analis sub-rectangular; segment VIII short and broad, dorso-posterior margin medially triangular; apophyses anteriores about one-half length of apophyses posteriores; subostial plate distally rounded, imperceptibly concave in middle; antrum with distinct spine-like sclerotization, almost one-half length of apophyses anteriores; ductus bursae thin, twice length of apophyses anteriores; corpus bursae very large, oval, longer than ductus bursae; ductus seminalis very thin, arising from corpus bursae near entrance of ductus bursae.

Remarks: We refrain from naming this interesting species as there exists only a single imperfectly preserved female. The moth somewhat resembles M. gigantella sp. n. but can be distinguished from it by the narrower forewings that lack the discal, plical and discocellular spots. In the female genitalia the spine-like sclerotization in the antrum is longer than in gigantella and there is apparently no sclerotized signum separating the ductus bursae from the inception of the ductus seminalis. In the absence of a male the placement with gigantella remains provisional.

Biology. Host-plant unknown.

Distribution. China (Yunnan).

Material examined (1 ♀, including 1 ♀ genitalia preparation)

China: 1 ♀, Yunnan Province, Xishuangbanna [Sipsongpanna], Ganlanba , 19.iv.1995 (Guangyun Yan) (genitalia slide no. L95070 ; NKUM) .