Pleurota asiatica Back, 1973

Tabell, Jukka, Wikström, Bo, Mutanen, Marko, Bruckner, Harald & Sihvonen, Pasi, 2021, Subspecies of Pleurota bicostella (Clerck, 1759) revisited and descriptions of nine new species in the P. bicostella species group (Lepidoptera: Gelechioidea Oecophoridae: Pleurotinae), Zootaxa 4941 (4), pp. 451-486 : 462-463

Pleurota asiatica Back, 1973 stat. nov.

Figs. 4–5 , 37 , 54

Pleurota bicostella asiatica Back, 1973: 105–108 , pls. H (♂ genitalia), Bb 2 (♀ genitalia). Type locality: Afghanistan: Kabul. Holotype ♂ (NHMW; examined from photographs). Here elevated from subspecies to species, based on constant differential features in habitus and genitalia structure (stat. nov.).

Material examined. Holotype ♂ (Genitalpräparat Nr. 00597 H.-E. Back), 17.VI.1965 Afghan., 40 km SW v. Kabul, 2300 m., Kasy & Vartian . Paratypes: 1 ♀, 5.VII.1963 Afghan., Khurd Kabul, SO v. Kabul, Kasy & Vartian ; 1 ♀ (Genitalpräparat Nr. 00605 H.-E. Back), 7.VII.1963 Afghan., 35 km O v. Kabul, Kasy & Vartian [examined from photographs]. The holotype is deposited in NHMW. The male and female genitalia are illustrated and described by Back (1973) .

Diagnosis. Externally P. asiatica can be distinguished from P. bicostella by its browner colour (greyer in bicostella ) and broader subcostal line. In the male genitalia, distinguishing details are the funnel-shaped gnathos (subtriangular in bicostella ), longer and narrower posterior lobe of juxta, differently shaped lateral lobe of juxta (finger-shaped in asiatica , crescent-shaped in bicostella ), and broader cucullus. In the female genitalia, the anterior and posterior apophyses are longer and the posterior signa bigger than in bicostella and the U-shaped proximal margin of segment 8 is distinctive.

Molecular data. No specimens have been barcoded.

Description. Adult. Wingspan 18.0–21.0 mm. Labial palpus off-white, mixed with pale brown, ventrally brown, mixed with white, 3 rd palpomere 0.3–0.45 x length of 1 st and 2 nd palpomeres. Head and tegula off-white, thorax pale brown, in female whiter. Forewing white, dispersed with brown scales, more densely at apical half, discal spot and a streak between discal and discocellular spot distinct, blackish brown, plical streak indistinct; costal line white, from near base to 0.57-0.67; subcostal line brown, evenly expanded towards apex; hind margin with several brown scales forming a fringe line. Costal fringe brown, dorsal fringe brown with paler medial line. Hindwing pale brown, fringe pale brown, apically whiter, in female hindwing and fringe greyer.

Male genitalia. Uncus triangular from ventral view, shorter than gnathos, covered with several long and short bristles, apex with stout protuberance. Gnathos funnel-shaped from ventral view, basally broad, apical half narrow, parallel-sided, covered with dense scobination, apex stout. Valva slightly upwardly oblique, ventral margin medially slightly bulged, costa concave; cucullus thimble-shaped; valval lobe finger-shaped, distally covered with several bristles. Anterior extension of juxta short; median plate robust; posterior lobe narrow, extended to uncus. Phallus slightly arched, broad, with a sclerotized plate-shaped cornutus surrounded by numerous tiny spines.

Female genitalia. Papilla analis narrow, elongate. Apophysis posterioris 4.2 x as long as papilla analis and 1.5 x as long as apophysis anterioris, which is 1.5 x as long as segment 8. Segment 8 longitudinally rectangular, dorsolaterally reinforced by sclerotized band, proximal margin strongly sclerotized, broad, deeply convex, caudal margin slightly concave. Antrum as long as segment 8, narrow. Ductus bursae membranous, shorter than antrum. Corpus bursae ovoid, with one large, arched, broad, medially constricted signum bearing two strongly sclerotized thorn-like protuberances, and two leaf-shaped posterior signa of different size.

Biology. Unknown.

Distribution. Afghanistan, Iran.

Figures

FIGURES 1–8. Adults and labels of Pleurota spp. 1–2. P. bicostella (Clerck). 1. ♂. 2. ♀. 3. P. andalusica Back, ♂. 4–5. P. asiatica Back. 4. ♂ holotype. 5. ♀ paratype. 6–8. P. aragonella Chrétien. 6. ♂ holotype. 7. ♂. 8. ♀.

FIGURES 37–38. Male genitalia of Pleurota spp. 37. P. asiatica Back, holotype, Genitalpräparat Nr. 00597 H.-E. Back. 38. P. illucidella Chrétien, GP 6021 J. Tabell.

FIGURES 54–56. Female genitalia of Pleurota spp. 54. P. asiatica Back, paratype, Genitalpräparat Nr. 00605 H.-E. Back. 55. P. illucidella Chrétien, GP 5917 J. Tabell. 56. P. lepigrei Lucas, GP 5444 J. Tabell.