Microschismus alida, 2020

Ustjuzhanin, P. Ya., Kovtunovich, V. N. & Streltzov, A. N., 2020, Two new species and new records of many-plumed moths of the genus Microschismus Fletcher, 1909 (Lepidoptera: Alucitidae) from the Republic of South Africa with corld catalogue of the genus, Russian Entomological Journal 29 (4), pp. 423-427 : 424-425

Microschismus alida

Ustjuzhanin et Kovtunovich, sp.n.

Figs 3–4 .

TYPE MATERIAL: Holotype, ♂, ( ZISP, gen. pr. Nr. 1923), SOUTH AFRICA: Free State, Golden Gate Highlands Nat. Park , 28°30´S, 28°34´E, h 1870 m, 26. ii.–04.iii.2018, Kovtunovich V., Udovichenko P., Yakovlev R. leg. ; Paratype, 1 ♂, ( CUK) same data as holotype, Kovtunovich V., Udovichenko P., Yakovlev R. leg.

DESCRIPTION. External characters. Head, thorax and teguale white. Labial palpi white, brown only from outside, apically tapered. Five times longer than longitudinal eye diameter. Antennae finely serrated, yellowish-grey, basally distinctly darkened with brown scales. Wingspan 16–17 mm. Fore wings greyish-white with chaotically dispersed dark brown points and spots. Series of dark brown longitudinal spots along costa of fore wing. Fore wing basally darkened. Tips of all lobes finishing with distinct dark brown spots. Hind wings greyish-white, noticeably lighter than fore wings. Legs pale yellow.

Male genitalia. Uncus wide, apically bluntly rounded. Gnathos narrow, long, noticeably longer than uncus, apically sharp. Valves basally wide, then narrowing, with short finger-like processes before the narrowing. Anellus arms very wide, lobe-like. Saccus straight. Aedeagus short, robust, without cornuti.

DIAGNOSIS. In the wings color and male genital structure, the species is similar to Microschismus reginus Ustjuzhanin et Kovtunovich, 2011 , but differs in the lighter color and smaller number of the points and spots on the fore wings. In the male genitalia, the new species differs from M. reginus in its wide lobe-like anellus arms, the narrower uncus which is bluntly rounded apically, while in M. reginus the anellus arms are narrow, not lobe-like, the uncus is significantly wider and has a notch on tip.

Flight period: February–March.

ETYMOLOGY. The species is named after Alida Myburgh (Springbok, Rep. S. Africa).

Figures

Figs 3–4. Microschismus alida Ustjuzhanin et Kovtunovich, sp.n.: 3 — adult (Holotype, ZISP); 4 — male genitalia (Holotype, ZISP, gen.pr. Nr. 1923). Рис. 3–4. Microschismus alida Ustjuzhanin et Kovtunovich, sp.n.: 3 — имаго (голотип, ZISP); 4 — гениталии самца (голотип, ZISP, gen.pr. Nr. 1923).