Alucita sedlaceki Ustjuzhanin & Kovtunovich, 2024

Ustjuzhanin, Peter, Kovtunovich, Vasily, Delabye, Sylvain, Maicher, Vincent, Safian, Szabolcs, Streltzov, Alexander & Tropek, Robert, 2024, Magnifying the hotspot: descriptions of nine new species of many-plumed moths (Lepidoptera, Alucitidae), with an identification key to all species known from Cameroon, ZooKeys 1193, pp. 25-48 : 25

Alucita sedlaceki Ustjuzhanin & Kovtunovich sp. nov.

Figs 12 , 13

Type material.

Holotype • ♂, (NECJU 230706), Cameroon, PlanteCam, 1100 m a.s.l., Mount Cameroon, 4.1175°N, 9.0709°E, 09-14.IV.2015. V. Maicher, Sz. Sáfián, Š. Janeček, R. Tropek. Paratypes • 1 ♂, (CUK), Cameroon, Mount Cameroon, Ekonjo, 1150 m a.s.l., 4.0881°N, 9.1168°E, 25.X.2017, lgt. V. Maicher, S. Delabye • 1 ♂, (CUK), Cameroon, Bamboo Camp, 350 m a.s.l., Mount Cameroon, 4.0879°N, 9.0505°E, 14-23.II.2016, lgt. V. Maicher, Sz. Sáfián, R. Tropek.

Differential diagnosis.

In terms of wing colouration, the species somewhat resembles Alucita mischenini Ustjuzhanin & Kovtunovich, 2018, but it differs in the length of the apical dark-brown portion of scales on the first and second lobes of the fore wing. In the new species, the portion on the second lobe is twice as long as that on the first lobe, while in A. mischenini it is equal to or even shorter than that on the first lobe. In the male genitalia, there is also a similarity to A. mischenini , but in the new species, the saccus has a distinct triangular notch caudally, and the aedeagus has an ordered arrangement of needle-like cornuti distally. In contrast, in A. mischenini the notch is absent on the saccus, and the cornuti in the aedeagus are tiny and chaotically disorganised.

External characters.

The head and thorax are brown, and the tegulae are white. The labial palpi are brown and measure 2.5 × longer than the longitudinal eye diameter. The third segment is short, isolated, and directed upwards. The antennae are yellowish brown and serrated. The wings are white, with black and brown portions of scales. The medial band is well-developed. The wingspan ranges from 12 to 16 mm (holotype 16 mm). The first lobe on the fore wing has alternating brown and yellow rectangular portions. The apical dark brown portion on the first lobe is half as long as the apical portion on the second lobe. The fore wings are basally darkened with dark-brown scales. Medially, they have a wide brown band, which is missing on the sixth lobe. On the hind wings, this band is positioned closer to the base of the wing. All wings have a dark brown subterminal band that is broken in the fifth lobe of the forewing and the third lobe of the hindwing, with the small dark spots of scales subapically on all lobes of all wings. The fringe on the wings is pale, with only the banded portions being brown. The hind legs are yellowish white.

Male genitalia.

The uncus is long, basally and medially narrow, and distally widened, with a small notch at the apex. The gnathos is narrow, apically acute, and equal in length to the uncus. The gnathos arms are short and wide. The valves are short, wide, and wing-like. The anellus arms are long, slightly shorter than the gnathos, but significantly wider than it, being basally wide and apically narrowing. The saccus is equal in length to the anellus arms, with a clearly expressed triangular notch caudally. The aedeagus is slightly concave medially and almost equal in length to the entire genital structure (excluding the uncus). The aedeagus large needle-like cornuti distally arranged in an orderly array.

Distribution.

The species was found in Cameroon only.

Flight period.

The species was collected in February, April, and October.

Etymology.

The species is named in honour to Ondřej Sedláček, a recognised ornithologist and entomologist with experience from many African countries. On Mount Cameroon, he established several ongoing ecological research projects and was instrumental in helping local communities to understand how to protect the unique local ecosystems in which they live.

Figures

Figures 12, 13. Alucita sedlaceki Ustjuzhanin & Kovtunovich, sp. nov. 12 adult male, holotype, NECJU 13 male genitalia, holotype, NEJCU, preparation slide no. 230706. Scale bar: 5 mm.