Neotrifurcula gielisorum van Nieukerken

van Nieukerken, Erik J., Doorenweerd, Camiel, Nishida, Kenji & Snyers, Chris, 2016, New taxa, including three new genera show uniqueness of Neotropical Nepticulidae (Lepidoptera), ZooKeys 628, pp. 1-63 : 32

Taxon classification Animalia Lepidoptera Nepticulidae

Neotrifurcula gielisorum van Nieukerken sp. n.

Holotype male.

Chile, Ñuble, Bio-Bio (VIII), 2 km N Las Trancas, 70 km E Chilan, 1400 m, 36.54S- 71.28W, 6.i.2001, C. Gielis & H. W. van der Wolf, sta 53, genitalia slide EvN4503, RMNH.INS.24503 (RMNH).

Differential diagnosis.

One of the largest nepticulids with a wingspan of almost 10 mm. Recognised by very broad cream fascia, male genitalia characteristic by flagellum-like appendix on phallus, but several closely related, but smaller species have very similar genitalia.

Description.

Male (Figs 97, 98). Head with frontal tuft pale yellow ochreous, collar similar, comprising hairscales; scale and pedicel similar, flagellum grey-brown. Antenna with 54-58 segments (n=3). Thorax fuscous, forewing fuscous with a very wide, irregular, pale cream medial fascia of ca. half wing length, with scattered fuscous scales; distally a double cilia line, separated by a cream patch. Hindwing broad, brown, costal bristles present, no androconials.

Female. Unknown.

Measurements. Male: forewing length 4.0-4.8 mm (n=3), wingspan: 8.7-10.1 mm.

Male genitalia (Figs 100-104, 111-114). Capsule length 460-480 µm. Tegumen fused with vinculum, ring-shaped; vinculum extended anteriorly. Uncus with medial truncate process, slightly dilated apically. Gnathos with large triangular central element. Valva length ca 265-270 µm, narrow, elongate, inner margin slightly sinuous, tip triangular. Transtilla without transverse bar, sublateral processes distinct. Juxta V-shaped, joining valvae and phallus. Phallus length 450-490 µm, gradually tapering caudally; a long curved process left side, first curved anteriorly, then making a 180 degrees turn to the dorsal side and ending posteriorly, close to phallotrema; vesica with small group of cornuti.

Biology.

Host plants. Unknown.

Voltinism and habits. The moth was collected from mid-December to mid-January.

Distribution.

Chile: Curoco, Ñuble and Valparaiso. In both localities with dense forest of large Nothofagus trees at middle altitudes (1100-1500 m) (Fig. 105).

DNA barcode.

We barcoded two specimens, including the holotype, both in BINBOLD ACG8607. One specimen was also sequenced for other genes and used in the molecular phylogeny ( Doorenweerd et al. 2016). Sequences may be retrieved in BOLD and Genbank under voucher/sample ID RMNH.INS.23527.

Etymology.

The specific name gielisorum is a noun in plural genitive, based on the family name Gielis, to honour Cees and Siska Gielis for their efforts not only to collect this species, but to explore and collect Microlepidoptera widely in South America, and to publish in particular about the plume moths, Pterophoridae .

Other material examined.

Chile: 1♂, Curico, Maule (VII), 60 km SE Molina, RN Radal Seite Tazas, 1100 m, 18-19.xii.2000, 35.28S- 71.00W, C. Gielis & FK Gielis, sta. 45, genitalia + wing slide EvN4703 (RMNH); 1♂, Nuble, Bio-Bio (VIII), 2 km N Las Trancas, 70 km E Chilan, 1400 m, 36.54S- 71.28W, 14.i.2001, C. Gielis & H. W. van der Wolf, sta 63, genitalia + wing slide EvN3527 (RMNH).