Ptycerata perexigella (Junnilainen, 2010) Bidzilya & Karsholt, 2021

Bidzilya, Oleksiy & Karsholt, Ole, 2021, A review of the Palearctic Ptycerata Ely, 1910 (= Caulastrocecis Chrétien, 1931 syn. nov.) based on morphology (Lepidoptera, Gelechiidae), Zootaxa 5026 (2), pp. 151-181 : 177

Ptycerata perexigella (Junnilainen, 2010) comb. nov.

Figs 38, 39 , 84, 85

Caulastrocecis perexigella Junnilainen in Junnilainen & Nupponen, 2010: 9, figs 14–15.

Type material examined. Paratype. Russia: 1 ♂, Southern Ural Mts., Cheliabinsk district, Arkaim reserve near Amurskii village , 15.vi.1996 (Nupponen, Kaitila, Junnilainen & Ahola) ( ZMUC) .

Other material examined. Russia: 10 ♂, SW Altai, Katun valley , 10 km W Katanda, 1200 m, 22.vi.–27.vi.1983 (Mikkola, Hippa & Jalava), genitalia slide 1110, 5355, 5358 H. Hendriksen , 1 ♂, same data but 28.vi. –5.vii.1983 ( MZH, ZMUC) . Uzbekistan: 1 ♂, Namangan, 1884 (Haberhauer) (gen. prep. 6/01, O. Bidzilya) ( MfN) .

Diagnosis. Ptycerata perexigella is well recognisable by its small size (wingspan 8.5– 11 mm), pale forewings uniformly mottled with brown, very indistinct markings and grey hindwings. The male genitalia are unique within Ptycerata in having a stout uncus, very broad saccus and phallus bent in the middle.

Adult ( Figs 38, 39 ). Wingspan 8.5– 11 mm Head, thorax and tegulae white, mixed with scattered light brown; labial palpus weakly upcurved, white, palpomere 2 brown on outer surface, palpomere 3 acute, about 1/2 width and about 1/3 length of palpomere 2; scape white, moderately broadening, flagellomeres white and brown-ringed, covered with short cilia in male. Forewing white densely mixed with light brown, three small indistinct spots in fold and cell, costal margin white without brown irroration. Hindwing and fringe grey.

Variation. Brown markings partially or completely reduced in some specimens; specimens look darker or lighter depending on the amount of light brown irroration.

Male genitalia ( Figs 84, 85 ). Uncus comparatively slender, weakly broadening towards 3/4 length, then narrowing towards rounded posterior margin. Gnathos stout, curved at base, with very broad distal part and short upcurved tip. Tegumen trapezoidal, gradually narrowing posteriorly, lateral flaps curved inwardly and almost joining in middle, anteromedial emargination shallow, extending to 1/3–1/4 length of tegumen. Valva as broad as uncus, extending almost to its apex, direct, parallel-sided, right valva with apex rounded, left valva with distinct pointed apex, both dorsocaudal and ventrocaudal angles not developed. Vinculum slender, band-shaped. Saccus broad, parallel-sided, extended beyond top of pedunculus. Distal part of phallus weakly curved, about half the width and twice as long as moderately inflated caecum, lamina ducti ejaculatorii not examined.

Variation. Saccus varies in width and length; see also below under Remarks.

Female genitalia. Unknown.

Biology. Host plant unknown. The type series was collected in mid-June in grassy steppes.Adults were observed flying among vegetation (Junnilainen & Nupponen 2010: 9).

Molecular data. BIN BOLD:ACB0591 (n=3 from Russia).

Distribution. Russia (Cheliabinsk and Orenburg region, Altai), Uzbekistan (new record).

Remarks. The male from Altai matches P. perexigella from S. Ural both externally and in the genitalia, except for its slightly larger size (wingspan 11 mm), and shorter and broader saccus. A male from Namangan differs externally in having the forewings lighter, pale and mottled with brown-tipped scales, and in larger wingspan (12 mm). The genitalia of this specimen are similar to those of P. perexigella in general. However, the differences in shape of uncus, gnathos, valva and saccus suggest a separate species.

Figures

FIGURES 22–39. Ptycerata spp. Adults. 22–28. P. pudicella 22. Romania, LT (gen. slide 59/10, O. Bidzilya). 23. Slovakia, female. 24. Greece, female (gen. slide 49/20, O. Bidzilya). 25. Turkey, male. 26. Russia, Altai, female (gen. slide 178/19, O. Bidzilya). 27. Russia, Amur region, ST of tripunctella, male. 28. Russia, Primorskiy kray, female. 29–37. P. interstratella. 29. Morocco, Lectotype of A. condensata. 30. Morocco, female (gen. slide 177/20, O. Bidzilya). 31. Russia, Sarepta, LT. 32. Kazakhstan, Charyn river, male.33. Iran, male 34.Kyrgyzstan, male.35–37. Russia,Altai. 35. Male.36. Male. 37. Female. 38, 39. P. perexigella. 38. Uzbekistan, male (gen. slide 6/01, O. Bidzilya). 39. Russia, Altai, male (gen. slide 1100, H. Hendriksen).

FIGURES 82–85. Ptycerata spp. Male genitalia. 82, 83. P. interstratella. 82. Kazakhstan (gen. slide 95/07, O. Bidzilya). 83. Turkey (gen. slide 79/17, O. Bidzilya). 84, 85. P. perexigella. 84. Uzbekistan (gen. slide 6/01, O. Bidzilya). 85. Russia, Altai (gen. slide 1110, H. Hendriksen).