Apoxyptilus uzumarus Kovtunovich & Ustjuzhanin

Kovtunovich, V., Ustjuzhanin, P. & Murphy, R., 2014, Plume moths of Malawi (Lepidoptera: Pterophoridae), Zootaxa 3847 (4), pp. 451-494 : 477

Apoxyptilus uzumarus Kovtunovich & Ustjuzhanin sp. nov. ( Figs. 32–34 )

Type material: Holotype, male, ( BMNH 22948) N. Malawi, Chitipa District, Mugesse Forest, 60 km NW Chitipa, S 09º38', E 33º32', 1810 m, 11– 12.01.2009, Kovtunovich V. & Ustjuzhanin P. Paratypes, same data as holotype: 1 ♀, ( BMNH 22949), 9 ex. 11– 12.01.2009, 5 ♂, 1 ♀ 28– 29.12.2010; 5 ex. 20 km N Thazima Gate, 0 7.01.2009, 5 ex. 22.12.2012, 1 ♂ Chilinda, 09.01.2009; 19 ex. Uzumara, 21– 22.12.2010, Kovtunovich V. & Ustjuzhanin P., 12 ex. 8–12. 0 1.2012, R. Murphy ; 1 ♂ Nyika N.P., 5.12.2009, 5 ex. 22.12.2012; 1 ♀ Kaseramba Forest, 25.12.2012, R. Murphy ; 1 ♂, 3 ♀ Uzuzu Hill, 23– 25.12.2011; 3 ♂, 2 ♀ Juniper Forest, 28– 29.12.2011, Kovtunovich V.; 1 ♂, 1 ♀ Uganda, Kasese Distr., Ruwenzory mts., valley of Mubuku, 19.02.2007, Smirnov S. Other paratypes are in the collections DNMNH and CUK.

External characters. Head and thorax greyish-white. Palpi straight, pointed at apex, two times longer than eye diameter. Antennae slender, light-brown. Wingspan of forewings 10–14 mm (12 mm in the holotype). Forewings light-grey. Costal margin of anterior lobe with brown dashes. Fringe light inside bifurcation and on anal margin along second lobe, with inclusion of brown elongated scales. Hindwings uniform light-grey. Fringe of third lobe with two patches of brown scales—on anterior and anal margins near middle. Legs light-yellow with inclusion of brown scales.

Male genitalia. Valvae symmetrical. Ventral margin of valva with incision in middle part and with hook-like processes. Base of valva with flat wing-like lobes. Uncus triangular, short, tegumen bifurcate, forming two larger triangular lobes.. Length of aedeagus equal to that of valva, terminus narrowed and forming semicircle.

Female genitalia. Papilla analis oval. Posterior apophyses long, slender. Anterior apophyses absent. Margin of abdominal segment VIII sclerotized. Ostium narrow, tube-like. Ductus slender, long, weakly-sclerotized. Bursa copulatrix oval with well-developed tapereddiverticulum. Signa absent.

Diagnosis. Wing colouration and size of the new species is very similar to Apoxyptilus anthites (Meyrick, 1936) but differs by the absence of a costal triangle over the bifurcation of forewings and by the grey colouration of hindwings, whereas Apoxyptilus anthites has a well–developed costal triangle and hindwing without white colouration. The structure of the valvae and shape of aedeagus in the male genitalia also differs from Apoxyptilus anthites .

Flight period: December–February.

Distribution: Malawi, Uganda.

Etymology. The species is named after the locality of collecting: Uzumara Mts.

Figures

FIGURES 32 – 34. Apoxyptilus uzumarus Kovtunovich & Ustjuzhanin sp. nov. 32. Adult, holotype; 33. Male genitalia, holotype (slide 22948 BMNH); 34. Female genitalia, paratype (slide 22949 BMNH).