Gielisella, Koster, J. C. (Sjaak) & Nieukerken, Erik J. van, 2017

Koster, J. C. (Sjaak) & Nieukerken, Erik J. van, 2017, Gielisella gen. n., a new genus and two new species from southern Spain (Lepidoptera: Elachistidae: Parametriotinae) with a catalogue of parametriotine genera, Nota Lepidopterologica 40 (2), pp. 163-202 : 169

Gielisella gen. n.

Type-species.

Gielisella clarkeorum , sp. n., by present designation.

Diagnosis.

The narrow forewings, the long, slender and curved gnathos arms with a pecten in the male genitalia, in combination with the wide antrum and the irregular row of spicules in the ductus bursae in the female genitalia are characteristic for Gielisella . Resembles in Europe species in the genus Haplochrois in the narrow forewings and hindwings, but can easily be distinguished by the more colourful forewings with tufts of raised scales and by the male and female genitalia.

The morphology of the male genitalia differs from all other known Parametriotinae genera. Especially, the gnathos arms are peculiar. In many genera the gnathos arms have distal spheres covered with rows of spicules. In Chrysoclista , the gnathos arms are strongly sclerotized with distal teeth. In the new genus, the gnathos arms bear a pecten of flat pegs.

Description.

Head (Fig. 3). Appressedly scaled, frons slightly convex, vertex smooth, neck tufts with longer and more protruding scales, antennae about 6/7 length of forewing, ocelli absent. Scape with pecten. Labial palpus of moderate length, about two and half times of diameter compound eye, upturned, not reaching top of head, first segment short, second segment two times length of third, widening distally by rough ventral scaling, third segment cylindrical. Maxillary palpus small, three segmented, fold over base of proboscis. Haustellum well-developed, scaled at base.

Thorax. Smoothly scaled, including tegulae. Legs: Tibia foreleg with epiphysis; tibia midleg with two short apical spurs, inner 1/3 longer than outer; tibia hindleg with two medial spurs, inner 2 × length of outer, and two apical spurs, inner slightly longer than outer, dorsally and ventrally with comb of long hairs, dorsal comb 2 × as long.

Wings (Fig. 4). Forewing lanceolate, apex acuminate with two small tufts of raised scales, 12 veins present, cell closed, Sc, R, Rs1-4 to costa, Rs3 and Rs4 stalked, M1-CuA2 to dorsum, CuP very weak and not reaching dorsum, 1A+2A to dorsum, forked at base. Hindwing lanceolate, apex acuminate, frenulum single bristle in male, two bristles in female, 7 veins present, Sc+R and Rs to costa, M1-CuA2 to dorsum, 1A+2A rudimentary, Sc+R strongly curving towards costa in middle.

Abdomen (Fig. 5). Apodemes tergite I semi-circular, hooked at tip; apodemes tergite II long and thin, apodemes and venulae of sternite II long and narrow in male, in female hardly visible.

Male genitalia (Figs 6-9, 13-20). Uncus short and broad. Gnathos with long and slender arms, bearing pecten of flat pegs or setae. Tegumen large. Valvae long and weakly sclerotized. Anellus lobes large and apically denticulate. Vinculum broad. Phallus long, curved about 90 degrees, vesica with row of needle shaped cornuti.

Female genitalia (Figs 11, 21-25). Antrum wide. Ductus bursae long and with irregular row of spicules in distal half. Corpus bursae with single signum.

Distribution.

Currently only known from the two new species, found in a small area of Mediterranean Spain, provinces of Almería and Granada.

Etymology.

The generic name Gielisella is derived from the family name Gielis, in honour of Cees Gielis, collector of the first specimen. The name is to be regarded as feminine.