Yponomeuta alexi, Agassiz, 2019

Agassiz, David J. L., 2019, The Yponomeutidae of the Afrotropical region (Lepidoptera: Yponomeutoidea), Zootaxa 4600 (1), pp. 1-69 : 12

10. Yponomeuta alexi sp. nov.

Description of adult ( Plate 2). Wingspan 15–18 mm. Head pale brown mixed whitish, labial palpus whitish, some brownish scales laterally, segment 3 slightly longer than segment 2; scape mixed pale brown and brown, flagellum indistinctly annulate pale fuscous and fuscous. Thorax brownish white with a blackish triangular central spot, tegula brownish-white, dark brown anteriorly. Forewing pale brown, white dorsally, whith a scattering of fuscous and pale fuscous scales, less in the terminal area; a blackish elongate spot in fold just before middle, a further blackish mark in apical fringe. Hindwing pale greyish-brown. Legs and abdomen greyish brown, sternums with a mixture of small spines and microtrichia.

Male genitalia ( Plate 9). Socius long, broadened before tapering to apex which has two small spines, uncus square, valva with costa straight, basal area spined, outer half covered with hairs, dorsum pointed with a cluster of small spines; saccus curved downwards with a slightly bulbous end. Aedeagus about twice length of valva, cornutus occupying ¾ of its length.

Female genitalia ( Plate 19 ). Lamella postvaginalis small with lobes close together, separated by a small Ushaped incision, ostium slightly bulbous, antrum straight and tapering, ductus bursae with a scobinate patch extending to ¼ of its length, corpus bursae ovoid without signum; bursae together about ¾ length of abdomen.

Diagnosis. Differs from other species in having narrow forewing, paler in the dorsal half interrupted by a partial fascia; in the male genitalia by the valva having spines at the tornus.

Biology. Not known, adults recorded in October and November. The larva is illustrated on Plate 28 .

Derivation of the name. Named after my grandson Alex.

Distribution. Kenya, known only from the northern and western slopes of Mt Kenya.

Type material. Holotype ♂ KENYA: Eastern , Lewa 2050 m, 0°8’24.5’’N 37°27’23.8’’E 1.xi.2013, Agassiz, Beavan, Heckford & Larsen. 11 paratypes: 3 ♂ 4 ♀ same data as holotype, including slides DA1328, 1330 and 1599; 2 ♀ same locality as holotype, 31.x.2013; 2 ♀ Naro Moru, 1960 m, 0°9’5’’S 37°0’36’’E 4.xi.2013 Agassiz, Beavan, Heckford, Larsen & Ngugi ( DJLA).

Figures

PLATE 19.

PLATE 28. Larva of Y. staudei, South Africa, Limpopo Larva of Y. subplumbella, South Africa, Gauteng Photos: Hermann Staude