Ptycerata transbaikalica, 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 : 167-169

Ptycerata transbaikalica sp. nov.

Figs 14–21 , 52–57 , 74, 75 , 89–91

Type material. Holotype ♂, [ Russia] “ Zabaikalie , Sokhondinskiy z-k, r. Agutsakan, 1200 m, 7.vii.1997, na svet, A. Bidzilya, I. Kostjuk, O. Kostjuk ” (genitalia in glycerol vial) ( ZMKU) . Paratypes: Russia: 2 ♀, Zabaikalie , Chitinskaya obl., okr. S. Kyra, 900 v, na svet, 17.vii.1997 (gen. slide 67/10, O. Bidzilya) ; 1 ♀, same data, but 14.vii.1997 ; 1 ♂, same data, 4.vii.1997 (gen. slide 100/07, O. Bidzilya) ; 3 ♂, Chitinskaya obl. , 23 km N pos. Kyra, 27.vii., 28.vii.1994 (Ustjuzhanin) (gen. slide 72/10, O. Bidzilya) ; 2 ♂, same data, 22– 26.07.2005 (gen. slide 180/20, O. Bidzilya) (all ZMKU) ; 1 ♀, same data but 17.vii.1997 (gen. slide 5413 Hendriksen) ( ZMUC) .

Material excluded from the type series. Russia : 2 ♂, SW Altai, Katun valley , 10 km W Katanda, 1200 m, 22.vi.–27.vi.1983 (Mikkola, Hippa & Jalava) , 1 ♂, same data but 28.vi.–5.vii.1983, genitalia slide 2978 H. Hendriksen , 1 ♂, same data but 6.–8.vii.1983 , 2 ♂, 1 ♀, same data but 15.–19.vii.1983, genitalia slide 5356, 5357 H. Hendriksen ( MZH, ZMUC) ; 1 ♂, Altai Mts., 3 km E Iodro, 28 km E Inoya , 1100 m, 14.vii.1997 (Gielis) ( RMNH) ; 1 ♀, Altai, Ongudai distr., Bol’shoi Jaloman , 700 m, 2.viii.2001, na svet (Bidzilya) (gen. slide 65/10, O. Bidzilya) ( ZMKU) ; 1 ♀, Altai Republic, Aktash vil., 50˚19’12’’N, 87˚36’00’’E, grassy steppe, rocks, 1400 m, 21.vi.2015 (Šumpich) (gen. slide 287/17, O. Bidzilya) ( NMPC) ; 1 ♀, Altai Republic, Ust-Kan env. (6 km E), 50˚65’05’’N, 84˚51’17’’E, grassy steppe, meadows, 1100 m, 12.vii.2014 (Šumpich), DNA Barcode NMPC-Lep-0382 ( NMPC) .

Diagnosis. The new species has pale forewings with distinct dark grey to brown irroration with light brown markings and dark grey hindwing. The latter is the most reliable character for separating P. transbaikalica sp. nov. from related species. Additionally, P. transbaikalica sp. nov. is characterised by the absence of a frontal process in the male and by presence of a conical apically bifurcated frontal process in the female. The male genitalia are recognised by having a short valva weakly broadening on dorsal margin and obtuse ventrocaudal angle. The elongated irregular signum with a few short teeth is characteristic for the female genitalia of P. transbaikalica sp. nov.

Adult ( Figs 14–21 ). Wingspan 10–16 mm. Head, thorax and tegulae pale to light grey; labial palpus upcurved, off-white, palpomere 2 brown suffused with light grey on outer surface, apex white, palpomere 3 acute, white mixed with brown, about 1/2 width and 3/4 length of palpomere 2; frons unmodified in male, female with short conical frontal process produced to short ventral and long dorsal tips ( Figs 52–57 ); scape white, moderately broadening, flagellomeres white and brown-ringed, covered with short cilia in male. Forewing white to light grey mixed with light brown or grey, weakly elongated brown spots in middle and in the corner of cell and in fold, diffuse brown spot at 1/3 under costal margin, fringe white and brown-tipped. Hindwing and fringe grey.

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

Male genitalia ( Figs 74, 75 ). Uncus parallel-sided almost to weakly rounded posterior margin. Gnathos stout, hook-shaped, slightly widening ventrally and curved before middle, distal part slender with upcurved pointed tip. Tegumen trapezoidal, gradually narrowing posteriorly, lateral flaps curved inwardly and almost joining in middle, anteromedial emargination shallow, not reaching 1/6 length of tegumen. Valva slightly broader than uncus, far extending beyond its tip, direct, parallel-sided, apex pointed, dorsocaudal angle weakly developed, ventrocaudal angle distinct. Vincular lobes extending to 1/2 length of valva, apex rounded, covered with short hairs, separated by deep triangular incision. Vinculum slender, band-shaped. Saccus slender, extending far beyond top of pedunculus. Distal part of phallus straight, as long as and 1/2–1/3 width of moderately inflated caecum, lamina ducti ejaculatorii longer than phallus with slender ribbon-shaped anterior sclerite.

Variation. The top of valva varies from pointed to rounded; valva varies slightly in width and length.

Female genitalia ( Figs 89–91 ). Papilla analis subovate, covered with short hair-like setae; apophysis posterioris straight or weakly curved, 3 times as long as apophysis anterioris; segment VIII evenly sclerotised, unmodified, subtrapezoidal, about as long as broad, weakly narrowing posteriorly, posterior margin straight with U-shaped medial incision, anterior margin weakly sinuated; antrum slender, cylindrical, weakly sclerotised; ostium V-shaped with distinct subtriangular lateral lobes; apophysis anterioris straight, thin, slightly shorter than segment VIII; ductus bursae weakly broadening anteriorly; corpus bursae rounded; signum plate elongated, irregular, with several short thorns on posterior and anterior margins.

Variation. Signum varies in shape and number of thorns.

Biology. Host plant unknown. Adults were collected in July in steppes or forest-steppes slopes at an altitude of about 900 m a.s.l.

Molecular data. BIN BOLD: ADN 3314 (n=1 from Altai).

Distribution. Russia (Zabaikalskiy kray) and Altai.

Remarks. The specimens from Altai are similar in the genitalia of both sexes to specimens from Zabaikalskiy kray. However, the males differ externally by having a distinct frontal process, and therefore we prefer to exclude them from the type series. The status of specimens from Altai remains uncertain, and their possible conspecifity with P. transbaikalica sp. nov. should be clarified by study of their DNA.

Etymology. The specific name refers to distribution of new species in Zabaikalskiy kray (=Transbaikalia) of

Russia.

Figures

FIGURES 1–21. Ptycerata spp.Adults. 1–4. P. furfurella. 1. Russia, Sarepta, LT (gen. slide 647, D. Povolný). 2. Russia, Sarepta (gen. slide 97/11, O. Bidzilya). 3. Kazakhstan. 4. W Kazakhstan, Uralsk, HT of salinatrix (gen. slide 9059). 5. P. gypsella, France. 6–9. P. cryptoxena. 6. Austria. 7. Slovakia. 8. Ukraine, Crimea. 9. Ukraine, Crimea. 10–12. P. sumpichi sp. nov., Italy 10. HT (gen. slide 176/20, O. Bidzilya). 11. PT (gen. slide 324/19, O. Bidzilya). 12. PT. 13. P. nupponeni sp. nov., Russia, Altai, HT. 14–21. P. transbaikalica sp. nov. 14. Russia, Agutsakan, HT. 15. Russia, Kyra, PT, male. 16. Russia, Kyra, PT, female. 17. Russia, Kyra, PT, male (gen. slide 100/07, O. Bidzilya). 18. Russia, Kyra, PT, male (gen. slide 72/10, O. Bidzilya). 19. Russia, Kyra, PT male (gen. slide 180/20, O. Bidzilya). 20. Russia, Altai, female. 21. Russia, Altai, female.

FIGURES 40–57. Ptycerata spp. Heads. 40–42. P. furfurella, male, Russia (Sarepta). 43–45. P. gypsella, female, France. 46–48. P. cryptoxena, male, Crimea. 49–51. P. sumpichi sp. nov., male, Italy. 52–57. P. transbaikalica sp. nov., female, Russia (Kyra).

FIGURES 70–75. Ptycerata spp. Male genitalia. 70, 71. P. cryptoxena. 70. E Ukraine (gen. slide 114/13, O. Bidzilya). 71. E Ukraine (gen. slide 102/12, O. Bidzilya). 72. P. sumpichi sp. nov., Italy, PT (gen. slide 324/19, O. Bidzilya). 73. P. nupponeni sp. nov., Russia, Altai, HT (gen. slide 246/16, O. Bidzilya). 74, 75. P. transbaikalica sp. nov., Russia, Zabaikalskiy krai, Kyra 74. PT (gen. slide 72/10, O. Bidzilya). 75. PT (gen. slide 100/07, O. Bidzilya).

FIGURES 89–91. Ptycerata transbaikalica sp. nov. Female genitalia. 89. Russia, Zabaikalskiy krai, Kyra (gen. slide 67/10, O. Bidzilya). 90. Russia, Altai (gen. slide 65/10, O. Bidzilya). 91. Russia, Altai (gen. slide 5357, H. Hendriksen).