Microschismus antennatus Fletcher, 1909

Ustjuzhanin, P. & Kovtunovich, V., 2011, A revision of the genus Microschismus Fletcher, 1909 (Lepidoptera: Alucitidae), African Invertebrates 52 (2), pp. 557-557 : 558-560

Microschismus antennatus Fletcher, 1909

Figs 1–12

Microschismus antennatus: Fletcher 1909: 253–254 . Type loc.: Bothaville [Free State, South Africa].

Microschismus ctenias Meyrick, 1911: 222 . Type loc.: ‘Nggeleni’ [Ngqeleni, Eastern Cape, South Africa]. Syn. n.

Microschismus columella Meyrick, 1927: 373 . Type loc.: Haenertsburg [Limpopo, South Africa]. Syn. n.

Microschismus cato Meyrick, 1927: 374 . Type loc.: Mahuba’s Kloof [Limpopo, South Africa]. Syn. n.

Redescription:

Male.

External characteristics: Moths grey-brown. Median dark brown slanted stroke on forewing poorly developed or absent. Wingspan 13–21 mm. Antennae ciliated.

Genitalia: Uncus wide along entire length, rounded at apex. Gnathos long and narrow, pointed towards apex. Valvae narrow, dangling towards apex. Appendage on valve short, located beyond its middle. Anellus branches quite long and straight. Outer edge of saccus rounded. Aedeagus concave on outer edge, apex slanted.

Female. Unknown.

Holotype antennatus : ♂ SOUTH AFRICA: Free State: nr Bothaville [27°23'S: 26°36'E], iv–vi.1902, E.N. Bennett ( OXUM, 1208).

Holotype ctenias : ♂ SOUTH AFRICA: Eastern Cape: Ngqeleni [31°40'S: 29°02'E], v.1908, H.H. Swinny ( TMSA, 2661).

Holotype columella : ♂ SOUTH AFRICA: Limpopo: Haenertsburg [23°57'S: 29°57'E], 5.i.1925, A.J.T. Janse ( TMSA, 427).

Holotype cato : ♂ SOUTH AFRICA: Limpopo: Mahuba’s Kloof [? 22°59'S: 30°06'E], 1050 m, 16.i.1925, A.J.T. Janse ( TMSA, 432).

Remarks: During comparison of the type specimens it was revealed that M. ctenias , M. columella and M. cato are identical to M. antennatus in their external features, as well as in the genitalia. As a result we regard these names as synonyms.

Figures

Figs 1–6. Microschismus antennatus Fletcher, 1909: (1–3) holotype of M. antennatus: imago (1), label (2), male genitalia (3); (4–6) holotype of M. ctenias: imago (4), label (5), male genitalia (6).

Figs 7–12.Microschismus antennatus Fletcher, 1909: (7–9) holotype of M. columella: imago (7), label (8), male genitalia (9); (10–12) holotype of M. cato: imago (10), label (11), male genitalia (12).