Scythris inanima Meyrick, 1916

Nupponen 1, Kari & Sihvonen, Pasi, 2022, Revision of Neotropical Scythrididae moths and descriptions of 22 new species from Argentina, Chile, and Peru (Lepidoptera, Gelechioidea), ZooKeys 1087, pp. 19-104 : 19

Scythris inanima Meyrick, 1916

Figs 21 , 51

Scythris inanima Meyrick, 1916. Exotic Microlepidoptera, vol. 2 (part 1): 13.

Material examined.

Holotype. Peru • ♂; Huancayo; 10650 feet a.s.l.; i.7.14.; Parish leg.; [genitalia slide] JFGC No. 8051; NHMUK ID 010922361; NHMUK slide ID 010316663M coll. NHMUK.

Diagnosis.

Forewings bronzy-grey without distinctive external features. Genitalia dissection is required for recognition. Scythris inanima is readily separated from the other described species by details of the male genitalia: wide, inwards curved, pointed and asymmetrical valvae, a tubular phallus bent at 90° angle in basal 1/3, and “anchor-shaped” abdominal segment VIII with two curved projections are unique among the examined materials.

Description.

The original description is quoted: "Wingspan 10 mm ♂. Head, palpi, thorax, and abdomen light bronzy-grey. Antennal ciliations 1. Forewings lanceolate; bronzy-grey, somewhat darker-springled in disc: cilia greyish."

Male genitalia. Uncus trapezoid sclerotised plate. Gnathos base broad belt; distal arm short, robust, directed upwards and heavily sclerotised. Tegumen hood-shaped. Phallus slim, a little longer than valva, basal 1/3 bent at 90° angle, distally straight. Valvae asymmetrical, left broader and shorter; basal 2/3 broad, distal 1/3 tapered and bent inwards, tip more or less pointed. Saccus arched, short. Sternum VIII pentagonal, anterior margin broadly reinforced, mediolaterally somewhat extended. Tergum VIII consists of two laterally arched sclerotised belts; medioposterior portion triangular with backwards directed lateral extensions.

Distribution.

Peru.

Remarks.

Female unknown.

Figures

Figures 18 - 24 A. Scythrididae adults, genus Scythris 18 S. caimancitoensis Nupponen, sp. nov., male, holotype 19 S. ejiciens Meyrick, 1928, male, holotype 20 S. fluvialis Meyrick, 1916, male, lectotype 21 S. inanima Meyrick, 1916, male, holotype 22 A S. lequetepequensis Nupponen sp. nov., male, holotype 22 B S. lequetepequensis Nupponen sp. nov., male, paratype 23 S. plocogastra Meyrick, 1931, female, holotype 24 A S. tibicina Meyrick, 1916, male, lectotype.

Figures 51 - 52. Male genitalia of Scythris 51 S. inanima Meyrick, 1916, holotype, slide JFGC No. 8051 52 S. lequetepequensis Nupponen sp. nov., holotype, slide 2 / 8 Dec. 2019 KN.