taxonID	type	description	language	source
B74D3D15491BFFDD848DFCFBFACDFA45.taxon	type_taxon	Type species: Ptilothyris purpurea Walsingham, 1897 by original designation.	en	Elliott, Imogen R. (2025): Two new species of the Afrotropical genus Ptilothyris Walsingham (Lepidoptera: Lecithoceridae, Torodorinae) from the Ivory Coast. Zootaxa 5632 (3): 557-564, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5632.3.8, URL: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5632.3.8
B74D3D15491BFFDD848DFCFBFACDFA45.taxon	description	Characterisation of the genus Species of the genus Ptilothyris have strongly bipectinate antenna that are shorter than the length of the forewing and are coloured a dark brown or purplish grey in the basal half and white beyond (Park et al. 2019). The forewing is elongate and much narrower than the hindwing, dark brown, often with a striking purplish iridescence. The hindwing usually possesses a semi-transparent white or orange-white patch medially and a basal cluster of hair-pencils. The male genitalia generally have a well-developed uncus that is fan-shaped and is as broad as the basal plate of the gnathos, which is also fan-shaped and trifurcate posteriorly. The juxta is made up of a ventral and dorsal plate; the ventral plate is typically longer with well-developed caudal processes, whilst the dorsal plate is shorter with triangular lateral processes. The abdominal tergites have dense patches of spinules and there is a pair of long hair-pencils originating from the anterior margin of the 8 th abdominal segment. The genus Ptilothyris is superficially similar to Thubdora Park, 2018 (Park & Karisch 2021, Park et al. 2022), particularly with regards to wing venation, but can be distinguished by having more elongated forewings, bipectinate antennae and through differences in the male genitalia (which are discussed in the conclusion below).	en	Elliott, Imogen R. (2025): Two new species of the Afrotropical genus Ptilothyris Walsingham (Lepidoptera: Lecithoceridae, Torodorinae) from the Ivory Coast. Zootaxa 5632 (3): 557-564, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5632.3.8, URL: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5632.3.8
B74D3D15491BFFD8848DF9D2FD46FE49.taxon	description	(Figs 1 & 3)	en	Elliott, Imogen R. (2025): Two new species of the Afrotropical genus Ptilothyris Walsingham (Lepidoptera: Lecithoceridae, Torodorinae) from the Ivory Coast. Zootaxa 5632 (3): 557-564, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5632.3.8, URL: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5632.3.8
B74D3D15491BFFD8848DF9D2FD46FE49.taxon	materials_examined	Type material. Holotype, ♂: “ IVORY COAST 60 m / Parc National d’Azagny, entrée / Sonaye (Secondary forest) / 05 ° 14 ’ 32 ” N, 04 ° 48 ’ 05 ” W / 25 - 28. xi. 2021 Act. Light Trap / Moretto, P., Mulvaney, L., / Takano, H. Leg. / ANHRT: 2021.8 ” // “ ANHRTUK / 00269447 ” // “ Gen. slide No. / IE 428 / prep by I. Elliott ” (ANHRT). Paratypes (2 ♂♂). 1 ♂: “ IVORY COAST 40 m / Banco National Park / 05 ° 23 ’ 3.8 ” N, 04 ° 03 ’ 11.2 ” W / 29. xi- 5. xii. 2019 LepiLED Light / Trap. Aristophanous, M., / Dérozier, V., Moretto, P., / Ouattara, S. Leg. / ANHRT: 2019.23 ” // “ ANHRTUK / 00220544 ” // “ Gen. slide No. / IE 424 / prep by I. Elliott ” (ANHRT). 1 ♂: “ IVORY COAST 174 m / Taï NP, Taï Research Station / (SRET), 05 ° 50 ’ 00 ” N, 07 ° 20 ’ 32.0 ” W / 27. III- 16. IV. 2017 Actinic LightTrap / Aristophanous, A., Aristophanous, M., / Geiser, M., Moretto, P., leg. / ANHRT: 2017.25 ” // “ ANHRTUK / 00052532 ” // “ Gen. slide No. / IE 430 / prep by I. Elliott ” (ANHRT).	en	Elliott, Imogen R. (2025): Two new species of the Afrotropical genus Ptilothyris Walsingham (Lepidoptera: Lecithoceridae, Torodorinae) from the Ivory Coast. Zootaxa 5632 (3): 557-564, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5632.3.8, URL: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5632.3.8
B74D3D15491BFFD8848DF9D2FD46FE49.taxon	diagnosis	Diagnosis. Ptilothyris pollex sp. nov. is externally very similar to P. serangota, with slight differences in the colouration of the hyaline patch on the hindwing, which is more yellowish than white in P. pollex sp. nov. (Fig. 1). There are several notable differences in the male genitalia (Fig. 3 A – E): the uncus (Fig. 3 C) is bifurcate and not fan-shaped as in P. serangota; the basal plate of the gnathos in not distinctly trifurcate (Fig. 3 C), the caudal processes of the ventral lobe of the juxta are almost symmetrical (Fig. 3 A); the phallus has a small conical cornutus and a dense cluster of spines (Fig. 3 D), that are absent in the latter species. The main distinguishing character of P. pollex sp. nov. is the narrow distal costal process (Fig. 3 A), that is not present in any other species of Ptilothyris.	en	Elliott, Imogen R. (2025): Two new species of the Afrotropical genus Ptilothyris Walsingham (Lepidoptera: Lecithoceridae, Torodorinae) from the Ivory Coast. Zootaxa 5632 (3): 557-564, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5632.3.8, URL: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5632.3.8
B74D3D15491BFFD8848DF9D2FD46FE49.taxon	description	Description. Male (Figs 1 & 3 E). Forewing length 12.0 – 12.5 mm. Head: Dark purple dorsally, erect light-orange scales originating from upper margin of compound eye, clypeus light-orange basally. Antenna strongly bipectinate, basal 3 / 5 dark purple, following 2 / 5 light yellowish-orange, with gradually shortening flagellomeral branches towards apex. Labial palpus laterally compressed, saber-shaped; second segment thickened, light orange; third segment slender, light orange, as long as second, scattered with black scales ventrally, blackish apically. Thorax: Notum and tegula dark purple. Foreleg pale orange, blackish along ventral surface, pale orange scales covering medial tibial spur; midleg pale orange, tibia blackish along outer surface with distal pair of spurs, inner spur twice as long as outer; hindleg pale orange, tibia blackish along outer surface in basal 2 / 5 with medial and terminal pairs of spurs, medial pair longer, inner spurs over twice the length of outer, first tarsus black on outer surface, terminal tarsomeres light orange. Forewing elongate, iridescent dark purple; costa slightly convex in basal 1 / 3, concave medially, and convex in apical 1 / 3; apex obtuse; tornus evenly rounded; dorsum medially concaved. Hindwing marginally broader than forewing; ground colour dark purple, yellowish hyaline patching extending from base almost to apex, fringe dark purple with some pale orange hair-pencils at base of anal margin; underside as for upperside, except fringe with row of yellow-orange scales in antemedial section. Abdomen: Ventral surface pale orange from 1 st to 4 th segment, blackish beyond, dorsal surface blackish, pair of pale orange hair-pencils along anterior margin of the 8 th segment, tergites with dense patches of spinules (Fig. 3 E). Male genitalia (Figs 3 A – D): Uncus bifurcate (Fig. 3 C), Y-shaped, caudal lobes rounded apically. Gnathos with broad basal plate (Fig. 3 C), circa twice the width of uncus, caudal edge emarginated mesially with very short, pointed medial process; medial process of gnathos hook-like, downcurved subapically. Valva elongate, slightly shorter than phallus (Fig. 3 A), somewhat dilated in basal 2 / 3 with costa gradually concave; cucullus slightly upturned, densely setose along ventral margin; distal costal process thin, slightly shorter and narrower than medial process of gnathos, laterally produced. Juxta (Fig. 3 A): ventral plate slightly wider than basal plate of gnathos basally, narrowed medially, widened apically with two pointed caudal processes, right process slightly longer than left, caudal edge emarginated mesially; dorsal plate with two lateral lobes, together somewhat horseshoe-shaped, slightly shorter than ventral plate and lobes. Vinculum narrow, sclerotised band. Phallus tubular (Fig. 3 B), gradually tapered, slightly longer than valva; cornutus thorn-like, very small (Fig. 3 D), shorter than costal valval process, vesica with dense distal cluster of spines. Female. Unknown.	en	Elliott, Imogen R. (2025): Two new species of the Afrotropical genus Ptilothyris Walsingham (Lepidoptera: Lecithoceridae, Torodorinae) from the Ivory Coast. Zootaxa 5632 (3): 557-564, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5632.3.8, URL: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5632.3.8
B74D3D15491BFFD8848DF9D2FD46FE49.taxon	etymology	Etymology. This species epithet is derived from the latin noun, pollex (= thumb), referring to the somewhat digitiform distal costal process of the valva.	en	Elliott, Imogen R. (2025): Two new species of the Afrotropical genus Ptilothyris Walsingham (Lepidoptera: Lecithoceridae, Torodorinae) from the Ivory Coast. Zootaxa 5632 (3): 557-564, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5632.3.8, URL: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5632.3.8
B74D3D15491EFFDA848DFDDEFC40FDDD.taxon	description	(Figs 2 & 4 A – E)	en	Elliott, Imogen R. (2025): Two new species of the Afrotropical genus Ptilothyris Walsingham (Lepidoptera: Lecithoceridae, Torodorinae) from the Ivory Coast. Zootaxa 5632 (3): 557-564, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5632.3.8, URL: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5632.3.8
B74D3D15491EFFDA848DFDDEFC40FDDD.taxon	materials_examined	Type material. Holotype, ♂: “ IVORY COAST, 174 m / Taï NP. Taï Research Station / 05 ° 49 ’ 59.8 ” N, 07 ° 20 ’ 32 ” W, / 5 - 10. VII. 2015. Light Trap / Aristophanous, M., Moretto, P., / Ruzzier, E., leg. / ANHRT: 2017.14 ” // “ ANHRTUK / 00109056 ” // “ Gen. slide No. / IE 429 / prep by I. Elliott ” (ANHRT). Paratypes (2 ♂♂). 1 ♂: “ IVORY COAST 1171 m / Mt. Tonkoui Peak / 07 ° 27 ’ 15.2 ” N, 07 ° 38 ’ 12.5 ” W / 19 - 27. xi. 2019 Actinic Light / Trap. Aristophanous, M., / Dérozier, V., Moretto, P., / Ouattara, S. Leg. / ANHRT: 2019.23 ” // “ ANHRTUK / 00215997 ” // “ Gen. slide No. / IE 418 / prep by I. Elliott ” (ANHRT). 1 ♂: “ IVORY COAST 1171 m / Mt. Tonkoui Peak / 7 ° 27 ’ 15.2 ” N, 7 ° 38 ’ 12.5 ” W / 3 - 7. v. 2017 General coll. / Aristophanous, A., / Aristophanous, M., / Geiser, M., Moretto, P., leg. / ANHRT: 2017.25 ” // “ ANHRTUK / 00052419 ” // “ Gen. slide No. / IE 431 / prep by I. Elliott ” (ANHRT).	en	Elliott, Imogen R. (2025): Two new species of the Afrotropical genus Ptilothyris Walsingham (Lepidoptera: Lecithoceridae, Torodorinae) from the Ivory Coast. Zootaxa 5632 (3): 557-564, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5632.3.8, URL: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5632.3.8
B74D3D15491EFFDA848DFDDEFC40FDDD.taxon	diagnosis	Diagnosis. Ptilothyris taiensis sp. nov. (Fig. 2) is externally very similar to P. serangota but can be distinguished by its marginally narrower forewings (although this is sometimes difficult to determine due to variability in the relative condition of specimens). The most obvious differences can be seen in the male genitalia (Figs 4 A – E): the uncus of P. taiensis sp. nov. is bifurcate (Fig. 4 C), whilst that of P. serangota is broad and fan-shaped. Additionally, the lateral processes of the caudal lobe of the basal plate of the gnathos are reduced in P. taiensis sp. nov. and the trifurcate structure of the lobe is comparatively less developed. The shape of the valva is relatively similar between the two species but the caudal lobes of the juxta (ventral plate) are much shorter in P. taiensis sp. nov. (Fig. 4 A) (proportionately speaking, the right lobe is around ¼ the length of the equivalent lobe in P. serangota). Whilst the phallus of P. serangota is distinctly narrow, elongate and without cornuti, that of the new species (Fig. 4 B) is proportionally broader, possessing an elongate and sclerotised cornutus and a distinctive thorn-like carinal process (Fig. 4 D).	en	Elliott, Imogen R. (2025): Two new species of the Afrotropical genus Ptilothyris Walsingham (Lepidoptera: Lecithoceridae, Torodorinae) from the Ivory Coast. Zootaxa 5632 (3): 557-564, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5632.3.8, URL: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5632.3.8
B74D3D15491EFFDA848DFDDEFC40FDDD.taxon	description	Description. Male (Figs 2 & 4 E). Forewing length 9.5 – 11.5 mm. Head: Dark purple dorsally, some light orange scales originating from upper margin of compound eye and along base of clypeus. Antenna strongly bipectinate, basal 3 / 5 dark purple, terminal 2 / 5 yellowish-white, with gradually shortening flagellomeral branches towards apex. Labial palpus laterally compressed, saber-shaped; second segment thickened, light orange; third segment slender, as long as second, light orange with sparse black scales apically. Thorax: Notum and tegula iridescent dark purple. Foreleg pale orange-yellow with medial tibial spur; midleg pale orange-yellow, tibia with terminal pair of spurs, outer spur half the length of inner; hindleg pale orange-yellow, medial and terminal pairs of spurs circa the same length, both with outer spur half the length of inner, tibia blackish along outer surface in distal half, light orange-yellow terminally, tarsus pale orange-yellow, blackish along outer surface. Forewing very elongate, as narrow as thorax, iridescent dark purple; costa very slightly convex in basal and apical 1 / 3, concave medially; apex obtuse; tornus evenly rounded; dorsum almost straight, sharply inflexed basally. Hindwing narrower than forewing; ground colour dark purple, pale yellow hyaline patching extending from base to pre-apical zone, cluster of light-orange hair pencils from base of anal margin. Abdomen: Ventral surface yellowish orange from 1 st to 6 th segment, blackish beyond, dorsal surface blackish, with pair of yellowish orange hair-pencils along anterior margin of the 8 th segment segment, tergites with dense patches of spinules (Fig. 4 E). Male genitalia (Figs 4 A – D): Uncus bifurcate (Fig. 4 C), Y-shaped, narrow basally, twice the width apically, caudal lobes pointed apically. Gnathos (Fig. 4 C): basal plate circa twice the width of uncus, trifurcate caudally; central process twice the length of lateral processes; hook-like medial process downcurved subapically. Valva elongate (Fig. 4 A), circa the length of phallus; cucullus upturned, gradually narrowed towards apex, apically rounded, densely setose in proximal half. Juxta (Fig. 4 A): ventral plate somewhat triangular, two pointed caudal processes, right process three times the length of left, caudal margin concave; dorsal plate shortly produced, 1 / 3 the length of ventral plate, trapezoidal with two short rounded lateral lobes. Vinculum short, narrow, sclerotised band. Phallus tubular (Figs 4 B. & 4 D.), gradually tapered towards sclerotised thorn-like ventral carinal process; cornutus large, elongate, circa half the length of phallic tube, vesica with cluster of small spinules medially (visible when vesica is everted). Female. Unknown.	en	Elliott, Imogen R. (2025): Two new species of the Afrotropical genus Ptilothyris Walsingham (Lepidoptera: Lecithoceridae, Torodorinae) from the Ivory Coast. Zootaxa 5632 (3): 557-564, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5632.3.8, URL: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5632.3.8
B74D3D15491EFFDA848DFDDEFC40FDDD.taxon	etymology	Etymology. The new species is named after the Taï National Park, Ivory Coast, where the holotype was collected, with the suffix “ ensis ” meaning “ pertaining to ” or “ originating in ”.	en	Elliott, Imogen R. (2025): Two new species of the Afrotropical genus Ptilothyris Walsingham (Lepidoptera: Lecithoceridae, Torodorinae) from the Ivory Coast. Zootaxa 5632 (3): 557-564, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5632.3.8, URL: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5632.3.8
