Ptilothyris loxocasis Meyrick, 1938

Park, Kyu-Tek, Mey, Wolfram, Koo, Jun-Mo, Prins, Jurate De & Cho, Soowon, 2019, Revision of the genus Ptilothyris Walsingham, 1897 (Lepidoptera: Gelechioidea: Lecithoceridae), with descriptions of eight new species from Africa, Zootaxa 4567 (2), pp. 201-235 : 230-231

15. Ptilothyris loxocasis Meyrick, 1938

( Figs. 18 A–E)

Ptilothyris loxocasis Meyrick, 1938: 17 . TL: DR Congo. [RMCA].

Diagnosis. Male ( Figs. 18A, B ). Ptilothyris loxocasis has superficially a little different characters from its allies of the genus Ptilothyris , by having the forewing more or less short with an oblique, broad, orange-white fascia medially, and the antenna not distinctly pectinate. However, the male genitalia dissected from the type in the RMCA matches well to those of the genus.

Male genitalia ( Figs. 18C, D ). Uncus broadened caudally with a median protrusion. Basal plate of gnathos with broadly developed median lobe and small lateral lobes; median process large, strongly curved beyond 2/3. Juxta large, with slender, digitate process on anterior margin, lacking caudal lobes. Phallus slender, shorter than valve, apically extending dorsal margin heavily sclerotized, with round apex; cornuti consisting of two short lows of spines in apical area.

Material examined. [RMCA]: 1♂ (lectotype hereby designated), DR Congo, TYPE, Pt. loxocasis M.; Ex- Typis; P 149; R DET. 4080 N; MUSÉE DU CONGO, Burunga (2000), W. Kamatembe, 9–20 iii [19]34, de Witte, 283, Parc Nat. Albert; Congo belge: Kivu, Burunga (mokoto), 2000 m, 9/ 20 iii 1934, G.F.de Witte: 283.

Remarks. The species was described based on two male syntypes. One, the lectotype designated here, is in RMCA, and the other specimen [Nyarusambo (Mikeno), 2000 m, 27 vi–13 vii 1934], paralectotype, is in NHMUK.

Distribtion. DR Congo.

Figures

FIGURE 18. Ptilothyris loxocasis Meyrick (18A–E) and Ptilothyris nausicaa Meyrick (18F). A, Lectotype, male, in RMCA; B, Labels of lectotype; C, Male genitalia, gen. slide no. CIS-7221, with a close-up of uncus and of juxta; D, Phallus, with a close-up of cornutus; E, Abdomen; F, P. nausicaa, holotype, male, in NHMUK.