Crassuncus livingstoni Kovtunovich & Ustjuzhanin

Kovtunovich, V., Ustjuzhanin, P. & Murphy, R., 2014, Plume moths of Malawi (Lepidoptera: Pterophoridae), Zootaxa 3847 (4), pp. 451-494 : 483-484

Crassuncus livingstoni Kovtunovich & Ustjuzhanin sp. nov. ( Figs. 39–41 )

Type material: Holotype, male, ( BMNH 22685) N. Malawi, Rumphi District, Nyika Nat. Park, 20 km N Thazima Gate, forest, S 10º43',E 33º39', 1930m, 0 8.01.2009, Kovtunovich V. & Ustjuzhanin P. Paratypes, 8 ♂, 2 ♀ same data as holotype, 0 8.01.2009 ( BMNH 22686), 1 ♂ 23– 24.12.2010, Kovtunovich V. & Ustjuzhanin P.; 1 ♂ [ Zambia] Chiweffwe, N. Rh., 25.02.1950, N. Mitton; 1♂, Zambia, Mbala, 21– 26.11.1972, J.D. Little. B.M. 1973–208; 1 ♂, Nigeria, Plateau State, Vom, 15.07.1992, A.G. Parker. B.M. 1992–134.

External characters. Head, thorax and tegulae light-yellow. Palpi straight, short, 1,5 times shorter than eye diameter. Antennae serrate, light-brown. Wingspan 19-23 mm, 22 mm in the holotype. Forewing uniformly cream, small light-brown spot situated in base of bifurcation. Fringe inside bifurcation and on outside of second lobe with clear border dividing outer brown part from light-yellow inner. Hindwing darker than forewing, brownish-grey, just third lobe lighter than others. Fringe of hindwings brownish-grey too. Hind legs light-yellow.

Male genitalia. Valvae asymmetrical. Harpe on left valva long, slightly arcuated, with process originating from costal base of valva as opposed to a saccular process in Oidaematophorini. Uncus broad in base, narrowed to apex. Branches of anellus broad and short, of near equal length, narrowed at apex. Aedeagus long, sigmoid.

Female genitalia. Papilla analis broad, short. Posterior apophyses short, broad. Ostium located in center. Antrum funnel-shaped, with well-developed sclerotized oval-shaped plates pointed to top on tergum VIII on sides of antrum. Ductus short and broad. Inception of ductus seminalis near antrum. Bursa copulatrix oval, without signa.

Diagnosis. Wing colouration of the new species is similar to Crassuncus timidus (Meyrick, 1908) but differs from latter by absence of dark points on outer fringe of second lobe of forewing. Also, the new species has the forewing lighter than hindwing, while wings of Crassuncus timidus are equal in tone. The shape of left valva harpe in the male genitalia the new species is close to Crassuncus planiunci (Arenberger, 2011) , and differs from it by shape of uncus and anellus. The new species has a narrowed spike uncus and near equal branches of the anellus, while Crassuncus planiunci has an evenly broad uncus and unequal branches of anellus. The female genitalia are very similar to Crassuncus timidus but with minor differences in shape of bursa copulatrix and shape of plates on tergum VIII.

Flight period: December–February.

Distribution: Malawi, Zambia.

Notes. In our opinion, Hellinsia planiunci Arenberger, 2011 must be placed in the genus Crassuncus based on wing maculation and male genitalia structure: Crassuncus planiunci (Arenberger, 2011) , сomb. nov.

Etymology. The new species is named in honour of the famous explorer of Africa David Livingstone (1813–1873).

Figures

FIGURES 39 – 41. Crassuncus livingstoni Kovtunovich & Ustjuzhanin sp. nov. 39. Adult, holotype; 40. Male genitalia, holotype (slide 22685 BMNH); 41. Female genitalia, paratype (slide 22686 BMNH).