Hellinsia namizimu Kovtunovich & Ustjuzhanin

Kovtunovich, V., Ustjuzhanin, P. & Murphy, R., 2014, Plume moths of Malawi (Lepidoptera: Pterophoridae), Zootaxa 3847 (4), pp. 451-494 : 486-487

Hellinsia namizimu Kovtunovich & Ustjuzhanin sp. nov. ( Figs. 45–48 )

Type material: Holotype, male, ( BMNH 22689) Northern Zambia, Mutinondo, S 12º23' E 31º19', 1390 m, 13.10.2009, J. Lenz.; Paratypes, 1 ♀, ( BMNH 22690) N. Malawi, Rumphi District, Nyika Nat.Park, 23 km N Thazima Gate, grassland, S 10º42' E 33º39', h 1840 m, 23– 24.12.2010, Kovtunovich V. & Ustjuzhanin P.; 1 ♂ (CUK), N. Malawi, Mzimba Distr., Vwaza Marsh Game Reserve. S 11º09' E 33º35', h–1150, 15.08.2009, R. Murphy ; 1 ♂ (CUK), S. Malawi, Mangochi District, 25 km E Mangochi, Namizimu Forest Reserve, Uzuzu Hill, S 14º24' E 35º22', 1040 m, 17– 18.04.2011, Kovtunovich V. & Ustjuzhanin P.; 3 ♂, 1 ♀ Northern Zambia, Mutinondo, S 12º23' E 31º19', h 1390 m, 13.10.2009, J. Lenz.

External characters. Head covered by yellow appressed scales, collar brighter, yellowish-brown. Thorax and tegulae light-yellow. Palpi brownish-yellow, slender and short, two times shorter than eye diameter. Antennae yellow with inclusion of brown scales. Wingspan 13-15 mm, 15 mm in the holotype. Forewings light-yellow, with brown spot in base of bifurcation and dash-like spot in middle of wing. Apex of middle lobe on costal edge and on inside with small oblong spots of scales. Similar small brown dashes situated on second lobe on outside, near apex. Hindwings uniform, yellowish-brown.

Valvae asymmetrical. Harpe of left valva bifurcte, ventral process arcuated and directed toward apex of valva, longer than dorsal process. Dorsal process slender, straight, nearly two times shorter than outer. Right valva with long harpe, nearly reaches top of valva, with narrow spur on top. Branches of anellus slender, short, right branch longer than left. Uncus slender, narrow. Aedeagus slightly arcuated, nearly two times shorter than length of valva, with narrow spur-like cornutus in distal third.

Female genitalia. Papilla analis broad, trianglular. Posterior apophyses long, evenly narrow. Sternite VIII in shape of broad triangle with wavy margin. Antrum short, tube-like, placed in left distal part of VIII sternum. Ductus narrow. Bursa copulatrix without signa.

Diagnosis. The male genitalia the new species are similar to Hellinsia adumbratus Meyrick but have a different shape of the harps, a more narrow uncus, and short aedeagus. The location of the ostium and shape of the antrum in the female genitalia are similar to Hellinsia invidiosus Meyrick , but differ in the shape of sternum VIII and the shape of the papilla analis.

Etymology. The new species is named after the locality of the type series. Namizimu—forest mountain massif, its name translated as “place of spirits” from the local dialect.

Figures

FIGURES 45 – 48. Hellinsia namizimu Kovtunovich & Ustjuzhanin sp. nov. 45. Adult, holotype, male, (BMNH 22689); 46. Adult, paratype, female, (BMNH 22690); 47. Male genitalia, holotype (BMNH 22689); 48. Female genitalia, paratype (slide 22690 BMNH).