Hellinsia

Kovtunovich, V., Ustjuzhanin, P. & Murphy, R., 2014, Plume moths of Malawi (Lepidoptera: Pterophoridae), Zootaxa 3847 (4), pp. 451-494 : 487-488

Hellinsia сhewa sp.nov. Kovtunovich & Ustjuzhanin sp. nov. ( Figs. 49–51 )

Type material: Holotype, male, ( BMNH 22691) N. Malawi, Rumphi District, 100 km N Mzuzu, Uzumara Mt., 10°52'S 34°07'E, 1931 m, 21– 22.12.2010, Kovtunovich V. & Ustjuzhanin P. Paratypes, 2 ♂ same data as holotype; 1 ♀ ( BMNH 22692); 28 ♂,12 ♀ Nyika N.P., 5– 9.12.2009, R. Murphy ; 1 ♂ 20 km N Thazima Gate, 07.01.2009; 3 ♀ Mugesse Forest, 28– 29.12.2010 Kovtunovich V. & Ustjuzhanin P.

External characters. Head brown. Thorax and tegulae light-yellow. Palpi brown, slender and short, slightly shorter than eye diameter. Antennae yellowish-brown. Wingspan 13-17 mm, 15 mm in the holotype. Forewings light-yellow, with brown oblong spot in base of bifurcation and small oblong spot in middle of wing. Small but clear brown horizontal dash situated near apex of first lobe inside bifurcation. Fringes brown with inclusion of more light filiform scales. Hindwings and fringes uniform brown.

Male genitalia. Valvae asymmetrical. Harpe of left valva stout in base, ring-shaped, extended as a straight apically pointed process. Right valva with broad oblong sclerotized plate in middle part. Branches of anellus fused, pointed at apex. Uncus broadened in middle part, pointed at apex. Aedeagus straight, short, nearly two times shorter than length of valva. Cornuti small, spur-like, placed in apical part of aedeagus.

Female genitalia. Papilla analis short and broad, narrowed to distal part. Posterior apophyses short, slightly broadened on top and declinate. Anterior apophyses short, triangular. Sternite VIII with ring-like sclerotized lump. Antrum broad, tube-like, placed on right side. Ductus membranous, smoothly grading into narrow bursa copulatrix.

Diagnosis. The shape of the harps and uncus in the male genitalia of the new species are similar to Hellinsia sphenites (Meyryck, 1913) , but differ from it by the structures of the right valva, anellus and aedeagus. The shape of the papilla analis and short anterior apophyses in the female genitalia are similar to Crassuncus pacifica (Meyrick, 1911) , but differ in the location of the antrum, presence of a ring-like sclerotized formation, and by external characters of imago.

Etymology. Chewa—nationality which inhabits Malawi.

Figures

FIGURES 49 – 51. Hellinsia сhewa Kovtunovich & Ustjuzhanin sp. nov. 49. Adult, holotype, male, (BMNH 22691); 50. Male, holotype, (BMNH 22691); 51. Female genitalia, paratype (slide 22692 BMNH).