Review of the genus Aphanostola Meyrick , 1931 ( Lepidoptera , Gelechiidae , Anomologinae ) with description of 19 new species from the Afrotropical Region

New diagnosis of the genus Aphanostola is provided, and its position within Gelechiidae is briefly discussed. 19 species are described from South Africa, Namibia, Botswana, Zimbabwe, Tanzania, Kenya and Ethiopia: A. acaciae Bidzilya & Mey, sp. n., A. morogorensis Bidzilya, sp. n., A. calderae Bidzilya & Mey, sp. n., A. kenyella Bidzilya & Agassiz, sp. n., A. kruegeri Bidzilya & Mey, sp. n., A. alternella Bidzilya & Agassiz, sp. n., A. antennata Bidzilya & Mey, sp. n., A. rooiklipella Bidzilya & Mey, sp. n., A. griseella Bidzilya & Mey, sp. n., A. centripunctella Bidzilya & Mey, sp. n., A. joannoui Bidzilya & Mey, sp. n., A. namibiensis Bidzilya & Mey, sp. n., A. brandbergensis Bidzilya & Mey, sp. n., A. aarviki Bidzilya, sp. n., A. africanella Bidzilya, Agassiz, & Mey, sp. n., A. emarginata Bidzilya & Mey, sp. n., A. melliferae Bidzilya, Agassiz & Mey, sp. n., A. maxima Bidzilya & Mey, sp. n., A. longicornuta Bidzilya, Agassiz & Mey, sp. n. A key to the species is given based on external characters and the genitalia of both sexes. Adults and genitalia of all species are illustrated. Key Words


Introduction
The genus Aphanostola was originally established for two species: A. atripalpis Meyrick, 1931 (type species) and A. sparsipalpis Meyrick, 1931. Later A. intercepta Meyrick, 1932 was added to this genus.The latter two species are only known from single males without abdomens, therefore their generic assignment with Aphanostola remains rather obscure.
As a result of our study of the Gelechiidae from the Brandberg Massif in Namibia, a number of small-sized specimens that represent a separate group consisting of four species have been discovered.Their genitalia matched in most details to the genitalia of Lanceopen-Aphanostola.Moreover, a number of additional species from this genus have been found in collections of material from southern Africa and other countries of the Afrotropical region since 2007.Some of these species were mentioned as new but not formally described in recent papers (Mey and Kühne 2014;Agassiz and Bidzilya 2016 in press).However, we already transferred Lanceopenna pentastigma to the genus Aphanostola (Agassiz and Bidzilya 2016 in press).
The aim of the present paper is to describe new species, which were found belonging to Aphanostola.A total of 19 new species are described and an improved and expanded diagnosis of the genus Aphanostola within the subfamily Anomologinae is provided.

Material and methods
The present paper is based mainly on material from Museum für Naturkunde, Berlin, Germany (MfN).Additional material has been received from Ditsong National Museum of Natural History (formerly Transvaal Museum), Pretoria, South Africa (TMSA), Natural History Museum, London, United Kingdom (BMNH), Natural History Museum, University of Oslo, Norway (NHMO), Landesmuseum für Kärnten, Klagenfurt (LMK) and from the collection of David Agassiz, London, UK (Agassiz coll.)(now deposited in BMNH).
In the paragraph "Material" of the descriptions the localities were arranged geographicly from south-west to northeast and countries are referred to using their current names.
Diagnosis.The genus Aphanostola is defined by the combination of the following characters in the male genitalia (Fig. 40a): phallus usually with basal projection, uncus covered with setae, gnathos long sickle-shaped, valva divided into strongly sclerotized basal part and weakly sclerotized distal part, sacculus strongly curved inwardly, the posterior margin of the vinculum with medial incision and more or less developed projections.The female genitalia (Fig. 40b) are rather variable, but a weakly sclerotized unmodified sternite VIII, moderately thick apophyses anteriores and a usually well defined antrum are the characteristic features of the genus.The presence of the basal projection of the phallus can be considered as a presumed autapomorphy of Aphanostola.The lack of this character in some species seems to be a secondary reduction.
Remarks.The male genitalia of Aphanostola display similarity to the genitalia of Leuronoma Meyrick, 1918 andPlatyphala Janse, 1951.These genera share such characters as a weakly sclerotized distal portion of the valva, the sacculus strongly curved inwardly and the inner margin of the valva with tendency to form a thorn.The adults of all three genera are characterized by sexual dimorphism in the width of the antenna.The monotypic genus Platyphala seems to be more closely related to Aphanostola in having the phallus with short basal projection, but differs in the prolonged uncus without long setae and the shorter gnathos.The diagnosis of Leuronoma is unclear as the type species (L.chlorotoma Meyrick, 1918) lacks the abdomen and its affiliation with of the other species is rather provisional.Most of the species currently associated with Leuronoma differ from Aphanostola species in the uncus which is deeply divided into two lobes, the reduced saccus and a differently shaped phallus.Aphanostola, Platyphala and Leuronoma along with several unrevised groups of species form a separate branch within the tribe Anomologini (subfamily Anomologinae) remotely related to Aristotelia Hübner, [1825].
Based on the above diagnosis 23 species are considered here to be members of Aphanostola.However, there is a group of still undescribed species which takes an intermediate position among Aphanostola, Leuronoma and Platyphala.It is possible that the current diagnosis of Aphanostola must be expanded and additional species have to be included resulting from future revisions of related genera.
Description.Head smoothly scaled, ocelli absent, grey or brown sometimes white (A.brandbergensis sp.n.).Labial palpus straight or weakly up-curved, segment 2 slightly broader than segment 3, segment 3 acute, about as wide as segment 2; antenna of male slightly thicker and more distinctly ciliated than antenna of female in most of species (A. calderae sp. n., A. longicornuta sp. n., A. rooiklipella sp. n., A. griseella sp. n.), scape without pecten, antennal segments grey to brown with black rings at base.Thorax grey to brown; wingspan 5.8-10.5 mm; forewing usually pale, grey, or light brown, sometimes whitish or yellowish with brown base of costal margin (A.calderae sp.n., A. morogorensis sp.n., A. brandbergensis sp.n., A. aarviki sp.n.), three diffuse dark spots in cell, margins often mottled with black appearing darker than medial part of wing, some species with additional black spots at base and on ¾ of dorsum (A.morogorensis sp.n.).Hindwing grey, with well developed tornal excavation and pointed tip.
Abdomen.Male tergum VIII sub-rectangular, usually broader than long, strongly edged and weakly emarginated anteriorly; sternum VIII broader than long, posterior margin broadly rounded, anteriolateral corners projected, sometimes strongly.Female segment VII trapezoidal, tergum VIII about twice length of other abdominal segments, sternum VIII three times longer than broad; sternum II of both sexes with pair of venulae, apodemes well developed.
Male genitalia (Fig. 40a).Uncus usually short, broader than long, rounded in A. atripalpis and A. brandbergensis sp.n., posterior margin weakly or distinctly emarginated, covered with strong setae.Gnathos usually long, slender, hook-shaped, curved in middle or at base, distal portion straight, apex pointed.Tegumen sub-rectangular or trapezoidal, about twice as long as broad, anterior margin with deep medial emargination, lateral folds well developed, turned inwardly and connected medially.Valva (cucullus) digitate, distinctly exceeding the apex of uncus, basal portion usually more strongly sclerotized than distal portion, inner margin distinctly edged in basal half, often bears a short thorn or serrated lobe (A.aarviki sp.n.), distal portion densely covered with short hairs, apex more or less inflated, rounded.Sacculus merged on 1/4 -1/2 length with cucullus, turned inwards, differing in shape, usually long, narrow, thorn-shaped (A.calderae sp.n., A. acaciae sp.n., A. griseella sp.n.) or short triangular (A.centripunctella sp.n., A. brandbergensis sp.n.), sometimes broad, beak-shaped (A.joannoui sp.n., A. melliferae sp.n.); sacculus sometimes merged at base with medial thorn on inner margin of valva (A. kenyella sp. n., A. centripunctella sp. n., A. africanella sp. n., A. brandbergensis sp. n., A. namibiensis sp. n.).Vinculum usually broad, posterior margin with short, triangular or broadly rounded medial projections separated by a narrow incision, two additional medial humps or short projections on the posterior margin of the vinculum present in some species (A.morogorensis sp.n., A. calderae sp.n.); sometimes (A.longicornuta sp.n.) additional lateral projections of the posterior margin of the vinculum well developed.Saccus broad, triangular, rounded or narrowly digitate (A.centripunctella sp.n., A. longicornuta sp.n.), exceeding beyond the apex of pedunculus, but sometimes short (A.namibiensis sp.n.) or nearly reduced (A.brandbergensis sp.n.).Phallus a flattened tube, usually slightly but in some cases considerably (A.antennata sp.n.) shorter than tegumen, very long in A. longicornuta sp.n., sub-apical area with small lateral teeth by A. calderae sp.n. and A. acacia sp.n. or with big apical thorn (A.kenyella sp.n., A. brandbergensis sp.n.); vesica may bear very small (A.acaciae sp.n.) or moderately large (A.africanella sp.n.) cornuti, A. longicornuta sp.n. with one very big and numerous small spikes in vesica; a narrow and usually long projection of phallus is developed in most of species; ductus ejaculatorius elongate.
Distribution.Afrotropical (South Africa, Zimbabwe, Namibia, Botswana, Kenya, Tanzania, Ethiopia) and Oriental (India)  In the southern Africa the adults were observed from late August to early May, up to 2000 m elevation in Auas Mts and Brandberg, easily attracted to light.In East Africa adults fly from August to January up to 1850 m elevation.

Key to adults based on external characters
(Note: A. joannoui sp.n., A. antennata sp. n., A. longicornuta sp. n., A. alternella sp. n. and A. rooiklipella sp. n., A. melliferae sp. n.,. A. africanella sp. n. can hardly be distinguished from each other without examination of the genitalia) Diagnosis.The species is recognizable externally by the white or light grey forewing with a black dash at base of costa, two black dashes at base of fold and three distinct black spots in cell.The male genitalia differ from the rest of Aphanostola species in the very short uncus in combination with apically narrowed saccus, the long, strongly curved gnathos, the basal projection of the phallus broadened at apex and the presence of small cornuti in the vesica.The female genitalia can be recognized unmistakably by the shape of the antrum and by the broad ductus bursae bearing a lateral appendix.
Description.Adult (Figs 1-3).Wingspan 7.2-8.4mm.Head, thorax and tegulae light grey to white; labial palpus up-curved, segment two black with white apex, segment three white with broad black ring in middle; antenna in male thicker than in female, scape brown with some white scales beneath, other segments brown with white rings.Forewing white to light grey, costal margin black from base to 1/3 length, single black scales sparsely scattered along costal and dorsal margins; two black dashes in fold, sometimes merging; two black spots at base of cell and one black spot in corner of cell; cilia white, black-tipped.Hindwing white to greyish white.
Variation.Ground colour of forewing varies from white to light grey.
Male genitalia (Figs 41,42).Uncus very short, posterior margin weakly emarginated, covered with strong setae; gnathos long, curved by nearly right angle in middle; tegumen broad, with deep and broad anterior emargination; valva weakly narrowed in middle, apical half distinctly inflated, teeth on inner margin indistinct; sacculus narrow, thorn-shaped; vinculum moderately broad with short projections on posterior margin, medial postero-medial incision narrow; saccus broad at base, narrow distally, apex abruptly cut or rounded, exceeding far beyond apex of pedunculus; phallus wide, apex with group of 3-8 very small cornuti and three lateral teeth, basal projection slightly shorter than length of phallus, its apex weakly widened.
Variation.Uncus sometimes reduced to short, paired hump.
Etymology.The specific epithet refers to the hostplant, Acacia tortilis, of the new species.
Biology.The larva feeds on Acacia tortilis (Forssk.)Hayne (Fabaceae) in Kenya (Agassiz and Bidzilya 2016 in press).Adults were collected from late August to early June.
Material examined.Holotype of L. pentastigma, ♀, [South Africa], Pretoria, 28.viii.1937 (Vári) (gen.slide.Diagnosis.L. pentastigma is recognizable externally by the narrow, prolonged forewing with four black spots in cell and two black spots on costal margin.The male genitalia resemble those of A. acaciae sp.n., but the uncus is longer, the saccus is narrower, the phallus lacks cornuti and teeth, and the basal projection is shifted nearly to the middle.The female genitalia differ from the other Aphanostola species in the presence of numerous spikes on the wall of the corpus bursae. Redescription. Adult (Figs 4, 5).Wingspan 7.2-8.0mm.Head, thorax and tegulae covered with grey blacktipped scales, frons light grey; labial palpus weakly upcurved, pale with broad black medial belts, segment two whitish on inner surface; antenna in male finely ciliated and thicker than antenna in female, scape black, other antennal segments grey with narrow black rings at base.Forewing grey densely suffused with brown, black spot just at base, at 1/4 and 1/3 of costal margin; four black spots in cell: two in fold, one in middle under costal margin and last one in corner of cell; diffuse black spot at 2/3 of dorsal margin, apex mottled with black, termen black spotted; cilia grey.Hindwing grey.
Male genitalia (Fig. 43).Uncus more than two times broader than long, posterior margin with broad and shallow emargination, densely covered with strong setae; gnathos long, curved before middle, weakly broadened in distal portion, with pointed tip; tegumen broad, with deep and broad anterior emargination; distal half of valva gradually widened towards rounded apex, inner margin with very small tooth; sacculus narrow, beak-shaped; vinculum moderately broad with short projections on posterior margin, postero-medial incision narrow; saccus broad at base, triangular, apex weakly pointed, slightly exceeding beyond the apex of pedunculus; phallus gradually tapered, basal projection narrow, shifted nearly to middle of phallus.
Variation.The specimens from Kenya have no teeth on the wall of the corpus bursae, only spikes are present, and their number is much smaller than in females from South Africa; the corpus bursae is distinctly smaller too, the ductus bursae is broader, the transition to the corpus bursae is more gradual.
Distribution Notes.Lanceopenna pentastigma was described from nine specimens of both sexes collected in South Africa and Zimbabwe.We were able to examine the type series.The genitalia of both sexes match well with those of Aphanostola, therefore the species was transferred to this genus (Bidzilya and Agassiz 2016 in press).
The specimens from Kenya agree well externally with specimens from the type series and also in the male genitalia, but differ in some details in the female genitalia (see above).However, we do not consider these to be separate species.Diagnosis.The new species is very similar externally to A. aarviki sp.n., but larger, the forewing is narrower and black spot on ¾ of dorsum is larger.The male genitalia are most close to those of A. acaciella sp.n. but differ in the longer saccus, the bigger vincular projections, a slenderer phallus and in other details.The female genitalia remotely resemble those of A. africanella sp.n., but the antrum is not developed and the signum is larger, rounded rather than elongated.

Aphanostola morogorensis
Description.Adult (Fig. 6).Wingspan 7.1 mm.Head, thorax and tegulae light brown, frons lighter, dark yellow, labial palpus yellow with broad black medial rings, scape brown, other segments brown with yellowish rings; forewing yellow, costal margin and subapical area mottled with black, two black spots just at base of costal margin and middle width near the base, black spot in middle of cell and another prolonged spot below near dorsum, two black spots in 2/3 near dorsal margin; cilia grey.Hindwing grey.
Etymology.The name refers to the type locality.Distribution.Tanzania.Biology.The host plant is unknown.The adults have been collected in September.Diagnosis.The new species is well recognizable externally by the yellow-white forewing with black markings.The male genitalia resemble those of A. acaciae sp.n. but differ in the longer uncus, the inner margin of the valva bearing a medial thorn, the sacculus not constricted before apex, the triangular saccus, and the shorter process of the phallus.

Aphanostola calderae
Description.Adult (Figs 7, 8).Wingspan 7.1-7.5 mm.Head, thorax and tegulae white, labial palpus weakly up-curved, brown with white apical rings, inner surface white; antenna dark brown, ciliated in male; forewing yellow-white, black dot in middle of cell, black dash in middle of fold, black spot on 2/3 near dorsal margin, a few black dots along termen, cilia white.Hindwing and cilia white.
Male genitalia (Figs 45,46).Uncus short, twice as broad as long, covered with strong, long setae, posterior margin weakly emarginated in middle; gnathos narrow, weakly curved, sickle-shaped; tegumen as a right angle, anterior margin deeply emarginated; basal half of valva straight, basal half of inner margin strongly sclerotized, terminating in a short thorn in the middle of valva length, distal part inflated, hairy, far exceeding top of uncus; sacculus narrow to moderately wide, prolonged, apex abruptly cut; vinculum moderately broad, posterior margin with very short medial and short triangular lateral humps, postero-medial incision relatively broad; saccus a right-angled triangle or slightly elongated; phallus comparatively wide, straight, edges finely serrated in apical 1/4, apex abruptly cut, about as long as length of valva, basal projection shorter than phallus, narrow, pointed. Female.Unknown.
Etymology.The name refers to the location of the game farm Asante Sana in the escarpment, where the landscape is reminiscent of a caldera.
Distribution.South Africa.

Aphanostola kenyella
Diagnosis. A. kenyella sp.n. is recognizable externally by the dark, nearly entirely black forewing and comparatively large size.The male genitalia are characterized by the broad sacculus, the narrow saccus and the phallus with distinct lateral teeth on the tip.
Description.Adult (Figs 9, 10).Wingspan 8.0-8.2 mm.Head and thorax brown, frons light brown, labial palpus weakly up-curved, segment two black with white apex, segment three black with white ring at base, apex white, scape black, other segments black with narrow whitish rings at base, finely ciliated by male; tegulae black with rare brown tipped scales; ground colour of forewing black to light brown, diffuse light brown medial fascia from ½ to 2/3 length, greyish indistinct spots on ¾ length on both margins, light brown sub-apical area separated with black pattern of irregular shape from light brown medial fascia, cilia brown, black-tipped.Hindwing grey.
Variation.Forewing, head and thorax varies from those of described above to dark, nearly uniformly black.
Male genitalia (Fig. 47).Uncus twice as broad as long, posterior margin with deep v-shaped medial incision; gnathos strongly curved, apical ¼ weakly widened; tegumen twice as long as broad, anteromedial incision deep and broad; valva straight, inner margin strongly sclerotized, terminating in a short thorn merged with the posterior margin of the sacculus; sacculus stout, sub-triangular, broader than valva; vinculum slightly broader than long, posterior margin with short triangular medial projections, medial incision deep and narrow, lateral projections short, hump-shaped, placed very close to sacculus; saccus narrow, far exceeding beyond the tip of pedunculus; phallus about as long as valva, gradually narrowed apically, with distinct lateral teeth on apex, basal projection narrow, not reaching the tip of phallus. Female.Unknown.
Etymology.The species name refers to the country of occurrence of the new species.
Distribution.Kenya.Biology.Host plant unknown.The specimens from the type-series were collected in mid-August at 1850 m elevation.Diagnosis.The new species is externally very similar to A. emarginata sp.n. in having brown forewing, but the forewing is densely black irrorated.The male genitalia are defined by the very short basal projection of the phallus.The elongated narrow subostial sclerite and the narrow signum are characteristic for the female genitalia.

Aphanostola kruegeri
Description.Adult (Fig. 11).Wingspan 7.3-8.1 mm.Head, thorax and tegulae covered with grey brown-tipped scales, labial palpus brown, segment two mixed with grey on inner side, segment three with white medial belt and white apex, antenna in male thicker than antenna in female, finely ciliated, scape brown, flagellum with alternated brown and whitish rings; forewing brown, costal margin mottled with black, diffuse black spot at 2/3 on both margins, black dot in fold, paired black spots in cell, apical ¼ scattered with black, cilia grey, black tipped.Hindwing light grey.
Variation.Some specimens with blackish dorsal margin of forewing.
Etymology.The species is dedicated to Martin Krüger, Lepidoptera curator in the TMSA, for his continuous help during our work in the collections of the TMSA.
Distribution.South Africa.
Biology.The host plant is unknown.The adults were collected in October, January and February.Diagnosis.The new species can be reliably separated from A. joannoui sp.n., A. antennata sp.n. and A. longicornuta sp.n. by the study of the genitalia.The male genitalia are most similar to those of A. kruegeri sp.n. but the sacculus is longer, the gnathos is narrower and the basal projection of the phallus is longer than in the mentioned species.

Aphanostola alternella
Description.Adult (Fig. 12).Wingspan 7.0 mm.Head, thorax and tegulae greyish-brown, labial palpus brown mottled with black, segment two mixed with grey on inner side, segment three with white medial belt and white apex, antenna in male moderately thick, finely ciliated, scape brown, flagellum with alternating brown and whitish rings; forewing grey, costal margin and apical 1/4 mottled with black, two black spots in cell; cilia grey, black tipped; hindwing light grey.
Male genitalia (Fig. 49).Uncus heart-shaped, posterior margin with deep medial emargination; gnathos long, narrow, slightly broadened before apex, gradually curved in basal half; tegumen sub-trapezoidal, anterior margin twice as long as posterior margin, anteromedial emargination broad, moderately deep; basal part of valva straight inner margin with distinct narrow thorn just after the sacculus, distal part densely haired, apex rounded; sacculus stout, elongated, as broad as valva, narrowed towards pointed apex, outer margin strongly curved; vinculum moderately broad, medial projections deep and narrow, medial incision very narrow; saccus basally broad, then tapered, slightly exceeding beyond apex of pedunculus; phallus weakly narrowed apically, basal projection narrow, reaching to ¾ length of phallus. Female.Unknown.
Etymology.The specific name is derived from "alternarius" (Latin), alternating, which refers to the alternating brown and white rings of the antenna.
Distribution.Kenya.Biology.The host plant is unknown.The adult moth was collected in March at an altitude of 2400 m.Diagnosis.The new species can be reliably separated from A. joannoui sp.n., A. longicornuta sp.n., and A. alternella sp.n. by comparing the genitalia.The males can be recognized further by the extremely thickened antennae.The male genitalia are similar to those of A. calderae sp.n., but can be easily recognized by the short phallus, the short postero-medial incison of the vinculum and the more prolonged tegumen.The female genitalia are characterized by the unique spinose signum and V-shaped antrum.

Aphanostola antennata
Description.Adult (Figs 13-15).Wingspan 6.5-8.0 mm.Head, thorax and tegulae covered with grey blacktipped scales, frons off-white, labial palpus weakly upcurved, segment two black with whitish scales at base, segment three black with white basal, medial and apical rings, inner surface lighter, greyish, antenna very thick in male, thin in female, scape black, other antennal segments black with narrow whitish rings at base, underside greyish, finely ciliated by male; forewing grey densely suffused with brown along margins and particularly on apex, four diffuse brown dots in cell, cilia grey, browntipped; hindwing grey.
Male genitalia (Fig. 50).Uncus twice as broad as long, posterior margin slightly emarginated; gnathos evenly curved, of even width except for pointed tip; tegumen comparatively long, weakly narrowed distally, anteromedial emargination large, triangular; valva straight in basal half, distal portion turned outwards, weakly widened, apex rounded; sacculus narrow to moderately wide, thorn-or finger-shaped; vinculum broad, posterior margin with very short medial humps, postero-medial inci-sion relatively broad but short; saccus triangular, tapered, slightly exceeding beyond the top of pedunculus; phallus short, about 2.5 times longer than broad, apex abruptly cut, basal projection relatively broad, distinctly shorter than phallus with rounded apex.
Etymology.The specific name refers to the thickened antenna of the male.
Distribution.South Africa, Namibia.Biology.Host plant unknown.Adults occur from November to December and from February to early May.Diagnosis.The new species can reliably be separated from A. melliferae sp.n. and A. africanella sp.n. by the genitalia.The male genitalia most resemble those of A. acaciae sp.n., but are well recognizable by the presence of the big rounded lateral, vincular projections in combination with sub-rectangular tegumen and apically tapered phallus.The female genitalia resemble those of A. griseella sp.n., but the antrum is distinctly longer than the apophyses anteriores in A. rooiklipella sp.n. whereas the antrum in A. griseella sp.n. is sub-equal in length to apophyses anteriores; moreover the sub-ostial sclerite in A. griseella sp.n. is shorter and having shorter posterior projections.

Aphanostola rooiklipella
Description.Adult (Fig. 16).Wingspan 6.2-6.4 mm.Head, thorax and tegulae covered with grey black-tipped scales, frons off-white, labial palpus weakly up-curved, segment two black with whitish scales at base, segment three black with white basal, medial and apical rings, inner surface lighter, greyish, antenna thick in male, thin in female, finely ciliated in both sexes, scape black, other antennal segments black with narrow whitish rings at base, underside greyish; forewing light grey densely suffused with brown along margins and particularly on apex, three prolonged brown spots in cell, diffuse brown dash in fold, cilia grey, brown-tipped; hindwing grey.
Female genitalia (Figs 70,71,71a).Segment VIII nearly as long as broad, evenly sclerotized; apophyses anteriores moderately thick, twice as long as segment VIII; antrum long, tubular, exceeding the tips of apophyses anteriores; sub-ostial sclerite sub-rectangular with long posterior projection; ductus bursae narrow; corpus bursae sub-ovate; signum a long sub-triangular plate densely covered with spikes and with medial cord inside.
Etymology.Named after the farm Rooiklip in the escarpment of Namibia.
Distribution.Namibia.Biology.The host plant unknown.The adults were observed from late August to mid-September, and again in January and in March, which is suggestive for the development of two generations per year.Diagnosis.The species is very similar externally to A. rooiklipella sp.n., A. africanella sp.n. and A. melliferae sp.n., but can be defined by the nearly uniformly grey forewing with poorly expressed black markings in cell.The female genitalia most closely resemble those of A. rooiklipella sp.n. -for the differences see under that species.

Aphanostola griseella
Description.Adult (Figs 17,18).Wingspan 6.7-7.1 mm.Head, thorax and tegulae light grey with a few brown scales, labial palpus brown with narrow white apical rings, antenna in male thick, antenna in female thin, finely ciliated in both sexes, scape brown with a few white scales, other antennal segments brown, whitish-ringed; forewing grey mottled with brown-tipped scales along margins and in subapical area particularly, costal margin brown from base to 1/5 length, two very indistinct brown spots in cell, brown dot on ¾ of dorsal margin, cilia light grey; hindwing grey.
Male.Unknown.Female genitalia (Figs 72,73).Segment VIII about as broad as long, evenly sclerotized; apophyses anteriores about 1.5 times longer than segment VIII; antrum tubular, weakly broadened before ductus bursae, sub-equal in length to apophyses anteriores; sub-ostial sclerite trapezoidal with short and narrow posterior projection; ductus bursae of moderate width; corpus bursae large, eggshaped; signum a prolonged plate densely covered with spikes and with medial cord inside.
Biology.The host plant is unknown.The adults were observed in October-November and again in February-March.Diagnosis.The new species is well recognizable externally by the comparatively large size and the forewing with a large brown spot in the middle.The external differences to A. namibiensis sp.n. are explained under that species.The male genitalia are characterized by the sacculus merged with the medial teeth on the inner margin of the valva in combination with the narrow saccus.The female genitalia differ from other Aphanostola species by the shape of the sub-ostial sclerite, the large globular corpus bursae and the brush-formed signum.

Aphanostola centripunctella
Description. .Wingspan 7.8-9.0mm.Head, thorax and tegulae covered with white blacktipped scales, labial palpus up-curved, black, evenly mottled with white scales on inner surface particularly, segment two with narrow white apical ring, antenna in male thick, finely ciliated, antenna in female thin, scape black, other antennal segments black with white basal rings, comparatively thick; forewing white, densely suffused with brown along margins and on apex, large brown, transversally elongated spot in the middle, an indistinct brown dash in fold, a small brown spot in the corner of cell, cilia white, black-tipped; hindwing grey.
Variation.Ground colour of head, thorax and forewing varies from white to light grey, paired black spot on ¾ of dorsal margin expressed in some specimens, medially prolonged spot sometimes divided into two smaller dots.Hindwings in male with light brown scales along margins, particularly on base near dorsal margin.
Male genitalia (Fig. 52).Uncus twice as broad as long, weakly broadened apically, posterior margin nearly straight; gnathos curved abruptly before middle, distal portion slightly widened, tip pointed; tegumen sub-rectangular, length exceeds width two times, anteromedial incision broad, moderately shallow; basal portion of valva moderately wide, distal 2/3 narrow, gradually broadened towards rounded apex; sacculus 1.5 times longer than broad, merged at base with medial thorn on inner margin of valva; vinculum moderately broad, posterior margin with short, triangular, medial projections, medial incision narrow; saccus narrow, apex rounded, clearly exceeding beyond apex of pedunculus; phallus prolonged, apex tapered, basal projection straight, narrow extending nearly to apex of phallus.
Female genitalia (Figs 74,74a).Segment VIII nearly as long as broad, evenly sclerotized, except for sclerotized patches from the base of apophyses anteriores extending posteriorely to half length of segment VIII; antrum short, funnel-shaped; sub-ostial sclerite big, of irregular shape; apophyses anteriores about three times longer than segment VIII; ductus bursae long, slender papillated in proximal half, with abrupt transition to large, globular corpus bursae; signum prolonged, brush-like.
Etymology.Named after the brown spot in the middle of the forewing.
Distribution.Namibia, Botswana, South Africa.Biology.The host plant is unknown.The adults were collected in January and March.
Description.Adult (Figs 22,23).Wingspan 6.0-7.2 mm.Head, thorax and tegulae covered with grey blacktipped scales, frons off-white, labial palpus weakly upcurved, black with white apex, antenna in male thick, finely ciliated, antenna in female thin, scape black, other antennal segments black with narrow whitish rings at base, underside greyish; forewing grey densely suffused with brown along margins and particularly on apex, three very indistinct brown spots in cell area, cilia grey, browntipped; hindwing grey.
Variation.The antrum is variable in width.Etymology.Named in memory of the lepidopterist John Joannou , who participated in the collecting campaign around Hongonyi Lodge with the second author in 2010.
Distribution.South Africa.
Biology.The host plant is unknown.The adults were collected from late March to mid-May.Diagnosis.The new species resembles externally A. centripunctella sp.n., but differs by the narrower forewing and the smaller, rounded black spot in the middle.The male genitalia are well recognizable by the shape of the sacculus, deep and comparatively broad medial emargination of the posterior margin of the vinculum, the short saccus and the comparatively long uncus.The female genitalia are characterized by distinctly sclerotized patches on segment VIII, short, digitate sub-ostial sclerites, long ductus bursae and the presence of a belt of spikes on the wall of the corpus bursae.

Aphanostola namibiensis
Description.Adult (Figs 24,25).Wingspan 9.0-9.1 mm.Head white, neck with some brown-tipped scales, segment two of labial palpus black rarely mottled with white, inner and outer surface white, three white with some black scales, antenna in male thick, finely ciliated, antenna in female thin, scape and other antennal segments black; thorax and tegulae black, white-tipped; hindwing light grey to whitish, black pattern to ¼ of costal margin, in its distal half and in sub-apical area, black dash in fold to mid-length, rounded black spot in middle, diffuse black spot on ¾ near dorsal margin, cilia grey blacktipped; hindwing grey.
Female genitalia (Fig. 76).Segment VIII nearly as long as broad, evenly sclerotized, except for distinct, sclero-tized patches from the base of apophyses anteriores extending to the posterior margin of segment VIII; antrum weakly broadened, membranous; sub-ostial sclerite short, digitate; apophyses anteriores about 2.5 times longer than segment VIII; ductus bursae long, gradually broadening proximally to sub-ovate corpus bursae; the wall of corpus bursae with ovate belt of spikes; signum absent.
Etymology.The species is named after the country of its occurrence.
Distribution.Namibia.Biology.The host plant is unknown.The adults were observed in late August, January and March up to 1900 m elevation.Diagnosis.The new species can easily be recognized by the cream forewing with black dots and black irroration along costal margin and by its comparatively small size.The male genitalia are well defined by the broad valva, the very short saccus, the shape of valva and other details.The female genitalia are characterized by long apophyses anteriores, prolonged corpus bursae and unmodified sternite VIII.

Aphanostola brandbergensis
Description.Adult (Fig. 26).Wingspan 5.8-6.1 mm.Head yellowish-white, labial palpus nearly straight, segment two yellow basally, brown in distal portion, inner surface yellowish-white, segment three brown with yellow apex, antenna in male slightly thicker than in female, scape brown with some white scales, other segments brown with narrow, whitish basal rings; thorax and tegulae yellowish-white, sometimes with a few black scales; forewing cream, mottled with brown mostly along margins and near apex, costal margin brown from base to 1/5 length, three brown spots in cell, two brown spots on ¾ of dorsal margin, diffuse brown spot and a few black dots in termen, cilia white, browntipped; hindwing light grey.
Male genitalia (Fig. 55).Uncus heart-shaped, short, twice as broad as long, posterior margin straight; gnathos strongly curved at base, distal portion straight, gradually narrowing towards pointed apex; tegumen sub-rectangular, twice as long as broad, anterior margin with deep emargination; valva wide and comparatively short, angled at 150° in the middle, distal half turned outwards, apex rounded, inner margin with distinct, medial thorn placed close to sacculus; sacculus short, triangular and narrow; vinculum narrow, medial projections short, rounded, medial incision short, narrow; saccus weakly developed, very short, extending to apex of pedunculus; phallus as long as tegumen, gradually narrowed distally, apex with short tooth, basal projection absent.
Female genitalia (Fig. 77).Segment VIII twice as long as broad, weakly sclerotized, without modification; apophyses anteriores twice the length of segment VIII and less than half length of apophyses posteriores; ductus bursae narrow, gradually merging into the long corpus bursae; signum absent.
Etymology.The specific name is derived from the Brandberg, the type locality of the new species. Distribution.Namibia.
Biology.The host plant is unknown.Adults were collected in December and in February up to 1740 m elevation.Diagnosis.The new species remotely resembles externally A. morogorensis sp.n., but is smaller, the forewings are broader and the black spot on ¾ of dorsum is indistinct.The male genitalia somewhat resemble those of A. brandbergensis sp.n., but differ in the short, rounded uncus, longer saccus, slenderer gnathos and the phallus without apical tooth.

Aphanostola aarviki
Description.Adult (Fig. 27).Wingspan 6.2 mm.Head yellow, labial palpus yellow with brown subapical rings, scape brown with few yellowish scales; other antennal segments brown with broad yellow belts at base; thorax and tegulae yellow, densely mottled with black; forewing yellow, diffuse black spot at base, in middle and on 2/3 of costal margin, black spot in middle of cell that is connected or nearly connected with medial sub-costal spot, indistinct black dot on ¾ of dorsal margin, apex slightly mottled with black; cilia light brown; hindwing light grey.
Etymology.The species name is dedicated to Leif Aarvik (Natural History Museum, Oslo), the collector of the species.

Aphanostola africanella
Type material.Holotype ♂, Namibia, Kombat, Omatjete Farm, 27.viii.2012, Turm (Mey)  Diagnosis.The new species is externally similar to A. rooiklipella sp.n. and A. melliferae sp.n. but differs in genitalia.The male genitalia are well defined by the phallus bearing seven to eight large cornuti in combination with a long saccus and other details.The female genitalia remotely resemble those of A. morogorensis sp.n., but differ in having a distinctly longer antrum and a narrow, rounded signum.
Description. .Wingspan 7.1-7.3mm.Head, thorax and tegulae grey, labial palpus weakly up-curved, light brown with narrow white ring before apex, scape light brown, other segments light brown with narrow whitish basal ring, antenna finely ciliated and very thick in male, moderately thick in female; forewing light grey, rarely covered with brown-tipped scales mainly along margins, costal margin brown from base to ¼, two brown spots in middle, diffuse brown dash in fold, cilia grey, brown-tipped; hindwing grey.
Variation.Black pattern along margins of forewing varies from grey to nearly black.
Male genitalia (Figs 57,58).Uncus twice as broad as long, posterior margin with short medial emargination; gnathos curved at base, then straight, gradually narrowing towards pointed apex; tegumen gradually narrowing distally, anterior margin with deep rounded emargination; basal half of valva moderately broad, distal half strongly constricted at base, then weakly inflated, apex rounded; sacculus short triangular, merged with the thorn on the inner margin of valva; vinculum moderately broad, posterior margin with short, broad, triangular medial projections, medial emargination deep and narrow; saccus broad at base, distal portion narrow, tapered apically, far exceeding beyond apex of pedunculus; phallus prolonged, tapered apically, with seven to eight big cornuti, which differ in length, basal projection absent.
Etymology.The name refers to the obviously wide distribution of the species in Africa.
Biology.The larva feeds on Acacia mellifera (M.Vahl) Benth.(Fabaceae) in Kenya (Agassiz and Bidzilya 2016).The adults were observed in late August-early September, then in November-January and in March.Diagnosis.As far as we can judge from the single male, the new species is most similar to A. kruegeri sp.n. in having brown forewings, but differs in exhibiting a poorly expressed irroration.The male genitalia are well defined by the very deep medial emargination of the posterior margin of the vinculum, a short hump-shaped sacculus and by the absence of the vincular projections.

Aphanostola emarginata
Description.Adult (Fig. 31).Wingspan 6.0 mm.Head light grey, labial palpus brown, segment two with white upper and inner side, segment three with white medial ring and white apex, antenna in male moderately thick, scape brown, other antennal segments brown, whitish-ringed; thorax and tegulae brown; forewing light brown with dark brown scales particularly along margins and in sub-apical area, cilia grey, brown tipped; hindwing grey.
Distribution.South Africa.
Biology.The host plant is unknown.The holotype was collected in late April.Diagnosis.The new species can reliably be separated from A. rooiklipella sp.n., and A. africanella sp.n. by the genitalia.A. antennata sp.n. is very similar to above mentioned species, but differs in broader forewing.A. pentastigma is usually larger that A. melliferae sp.n. the forewing are narrower with black spot at base of costal margin.The male genitalia are well recognizable by very short, weakly sclerotized distal portion of valva, stout broadly rounded sacculus and the shape of the phallus.The female genitalia are defined by a characteristically shaped antrum and sub-ostial sclerites as well as by a strongly sclerotized entrance to the corpus bursae which is unique for Aphanostola.

Aphanostola melliferae
Description.Adult (Figs 32,33).Wingspan 7.2-8.1 mm.Head white, labial palpus weakly curved, dark grey with white apex, inner surface white, antenna thick and finely ciliated in male, thinner in female, scape brown, antennal segments light brown with whitish basal rings; head and thorax white to light grey; forewing covered with white brown-tipped scales, costal margin mottled with brown, apex black spotted, narrow black dash in folds, three black spots in cell, cilia grey, brown tipped; hindwing light grey.
Etymology.The species is named after the name of its host plant, Acacia mellifera.
Distribution.Kenya, Namibia.Biology.Larvae feed on Acacia mellifera in Kenya (Agassiz and Bidzilya 2016 in press) and probably also on this tree in Namibia.Adults were observed in late August and late November to early December in Kenya and in January and March in Namibia.Diagnosis.A. maxima sp.n. is the largest species of the genus.Besides the big size it is recognizable by comparatively narrow, light brown, uniformly coloured forewing with distinct brown dots in the cell.The male genitalia can be distinguished by broad trapezoidal tegumen, sub-rectangular sacculus, and elongated vinculum.

Aphanostola maxima
Description.Adult (Figs 34,35).Wingspan 9.5-10.5 mm.Head, cream-white, labial palpus up-curved, brown with diffuse grey belts, scape brown, other antennal segments brown with whitish basal rings, moderately thick; thorax and tegulae light brown; forewing light brown, mottled with brown in sub-apical area, diffuse brown spot at base near costal margin, three brown dots in cell, cilia light brown; hindwing grey.
Male genitalia (Fig. 62).Uncus heart-shaped, twice as broad as long, posterior margin slightly emarginated medially; gnathos large, curved at right angle in the middle, distal portion straight, apex pointed; tegumen broad, trapezoid, anterior margin twice as long as posterior margin, anteromedial emargination deep, rounded; basal half of valva straight inner margin with distinct thorn just near the sacculus, distal half constricted at base, weakly inflated, densely haired, apex rounded; sacculus sub-rectangular, about as wide as distal part of valva; vinculum long, medial projections absent, medial incision deep and narrow; saccus moderately broad, apex rounded, exceeding beyond apex of pedunculus; phallus parallel-sided, apex tapered, lamina very long, basal projection absent.
Female.Unknown.Etymology.Derived from "maximus" (Latin), the largest, referring to the large size of the species.
Distribution.Ethiopia.Biology.The type series was collected in mid-January at 1600 m elevation.Diagnosis.The new species can be separated from the similar A. joannoui sp.n., A. antennata sp.n., and A. alternella sp.n.only by examining the genitalia.The male genitalia can easily be recognized by the presence of a very large, lateral, vincular projection, a long and narrow saccus as well as an extremely long phallus with one large cornutus.The female genitalia are defined by a wrinkled antrum, a narrow, serrated signum, the coiled corpus bursae and by the other details.

Aphanostola longicornutata
Description. .Wingspan 5.8-7.0 mm.Head, thorax and tegulae light grey with a few brown-tipped scales, frons slightly lighter, labial palpus nearly straight, black with white apex, inner surface grey, antenna thick in both sexes, finely ciliated by male, scape brown, flagellum with alternate brown and whitish rings; forewing dark grey, margins and apical area suffused with black, two black spots in middle of cell, indistinct black dash in fold, black spot in the corner of cell hidden by black scales, cilia grey, black-tipped; hindwing and cilia light grey.
Variation.The black markings can be reduced so that the forewing looks uniformly grey in some specimens.
Biology.The host plant is unknown.The adults have been collected in late August-early September in Namibia and in mid-April, early July in Kenya.Meyrick, 1931 Figs 39, 64 Aphanostola atripalpis Meyrick, 1931 -Exotic  Diagnosis.As far as we can judge from rather limited material, A. atripalpis differs from the other species by the uniformly greyish-brown forewings and the whitish head.The male genitalia have a rounded uncus covered with very short setae.
Notes. A. atripalpis was described from two males collected in Bihar, Pusa (India).The adult moth and the venation, and the male genitalia in lateral position, were illustrated by Clarke (1969).We examined the second paratype and prepared the genitalia in unrolling position to compare them with other Aphanostola species.
Figs 6, 44, 68    Type material.Holotype ♂, Tanzania,Morogoro,  Morogoro Town, 20.ix.1992 (Aarvik)  (gen.slide 2378, O. Bidzilya) (MNHO).Paratype: 1 ♀, same data as holotype but 13.ix.1992(gen.slide 2375, O. Bidzilya) (MNHO).Diagnosis.The new species is very similar externally to A. aarviki sp.n., but larger, the forewing is narrower and black spot on ¾ of dorsum is larger.The male genitalia are most close to those of A. acaciella sp.n. but differ in the longer saccus, the bigger vincular projections, a slenderer phallus and in other details.The female genitalia remotely resemble those of A. africanella sp.n., but the antrum is not developed and the signum is larger, rounded rather than elongated.Description.Adult (Fig.6).Wingspan 7.1 mm.Head, thorax and tegulae light brown, frons lighter, dark yellow, labial palpus yellow with broad black medial rings, scape brown, other segments brown with yellowish rings; forewing yellow, costal margin and subapical area mottled with black, two black spots just at base of costal margin and middle width near the base, black spot in middle of cell and another prolonged spot below near dorsum, two black spots in 2/3 near dorsal margin; cilia grey.Hindwing grey.Male genitalia (Fig.44).Uncus very short, posterior margin weakly emarginated, with strong long setae; Figs 7, 8, 45, 46 Type material.Holotype ♂, [South Africa], RSA, East.[ern] Cape, Sneeuberg [area], Asante-Sana, 2.-6.iv.2011 (Mey) (gen.slide 184/12, O. Bidzilya) (MfN).Paratypes: 5 ♂, same locality, 22-26.i.2012 (Mey) (gen.slide 582/14; 609/14, O. Bidzilya) (all MfN).Diagnosis.The new species is well recognizable externally by the yellow-white forewing with black markings.The male genitalia resemble those of A. acaciae sp.n. but differ in the longer uncus, the inner margin of the valva bearing a medial thorn, the sacculus not constricted before apex, the triangular saccus, and the shorter process of the phallus.Description.Adult (Figs7, 8).Wingspan 7.1-7.5 mm.Head, thorax and tegulae white, labial palpus weakly up-curved, brown with white apical rings, inner surface white; antenna dark brown, ciliated in male; forewing yellow-white, black dot in middle of cell, black dash in middle of fold, black spot on 2/3 near dorsal margin, a few black dots along termen, cilia white.Hindwing and cilia white.Male genitalia(Figs 45, 46).Uncus short, twice as broad as long, covered with strong, long setae, posterior margin weakly emarginated in middle; gnathos narrow, weakly curved, sickle-shaped; tegumen as a right angle, anterior margin deeply emarginated; basal half of valva straight, basal half of inner margin strongly sclerotized, terminating in a short thorn in the middle of valva length, distal part inflated, hairy, far exceeding top of Figs 9, 10, 47 Figs 12, 49    Type material.Holotype ♂, Kenya,Rift valley, Turi,  8000ft, 11.iii.2000(Agassiz)  (gen.slide 307/14 (=1538), O. Bidzilya) (coll.Agassiz).Diagnosis.The new species can be reliably separated from A. joannoui sp.n., A. antennata sp.n. and A. longicornuta sp.n. by the study of the genitalia.The male genitalia are most similar to those of A. kruegeri sp.n. but the sacculus is longer, the gnathos is narrower and the basal projection of the phallus is longer than in the mentioned species.Description.Adult (Fig.12).Wingspan 7.0 mm.Head, thorax and tegulae greyish-brown, labial palpus brown mottled with black, segment two mixed with grey on inner side, segment three with white medial belt and white apex, antenna in male moderately thick, finely ciliated, scape brown, flagellum with alternating brown and whitish rings; forewing grey, costal margin and apical 1/4 mottled with black, two black spots in cell; cilia grey, black tipped; hindwing light grey.Male genitalia (Fig.49).Uncus heart-shaped, posterior margin with deep medial emargination; gnathos long, narrow, slightly broadened before apex, gradually curved in basal half; tegumen sub-trapezoidal, anterior margin twice as long as posterior margin, anteromedial emargination broad, moderately deep; basal part of valva straight inner margin with distinct narrow thorn just after the sacculus, distal part densely haired, apex rounded; sacculus stout, elongated, as broad as valva, narrowed towards pointed apex, outer margin strongly curved; vinculum moderately broad, medial projections deep and narrow, medial incision very narrow; saccus basally broad, then tapered, slightly exceeding beyond apex of pedunculus; phallus weakly narrowed apically, basal projection narrow, reaching to ¾ length of phallus.Female.Unknown.Etymology.The specific name is derived from "alternarius" (Latin), alternating, which refers to the alternating brown and white rings of the antenna.Distribution.Kenya.Biology.The host plant is unknown.The adult moth was collected in March at an altitude of 2400 m.
Acacia-species in Kenya (Agassiz and Bidzilya  2016 in press).A. atripalpis were bred from Acacia [Senegalia] katechu (L.f) P.J.H. Hurter & Mabb. in India.It is most likely that Acacia s. l. (Fabaceae) is a host plant for most of the Aphanostola-species.
. South Africa, Zimbabwe, Kenya.Biology.Larva feeds on Acacia xanthophloea Benth.(Fabaceae) in Kenya (Agassiz and Bidzilya 2016 in press) and in Acacia sp. in South Africa.Adults were observed from late August to early April, up to 1830 m elevation in Kenya.