Research Article |
Corresponding author: Oleksiy V. Bidzilya ( olexbid@gmail.com ) Academic editor: Dominique Zimmermann
© 2018 Oleksiy V. Bidzilya, Wolfram Mey.
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Citation:
Bidzilya O, Mey W (2018) Review of the genus Tricerophora Janse, 1958 (Lepidoptera, Gelechiidae) with description of six new species. Deutsche Entomologische Zeitschrift 65(1): 81-98. https://doi.org/10.3897/dez.65.25747
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An improved diagnosis of the genus Tricerophora is provided, and its position within Gelechiidae is briefly discussed. A new generic synonym is established: Leucophylla Janse, 1960, syn. n. of Tricerophora Janse, 1958. Six new species are described: T. pundamilia sp. n. (RSA), T. rukinga sp. n. (Kenya), T. nigrinervis sp. n. (RSA, Namibia), T. brumale sp. n. (Namibia), T. acutivalva sp. n. (Iran), T. minimorum sp. n. (Namibia). The following new combinations are proposed: Tricerophora nigribasis (Janse, 1960), comb. n., Tricerophora objecta (Meyrick, 1921), comb. 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.
Gelechiinae , Leucophylla , new species, new synonym, Afrotropical region, Namibia, South Africa, Kenya, Palaearctic region, Iran
Since their descriptions, the gelechiid genera Tricerophora Janse, 1958 and Leucophylla Janse, 1960, were considered as monotypic taxa restricted to southern Africa (Namibia, RSA, Mozambique, Zimbabwe). Recent field work in southern (
The present paper is based on material from the following collections:
Museum für Naturkunde, Berlin, Germany (
The genitalia slides were prepared according to the “unrolling technique” described in
The descriptive terminology of genitalia structures generally follows
T. commaculata (Meyrick, 1921) Mozambique, Zimbabwe, RSA
T. nigribasis (Janse, 1960), comb. n. Namibia, RSA
Tricerophora sp. A RSA
T. pundamilia sp. n. RSA
T. rukinga sp. n. Kenya
T. objecta (Meyrick, 1921), comb. n. D.R. Congo, Zimbabwe
T. brumale sp. n. Namibia
T. nigrinervis sp. n. Namibia, RSA
T. acutivalva sp. n. Iran
T. minimorum sp. n. Namibia
Telphusa commaculata Type species: Meyrick, 1921 Moths of South Africa 6 (1): 64
Leucophylla Janse, 1960, Moths of South Africa 6 (2): 202, syn. n.
Leucophylla nigribasis Type species: Janse, 1960
Most of Tricerophora species are defined by white forewings with black pattern along longitudinal axis without transverse fasciae and dark spots in cell and fold that are common in many other genera of Gelechiidae. Thiotrichinae genus Polyhymno Chamners, 1874 has somewhat similar wing pattern to Tricerophora, but species of Polyhymno are usually smaller in size and pattern along longitudinal axis is brown rather than black in Tricerophora.
The tegumen with a strongly sclerotized posterior belt and lateral processes as well as very narrow, long uncus are considered to be presumed autapomorphies of Tricerophora.
The female genitalia are characterized by laterally sclerotized segment VIII, well developed antrum, entirely sclerotized ductus bursae in most species, and usually long, serrated arms of the signum.
Species of Tricerophora shares the male abdominal segment VIII separated into free tergum and sternum and the presence of a sub-rhomboid or hexagonal signum in females with members of the subfamily Gelechiinae (Huemer & Karsholt 1998: 19). The diagnosis of Gelechiinae was recently improved and clarified on the basis of DNA sequence data for one mitochondrial gene and seven nuclear genes (
The tribal assignment of Tricerophora is rather questionable and difficult to determine. The tendency of forming an accessory bursae in the female genitalia is observed both in genera of Litini (Parastenolechia Kanazwa, 1985; Parachronistis Meyrick, 1925) and Gelechiini (Agnippe). However, the long antrum, the well developed culcitula and the valva, divided into long cucullus and short sacculus are characteristic for Gelechiini (Ponomarenko 2005; Huemer and Karsholt 2010). So, we tentatively place Tricerophora into Gelechiini, until the systematic position of this genus will be clarified in future by using molecular methods.
The genus Leucophylla Janse, 1960 was established as monotypic for L. nigribasis Janse, 1960.
Description. Adult. Head smoothly scaled, ocelli absent, light, usually off-white or grey, labial palpus strongly up-curved, far protruding over the head, segment 2 with tuft of long scales at base, underside with short brush of scales; segment 3 about as long as segment 2, narrow, pointed. Scape without pecten, male flagellomeres finely ciliated underside.
Thorax white, often mottled with grey or brown, yellowish-white in T. minimorum; tegulae the same color as thorax; forewing elongated, moderately narrow, wingspan 7.0–18.0 mm, ground color white to light grey with black pattern along veins, or forewing grey with basal touch at base of costal margin and diffuse black spots under costa (T. nigribasis); in T. minimorum the forewing is uniformly yellowish-white; hindwing grey, narrow with small subapical excavation, cilia grey.
Abdomen: Male tergum VIII longer than broad, tongue-shaped or triangular, with long haired coremata at base, sternum VIII broader than long, posterior margin broadly rounded. Female segment VII 1.5 times as long as rest of abdominal segments, trapezoidal, weakly narrowed posteriorly.
Male genitalia. Posterior margin of tegumen strongly sclerotized forming a belt-shaped sclerite terminated laterally in narrow short processes (reduced in T. rukinga), medially with a stout, long, narrow uncus with a pointed tip; gnathos flat, weakly sclerotized, elongated; culcitula well developed, membranous; tegumen sub-rectangular, about twice as long as broad, anterior margin with deep, triangular emargination; valva elongated, narrow or moderately broad, straight, of even width or curved inwards at 1/3, densely covered with hairs after halfway; sacculus short and slender in most species, merged with valva in T. acutivalva or stout, broad, with inwardly curved tip in T. rukinga, displaced medially in T. commaculata, posterior margin with weakly sclerotized, medial lobe; saccus long and narrow, sub-triangular in T. rukinga and T. acutivalva; phallus tubular, weakly swollen on base (except for T. rukinga), with lateral sclerotized filaments, vesica with one or two (T. nigrinervis) cornuti.
Female genitalia. Segment VIII slightly longer than broad, weakly sclerotized; sternum VIII simple, evenly sclerotized, usually more or less covered with microtrichia, with narrow lateral sclerites extending from the base of apophysis anterioris to the posterior margin of sternum, anterior margin strongly sclerotized, projecting medially into well developed tubular or funnel-shaped antrum; ostium rounded, ovate or funnel-shaped, strongly edged with several transverse rings, placed near posterior margin of sternite VIII, or indistinct; apophysis anterioris narrow, straight, about as long as length of segment VIII or longer, apophysis posterioris three-five times as long as apophysis anterioris; ductus bursae varies considerably in length and width, with long sclerotized portion that is connected with antrum or separated (T. nigribasis), sometimes entirely sclerotized (T. rukinga), with numerous short teeth (Tricerophora sp. A) or with serrated folds projecting into the corpus bursae (T. nigrinervis); corpus bursae rounded or sub-ovate, with posterolateral, partially sclerotized accessory in T. nigrinervis; signum a sub-hexagonal plate with short lateral arms, deep medial ridge and long usually serrated laterally anterior and posterior arms.
Host plant unknown. Adults have been collected from August to December, in February-March and in June in southern Africa up to 1740 m elevation (Brandberg Massive in Namibia), in November in Kenya, in August in DR Congo and in early June in South Iran.
Afrotropical Region (RSA, Namibia, Mozambique, Zimbabwe, Kenya, DR Congo) and Palaearctic Region (South Iran).
(Note: T. commaculata, T. pundamilia sp. n. and T. rukinga sp. n. can hardly be distinguished from each other without examination of genitalia)
1 | Wingspan 7.0 mm, forewing uniformly yellowish-white | T. minimorum sp. n. |
– | Wingspan 11.1–18.0 mm, forewing mainly light grey or blackish-white | 2 |
2 | Forewing light grey with black blotch on base and diffuse black spot in the middle of costa and in cell | T. nigribasis |
– | Forewing blackish-white | 3 |
3 | Wingspan 13.2–18.0 mm, predominantly black | 4 |
– | Wingspan 11.0–12.0 mm, predominantly white | 5 |
4. Forewing with paired white triangular spot in the middle of the costal and dorsal margin | T. objecta | |
– | Forewing without paired white triangular spot in the middle of the costal and dorsal margin | T. commaculta, T. pundamilia sp. n., T. rukinga sp. n. |
5 | Head and thorax snow-white, forewing with three broad black-lined veins | T. nigrinervis sp. n. |
– | Head and thorax mottled with brown, forewing less contrasting | 6 |
6 | Forewing narrowed in distal half, black irroration indistinct | T. acutivalva sp. n. |
– | Forewing not narrowed in distal half, black irroration present | T. brumale sp. n. |
(Note: Tricerophora sp. A. is not included in the key due to its unclear taxonomic state; the male of T. pundamilia sp. n. is unknown)
1 | Valva inwardly broadened on base and curved inwardly before middle | T. commaculata |
– | Valva straight, on base of even width | 2 |
2 | Sacculus merged with valva | T. acutivalva sp. n. |
– | Sacculus separated from valva | 3 |
3 | Sacculus broader than valva, with inwardly curved tip, uncus longer than tegumen, gnathos trifid apically | T. rukinga sp. n. |
– | Sacculus narrower than valva, straight, uncus shorter than tegumen, gnathos rounded or truncate apically | 4 |
4 | Posteromedial lobe of vinculum about half length of valva, phallus with two cornuti | T. nigrinervis sp. n. |
– | Posteromedial lobe of vinculum shorter than half length of valva, phallus with single cornutus | 5 |
5 | Gnathos of even width | T. nigribasis |
– | Gnathos broadened apically | 6 |
6 | Gnathos sub-triangular, truncated posteriorly | T. brumale sp. n. |
– | Gnathos clavate, rounded posteriorly | T. minimorum sp. n. |
1 | Sternum VIII extremely anteriorly prolonged with a large, medial membranous window | T. objecta |
– | Sternum VIII without anterior projection | 2 |
2 | Ostium distinct | 3 |
– | Ostium indistinct | 5 |
3 | Ostium funnel-shaped, ductus bursae membranous, as long as antrum | T. commaculata |
– | Ostium rounded, ductus bursae shorter than antrum, sclerotized | 4 |
4 | Ostium sub-ovate, with two transverse sclerotized belts, ductus bursae with teeth | T. pundamilia sp. n. |
– | Ostium bursae rounded, with one transverse sclerotized belt, ductus bursae without teeth | T. rukinga sp. n. |
5 | Antrum shorter than half length of the apophysis anterioris | 6 |
– | Antrum longer than half length of the apophysis anterioris | 7 |
6 | Antrum broad, tubular, ductus bursae entirely sclerotized | T. brumale sp. n. |
– | Antrum narrow, funnel-shaped, ductus bursa sclerotized in proximal half | T. minimorum sp. n. |
7 | Ductus bursae with several strongly serrated folds projecting into the corpus bursae | T. nigrinervis sp. n. |
– | Ductus bursa without folds | 8 |
8 | Ductus bursae sclerotized in medial portion, anterior arm of signum truncate | T. nigribasis |
– | Ductus bursae sclerotized in distal half, anterior arm of signum narrowed apically | T. acutivalva sp. n. |
Telphusa commuculata Meyrick, 1921 – Annals of the Transvaal Museum 8 (2): 69
Holotype of T. commaculata, ♀: [Mozambique] “Magude, 11.1910, C.J. Swierstra” | “Telphusa commaculata Meyr., Type Mo. 2517.” | “g. 5544” | “994” (
1 ex. (abdomen missing), [Mozambique] Lour. Marques, xi.3.21, P.E.A. (Hardenberg); 1 ♂, 1 ex. (abdomen missing), [South Africa], Pretoria N., ix. 1949 (G. v. Son) (gen. slide 8408); 1 ♀, Pretoria N., x.1948 (G. van Son) (gen. slide 8406); 2 ♂, Zoutpan, Pta, 4–10.ii.1929 (G.v.Son) (gen. slide 5152; 606/14, O. Bidzilya); 1 ♂, Lower Sabi, 26.iii.1952 (Janse & Vari); 1 ex. (abdomen missing), Lower Sabi, 26.iii.1962 (Janse & Vari) (all
The species is defined by black forewings with white area along dorsal margin and diffuse white spots on 1/3 and 2/3 on costal margin. Externally is nearly indistinguishable from T. rukinga sp. n. and T. pundamilia sp. n. The valva, broadened medially on base, wrinkled and curved inwardly before middle, and the medially displaced sacculus are characteristic for the male genitalia. The female genitalia are distinct by the tubular antrum sub-equal in length with sternum VIII and the apophysis anterioris, together with the funnel-shaped ostium and long arms of the signum.
Adult (Figs
Male genitalia (Fig.
Female genitalia (Fig.
RSA, Mozambique, Zimbabwe.
Adults have been collected from September to November and in February-March.
T. commaculata was described on the basis of one female holotype collected in Magude (Mozambique) and two male paratypes from Inyack Island (Mozambique). Additional specimens associated by Janse with T. commaculata are from Lourenço Marques (Mozambique), Pretoria, Zoutpan and Kruger National Park (RSA). The holotype matches externally both to paratypes and other specimens except for the head and labial palpi that are white in holotype rather than greyish-white. However, the female genitalia of the holotype (gen. slide 5544) do not match the female from Pretoria (gen. slide 8406) that is figured in the original description (
Adult of Tricerophora spp. 1–4. T. commaculata. 1. HT, ♀, Magude (gen. slide 5544). 2. PT, ♂, Inyack Isl. (gen. slide 8617). 3. ♀, Pretoria (gen. slide 8406). 4. Zimbabwe, ♂ (gen. slide 322/07, O. Bidzilya). 5–6. T. nigribasis. 5. HT, ♂, Pentonville (gen. slide 8455). 6. ♂, Brandberg (gen. slide 117/05, O. Bidzilya). 7–8. T. rukinga sp. n. 7. HT, ♂, Rukinga (gen. slide 324/14, O. Bidzilya (= 1542, DJLA)). 8. PT, ♀, Rukinga (gen. slide 325/14, O. Bidzilya (= 1543, DJLA)). 9–10. T. objecta. 9. HT, ♀, Harare. 10. ♀, Kenya, Tschinkolobwe (gen. slide 103/18, O. Bidzilya). Scale bar = 2 mm.
Adult of Tricerophora spp. 11. T. pundamilia sp. n., HT, ♀, Punda Milia (gen. slide 61/15, O. Bidzilya). 12. Tricerophora sp. A, ♂, Wylies Poort (gen. slide 331/14, O. Bidzilya). 13–14. T. brumale sp. n. 13. HT, ♂, Xaragu Camp (gen. slide 106/12, O. Bidzilya). 14. PT, ♀, Xaragu Camp (gen. slide 63/18, O. Bidzilya). 15–16. T. nigrinervis sp. n. 15. HT, ♂, Brandberg (gen. slide 122/05, O. Bidzilya). 16. PT, ♀, Richtersveld (gen. slide 61/18, O. Bidzilya). 17–18. T. acutivalva sp. n. 17. HT, ♂, Imam Sade (gen. slide 47/18, O. Bidzilya). 18. PT, ♂, Imam Sade (gen. slide 1/18, O. Bidzilya). 19–20. T. minimorum sp. n. 19. HT, ♂, Opuwo (gen. slide 361/14, O. Bidzilya). 20. PT, ♀, Varianto (gen. slide 536/14, O. Bidzilya). Scale bar = 2 mm
Male genitalia of Tricerophora spp. 21. T. commaculata, Zimbabwe (gen. slide 322/07, O. Bidzilya). 22. T. nigribasis, Brandberg (gen. slide 117/05, O. Bidzilya). 23. Tricerophora sp., Wylies Poort (gen. slide 331/14, O. Bidzilya). 24. T. rukinga sp. n., HT, Rukinga (gen. slide 324/14, O. Bidzilya (= 1542, DJLA)).
Male genitalia of Tricerophora spp. 25. T. brumale sp. n., HT, Xaragu Camp (gen. slide 106/12, O. Bidzilya). 26. T. acutivalva sp. n., HT, Imam Sade (gen. slide 47/18, O. Bidzilya). 27. T. nigrinervis sp. n., HT, Brandberg (gen. slide 122/05, O. Bidzilya). 28. T. minimorum sp. n., HT, Opuwo (gen. slide 361/14, O. Bidzilya).
Leucophylla nigribasis Janse, 1960 – Moths of South Africa 6 (2): 203
Tricerophora
sp. 1 –
Holotype of L. nigribasis, ♂: [RSA] “Pentonville, 60 m, N.W Vaalwater, 27.ix.1953, Harvey & Rorke” | “Leucophylla nigribasis J., ♂, HOLOTYPE No: 3729.” | “g. 8455” (
1 ♂, 2 ♀, [Namibia], Brandberg, Mason Shelter, 1740 m, 5, 7.iii.2002 (Mey) (gen. slide 117/05♂; 197/12♀, O. Bidzilya); 1 ♀, Brandberg, Hungarob-valley, 17.iii.2001, 1200 m (gen. slide 105/05, O. Bidzilya) (all
The species is easy recognized by light grey forewing with prominent black touch on base of costal margin, distinct black streak in fold and diffuse black spots under costal margin. The male genitalia are defined by parallel-sided gnathos which is sub-equal in length with uncus, in combination with short, slender saccus, slender valva and phallus with basally broadened cornutus. T. nigrinervis sp. n. differs from other congeners by the longer posteromedial lobe of vinculum, longer valva, sacculus and phallus. The comparatively long ductus bursae with a long medially sclerotized portion separated from antrum is diagnostic for T. nigribasis.
Adult (Figs
Male genitalia (Fig.
Female genitalia (Fig.
RSA, Namibia.
Adults have been collected in September-November and March up to 1740 m elevation at the Brandberg (Namibia).
Leucophila nigribasis was described from two males (including the holotype) and one female collected in Pentonville (South Africa, Limpopo) and five females from Abachaus (Namibia).
1 ♂, [RSA] Wylies Poort, 3 m, North, 16.vi.1954 (Janse) (gen. slide 331/14, O. Bidzilya) (
The male genitalia of this single specimen (Fig.
Holotype ♀, [RSA] “Punda Milia, K.N.P. Survey, 1–5.xii.1964, Vari & Potgieter” | “gen. slide 61/15, O. Bidzilya” (
The new species is characterized externally by predominately black forewing with white pattern along dorsal margin and white diffuse spots on 1/3 and 2/3 of costal margin. T. commaculata is very similar, but differs in the white head without black irroration and the dorsal margin of the forewing mottled with black. A sub-ovate ostium with two transverse sclerotized belts and sclerotized anterior margin in combination with very short ductus bursae that bears teeth are characteristic for the female genitalia.
Description. Adult (Fig.
Male genitalia. Unknown.
Female genitalia (Fig.
The species is named after Punda Milia in Kruger National Park, the type locality of the new species.
RSA.
The holotype has been collected in early December.
Holotype ♂, “KENYA: Coast, Rukinga Estate 500 m, S3°42'22" E38°46'34", 14.xi.2012, Agassiz, Beavan & Heckford“ | “gen. slide 324/14 (=1542 DJLA), O. Bidzilya“ (DA). Paratypes. 1 ♂, 1 ♀, same data as for holotype; 1 ♀, same data as for holotype but 11.xi.2012 (Agassiz, Beavan & Heckford) (gen. slide 325/14 (=1543), O. Bidzilya); 1 ♀, KENYA: Coast, Rukinga Estate, same data but 13.xi.2012; 1 ♂, KENYA: Coast, Rukinga Reserve, 520m, 3°35’15.7S, 38°44’29.6E, 21.xi.2010 (Agassiz & Ngugi); 1 ♀, KENYA: Coast, Rukinga Reserve, 520m, 3°35’15.7S, 38°44’29.6E, 23.xi.2010 (Agassiz & Ngugi) (all DA).
The new species is characterized externally by predominately black forewing with white pattern along dorsal margin and white blocks on 1/3 and 2/3 of costal margin. It can hardly be distinguished from T. pundamilia sp. n. and T. commaculata without examination of the genitalia. The male genitalia are very characteristic having a long uncus sub-equal in length with tegumen, a stout sacculus broader than valva and with a pointed, inwardly curved apex as well as the phallus is extremely slender. The rounded, strongly edged ostium with one transverse medial belt, the broad and short antrum, the entirely sclerotized, very short ductus bursae and segment VIII with broad strongly sclerotized anterior margin are characteristic for the female genitalia.
Adult (Figs
Male genitalia (Fig.
Female genitalia (Fig.
The species is named after the Rukinga Estate in Kenya, the type locality of the new species.
Kenya.
Adults have been collected in November.
Telphusa objecta Meyrick, 1921 – Annals of the Transvaal Museum 8 (2): 70
Holotype of T. objecta, ♀: [Zimbabwe] “Salisbury, Rhod., 30.12.’17, A.J.T. Janse” | “Telphusa objecta M., TYPE No: 662.” | “g. 5546” (
1 ♀, [D.R. Congo] Katanya, Tshinkolobwe, 22.viii.1931 (Romieux) (gen. slide 103/18, O. Bidzilya) (
The species is recognizable externally by the paired white triangular spot in the middle of the costal and dorsal margin of the forewing. The female genitalia are very characteristic having broad, extremely anteriorly prolonged sternum VIII with a large, medial membranous window.
Adult (Figs
Male: Unknown.
Female genitalia (Fig.
Zimbabwe, D.R. Congo.
Adults has been collected in December in Zimbabwe and in August in D.R. Congo.
Telphusa objecta was described from the single female holotype collected in Salisbury (Harare), Zimbabwe.
Holotype ♂, “Namibia/Namib, Damaralan, Xaragu Camp, 561 m, 7.viii.2007, GEO-WG84, 14°20'042"E/-20°24'441"S, leg. Dr. C. Wieser, Kärtner Landesmusem” |“gen. slide 106/12, O. Bidzilya“ (KLM). Paratypes: 1 ♀, same data as holotype (gen. slide 63/18, O. Bidzilya) (KLM)
The new species is defined externally by cream-white forewing gradually mottled with black and brown but without distinct black markings and patterns. T. nigrinervis sp. n. differs in the snow-white head without brown scales, more prominent black marking along veins and white area along dorsal margin of the forewing. T. acutivalva differs in the less black-irrorated and narrowed after half length of the forewing. The long and broad saccus, triangular gnathos, comparatively broad valva and triangular cornutus separate T. wieseri sp. n. from the rest of Tricerophora-species. A short antrum in combination with a long ductus bursae, pear-shaped corpus bursae and signum with broad weakly serrated arms are characteristic for the female genitalia.
Adult (Figs
Male genitalia (Fig.
Female genitalia (Fig.
The specific name is derived from Latin “brumalis” –, winter-like, and alludes to the winter activity of the adult.
Namibia.
Adults have been collected in early August.
Tricerophora
sp. 2 –
Holotype ♂, “Namibia, Brandberg, 1100 m, 1.xii.2000, LF, W. Mey | “gen. slide 122/05, O. Bidzilya” (
The new species can be recognized by its relatively small wingspan, snow-white head and thorax and contrast blackish-white forewing distinctly mottled with black mainly along veins and fold. T. brumale sp. n. and T. acutivalva sp. n. differ in more extensive black irroration on the head, thorax and forewing and less distinct (by T. brumale sp. n.) black pattern along veins. The long phallus with two cornuti in combination with long posteromedial lobe of vinculum and comparatively short and broad gnathos are characteristic for the male genitalia. The female genitalia are defined by the long ductus bursae with sclerotized serrated folds, corpus bursae with posterolateral accessory bursa and short arms of the signum.
Adult (Figs
Male genitalia (Fig.
Female genitalia (Fig.
The specific name is derived from Latin “niger” – black and “nervus” – vein, reflecting the characteristic forewing pattern of the new species.
Namibia, RSA.
Adults have been collected in August, October, December and February up to 1100 m elevation at the Brandberg (Namibia).
Holotype ♂, [Iran], “S-Iran, Strasse Shiraz-Kazerun, Imam Sade, 1200 m, 3.vi.1969, H.G. Amsel leg.” | “gen. slide 47/18, O. Bidzilya“ (
The new species is defined externally by the forewing narrowed in distal half and less extensive black pattern contrary to the other blackish-white Tricerophora-species. T. brumale sp. n. is more strongly black-irrorated and the forewings are not narrowed in distal half. The apically acute valva with merged sacculus and broad sub-triangular saccus are characteristic for the male genitalia. The female genitalia are distinct by sternum VIII broadly sclerotized laterally in combination with long and broad ductus bursae which is sclerotized in distal half only.
Adult (Figs
Male genitalia (Fig.
Female genitalia (Fig.
The specific name is derived from Latin “acutus” – sharp, and “valva” – clasper, referring the apically pointed valva of the new species.
Iran.
Adults have been collected in early June.
Holotype ♂, ”Namibia, Opuwo, Op. County Hotel, 2.ix.2012, 1237 m, W. Mey“ | “gen. slide 361/14, O. Bidzilya“ (
The species is unmistakable separated from rest of Tricerophora species by its exceptionally small size and uniformly coloured yellowish-white forewing. The male genitalia are defined by the saccus that is about as long as the length of valva, the uncus that is as long as gnathos and a very short cornutus in the phallus. T. pundamilia sp. n. is somewhat similar but the saccus is about half the length of valva. The long apophysis anterioris and ductus bursae equally divided in sclerotized and membranous halves are characteristic for the female genitalia.
Adult (Figs
Male genitalia (Fig.
Female genitalia (Fig.
The specific name refers to the small size of the new species.
Namibia.
Adults have been collected in September and March.
We are thankful to Martin Krüger (
The visits of the first author to
We are thankful to the editor of DEZ and two reviewers, who made constructive suggestions to improve the manuscript. Authors acknowledge the