Prophylactis jasperae Hilton, Young, Milla & Kallies, 2025

5.4.4.1. Prophylactis jasperae Hilton, Young, Milla & Kallies sp. nov.

Figures 11 C, D View Figure 11 , 15 D, S 1 N, S 3 E View Figure 15

Description.

Metallic grey-beige heliozelids (Fig. 11 C, D View Figure 11 ). Wingspan 7-8 mm (7.6 ± 0.5 mm, n = 4) in females and 6.5-7.5 mm (6.8 ± 0.4 mm, n = 8) in males. — Head: Grey-beige. Eyes dark red. — Thorax: Beige. — Forewings: Dorsal surface grey-beige with slight silver and gold sheen; ventral surface grey-brown. — Hindwings: Dorsal surface grey-brown, darker than forewing; ventral surface silver-grey; males without androconial brush. — Abdomen: Females grey-brown dorsally, males brown-grey. In females, abdomen modified to form a narrow pollen-collecting structure (Fig. S 1 N) that is approximately four times as long as wide; inner surface of structure with spines which trap pollen. — Male genitalia (Fig. 15 D View Figure 15 ). Tegumen trapezoid, uncus strongly reduced to a tiny nodule underneath the tegumen; gnathos absent. Pectinifer small, less than 1 / 5 of valva length; pecten with 15 long sensilla. Transtilla without obvious medial projection plate, lateral arms bi-spinose. Juxta elongate and tube-like, with smooth and rounded basal margin, terminal area tapered. Phallus about same length as vinculum, basal area strongly enlarged, apex forming an elongate spine.

Diagnosis.

Prophylactis jasperae sp. nov. is one of two species of Prophylactis associated with B. octandra - both pollinators. Male P. jasperae sp. nov. can be distinguished from the other B. octandra pollinator, P. octandrallax sp. nov., by the absence of the androconial brush. Females can be distinguished from P. octandrallax sp. nov. by the shape of the pollen-collecting structure which is wider anteriorly.

Etymology.

Named in honour of Rosemary Jasper, who with husband Ron Richards, showed us great hospitality, generously shared her knowledge of local plants and allowed us to use their home in Ravensthorpe as a base for several months while observing and collecting this and other species. The name P. jasperae should be treated as a noun in the genitive case.

Distribution and Biology.

Prophylactis jasperae sp. nov. has been found on Boronia octandra in July and August around Ravensthorpe where it is sympatric with P. octandrallax sp. nov. (Fig. S 3 E). The hostplant grows in loam in a limited range from Gnowangerup to Ravensthorpe ( Duretto et al. 2013).

Material examined.

All specimens were swept from Boronia octandra . — Holotype: ♀ ( MMP 005388 in molecular phylogeny, Fig. 11 D View Figure 11 ) “ 18 July 2015, - 33.61947 °, 120.05178 °, Verge of Moir Rd, 4.3 km S of Ravensthorpe , WA, L Milla & DA Young ” | “ On Boronia octandra ” | “ Holotype ♀, Prophylactis jasperae sp. nov., Hilton et al. 2025 ” | “ MMP 005388 ” ( WAM) . — Paratypes (4 ♀♀, 6 ♂♂): Same data as holotype except 17 / 07 / 2015 (1 ♂); same data as holotype (2 ♂♂); same data as holotype except 06 / 08 / 2015 (1 ♂); same data as holotype except 12 / 08 / 2015 (1 ♂); - 33.45306 ° 120.09889 °, Along Edge of Woodenup Rd, 14 km NNE of Ravensthorpe, 11 / 08 / 2015, L Milla & DA Young (1 ♂, genitalia slide AK 923, MMP 5902 photographed); same data except 15 / 08 / 2015 (4 ♀♀).