Prophylactis strictallax Hilton, Young, Halsey & Kallies, 2025

5.4.1.2. Prophylactis strictallax Hilton, Young, Halsey & Kallies sp. nov.

Figures 8 C, D View Figure 8 , 12 B View Figure 12 , 14 B, S 1 B, S 2 C View Figure 14

Description.

Metallic beige heliozelids (Fig. 8 C, D View Figure 8 ). Wingspan 7.5-8.5 mm (8.3 ± 0.3 mm n = 10) in females and 7.5-8.0 mm (7.7 ± 0.3 mm, n = 3) in males. — Head: Beige-gold with copper sheen in some light. Eyes bright red. — Thorax: Beige with deep golden sheen, metathorax dark grey-brown. — Forewings: Dorsal surface metallic light beige with silver sheen in some light, areas of deep gold along the costa and at the base; ventral surface brown. Hindwings: Dorsal surface light brown, darker than forewing; ventral surface silver-grey. Males with a prominent beige-gold androconial brush. — Abdomen: Brown dorsally, cream ventrally. In females, abdomen modified to form a V-shaped pollen-collecting structure approximately twice as long as wide (Figs 12 B View Figure 12 , S 1 B). Inner surface covered by scales that project medially and dorsally meeting at the midline to which pollen attaches. — Male genitalia (Fig. 14 B View Figure 14 ). Tegumen transverse, weakly emarginate at the apex, posterior angle rounded; uncus narrow, only 1 / 4 of tegumen width, terminal margin weakly tapered; gnathos absent. Pectinifer about 1 / 4 of valva length, pecten covered with 15 short, blunt, comb-like sensilla. Juxta near spear-shaped with apical 2 / 3 forming an elongate, concave triangular cone, while basal 1 / 3 sharp arrow-like. Phallus apex forming a well-sclerotised hook; phallocrypt with a pair of sharp subapical spines pointing cephalad. Phallus basal area moderately enlarged, spoon-like.

Diagnosis.

Prophylactis strictallax sp. nov. is distinguished from all other Prophylactis species by the deep gold colour of the basal part of the forewing costa. Further, no other Prophylactis species has been found associated with Boronia stricta Bartl.

Etymology.

The species name is a combination of its hostplant species name “ stricta ” and the suffix “ - allax ”.

Distribution and Biology.

Prophylactis strictallax sp. nov. was found in the Windy Harbour and Walpole areas (Fig. S 2 C) from mid-August to early October. It is tightly associated with Boronia stricta , which grows in seasonal swamps ( Duretto et al. 2013) from Mt Manypeaks west to Margaret River and north to the Stirling Ranges. Further study is required to properly assess the distribution of P. strictallax sp. nov. and its precise relationship with its hostplant.

Material examined.

All specimens were swept from Boronia stricta . — Holotype: ♀ ( MMP 005405 in molecular phylogeny, Fig. 8 D View Figure 8 ). “ 19 August 2014, - 34.98100 ° 116.73917 ° Coalmine Beach Track, Walpole , WA, DA Young ” | “ On Boronia stricta ” | “ Holotype ♀, Prophylactis strictallax sp. nov., Hilton et al. 2025 ” | “ MMP 005405 ” ( WAM) . — Paratypes ( 39 ♀♀, 3 ♂♂): - 34.95800 ° 116.69167 °, 15 km NW Walpole, 20 / 09 / 2011, MF Halsey & DA Young ( 10 ♀♀, ANIC gen. prep. 6609 = HLZ 592); - 34.95950 ° 116.60117 °, Railway Parade, off SW Hwy, 10 k ENE Walpole, Frankland South NP, 16 / 09 / 2013, MF Halsey & DA Young ( 19 ♀♀, 1 ♂); - 34.91987 ° 116.57463 °, Railway Parade, off SW Hwy, 10 k ENE Walpole, Frankland South NP, 19 / 08 / 2014, DA Young ( 6 ♀♀, 1 ♂); same data as holotype ( 3 ♀♀, 1 ♂, MMP 005406 in molecular phylogeny, genitalia slide AK 916); - 34.78166 ° 116.07333 °, Windy Harbour Rd, 7 km E of Windy Harbour, 03 / 10 / 2014, DA Young ( 1 ♀).