Agdistis surkovae Kovtunovich et Ustjuzhanin, 2024

Agdistis surkovae Kovtunovich et Ustjuzhanin sp.n.

Figs 3–6 View Figs 3–6 .

TYPE MATERIAL: Holotype , ♂, ( ZISP, gen.pr. Nr 2002) Rep. S. Africa , Free State, Northern Cape, 5 km SE Springbok, Koperberg farm, 29°42'S 017°42'E, h 760 m, 1–3. IX. 2019, leg. Kovtunovich GoogleMaps V. & Udovichenko P .; Paratypes, 14 ex. ( ZISP, CUK), same locality as holotype, 1–3.IX.2019 ; 1 ♂, 1 ♀, ZISP, gen.pr. Nrs 2003, 2004), 8–10.IX.2017 ; 4 ♂♂, 1 ♀, CUK, 8–10.IX.2017, leg. Kovtunovich V. & Udovichenko P .

DESCRIPTION. External characters ( Figs 3–4 View Figs 3–6 ). Head and thorax with ash-grey scales. Labial palpi short, wide, equal to longitudinal eye diameter in length. Wingspan 26–32 mm, holotype — 31 mm. Fore wings brown-grey. Two black spots obliquely located in distal portion of wing, parallel to its outer margin. Two more black spots in centre and closer to wing base. Central spot slightly elongated, basal spot more rounded. Hind wings light-grey, basally with portion of black hairs. Anal margin of hind wing noticeably darker than basic background. Fringe light-grey. Hindlegs grey-brown with slightly lighter tarsus.

Male genitalia ( Fig. 5 View Figs 3–6 ). Valves slightly asymmetric. Costal process on left valve has robust brush-like plate with serrated outer edge; similar but significantly smaller plate on right valve. Distal portion of valves noticeably more narrow (in

How to cite this article: Kovtunovich V.N., Ustjuzhanin P.Ya. 2024. New species of the genus Agdistis Hübner, [1825] ( Lepidoptera : Pterophoridae ) from South Africa // Russian Entomol. J. Vol.33. No.3. P.383–386. doi: 10.15298/ rusentj.33.3.10

comparison with basal portion). Apex of left valve obtusely rounded, apex of right valve slightly narrowing. Uncut narrowing and forked on top. Sternum VIII with oval cut. Lobes of sternum VIII quite thin and long. Aedeagus distally smoothly bent.

Female genitalia ( Fig. 6 View Figs 3–6 ). Papillae anales wide-oval. Apophyses posteriores thin and short, slightly longer than papillae anales. Apophyses anteriores quite long and thick. Lamina antevaginalis wide, with small triangular notch on top. Lamina postvaginalis of sternum VII shaped as two wide rectangular lobes. Antrum wide, glass-like. Ductus relatively wide and short. Bursa copulatrix large, oval.

DIAGNOSIS. In the male genitalia, in the shape of the aedeagus and the costal process on the left valve, the new species is closest to Agdistis vansoni Kovtunovich et Ustjuzhanin, 2015 , from which it differs in the special shape of the uncus, peculiar structure of the right valve and its costal process. In the female genitalia, in the antevaginalis lamina shape, it is similar to Agdistis krooni Kovtunovich et Ustjuzhanin, 2009 , but differs in the anterior apophyses, special shape of the antrum and the narrow ductus.

DISTRIBUTION. South Africa: Northern Cape.

Flight period: September – October

ETYMOLOGY. The species is named after Irina Surkova (Moscow, Russia), the wife of the entomologist Pavel Udovichenko, who was a participant of the expedition in South Africa where the new species was found.