Brachinepticula colombica Remeikis, Mey & Stonis, 2023

Brachinepticula colombica Remeikis, Mey & Stonis , sp. nov.

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( Figs 4, 5 View FIGURES 1–5 , 23–29 View FIGURES 23–29 , 48 View FIGURES 48, 49 )

Type material. Holotype: ♀, COLOMBIA, Cundinamarca, Fómeque, Finca La Laja (near Parque Ecológico Matarredonda , Páramo de Cruz Verde ), 04°34.181’N, 073°49.577’W, 29–31.i.2017, Wolfram Mey , genitalia slide no. RA1101 ( MfN / ICN). GoogleMaps

Diagnosis. In the female genitalia, the shape of the modified anterior processes and presence of vaginal sclerites indicate the belonging of this species to Brachinepticula . From the congeneric species, B. colombica sp. nov. differs by a distinctive golden shiny fascia on a grey-brown forewing with purple iridescence. The unusual shape of vaginal sclerites in the female genitalia might also be highly diagnostic.

Male. Unknown.

Female ( Figs 23–25 View FIGURES 23–29 ). Forewing length about 3.1 mm; wingspan about 6.8 mm. Head: palpi and frons greybrown to blackish brown; frontal ochreous orange; collar distinctive, comprised of rather slender lamellar scales, greyish brown, golden glossy; scape large, golden shiny; antenna slightly longer than half of the length of forewing; flagellum grey-brown, distal 1/5 (8–9 segments) cream. Thorax, tegula and forewing greyish brown, golden glossy, with purple iridescence. Fascia of forewing slightly postmedian, golden shiny; fringe greyish brown; underside of forewing greyish brown, slightly golden glossy, with strong purple iridescence, without spots or androconia. Hindwing relatively wide, grey-brown on upper side and underside, without spots or androconia; its fringe greyish brown. Legs greyish brown. Abdomen grey-brown, golden glossy, with purple iridescence; anal tufts absent (or rubbed).

Female genitalia ( Figs 26–29 View FIGURES 23–29 ). Total length about 575 μm. Anterior apophyses lobe-like, significantly shorter than posterior apophyses. Genitalia with two short but rather complex vaginal sclerites ( Figs 26, 27 View FIGURES 23–29 ). Corpus bursae small, oval-shaped; signum or pectinations absent. Accessory sac distinctly rounded, weakly folded; ductus spermathecae chitinized in proximal part, with about 2.5 coils. Abdominal tip very wide, rounded.

Bionomics. Adults fly in January. Otherwise, biology is unknown.

Distribution ( Figs 4, 5 View FIGURES 1–5 , 48 View FIGURES 48, 49 ). This species occurs in Colombia in Northern Andean Páramo ( Cundinamarca), at an elevation about 3,200 m.

Etymology. This species is named after the country, Colombia.