Phragmataecia ignota Japaridze, Makharadze, Seropian, 2025

Phragmataecia ignota Japaridze, Makharadze, Seropian , sp. nov.

urn:lsid:zoobank.org:act:

( Figs 24 View FIGURES 24–25 , 39–42 View FIGURES 39–42 )

Type material. Holotype ♂; Kakheti, Dedoplistskaro Mun., Vashlovani NP; N41.1183°, E46.6405°; 114 m a.s.l.; leg. L-G Japaridze; 26 May 2025; gen. prep. LG35 JLGT GoogleMaps • Paratypes 1♂; Idem; 12♂; Kakheti, Dedoplistskaro Mun., Vashlovani NP, N41.1183°, E46.6405°, 114 m a.s.l., leg. J. Junnilainen; 26 June 2022, JLGT & JJHF GoogleMaps ; 1♂; Kakheti, Dedoplistskaro Mun., Vashlovani NP, N41.1183°, E46.6405°, 114 m a.s.l., leg. J. Junnilainen; 21 June 2022, JJHF GoogleMaps ; 2♂; Kakheti, Dedoplistskaro Mun., Vashlovani NP, N41.1183°, E46.6405°, 114 m a.s.l., leg. J. Junnilainen;, 24 June 2022, JJHF GoogleMaps ; 1♂; Mijniskure , leg. A. & L. Vähätalo, 25 June 2023, VLHF ; 1♂; Mijniskure , leg. A. & L. Vähätalo, 4–5 July 2023, VLHF ; 1♂; Mijniskure , leg. A. & L. Vähätalo, 14 June 2024, VLHF ; 1♂; Mijniskure , leg. A. & L. Vähätalo, 15 Jume 2024, VLHF ; 1♂; Mijniskure , leg. A. & L. Vähätalo, 17 June 2024, VLHF ; 2♂ Chachuna MR, Dalis Mta Reservoir; 21 June 2021, JLGT (CaBOL-IDs 1038589, 1038590).

Barcoding. We obtained two identical sequences from the specimens with CaBOL-IDs 1038589, 1038590 ( BOLD:ADM7968), with the best match in BOLD Systems being unidentified Zeuzerinae from David Gareji (Georgia) ( BOLD:ADM7968, p -distance 0.16%), presumably belonging to the herein described species. The second-best match was unidentified Phragmataecia from Taiwan ( BOLD:AAY5999, p -distance 5.78%).

Diagnosis. By the conformation of genitalia, the males of the new species are closest to P. valikhanovi Yakovlev & Witt, 2016 from Kazakhstan, from which they differ by the absence of black scales on the ventral side of both the forewings and hindwings and overall darker coloration on the dorsal side and sharper apex of valvae and stronger curve of aedeagus. ( Figs 24 View FIGURES 24–25 , 39–42 View FIGURES 39–42 ; cf. Yakovlev & Witt 2016: figs. 1–4, figs 10–11). From those of occurring in the Caucasus congeners as follows: from P. castaneae by the absence of wing pattern, presence of longitudinal series of tiny dark points between veins medially, shorter uncus, and sharper saccus ( Figs 24 View FIGURES 24–25 , 39, 40 View FIGURES 39–42 ; cf. Yakovlev & Snegovaya 2020: fig. 2b); from P. effendi Yakovlev & Snegovaya, 2020 , by sharper apex, thinner valvae, and differently shaped aedeagus ( Figs 39–42 View FIGURES 39–42 ; cf. Yakovlev & Snegovaya 2020: fig. 2a); from P. pacifica Yakovlev, 2007 , by relatively straight aedeagus and straighter posterior margin of valvae ( Figs 39–42 View FIGURES 39–42 ; cf. Yakovlev 2007a: figs 9; Yakovlev & Witt, 2016: fig. 9); from newly described P. durska Saldaitis, Yakovlev & Prozorov, 2025 by straighter aedeagus and narrower valvae ( Figs 39–42 View FIGURES 39–42 ; cf. Saldaitis et al. 2025: figs 18–19).

Description. Male ( Fig. 24 View FIGURES 24–25 ). Wingspan 40 mm. Antennae 1/3 of the length of the forewing; rami gradually elongate in basal third of antennae, rapidly shorten in distal half of medial thirds of antennae, and barely pronounced until the tip; flagellum and rami covered with white-brounish scales. Head, thorax, and abdomen densely hirsute, brown-greish. Forewing 17.5 mm; narrow, long, with protruded obtuse anal and tornal angles, rounded apex; brown-greish coloured with sparse blackish scales. Hindwing triangular; rounded anal angle and apex; light brow-whitish colour, lighter in the basal costal area. Genitalia as in Figs 39–42 View FIGURES 39–42 . Uncus triangular with lateral concavities; apex blunt, beak-shaped, sclerotised. Tegumen narrow, concave. Vinculum narrow, ventrally expands into triangular saccus with round apex. Valva dorsally straight, concave near sacculus; apex sharp. Aedeagus slightly longer than valvae slightly curved in medium third.

Female unknown.

Pupae ( Fig. 53 View FIGURES 50–54 ). Length 20 mm, width 4 mm; brown.

Variation. Males (n=6). Wingspan 38–52 mm. Forewing 17–24 mm.

Etymology. From Latin “ ignotus ” meaning “unnoticed”, alluding to the species being previously overlooked.

Habitat. All specimens were collected along riverbanks abundant with Phragmites australis (Cav.) Trin. ex Steud. ( Fig. 49 View FIGURES 47–49 ).

Distribution. Above-mentioned localities only ( Fig. 43 View FIGURES 43–46 ).

Remarks. During the May 2025 expedition to the species’ type locality, numerous Phragmites stems were collected, yielding a single pupa, found near the base of the stem ( Fig. 53 View FIGURES 50–54 ). It was notably active, moving up and down using abdominal contractions. The eggs and larval stages of this species remain unknown.