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Introduction
Paraplatyptilia Bigot & Picard, 1986 has
its main distribution in the nearctic and
eastern palaearctic region (Barnes &
Lindsey 1921, Bigot & Picard 1986,
Gielis 2003). Recently, from both areas
material has become available for study.
It is in this material, collected in the
nearctic area, that species were discov-
ered which appeared to be undescribed.
A comparison of the material available
with the type specimens of described
species has been undertaken.
Recently, Bernard Landry (Geneva)
and me prepared a manuscript of a Para-
platyptilia species, which occurs in the
eastern parts of Canada, and belongs to
the species-complex of Paraplatyptilia
auriga (Barnes & Lindsey, 1921). In this
study we have checked the material at
our disposal from the species complex
from North America. Furthermore, we
have asked Reed Watkins and John
Brown (USNM, Washington) to check
the collection at their disposal, and
Bernard Landry has informed me that
no additional species have been found
among the P. auriga specimens in the
collection of the CNC (Ottawa). How-
ever, in the material I have at my dispos-
Cees Gielis, Additions to the species complex Paraplatyptilia auriga in the USA
3
Additions to the species complex Paraplatyptilia auriga
(Barnes & Lindsey, 1921) in the USA (Lepidoptera: Pterophoridae)
Cees Gielis
Historie), Leiden, The Netherlands;
USNM – United States National Museum,
Washington, D.C., USA; VA – Dr. Vale-
riu Albu, Fresno, California, USA.
Description of new species
Paraplatyptilia albui sp. nov.
(Figs 1, 5, 6)
Holotype. ´, “U.S.A., Colorado, Clear
Creek Co, Echo Lake, 12.VII.2005, leg. V.
Albu / gent. CG 5469“ (coll. VA).
Etymology. The name refers to the col-
lector Dr. Valeriu Albu, Fresno, Califor-
nia, to honour his work on Microlepido-
ptera.
Description. Female (Fig 1). Wingspan.
18 mm. Head appressedly scaled, grey-
brown. Palps grey-brown, protruding,
twice eye diameter. Antennae shortly
ciliated; on upperside blocked grey-
white and dark brown. Thorax and te-
gulae grey-brown. Legs longitudinally
marked grey-white and dark brown;
hindlegs with two pairs of spurs of equal
length.
Forewings cleft from three-fourth, pale
ochreous-brown; markings dark brown;
with a dorsal spot at the one-fifth a discal
spot, a costal triangular spot just before
the base of the cleft, a broad transverse
band in the first lobe, and a terminal
darkening in both lobes; a subterminal
white line in the first lobe which con-
tinues as a white-ochreous line in the
second lobe. Fringes grey-white; termi-
nally on both lobes with a continuous
row of dark brown scales, dark black-
brown brushes at the apex, the first and
second lobe and the anal angle of the
first lobe; an indistinct scale tooth at
dorsum at four-fifth. Underside pale
brown, with subterminal white mark-
ings as above.
Hindwings and fringes grey-brown. At
mid-dorsum of the third lobe a single
pronounced scale. Underside grey-brown.
Abstract. Studying the species com-
plex Paraplatyptilia auriga (Barnes &
Lindsey, 1921) from the USA revealed
the presence of four hitherto unde-
scribed species: Paraplatyptilia albui
sp. nov., P. glacialis sp. nov., P. sabouri-
ni sp. nov., and P. watkinsi sp.nov. The
new species are described and the
adults and genital structures are illus-
trated. A short discussion is given to
separate them from other species in
the complex.
Zusammenfassung. Während der
Studien der Arten-Gruppe Paraplatyp-
tilia auriga (Barnes & Lindsey, 1921)
wurden vier bisher noch nicht be-
schriebene Arten entdeckt: Paraplatyp-
tilia albui sp. nov., P. glacialis sp. nov.,
P. sabourini sp. nov., und P. watkinsi
sp. nov. Die Arten werden beschrieben
und die Imagines und ihre Genital-
strukturen abgebildet. Eine kurze Dis-
kussion beleuchtet die Merkmale zur
Unterscheidung von den anderen Ar-
ten des Komplexes.
Key words. Lepidoptera, Pterophoridae, Paraplatyptilia, Nearctic Region, new
species.
al from the USA, I found, among speci-
mens collected by Valeriu Albu (Fresno,
California) and Michael Sabourin
(Peacham Hollow, Vermont), four fur-
ther hitherto undescribed species. Two of
these species, P. sabourini sp. nov. and P.
Watkinsi sp. nov., occur in the eastern
states of the USA, and two in the Rocky
mountains, P. albui sp. nov. from Colora-
do, and P. glacialis sp. nov. from Montana.
In Paraplatyptilia the genital characteris-
tics in the females give the best indica-
tions to distinguish the species. It is for
this reason that I describe these species
mainly based on females and the female
genital structures. The type specimens
presently in the collection of Dr. Albu
will be deposited in the USNM
(Washington), the author’s collection is
part of the RMNH (Leiden).
Abbreviations
CG – Dr. Cees Gielis, Lexmond, The
Netherlands; CNC – Canadian National
Collection, Ottawa, Canada; Co – county;
gent – Genitalia slide; RMNH – Nationaal
Natuurhistorisch Museum “Naturalis”
(formerly Rijksmuseum voor Natuurlijke
Venous scales ferruginous, in a double
row, the costal row the longer, extending
into the second lobe.
Female genitalia (Figs 5, 6). Ostium posi-
tioned right off centre. Antrum slightly
conical, twice longer than wide. Ductus
bursae slender, two and a half times
antrum, with a long sclerite. Bursa copu-
latrix vesicular, with a pair of horn-like,
rather stout, signa. Lamina antevaginalis
with a central narrow waved sclerotisa-
tion. Lamina postvaginalis broad and
wide, progressing into the apophyses
anteriores. Apophyses posteriores slen-
der, four times the papillae anales.
Male. Unknown.
Diagnosis. The female genital structure
is closely resembling that of P. albidus
(Walsingham, 1880), but differs by the
more parallel margins of the antrum, the
less oblique ostium, and the lobated lam-
ina postvaginalis.
Ecology. The moth flies in July. The host-
plant is unknown.
Distribution. USA, Colorado.
Paraplatyptilia glacialis sp. nov.
(Figs 2, 7, 10)
Holotype. ´, “U.S.A., Montana, Glacier
Co, St. Mary, 9-13.VII.2006, leg. V. Albu /
gent. CG 5626“ (coll. VA).
Paratype. `, same data as holotype /gent. CG
5609 (coll. CG).
Etymology. The name reflects the glaciers
in the area where the species was collected.
Entomologische Zeitschrift · Stuttgart · 118 (1) 2008
4
Figs 1–4. Adults. 1. Paraplatyptilia albui sp. nov., holotype, gent. CG 5469. 2. Paraplatyptilia glacialis sp. nov., holotype, gent. CG 5626. 3. Paraplatyptilia
sabourini sp. nov., paratype. 4. Paraplatyptilia watkinsi sp. nov., paratype.
12
34
Figs 5–6. Female
genitalia (ventral view)
of Paraplatyptilia albui
sp. nov. 5. holotype,
gent. CG 5469. 6. Detail
of Fig. 8.
56
Description. Male, female (Fig. 2). Wing-
span. 15–17 mm. Head appressedly scal-
ed, grey-brown. Palps grey-brown, pro-
truding, one and a half times eye dia-
meter. Antennae shortly ciliated, blocked
with pale greyish and brown scales.
Thorax and tegulae pale grey-brown.
Legs grey-brown. Hindlegs with two
pairs of spurs of equal length.
Forewings cleft from two-third, grey-
brown. Markings dark brown: a dorsal
spot at one-fifth, a discal spot, a costal
triangular spot just before the base of the
cleft, in both lobes terminally slightly
darkening; and a subterminal white line
in the first lobe and a white dash termi-
nally from the costal triangular spot.
Fringes not examined in the type speci-
mens. Underside grey-brown, with white
spots as above.
Hindwings and fringes grey-brown. Under-
side grey-brown, the first lobe with a
white tip and the third lobe almost entire-
ly white. Venous scales dark ferruginous,
in a double row, the costal row the longer.
Male genitalia (Fig. 7). Valves symmetri-
cal. Saccular half mildly angulated at
ventrical margin. Cucullus with curved
extension, with rounded tip. Tegumen
arched. Uncus as long as tegumen, with
spatulate tip. Anellus arms stout, two-
third of tegumen length. Juxta arched.
Saccus blunt. Aedeagus arched, with a
small sclerotisation near tip; coecum small.
Female genitalia (Fig. 10). Ostium right
lateral. Antrum conical, twice longer than
ostium. Ductus bursae rather wide, with
a sclerite over half the length. Bursa cop-
ulatrix vesicular with a pair of horn-like
signa. Lamina antevaginalis arched, with
two bulges, giving it a wavy appearance.
Lamina postvaginalis with two large al-
most triangular bulges, progressing into
the slender apophyses anteriores. Apo-
physes posteriores slender, three times
papillae anales.
Diagnosis. In the female genitalia the spe-
cies resembles P. edwardsii (Fish, 1881),
but differs in the larger antrum, the
smaller and narrower lamina postvagi-
nalis, and the wide separation between
the lobes of the lamina antevaginalis.
Ecology. The moth flies in July. The host-
plant is unknown.
Distribution. USA: Montana.
Paraplatyptilia sabourini sp. nov.
(Figs 3, 8, 11)
Holotype. ´, “U.S.A., Wisconsin, Burnett
Co., 21.V.1999, leg. M. Sabourin / gent.
CG 5598“ (coll. CG).
Paratypes. 1´, “U.S.A., Wisconsin, Burnett Co.,
12.VI.2002, leg. M. Sabourin /Fish Lake WMA,
T38N R19W, sec. 31,32“; 1 `, “U.S.A., Wiscon-
sin, Burnett Co., 8.VI.2002, leg. M. Sabourin”
“T38N R19W, sec. 18 /gent. CG 5650” (coll. CG).
Etymology. The species is named after an
excellent microlepidopterist, Dr. Michael
Sabourin, to honour his intensive field
work on Microlepidoptera of the U.S.A.
Description. Male, female (Fig. 3). Wing-
span. 19–21 mm. Head appressedly scal-
ed, grey-brown. Palps protruding, twice
eye diameter, grey-brown. Head be-
tween the base of the antennae paler.
Antennae shortly ciliated, ringed grey-
white and grey-brown. Thorax and tegu-
lae grey-brown. Mesothorax ochreous
grey-white. Abdomen grey-brown, with
dorsally three pairs of small ochreous
spots. Legs brown-grey. Hind legs with
two pairs of spurs of equal length, the
proximal pair longer than the distal.
Forewings cleft from two-third, ochre-
ous-brown. Markings dark brown; a spot
near the dorsum at one-fifth; a small dis-
cal spot; a triangular spot just before the
base of the cleft, which does not reach
the costa; a dark field between the trian-
gular spot and the costa, paler than the
spot; a small longitudinal triangular spot
in the first lobe, before the white subter-
minal line; and a darkening at the costa
of the first lobe before the white subter-
minal line. A white subterminal line, dis-
tinct in the first lobe, and pale in the sec-
Cees Gielis, Additions to the species complex Paraplatyptilia auriga in the USA
5
Figs 7–9. Male genitalia
(ventral view with
aedeagus separated).
7. Paraplatyptilia
glacialis sp. nov., para-
type, gent. CG 5609.
8. Paraplatyptilia sabou-
rini sp. nov., paratype,
gent. CG 5650.
8. Paraplatyptilia wat-
kinsi sp. nov., paratype,
gent. CG 5649.
7
8
9
ond lobe. Termen of first lobe sinuate, in
second lobe smoothly rounded. Fringes
grey, with a continuous basal row of
scales at the termen, and a small scale
tooth at the dorsum at two-third. Under-
side ochreous-brown, paler in the lobes,
and with a distinct white subterminal line
in both lobes.
Hindwing lobes one and two brown, lobe
three ochreous-brown. Fringes grey. At
the dorsum of the third lobe an indistinct
row of dark scales, and a terminal small
scale tooth. Underside grey-brown, with
a white subterminal line in the first lobe.
Venous scales dark ferruginous, in a dou-
ble row, the costal row the longer.
Male genitalia (Fig. 8). Valves symmetri-
cal. Sacculus basally wide and rather
smoothly angulated, distally narrow,
ending in a blunt tip. Cucullus with
curved extention, with blunt tip. Tegu-
men simple. Uncus almost tubular, with
blunt tip. Juxta with sclerotized arch.
Anellus arms slender. Saccus basally
arched; triangular in shape. Aedeagus
curved, with a sclerotized patch dorsally
near the tip; coecum with waved shape.
Female genitalia (Fig. 11). Ostium posi-
tioned right off centre, oblique. Antrum
funnel-like, one and a half times longer
than the width of the ostium. Lamina
antevaginalis centrally with a triangular
sclerite, which has sclerotised lateral
extensions and an indented tip. Lamina
postvaginalis in a sclerotized ridge, cen-
trally with a waved shape, and progress-
ing into the long and slender apophyses
anteriores.
Diagnosis. In the female genitalia the
species resembles P. edwardsii (Fish,
1881), but differs in the larger and longer
antrum, the longer and narrower left
part of the lamina postvaginalis, and the
triangular shape and small indentation
in the tip of the lobe of the lamina ante-
vaginalis.
Ecology. The moth flies in May and June.
The hostplant is unknown.
Distribution. USA: Wisconsin.
Paraplatyptilia watkinsi sp. nov.
(Figs 4, 9, 12)
Holotype. ´, “U.S.A., Wisconsin, Burnett
Co., Crex Meadow, 23.VI.2002, leg. M.
Sabourin / gent. CG 5599“ (coll. CG).
Paratypes. 1´, “Same data as holotype /gent.
CG 5597“; 1 `, Same locality, 26.V.1999, leg. M.
Sabourin /gent. CG 5649; 2`, 1´, Same locali-
ty, 30.V.1999, 22.VI.2002, 1.VIII.1999, leg. M.
Sabourin; 6 `, 1´, U.S.A., Missouri, Barton Co.,
Clinton Prairie, 18.VI.1996. leg M. Sabourin;
2`, U.S.A., Michigan, Cass Co., 1.X.1995, 9.X.
1999, leg. J. Vargo; 1 `, U.S.A., Vermont, Cale-
donia Co., Peacham Hollow, 23.V.2003, leg. M.
Sabourin” (all in coll. CG).
Etymology. The species is named after
Mr. Reed A. Watkins, to honour his work
on the Pterophoridae of the nearctic
region.
Description. Male, female (Fig. 4). Wing-
span. 17–21 mm. Head appressedly scal-
ed, pale grey-brown. Palps slender, pale
grey-brown, protruding, twice eye diam-
eter. Antennae shortly ciliated, faintly
ringed grey-brown and pale brown. Tho-
rax and tegulae pale grey-brown. Meso-
thorax grey-white. Abdomen grey-brown.
Legs grey-brown, tarsal segments paler.
Hindlegs with two pairs of spurs of equal
length, the proximal pair longer than the
distal pair.
Forewing cleft from the seven-tenth,
grey-brown. Markings dark brown, a
spot at the dorsum at one-fifth; a discal
spot; a triangular spot just before the
base of the cleft, the terminal margin rec-
tangular and straight to the dorsum, and
continued along the termen into the first
lobe; a transverse band in the centre of
the first lobe, the dorsal half of the band
significantly darker than the terminal
half, and in a triangular to trapezoid
shape. A white subterminal line, well
expressed in the first lobe and poorly vis-
ible in the second lobe. In the first lobe a
white costal dot between the triangular
spot and the transverse band. Fringes
grey-white, in the cleft white; dark
brown patches at the anal angle of the
first lobe and the apex of the second
lobe; along the termen with a continuous
row of basal scales. Small scale-teeth at
the dorsum at three-fourth and five-
sixth. Underside dark brown, with white
markings as above.
Entomologische Zeitschrift · Stuttgart · 118 (1) 2008
6
Figs 10–12. Female genitalia (ventral view). 10. Paraplatyptilia glacialis sp.nov., holotype, gent. CG 5626. 11. Paraplatyptilia sabourini sp. nov., holotype,
gent. CG 5598. 12. Paraplatyptilia watkinsi sp.nov., holotype, gent. CG 5599.
10 11 12
Hindwings dark brown. Fringes dark
grey-brown. At the dorsum of the third
lobe scattered dark scales, and a small
terminal scale tooth. Underside dark
brown, with some scattered white scales
in the tip of the first and entire third
lobe. Venous scales dark ferruginous, in
a double row, the costal row the longer.
Male genitalia (Fig. 7). Valves symmetri-
cal. Sacculus bilobed, basally spool
shaped, distally narrow and ending in a
rather sharp tip. Tegumen simpla. Uncus
rather narrow, tappering towrds the
acute tip. Juxta with a heavily sclerotized
arch. Anellus arms poorly sclerotized,
rather stout, with small prominent tip.
Saccus basally broad, with a moderately
long acute tip; along the mid-lateral mar-
gin with some small spines. Aedeagus
curved, and simple coecum.
Female genitalia (Fig. 12). Ostium cen-
trally positioned. Antrum tubular, three
times longer than wide. Lamina ante-
vaginalis poorly sclerotized. Lamina
postvaginalis in shape of a waved, nar-
row ribbon; laterally progressing into the
long and slender apophyses anteriores.
Diagnosis. This species resembles P.
auriga (Barnes & Lindsey, 1921) much.
It can be separated by the triangular spot
in the dorsal half of the first forewing
lobe. In P. auriga this part of the first
forewing lobe is evenly tinged dark
brown.
Ecology. The moth flies in May, June,
August and October. The hostplant is
unknown.
Distribution. USA. Michigan, Missouri,
Vermont, Wisconsin.
Ackowledgements. I am grateful to Dr.
Valeriu Albu and Dr. Michael Sabou-
rin for their help in collecting the mate-
rial necessary for this study; Dr. John
Brown, Dr. Bernard Landry and Mr.
Reed A. Watkins for checking collected
material present in the USNM
(Washington) and CNC (Ottawa), and
Mr. H. W. van der Wolf for his linguis-
tic help.
References
Barnes, W. & Lindsey, A. W. 1921. The Ptero-
phoridae of America, north of Mexico. Contri-
butions to the Natural History of Lepidoptera in
North America 4: 280–483, 14 plates.
Bigot, L. & Picard, J. 1986. Paraplatyptilia n.nov.
pour Mariana Tutt, 1907, préoccupé. Nouvelle
capture en France de Stenoptilodes taprobanes
(Felder & Rogenhofer, 1875). Aleanor 14
(Supl.): [17].
Gielis, C. 2003. World catalogue of Insects 4: Pte-
rophoroidea & Alucitoidea. pp. 198. Apollo
Books, Stenstrup.
Cees Gielis,
Nationaal Natuurhistorisch Museum
“Naturalis”, Department of Entomology,
P.O. Box 9517, 2300 RA Leiden,
The Netherlands;
E-Mail: C.Gielis@net.hcc.nl
Cees Gielis, Additions to the species complex Paraplatyptilia auriga in the USA
7
Buchbesprechung
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