Klimeschiopsis arnoldfransorum Huemer & Karsholt 2023, sp. nov.
Creators: name: Huemer, Peter
name: Karsholt, Ole
Publisher: name: Zenodo
Year: 2023
Subjects: Biodiversity
Taxonomy
Animalia
Arthropoda
Insecta
Lepidoptera
Gelechiidae
Klimeschiopsis
Klimeschiopsis arnoldfransorum

description: Klimeschiopsis arnoldfransorum sp. nov.   
Figs 1, 3, 5, 9, 11  
 Type material. Holotype ♁, Spain, prov. Almeria, Tabernas, 520 m, 37°05′N, 2°17′W, 930 m, 23-30.ix.2021, leg. J. Delnoye; genitalia slide P. Huemer GEL 1350 ♁; DNA barcode ID TLMF_Lep_33515 (TLMF). Paratypes: Spain, 1 ♁, prov. Cáceres, Plasencia, 10-14.ix.2021, leg. F. Groenen; genitalia slide A. Schreurs 2306 ♁; DNA barcode ID TLMF _ Lep_33514 (TLMF); 4 ♀♀, Andalucia, Camino d. Rhonda, Urb. Madronal, Loma de Colmenas, 500 m, 3.ix., 10.ix and 13.ix.1988, leg. E. Traugott-Olsen; genitalia slide GU 02/1155 ♀ P. Huemer, 5145♀ O. Karsholt (ZMUC).   
 Diagnosis. Klimeschiopsis arnoldfransorum sp. nov. (Fig. 1) is recognized by the small size and the black forewings with yellowish-white markings at about one-quarter and three-quarters. It is externally closely matching the similarly dark coloured K. terroris (Fig. 2) and K. kiningerella, but differs by the smaller size, and the reduction of yellowish-white (more clear white in the two other species) forewing markings medially, particularly in the male sex. Other species of Klimeschiopsis are separated by more or less extensive whitish suffusion in the middle of the forewing, and with the exception of K. afghana and K. varia also by the larger size. In addition, the new species can be easily distinguished from congeners by characters of the male genitalia, particularly the unique posterior margin of the vinculum which lacks larger projections (Figs. 3, 5). Female genitalia of K. arnoldfransorum sp. nov. (Figs. 9, 11) differ from congeners with described female sex, i.e. K. terroris (Figs. 10, 12), particularly by the broad base of the signum with a short and stout hook (in ventrodorsal view).   
 Description. Adult ( Fig. 1). Wingspan 8 mm (male), 9–10 mm (female). Segment 2 of labial palp white mottled with black on outer and upper surface; segment 3 black with white tip. Antenna black, ringed with light grey. Head with cream-white face and black neck; thorax black becoming white at posterior margin; tegula black with white tips. Forewing black with somewhat irregular cream-white to yellowish white markings: an oblique fascia near base, a spot in middle of wing and a fascia from costal to tornal spots; black stigmata ill-defined; fringe cilia dark grey with black fringe line. Hindwing dark grey.   
Variation. The few examined specimens show some variation. The white spot in the middle of the wing is reduced in the examined males; one female has whitish scales along costa between the basal fascia and medial spot; the fascia from costal to tornal spots can be interrupted in the middle in one or both forewings.  
 Male genitalia (Figs. 3, 5). Uncus subrectangular, posterior edge weakly convex; gnathos with rod-like lateral sclerites, proximally widened, small rounded sclerite in middle, culcitula large; tegumen broad anterioproximally, with deep anteromedial emargination, posterior part slightly narrowing; valva digitate, covered with moderately long setae, particularly apically, posterior part slightly curved with broadly rounded apex, almost extending to tip of uncus in length; sacculus basally about half width of valva, distal part tapered, with pointed apex; posterior margin of vinculum with small and short incision medially, oblique lateromedial edge slightly projected proximad, two small obtuse lateromedial projections; saccus about length of anterior margin of vinculum to tip of valva, broader at base, distally narrowing, rod-like; phallus straight and stout, medial part moderately broad, coecum about one-third length of phallus, weakly inflated with small basal sclerite, medial part of phallus moderately broad, apex with sclerotized hook.   
 Female genitalia (Figs. 9, 11). Apophysis posterioris three times longer than apophysis anterioris; antrum about two-fifths length of apophysis anterioris, broadly cup-shaped with slightly convex outer margin, anteriorly constricted, with short pointed sclerites extending into ductus bursae; ductus bursae nearly length of corpus bursae, membranous, slightly widening towards oval corpus bursae; signum moderately short, about one-third length of apophysis anterioris, hook shaped, with broad basal plate and stout hook in ventrodorsal view.   
 Biology. Host-plant and early stages are unknown. Adults have been collected in September at light.   
 Distribution. Spain. The few localities indicate a more widespread distribution. The most similar species K. terroris is only known from the northeastern parts of Spain.   
 Etymology. The new species name is a male adjective and is a dedication to Arnold Schreuers and Frans Cupedo who made their material available for further studies.
description: Published as part of Huemer, Peter & Karsholt, Ole, 2023, Klimeschiopsis terroris auctt. from Spain-a further case of cryptic diversity in European Lepidoptera (Lepidoptera, Gelechiidae, Gelechiinae), pp. 400-412 in Zootaxa 5369 (3) on pages 402-409, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5369.3.4, http://zenodo.org/record/10146771