Sergeya korongotaji Bidzilya, Mey & Rajaei, 2024, sp. nov.
Creators: name: Bidzilya, Oleksiy V.
name: Mey, Wolfram
name: Rajaei, Hossein
Publisher: name: Zenodo
Year: 2024
Subjects: Biodiversity
Taxonomy
Animalia
Arthropoda
Insecta
Lepidoptera
Gelechiidae
Sergeya
Sergeya korongotaji

description: Sergeya korongotaji sp. nov.
(Figs 12, 36)
Type material. Holotype ♂, Uganda, Mpigi, Mpanga Forest, 25–30.xi.2014, LF, leg. W. Mey (gen. slide 194/24, O. Bidzilya) (MfN).
Diagnosis. Based on the single known specimen of this species (holotype), S. korongotaji sp. nov. is characterized externally by absent of medial spot on dorsal margin, resembling S. prominula. However, in S. korongotaji sp. nov. tornal spot is distinct (in S. prominula tornal spot on 3/4 on dorsal margin is very indistinct). In the male genitalia, S. korongotaji sp. nov. resembles S. malawica sp. nov. and S. palescens sp. nov., as all of them have basal sclerotized lobe of glandiductor. However, S. korongotaji sp. nov. can be separated from the two latter species in parallel-sided uncus extending to 3/4 length of cucullus, rounded basal lobe of glandiductor and short sacculus (extending to 1/2 length of pedunculus) (in S. malawica sp. nov. and S. palescens sp. nov. uncus is narrowed apically and extending to 1/3–1/2 length of cucullus, and saccus extends to or exceeding the top of pedunculus).
Description (Figs 12). Wingspan 7.1 mm. Head uniformly pale except light brown scales above eyes; labial palpus recurved, segment 2 brown mottled with yellow and with yellow apex, inner and upper surface pale; segment 3 brown with white basal and apical rings; antennal scape yellowish-white, flagellum in basal half brown on upper surface and pale beneath, in distal half 4 white flagellomeres followed by 4 brown, and then 1–2 white alternating with 3–4 brown, terminal 1–2 flagellomeres white; thorax yellowish-brown, tegulae yellowish-brown with brown base; forewing yellowish-brown, costal margin brown with brown spot in middle and broad brown suffusion, dorsal margin with sparse brown-tipped scales, apex brown mixed with silver and yellow, small brown tornal spot on 3/4; fringes yellow; hindwing and fringe light grey.
Male genitalia (Fig. 36). Uncus slender, of even width, densely covered with modified feather-like scales and strong setae in distal half, 3 times as long and 1/2 width of tegumen, extending to 3/4 length of cucullus; tegumen rounded, anterior margin straight; cucullus bent in middle, distal half about 1.5 times broader than basal half, densely covered with hair-like scales, apex rounded; glandiductor with rounded sclerotized basal lobe, distal process consists of three slender long projections extending to top of cucullus; juxta elongate, narrowed towards rounded apex; vinculum slightly broader than long; saccus broadly triangular, extending to 1/2 length of pedunculus; phallic tube bent in middle, basal half weakly swollen, apex rounded.
Female genitalia. Unknown.
Biology. The holotype has been collected in late November.
Distribution. Uganda.
Etymology. The species is named after “Korongo Taji” which means “Grey crowned crane” in Swahili language. This bird, which appears also on Uganda flag, is the national symbol of Uganda.
description: Published as part of Bidzilya, Oleksiy V., Mey, Wolfram & Rajaei, Hossein, 2024, First record of the genus Sergeya Ponomarenko, 2008 (Lepidoptera, Gelechiidae) from the Afrotropical and Oriental regions, with description of ten new species, pp. 486-506 in Zootaxa 5493 (5) on pages 500-502, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5493.5.2, http://zenodo.org/record/13330443