Antoniejanse tenebrosa Bidzilya & Rajaei 2024, sp. nov.

Antoniejanse tenebrosa sp. nov.

Figs 11–13, 20–21, 29–31, 37

Type material. Holotype ♂, [South Africa, Northern Cape] Springbok, 20–24.x.1970, leg. L. Potgieter & M. Snyman, gen. slide 335/23, O. Bidzilya (in DMSA). Paratypes: South Africa: 1 ♂, Springbok, 9 m S of, 18– 20.x.1954, leg. A.J.T. Janse, gen. slide 8520 (in DMSA); 3 ♂, 1 ♀, RSA, Northern Cape, Kamieskroon, Windhoek, 29.i.2012, LF, leg. W. Mey, gen. slide 326/ 17♀, 327/17♂, 675/23 ♂, 676/23♂, O. Bidzilya; 2 ♂, RSA, North. Cape, Kamieskroon, Farm Windhoek, 16.x.2007, Bachtal ca 2 oberh. Farmhaus, leg. W. Mey, gen. slide 178/12, 440/14, O. Bidzilya (all in MfN).

Diagnosis. Antoniejanse tenebrosa sp. nov. is a greyish-black species with two diffuse black spots near dorsal margin, black markings in fold and at base of costal margin (other species of Antoniejanse are lighter, more contrasting, with more distinct markings; Antoniejanse minima sp. nov. is smaller (6.3–7.0 mm), lighter, pale to off white rather than grey, with black longitudinal streaks). The male genitalia are similar to those of A. sagittata, but in A. tenebrosa sp. nov. sacculus is shorter and broader than juxta process; phallus strongly curved on 1/3 (in A. sagittata sacculus is equal in length and width to juxta process; phallus weakly curved). The female genitalia are similar to those of A. sagittata, but in A. tenebrosa sp. nov. ductus bursae is short, with indistinct transition to corpus bursae, and antrum is slightly longer than broad (in A. sagittata ductus bursae is longer with distinct transition to corpus bursae; antrum is 3 times longer than broad).

Description (Figs 11–13). Wingspan 7.0–11.2 mm. Head covered with white scales ringed with brown before white apex; labial palpus recurved, segment 2 black sparsely mottled with white, apex and inner surface white, segment 3 white with black basal and medial rings, almost as broad and 1/2 length of segment 2; scape black, densely mottled with white on anterior side; flagellum uniformly brown; thorax and tegulae covered with dark brown scales tipped with white; forewing greyish-brown, diffuse black spot in fold, two black spots near dorsal margin, indistinct black streaks at base and on 1/4 of costal margin, fringes grey tipped with black; hindwing and fringes grey.

Male genitalia (Figs 29, 31). Uncus subtrapezoid, posteromedial incision short, slender; gnathos reduced; tegumen broad at base, distal part narrow subrectangular, anteromedial emargination broad, subtriangular; glandiductor absent; sacculus digitate, straight, relatively broad, narrowed apically; juxta longer and about 1/2 width of sacculus, straight; phallus strongly curved on 1/3, distal part straight, apex weakly pointed.

Female genitalia (Fig. 37). Papillae anales ovate, covered with hair-like setae; apophyses posteriores long, slender; sternum VIII twice broader than long, weakly sclerotized, unmodified; apophyses anteriores 2/3 length and slightly thicker than apophyses posteriores; ductus bursae short, with indistinct transition to corpus bursae, antrum funnel-shaped, slightly longer than broad; corpus bursae elongate, signa a paired arrow-shaped plate.

Biology. Larval stages and hostplant unknown. Adults have been collected in January and October.

Distribution. South Africa: Northern Cape Province.

Etymology. The specific name is derived from the Latin “ tenebris ”—dark, referring to predominantly dark, greyish-black forewing of the new species.