Paltoloma paleata Ghesquiere 1940

Paltoloma paleata Ghesquière, 1940

(Figs 25a–d, 26a–e)

Paltoloma paleata Ghesquière, 1940 — Revue de Zoologie et Botanique Africaines, 34 (1), 105.

Type material. Holotype ♂, [DR Congo] Coll. Mus. Congo, Eala, vii.1936, J. Ghesquière | Holotype, M. paleata ♂ | R. Det. B 4408 | Megaloma paleata Ghesquière, 1940, Holotype ♂ | gen. slide 242/24, O. Bidzilya (RMCA). Paratypes: 1 ♂, same data as for holotype, but R. Det. C 4408; 1 ♂, same data as for holotype, but 8.1936 | gen. slide 248/24, O. Bidzilya); 1 ♂, same data as for holotype, but 8.1936, gen. slide 242/24, O. Bidzilya (RMCA).

Remarks. Paltoloma paleata, type species of the monotypic genus Paltoloma Ghesquière, 1940 of the family Gelechiidae, was described based on three specimens collected in Eala. Two of them were indicated as holotype (Fig. 25a) and paratype (Fig. 26a) in the original description and labelled accordingly in the collection of RMCA. There are two additional males “ paratypes ”, of which one is conspecific with the holotype, whereas the second one belongs to another species of the same genus. The male genitalia of P. paleata clearly indicate the assignment of the genus Paltoloma to the family Lecithoceridae. Within the family, the genus Paltoloma is related to Notioseus Park, 2018. Paltoloma shares the following diagnostic characters with Notioseus: i) long, dense hairs dorsally on segment 2 of the labial palpus; ii) rounded plate situated near the basal lobe of uncus in male genitalia (Park 2018). Wing venation of Paltoloma paleata should be studied to prove possible synonymy between these genera.

Male genitalia (described here for the first time, Figs 25c–d, 26d–e). Basal lobes of uncus rounded, with strongly sclerotized dorsal plate; medial process of gnathos narrow, beak-shaped, apex pointed; tegumen basally almost as wide as long; valva broad at base, distal part 1/3–1/2 width of basal half, ventral margin straight, dorsal margin concave at middle, apex rounded; juxta broadly rounded, postero-lateral lobes very slender; vinculum band-shaped, saccus short, broadly rounded; phallus slightly longer than valva, of uniform width to 3/4, then narrowed, apex rounded, ventral margin bent, dorsal margin straight, vesica folded, cornuti absent.

Distribution. DR Congo: Équateur Province.