Elachista ievae sp. nov.

Figs. 1, 4–6

Type material. Holotype: ɗ, Nepal: 5600’ [~ 1700 m], Kathmandu Dist., Godawari, 24.v.–6.vi.1983; mixed primary forest; Allen, Brendell, Robinson, Tuck, Brit. Mus. 1983–222; genitalia slide no. 29589 (BMNH).

Condition of the type material. The single specimen is in fair condition, the wings are partly spread. The head (mostly frons) and terminal fringe scales of forewing are slightly abraded.

Diagnosis. In male genitalia the new species is comparable to E. lambeseella Nielsen & Traugott-Olsen, known from Algeria (Nielsen & Traugott-Olsen 1987) and Tunisia (Traugott-Olsen 1995). It is distinguishable by the following differences:

(1) the uncus lobes in E. ievae is shorth; in E. lambeseella they are longer and more slender;

(2) the cucullus in E. ievae is large and rounded; in E. lambeseella it more elongate;

(3) the phallus in E. ievae is without carina; in E. lambeseella it is with elongate, dentate carina.

Description. Male (Fig. 1). Forewing length 4 mm, wingspan 8.7 mm. Head: Frons light yellowish brown, upper scales in holotype rubbed but lowermost scales with some metallic sheen; neck tuft yellowish brown, scales nearest to thorax blackish brown; labial palpi slightly longer than width of head, yellow-white, with weak metallic sheen both from upper and under sides; antennal scape blackish brown but underside yellow-white; pecten yellow-white, flagellum clearly ringed by blackish brown and greyish white scales, tip whitish. Thorax: Tegulae and forewing blackish brown; forewing markings white, with weak lustre and some yellowish tint, consisting of a slightly outwardly oblique fascia at about 1/3, small triangular costal spot at about 2/3 and similar one but smaller on dorsum just before it. Additionally a small elongated spot consisting of raised black-brown scales is just beyond fascia, slightly below from fold and a few same scales just before the fascia. Fringe scales dark brown, line on fringe scales not distinct in holotype. Hindwing dark brown, its fringe scales similar. Abdomen blackish brown above, whitish with weak yellowish tint below, apical tuft paler than upperside of abdomen.

Male genitalia (Figs. 4–6). Uncus lobes short, rounded apically, with long and thick setae along lateral margins. Anterior margin of tegumen deeply incised and reinforced, with very strong spiniform sclerotization in centre of incision. Gnathos large, elongate, but in genitalia slide appearing rounded due to apical part strongly turned dorsad. Vinculum with strongly sclerotized central ridge, without saccus. Valva with broadened, rounded cucullus, costa slightly convex. Juxta lobe wide, strongly produced laterally. Digitate process short and wide, distally setose. Phallus gradually tapering, strongly bent somewhat beyond middle; coecum well developed, medially with two rounded, strongly sclerotized lobes; no cornuti.

Female. Unknown.

Biology. The single known specimen was collected in a mixed primary forest. Larval biology is unknown.

Distribution. Nepal, Kathmandu District.

Remarks. Based on male genital characters, the new species is affiliated with the E. gleichenella species group. The phallus of E. ievae is without carina but other traits of male genitalia agree well with the concept of the E. gleichenella species group. E. ievae is the only species of this group recorded from Nepal.

Etymology. This species is named after my daughter, Ieva.