Ectoedemia tadshikiella Puplesis, 1988

(Figs 77–80, 198–205)

Ectoedemia tadshikiella Puplesis, 1988: 25, 26.

Ectoedemia tadshikiella Puplesis, in Puplesis 1994: 200, 201.

Material examined. 4 ♂, (holotype and paratypes): Tajikistan, 30 km N Dushanbe, Varzon Canyon, Kondara, 1200 m, 4.vii.–13.viii.1986, R. Puplesis, genitalia slide no. AN456 (holotype) (ZIN); 3 ♂ (paratypes), same label data as holotype, R. Puplesis, genitalia slide nos AN416, AN417, AN418 (ZIN); 4 ♂ (not type series), same locality as holotype, 13–21.viii.1986, R. Puplesis (ZIN); 4 ♂ (not type series), same locality as holotype, 20.vii.–15.viii.1990, R. Puplesis (ZIN); 2 ♂ (not type series), same locality as holotype, 30.vi.–19.vii.1991, R. Puplesis and A. Diškus (ZIN); 5 ♂ (not type series), Turkmenistan, Kugitangtau, env. Svinsoviy (Svinsovyy) Rudnik, Sajat, 12–13.viii.1989, 29.viii.1990, R. Puplesis (ZIN).

Diagnosis. This species belongs to the Ectoedemia angulifasciella species group. Externally, it can be confused with some other species possessing a large hair pencil of the hindwing, surrounded by ochre scales (Fig. 80). Nevertheless, the combination of a large, brown tuft and long special piliform scales along the costal margin on the forewing underside (Fig. 79) has some value in differentiation of E. tadshikiella.

In the male genitalia, the unique, apically rounded valva and short, rounded lobes of the vinculum (Fig. 203) instantly distinguish E. tadshikiella from other species of the group.

Remarks. Forewing length 1.7 mm; wingspan 3.7 mm. Forewing underside with a large, dark brown tuft and long bristles along costal margin (Fig. 79). Hindwing upper side with a large, ochre-brown hair pencil, surrounded by ochre androconial scales (Fig. 80). For a full description see Puplesis 1994: 200, 201.

Bionomics. Host plant and leaf mine are unknown. Adults were collected from late June to August.

Distribution. Known from the Hissor Range, Tajikistan (Fig. 1: Hr), at altitude about 1200 m, and adjacent Kugitangtau Range (eastern Turkmenistan).

Remarks. We provide the first photographic documentation of the male genitalia of E. tadshikiella (Figs 198– 205) and report on the type-series transfer: the holotype and six paratypes of E. tadshikiella, earlier deposited at LEU (=VPU) will be transferred to ZIN (see Material & Methods).