Scrobipalpa griseata Bidzilya 2021, sp. nov.

Scrobipalpa griseata sp. nov.

Figs 59, 60, 129, 130

Type material. Holotype ♂, [South Africa] RSA, Eastern Cape, Petersburg, Farm Cottage, 9.xi. 2012, 1016 m, light, O. Bidzilya (gen. slide 15/13, O. Bidzilya) (MfN). Paratypes: 1 ♂, same data as holotype, but Sourkloof, 11.xi. 2012, 1196 m (Bidzilya) (MfN); 1 ♂, same data as holotype, but Waterkloof, 10.xi. 2012, 1313 m (Bidzilya) (gen. slide 123/17, O. Bidzilya) (ZMKU).

Diagnosis. Scrobipalpa griseata sp. nov. is a light grey species with weakly defined costal and dorsal margins and indistinct black dots in the cell. It may be confused externally with S. varivansoni sp. nov. and some specimens of S. asantesana sp. nov. that have white irroration under the costal margin, although the latter are darker, more contrasting, greyish black rather than light grey and smaller (9.2–11.0 mm). The male genitalia remotely resemble those of S. nomias, but differ in the narrower gnathos, the broader valva, the larger sacculus, and the shape of the saccus.

Description. Adult (Figs 59, 60). Wingspan 11.9–13.0 mm. Head, thorax and tegulae white, sparsely mixed with grey-tipped scales; labial palpus upcurved, off-white with sparse greyish-brown scales on outer surface, inner surface entirely white, palpomere 2 with brush of grey-tipped scales at lower surface, segment 3 mixed with grey before apex, 1/2 as long and four times as narrow as palpomere 2, acute; scape and flagellum light brown with grey annulations; forewing covered with grey-tipped, white scales, except subdorsal and subcostal areas are slightly lighter than central field of the wing, two indistinct dark dots at base of cell and in one in corner, fold indistinctly mottled with light brown, cilia grey black-tipped; hindwing grey.

Variation. Both paratypes are uniformly whitish with reduced black markings.

Male genitalia (Figs 129, 130). Uncus subrectangular, slightly longer than broad, posterior edge weakly rounded; gnathos narrow, evenly curved, sickle-shaped; tegumen moderately broad with deep rounded anterior emargination to 1/3 length; valva stout, moderately thick, evenly curved, slightly narrowed at 2/3 length, apex weakly inflated, truncate, extending beyond top of uncus; sacculus short, about 1/6 length and as broad as base of valva, nearly parallel-sided, rounded apically with short, pointed inward-turned tip, separated from vincular lobes and valva by nearly equal, moderately broad gaps; vincular lobes distinctly shorter than sacculus, tapered towards outwardly curved apex; vinculum slightly broader than long, posterior margin with moderately broad, V-shaped emargination; saccus stout, broad, weakly narrowed towards rounded apex, extending far beyond pedunculus; distal portion of phallus broad, uniform in width, apex with triangular top and well-developed apical hook, caecum weakly swollen, about as long as distal portion of phallus.

Variation. Saccus of the paratype tapered apically.

Female genitalia. Unknown.

Biology. Host plant unknown. Adults have been observed in November in plains and wooded valleys (Figs 198–201).

Distribution. South Africa.

Etymology. The species name is derived from the Latin “ griseus ” (= grey), and refers to the predominantly grey colouring of the wings.