Kozloviella Grehan & Mielke 2018, gen. n.

Kozloviella gen. n.

(Figs 1a, 1b, 9a, 10a, 11a, 13a, 15a, 16a, 17a, 17b)

Type species: Kozloviella viazmenskyi, sp. n., by present designation. Monotypic.

Diagnosis. The bifurcated valva with anteirobasal blade and posteriobasal elbowed process, and the bilobate posterior margin of sternum VIII in Kozloviella gen. n. is unique among the Hepialidae. The shape of the valva is highly variable across Hepialidae ranging from the form of a blade to a narrow lobe. A posteriobasal process of the valva is present in Palpifer Hampson, [1893], but this is much longer relative to the blade and is not elbowed (Tindale 1942). The posterior margin of sternum VIII is also highly variable, but no species yet examined by us has the form of two lateral lobes in parallel. The pseudotegumen is fused ventrally, unlike Pfitzneriella gen. n., but as a narrow bar in contrast to the barrel-like fusion in Dugdaleiella gen. n. The narrow bar with slight bending medially appears to represent a unique configuration within the Hepialidae.

Description. Male (Figs 1a, 1b): Wingspan: 34 mm.

Head. Interocular-antennal scales present. Labial palpus with two palpomeres (Fig. 9a).

Thorax. Prothorax dorsally covered with piliform scales, dorsal meso- and metathorax with piliform scales. Scutum III free of scales other than posterior and medial regions, but visually obscured by overlaying mesothorax scales. Venation hepialine (Dumbleton 1966); FW ventral costal pocket present.

Abdomen. Tergites and sternites weakly sclerotized. Tergosternal connection (Fig. 15a) with elongate tergosternal bar, elongate lateral tergal brace and short dorsal brace that does not fuse to anterior margin of tergum II, posterior edge of central region extends dorsally to fuse with anterior margin of tergum II. Tergal knob absent. Tergum II with thin lateral ridge, extending antero-medially to anterior ridge; sternum II sub-rectangular, lateral margins convex, anterior and posterior margins concave, anterior lateral arms short. Sternum VIII rectangular, longer than wide, posterior margin with deep triangular, concave margined notch, posterior region either side of notch more strongly posterior (Fig. 16a).

Male genitalia (Figs 17a, 17b). Tegumen strongly sclerotized, partially fused to pseudotegumen. Saccus broadly U-shaped with concave posterior margin, apodemal suture line extending almost to posterior margin with posteriorly extended cavity over ventral surface of saccus, posterior margin of cavity with deep central notch with lateral straight edges either side that match the posterior margin of sternum VIII. Tergal lobes absent. Pseudotegumen margin adjacent to membranous phallus strongly sclerotized, margins rough, medial extension dorsally, not fused medially, ventral edge protruding posteriorly as a sub-rectangular bar, apex fused as a shallow ushaped curve. Valvae elbowed, basal portion extending as posterior flange with pointed posterior angle, inner surface setose; distal valva digitiform, setose on inner surface, twice as long as wide. Fultura superior membranous. Fultura inferior sub-rectangular, posterior margin slightly concave, wider than ridged anterior margin with medial notch.

Female unknown.

Etymology. It is named for Anton Olegovich Kozlov (Moscow, Russia) who prioritized Hepialidae as a target group for collection. The name follows the tradition of Druceiella Viette, 1949 and Pfitzneriella. The gender of the name is feminine.