The hibiscina group

The hibiscina group consists of 6 species: P. acutulus De Prins, n. sp., P. brachylaenae (Vári, 1961), P. dombeyae De Prins, n. sp., P. hibiscina (Vári, 1961), P. ipomoellus De Prins, n. sp., and P. turensis De Prins, n. sp. Adults belonging to this group cannot be distinguished by forewing pattern, since it resembles the rhynchosiae species group. Moths belonging to both groups possess the following white markings on their forewings: an oblique first fascia, long dorsal strigula, second fascia angulated, straight, diabolo shaped, two strigulae (costal and dorsal) opposite each other in subapical sector of forewing, and apical patch / strigula. Therefore, the accurate identification can be done only based on genital characters. Larvae of the hibiscina group feed in infra tentiform mine on leaves of Asteraceae, Convolvulaceae, and Malvaceae.

The male genitalia in the hibiscina group are characterized by slightly curved valva with slightly enlarged rounded cucullus and oblique sclerotized suture crossing valva in subcucullus area or along midline of the valval surface. The suture crossing the ventral surface of valva is also found in Neolithocolletis nsengai De Prins, n. sp. Sternum VIII moderate, rounded caudally.

The female genitalia possess arc-shaped, heavily sclerotized, sterigmatic lamella post-vaginalis (unique to this species group) on segment VII. This character can be superficially confused with similar arc-shaped sterigma lamella antevaginalis of Neolithocolletis nsengai. The female genitalia of the hibiscina species group also possess a narrow ductus bursae, oval sac-shaped corpus bursae and band-like signum covered with fine short spines stretching longitudinally along corpus bursae (except in P. acutulus and P. dombeyae). In P. dombeyae, the signum on corpus bursae is absent, however, the male genitalia in general pattern and in presence of suture stretching along ventral surface of valva entirely correspond with the male genitalia of the hibiscina group. Therefore, we place P. dombeyae in the hibiscina group provisionally until more data become available. In P. acutulus, the signum on corpus bursae is short and narrow, band-like, located on the initial part of corpus bursae.

Key to males of the hibiscina group based on genitalia*

1. Valval suture streches along entire ventral surface of valva, saccus 1/2 of valval length, aedoaegus long and slender (Figs 211, 213)......................................................................................26. dombeyae

– Valval suture streches only in subcucullus sector, saccus ca. as long as valva, aedoeagus compact...................... 2

2. Aedoeagus ca 2× longer than sternum VIII, spine on vesica of aedoeagus present (Figs 215, 216).............27. hibiscina

– Aedoeagus ca. 3× longer than sternum VIII, spine on vesica of aedoeagus absent (Figs 207, 209, 210)..... 25. brachylaenae

* male genitalia of P. acutulus, P. ipomoellus and P. turensis unknown.

Key to females of the hibiscina group based on genitalia

1. Posterior apophyses longer than length of segment VII....................................................... 2

– Posterior apophyses shorter than length of segment VII, band-like signum on corpus bursae ca. 2× longer than length of posterior apophyses (Fig. 318).................................................................. 25. brachylaenae

2. Corpus bursae without signum (Fig. 319).........................................................26. dombeyae

– Corpus bursae with signum.............................................................................. 3

3. Signum on corpus bursae ca. as long as posterior apophyses.................................................... 4

– Signum on corpus bursae ½ or less than posterior apophyses................................................... 5

4. Anterior apophyses with broad sclerotized bases, 1/3 shorter than posterior apophyses, corpus bursae oblong (more than twice longer than broad), signum on corpus bursae equally broad along its entire length (Fig. 320).................27. hibiscina

– Anterior apophyses without broad sclerotized bases, ca. as long as posterior apophyses, corpus bursae more or less roundish (1.5× longer than broad), signum on corpus bursae narrow initially and broad caudally (Fig. 321)........... 28. ipomoellus

5. Signum on corpus bursae narrow, situated posteriorly, close to anastomosis with ductus bursae, slender, short ca. 3× shorter than length of posterior apophyses (Figs 316, 317).................................................. 24. acutulus

– Signum on corpus bursae band-like, moderate in length and width, no more than ca. 2× shorter than length of posterior apophyses (Fig. 322).................................................................................29. turensis