Blastobasis millicentae Adamski

Blastobasis millicentae Adamski

DIAGNOSIS. Blastobasis millicentae is easily distinguished from its congeners by having the following autapomorphies: an angular basal part of the costa of the upper part of the valva and a large spinelike seta on the ventral ridge of the base of the valva.

DESCRIPTION.

Head: Vertex and frontoclypeus with scales pale brownish gray tipped with white. Outer surface of labial

MAP 5. Distribution of Blastobasis millicentae.

palpus white intermixed with brown, inner surface white. Scape of antennae brownish gray intermixed with white, flagellum pale gray; first flagellomere of male basally dilated laterally, forming a notchlike concavity. Proboscis white.

Thorax: Tegula and mesonotum with brown scales tipped with white. Legs with brown scales tipped with white and a white band on apices of all segments and tarsomeres. Forewing (Figure 38) length 4.1–4.5 mm (n = 2), pale brown on basal 2/3 intermixed with a few brown scales, brown intermixed brown scales tipped with white and pale brown scales on distal 1/3; a brown spot in cell near distal end. Fringe brown tipped with white. Undersurface brown. Hindwing pale brown.

Abdomen: Male genitalia (Figure 9): Uncus wide, narrowed distally into a slightly rounded apex; gnathos wide, dorsoposterior margin protuberant, bidentate medially; vinculum wide; juxta divided; valva divided; upper part of valva setose, apically digitate; base of digitate process bifurcate, costal arm angled beyond dorsal articulation, ventral arm reflexed ventrally forming an upturned ridge fusing with lower part of valva; ridge bearing a moderately large, spinelike seta; lower part of valva wide, subventral area reflexed to apicoventral margin; apicoventral margin moderately angular, produced into an inwardly curved, acuminate process; aedeagus and sclerite of aedeagus slightly curved broadly; anellus slightly elongate conical, bearing several conical setae. Female genitalia: Unknown.

HOLOTYPE. ♂, “Verulam, [South Africa] 28.1[January][19]16, A.J.T. Janse”; “26/75”; “Blastobasis egens M[eyrick], Cotype No. 798”; “♂ Genitalia Slide by D. Adamski, No. 4739” [TMP].

PARATYPE. ♂, “Kenya, Shimba Hills, 389 m, 4°15.42'S, 39°22.96'E, 9 Aug. 2002, A & M Coll[ection] # 2139, R.S. Copeland, ICIPE/USAID, r.f. Hirtella zanzibarica fruit”; “♂ Slide 4910”; “00196942” [NMK].

ETYMOLOGY. Blastobasis millicentae is named in honor of Millicent Okumu, who, with great skill, managed the laboratory insect-rearing program in Nairobi, Kenya.

DISTRIBUTION. Blastobasis millicentae is restricted to coastal lowland habitats in southeastern Kenya.

HOST. Hirtella zanzibarica Oliv. (Chrysobalanaceae).