A review of some new or little-known species of the genus Gnorimoschema (Lepidoptera, Gelechiidae) from the Palaearctic region

Abstract Six new species of Gnorimoschema Busck, 1900 are described: G.pamirasp. nov. (Tadzhikistan), G.brachypterasp. nov. (Russia: Buryatia), G.altaicasp. nov. (Russia: Altai), G.tabazhoksp. nov. (Russia, Altai, Tuva), G.yakovlevisp. nov. (Russia: Altai, Buryatia), G.kozlovisp. nov. (Mongolia). A new synonym is established: G.mikkolai Povolný, 1994 syn. nov. of G.radkevichi Piskunov, 1980. Gnorimoschemamontanum Povolný, 1966, sp. rev., stat. nov. is taken out from synonymy with G.soffneri (Riedl, 1965). An annotated check-list of the genus Gnorimoschema in the Palaearctic region is provided.


Introduction
The Gnorimoschemini is an extremely species rich tribe in the subfamily Gelechiinae. Altogether about 900 species and 44 genera are known world-wide. The tribe is most diverse in the Palaearctic region, where more than 300 species from 21 genera are known (Povolný 2002;Bidzilya and Li 2010;Huemer and Karsholt 2010). The highest generic diversity is found in the Neotropics, with about 180 species known from the Nearctic region (Povolný 2002;Lee et al. 2009;Huemer and Karsholt 2010). Studies on the Oriental, Australian and Afrotropical fauna of Gnorimoschemini are rather fragmentary; however, the tribe is likely less diverse in these regions than in the Holarctic and Nearctic. Despite the progress in the study of Palaearctic Gnorimoschemini in the last decades (Li and Bidzilya 2008;Huemer and Karsholt 2010;Bidzilya and Li 2016), the tribe is still in need of considerable taxonomic and faunistic study especially in central and eastern regions, where the discovery of many new taxa is expected.
The classification of the Gelechiidae is under dispute (Ponomarenko 2005;Karsholt et al. 2013). However, authors generally agree to place Gnorimoschemini in the subfamily Gelechiinae. Within this subfamily the Gnorimoschemini share with Gelechiini synapomorphy such as the conspicuous dilation of the lateral parts of the vinculum (Huemer and Karsholt 2010). Povolný (1964Povolný ( , 2002 did not specify autapomorphies for Gnorimoschemini, but defined the tribe mainly by a combination of genitalia characters. Currently, the monophyly of the tribe is supported by the hooklike signum and a lateral zone of microtrichia in the ostial area Karsholt 1999, 2010;Ponomarenko 2005).
The generic classification of Gnorimoschemini is poorly developed. A phylogeny of the tribe proposed by Povolný and Šustek (1988) and based on methods of numerical taxonomy includes seven groups of genera. These groups are rather weakly defined and their taxonomic status remains uncertain. The diagnostic characters of male and female genitalia of Gnorimoschema Busck, 1900 were recently discussed (Huemer and Karsholt 2010;Li and Bidzilya 2017). Within the tribe, Gnorimoschema is most closely related to the Nearctic genus Neoschema Povolný, 1967 and more distantly to the mainly Neotropical genus Symmetrischema Povolný, 1967(Povolný 1991.
Most of the Palaearctic species of Gnorimoschema are difficult to separate from other Gnorimoschemini externally and often are confused with other species, e.g. of the genus Scrobipalpa Janse, 1951. However, some mainly large-sized species of Gnorimoschema are distinguished from other genera by the narrow elongated wings. Additionally, the males can be recognized by the characteristic shape of the uncus and terminal portion of valvae which are usually protruded and clearly visible under a binocular microscope.
The species of Gnorimoschema inhabit primarily open landscapes. In the Palaearctic region they are most diverse in xeromontane habitats. Several species are restricted to sand dunes and sandy riverbanks in the northern and central Palaearctic.
Gnorimoschema is most diverse in the Nearctic region where 95 species are known (Lee et al. 2009). The Palaearctic species of the genus were studied intensively by Povolný, who contributed tremendously to the taxonomy and diversity of the genus (Povolný 1966(Povolný , 1967(Povolný , 1984(Povolný , 1992(Povolný , 1994(Povolný , 2002. After that, Gnorimoschema was later revised in Europe (Huemer and Karsholt 2010) and China . As a result, twenty-one species have been recorded from the Palaearctic region, the taxonomic state of several species was clarified and some new synonymies proposed. This contribution aims to describe six additional new species from Tadzhikistan, Russia (Southern Siberia) and Mongolia, to clarify the taxonomic state of some species and to add several new country records. The description of new species is supported morphologically and, for the majority, confirmed by DNA barcodes (mtCOI gene). We also provide an annotated check-list which includes all recent changes in taxonomy and distribution of Palaearctic species of Gnorimoschema.

Specimens
Adults were collected by light trapping or by hand netting. Male and female genitalia were dissected and prepared using standard methods (Huemer and Karsholt 1999).
The present contribution is based on material deposited in the following collections:

Photographic documentation
Pinned specimens were photographed with an Olympus E-410 digital camera attached to an Olympus SZX12 microscope or with Canon 750D and MP-E-65 mm lens. Slide-mounted genitalia were photographed with a Canon EOS 600D digital camera mounted on an Olympus U-CTR30-2 trinocular head combined with a Carl Zeiss microscope body. Sets of 10-20 images were taken for each specimen and assembled to deep-focused images using Helicon Focus 6 and edited in Adobe Photoshop CS5.

DNA Barcoding
DNA barcode sequences of the mitochondrial COI gene -a 658 base-pair long segment of the 5' terminus of the mitochondrial COI gene (cytochrome c oxidase 1) -were obtained from 139 new specimens. Some specimens already sequenced, from private or published data (Mutanen et al. 2016), were also included in our dataset. DNA samples from dried legs were prepared according to prescribed standards using the high-throughput protocol of de Waard et al. (2008). Samples were processed in the Canadian Centre for DNA Barcoding (CCDB, Biodiversity Institute of Ontario, University of Guelph). Sequences were submitted to GenBank. Details of successfully sequenced voucher specimens, including complete geographic data and images, can be accessed in the Barcode of Life Data Systems (BOLD; Ratnasingham and Hebert 2007) in the public dataset "DS-LEPALGNO Lepidoptera of the Palearctic -Gelechiidae/ Gnorimoschema" dx.doi.org/10.5883/DS-LEPALGNO.
Degrees of intra-and interspecific variation in the DNA barcode fragments were calculated under the Kimura 2 parameter (K2P) model of nucleotide substitution using analytical tools in BOLD systems v. 4.0 (http://www.boldsystems.org). A neighbour-joining tree of DNA barcode data of currently sequenced Palaearctic taxa was constructed using MEGA6 (Tamura et al. 2013) under the K2P model for nucleotide substitutions.
Furthermore, we checked the congruence of taxonomy with Barcode Index Numbers (BIN) proposed by Ratnasingham and Hebert (2013). This system clusters sequences into so-called Operational Taxonomic Units (OTUs), regardless of their previous taxonomic assignment. It is based on a two-stage algorithm that groups the sequences in a cluster and automatically assigns new sequences. All sequences > 500 bp and covering some other quality requirements are recorded independently of the project origin and assigned to a BIN (Ratnasingham and Hebert 2013). Ultimately, the BIN system is a tried and tested means of checking the concordance between morpho-taxonomically based species determinations and COI sequence data.

Terminology
The descriptive terminology of the genitalia structures generally follows Huemer and Karsholt (2010).

Molecular results
From 139 specimens of Gnorimoschema we obtained 113 sequences with 104 barcode sequences longer than 500 bp, which were used for analyses. The sequenced 23 morphospecies all group in different clusters ( Fig. 1) and also can be separated at species level. Intraspecific distances range from 0% to 2.98% (mean 0.46%). Distances to the nearest neighbour vary from min. 1.39% to 6.44% (mean 3.96%) ( Table 1). All successfully sequenced species, except for a single species pair (G. brachyptera -G. yakovlevi), are separated by their BINs (Barcode Index Number) in BOLD (Ratnasingham and Hebert 2013).
Further information on the genetic results can be found under each species.  Description. Adult (Figs 2, 3). Wingspan 15.8-16.0 mm. Head covered with white, brown-tipped scales; segment II of labial palpus white mixed with brown, inner surface white, with brush of modified scales on underside, segment III brown with white base and apex, acute, scape brown, densely mixed with white, flagellum grey, black-ringed; thorax white mottled with brown, tegulae with several brown scales; forewing covered with white, black-tipped scales, oblique narrow white fascia from about 1/8 of costal margin to 1/3 of fold, sub-costal vein mottled with brown to 2/3 length, dorsal margin brown under distal half of fold, brown spot in fold, short black streak edged with brown in mid wing, longer black streak with brown scales beneath on 2/3 length in cell, diffuse white sub-apical fascia at ¾ length, costal margin mottled white before apex, fringe white, black-tipped; hindwing and fringe light grey. Variation. The black pattern of one female paratype is more extensive making the specimen look darker, white basal fascia indistinct (Fig. 3).

Descriptions of new species
Male genitalia (Fig. 20). Uncus sub-rectangular, apex triangular, pointed; gnathos weakly curved, gradually narrowed apically; tegumen narrow, anteromedial emargination triangular, extending to about half length of tegumen; valva broad at basal half, curved and constricted in middle, apex narrow, rounded; sacculus straight, as broad as valva in its narrowest mid length, distal portion narrow, strongly curved inwards, gap to vincular process very narrow; vinculum broad, posterior margin with deep and broad sub-ovate medial emargination, lateral process short, sub-rectangular, posterolateral corner join with the tip of sacculus; saccus broad on base, sub-triangular, apex rounded, not extended beyond top of pedunculus; phallus broad, s-curved, with pointed apex, caecum inflated, slightly exceeding half length of phallus.
Female genitalia (Fig. 34). Papilla analis elongate, sub-ovate, densely covered with short setae; apophysis posterioris twice longer than segment VIII; segment VIII evenly sclerotized, slightly broader than long in middle; sub-genital plates separated by narrow membranous area covered with fine microtrichia, widened anteriorly to rhomboidal, strongly edged sub-ostial membrane; anterior margin of sternum VIII with distinct triangular anteromedial projection; apophysis anterioris 2/3 length of segment VIII, curved before apex; colliculum large, sub-quadrangular, two times as broad as ductus bursae; ductus bursae narrow, about of even width; corpus bursae pear-shaped, about as long as ductus bursae, signum on the left side near entrance of corpus bursae, base small, distal hook long, narrow, nearly straight except for curved and pointed apical fifth.
Diagnosis. The new species can be recognized externally by the rather contrasting, greyish-black forewings with well-developed light brown pattern along veins and near dorsal margin. Gnorimoschema cinctipunctella (Erschoff, 1877) is more grey, the light brown pattern is usually less extensive, but some specimens look very similar. Gnorimoschema tabazhok is smaller in size (11.0-15.5 mm), more uniformly grey, black spots are less distinct.  is smaller in size (12.0-14.0 mm) and has distinct black or light brown spot in the fold. The male genitalia are well recognizable by the sub-rectangular vincular process. Gnorimoschema bodillum Karsholt & Nielsen, 1974 is most similar to the new species regarding the male genitalia, but the vincular process is pointed, triangular rather than sub-rectangular, the sacculus is narrower, the vinculum is deeper emarginated medially and the phallus is narrower. The female genitalia are characterized by the strongly concave and well sclerotized anterior margin of sternum VIII in combination with unmodified sub-genital plate and narrow, straight with slightly curved apex of the signum. Gnorimoschema bodillum is similar but anterior margin of sternum VIII is less concave.
Molecular data. BIN BOLD:ADF4416 (n=2). The intraspecific divergence of the barcode region is 0%. The distance to the nearest neighbour G. vastificum Braun, 1926 is 4.2% (p-dist). This distance is the proportion (p) of nucleotide sites at which two sequences being compared are different. It is obtained by dividing the number of nucleotide differences by the total number of nucleotides compared. It does not make any correction for multiple substitutions at the same site, substitution rate biases, or differences in evolutionary rates among sites.
Distribution. Tadzhikistan (W Pamir). Biology. Host plant unknown. Adults were collected by light in late July at an elevation of 2800 m. The collecting site is the edge between a steep rocky slope and riverside sand dunes with plenty of Salix (Fig. 43).
Etymology. The species name, a noun in apposition, reflects the distribution of the new species in the Pamir region of Tadzhikistan. Description. Adult. Male (Figs 6, 7). Wingspan 12.8-13.5 mm. Head light grey, frons white; segment 2 of labial palpus white mixed with brown in distal half, inner surface white, with brush of modified scales on lower surface, segment III brown with white medial and apical rings, acute; scape brown with white apex, flagellum blackishbrown grey-ringed; thorax and tegulae covered with white brown-tipped scales; forewing brown, white oblique fascia from about 1/8 of costal margin to half length of the fold, diffuse white pattern in middle of cell, white broad subapical fascia on 3/4-4/5 length, paired black spots edged with brown in fold, small black prolonged spot mixed with brown in middle of cell, few black scales surrounded with brown in the corner of cell, fringe white, black-tipped; hindwing and fringe white.
Variation. Valva varies in width; saccus extended beyond tip of pedunculus in some specimens.
Female genitalia (Figs 35, 36). Papilla analis elongate, sub-triangular, densely covered with short setae; apophysis posterioris 2.5-3 times longer than segment VIII; segment VIII sub-quadrangular; subgenital plates medially strongly edged, separated with broadened posteriorly, membranous area covered with fine microtrichia, posterolateral sclerites sub-triangular, narrowly projecting anteromedially to the base of the apophysis anterioris, placed in middle of sternum VIII; anterior margin of sternum VIII deeply concave, strongly sclerotized, medial opening distinct; apophysis anterioris about as long or slightly longer than segment VIII, straight; colliculum as long as broad; ductus bursae narrow, of even width, but inflated before colliculum; corpus bursae egg-shaped, about as long as ductus bursae, signum near entrance of corpus bursae, base elongated, distal hook weakly curved, apically narrowed.
Diagnosis. The new species can be recognized externally by the contrasting, light grey forewing with black oblique fascia at 1/3, the distinct black markings edged with light brown in cell and in the fold and the white subapical fascia at ¾. It resembles North European specimens of G. herbichii (Nowicki, 1864) (see Huemer and Karsholt 2010, pl . 1, fig. 2a-d) but the black markings are larger in G. brachyptera. The female is well-defined by the brachypterous hindwings. The female of G. elbursicum Povolný, 1984 differs in the less contrasting, lighter, grey rather than brown forewing, the smaller size (8.2 mm) and the considerably narrower hindwing. The male genitalia are characterized by the sacculus, which is inflated on base with distal portion inwardly curved at right angle. Gnorimoschema fuscescens Li & Bidzilya, 2017 differs in the larger gap between the posterior margin of the vinculum and the distal portion of the sacculus, and the valva with stronger inflated apex. Gnorimoschema steueri Povolný, 1975 differs by the longer sacculus, the shorter and broader saccus and the shorter phallus. The medially placed sub-triangular posterolateral sclerites in combination with the long apophysis anterioris (1.5 times longer than length of sternum VIII) and the short signum are characteristic for the female genitalia.
Molecular data. BIN BOLD:ADF2846 (n=2), shared with G. yakovlevi. The mean intraspecific divergence of the barcode region is 0.15%. The distance to the nearest neighbour G. yakovlevi is 1.44% (p-dist).
Distribution. Russia (Buryatia, Zabaikalskiy krai). Biology. Host plant unknown. Adults were collected in late May and August in dry steppe slopes with sparse vegetation (Fig. 44) at an elevation of 700-900 m.
Etymology. The species name, an adjective is derived from the Greek brachýs, meaning short and the Greek ptéryx, meaning wing, referring to the shortened hindwing, the most characteristic feature of this species.
Remarks. An additional male from South Buryatia (gen. slide 194/16, O. Bidzilya) collected in June is larger (14.2 mm) and looks lighter and brighter, having more extensive white pattern and well-developed orange-brown irroration around black spots. We have not found sufficient differences in the male genitalia between this specimen and additional males from the type-series. However, we decided to not include this specimen among the type-series due to the lack of females. Description. Adult. Male (Fig. 8). Wingspan 11.8 mm. Head covered with white, black-tipped scales, frons white; segment II of labial palpus black mixed with white, inner and upper surface white, with brush of modified scales on underside, segment III black with broad white medial ring and white apex, acute, scape black with white apex, flagellum black, white-ringed; thorax and tegulae black mixed with white; forewing covered randomly with brown and white scales, diffuse black spot mixed with brown in fold, in middle and in the corner of cell, diffuse white subapical fascia on 3/4 length, fringe white, black-tipped; hindwing and fringe light grey.
Female genitalia (Fig. 37). Papilla analis elongate, sub-triangular, densely covered with short setae; apophysis posterioris 2.5 times longer than segment VIII; segment VIII sub-quadrangular; subgenital plates medially strongly edged, separated with broadened posteriorly, membranous area covered with fine microtrichia, posterolateral sclerites hockey-stick-shaped, narrowly projecting anteromedially to the base of the apophysis anterioris, placed in middle of sternum VIII; anterior margin of sternum VIII weakly concave, strongly sclerotized, medial opening small; apophysis anterioris as long as segment VIII, straight; colliculum broader than long; ductus bursae narrow, of even width, but inflated before colliculum; corpus bursae ovate, about as long as ductus bursae, signum on the left side near entrance of corpus bursae, base elongated, distal hook strongly curved in apical portion.
Diagnosis. Externally G. altaica is rather small, uniformly blackish-grey species with indistinct markings and diffuse white subapical fascia on the forewing in the male. Gnorimoschema valesiella (Staudinger, 1877) is darker, black rather than blackish-grey, and larger in size (16-18 mm). Gnorimoschema tabazhok is greyish brown rather than blackish grey with distinct black spots in cell, and the male is larger in size (13.5-15.5 mm). The male genitalia are similar to those of the previous species except for the shorter and broader saccus. The sub-rhomboidal, prolonged medially placed posterolateral sclerites and narrow strongly curved signum are characteristic for the female genitalia. Gnorimoschema epithymella (Staudinger, 1859) differs in the narrower posterolateral sclerites, shorter and basally narrower apophysis anterioris, and weakly curved signum.
Molecular data. BIN BOLD:AAI5506 (n=27), shared with an unrevised species from North America. The mean intraspecific divergence of the barcode region is 0.7%, the maximum distance 2,57% (including North American specimens for the same BIN). The distance to the nearest neighbour G. contraria Braun, 1921 from North America is 2.57% (p-dist).
Distribution. Russia (Altai). Biology. Host plant unknown. Adults were collected in late June in grassy steppe with rock protrusions at an elevation of 1800 m (Fig. 46).

Etymology. The species name, a noun in apposition, reflects the distribution of the new species in the Altai Mountains of Russia.
Remarks. A single female from Buryatia is very close to G. altaica in barcode but differs considerably in the female genitalia. Hence, we did not include this specimen among the type series. It is interesting that this female is very similar in barcode to an undescribed species of Gnorimoschema from USA and Canada but differs from the latter both externally and in the female genitalia (Nazari, pers. comm.). Figs 10-13, 24-29, 38- Description. Adult. Male (Figs 10, 11). Wingspan 13.5-15.5 mm. Head, thorax and tegulae covered with grey black-tipped scales, segment II of labial palpus black mixed with white, outer and upper surface white with rare black scales, with brush of modified scales on underside, segment III black mixed with white, acute, scape black with sparse white-tipped scales, flagellum brown narrowly white-ringed; forewing greyish-black, veins and fold mottled with light brown, black touch in fold, black spot surrounded with light brown in middle and in the corner of cell, diffuse white subapical fascia at 3/4, costal margin mottled with white before apex, fringe white brown-tipped; hindwing and fringe light grey.

Gnorimoschema tabazhok sp. nov.
Variation. Ground colour of the forewing varies from blackish-grey grey to dark brown depending on the amount of brown scales. A single male from South Ural is characterized by the presence of large light brown spots, whereas the blackish-grey pattern is strongly reduced in this specimen.
Female (Figs 12, 13). Wingspan 11.0-12.0 mm. As male, but hindwing shortened to 2/3 of the length of forewing and stronger narrowed in apical 1/3, apical excavation less distinct and abdomen longer compared to male.
Variation. Forewing varies from uniformly greyish-brown with indistinct ochreous spots similar to male to more contrast, lighter appearance, with distinct dark elongated spot in the first third (Fig. 13).
Male genitalia (Figs 24, 29). Uncus moderately narrow, apex triangular, pointed; gnathos short, weakly curved, narrow, of equal width, apex rounded; tegumen broad on basal half, distal half narrow, anteromedial emargination deep, triangular, extending to about half length of tegumen; valva broad in basal third, then curved, distal portion nearly of equal width, apex distinctly broadened, rounded, curved outwardly, extending the top of uncus; sacculus broad at base, distal part narrow, coiled and strongly curved inwards forming about the closed ring; vinculum broad, posterior margin with broad medial emargination and with short, rounded hump-shaped lateral process; saccus moderately narrow, weakly narrowed towards truncate apex, extended to the top of pedunculus; phallus narrow, straight, pointed, with needle-shaped down-curved apical hook, caecum rounded, 3/4 length of phallus.
Variation. The apex of the valva varies from narrow to distinctly inflated; the outer margin of the sacculus is weakly broadened in some specimens; the saccus varies from sub-triangular and apically gradually narrowed to be nearly parallel-sided and subrectangular with truncate apex.
Female genitalia (Figs 38-40). Papilla analis elongate, sub-triangular, densely covered with short setae; apophysis posterioris 2.5-3.0 times longer than segment VIII; segment VIII sub-quadrangular; subgenital plates medially strongly edged, separated with broadened posteriorly membranous area covered with fine microtrichia, posterolateral sclerites sub-triangular, narrowly projecting anteromedially to the base of the apophysis anterioris, placed near posterior margin of sternum VIII; anterior margin of sternum VIII deeply concave, strongly sclerotized, medial opening distinct; apophysis anterioris about as long or slightly longer than segment VIII, straight, broadened in basal half; colliculum as long as broad; ductus bursae narrow, of even width; corpus bursae elongated, 3 times as long as broad, about as long as ductus bursae, signum on the right side near entrance of corpus bursae, stout, base elongated, distal hook broad, weakly curved, apically pointed.
Diagnosis. The new species is defined externally by the grey forewing with veins mottled with light brown and distinct black spots in the cell. It differs from G. brachyptera by the absence of a black fascia at ¼ and the darker forewing with more distinct brown pattern. Gnorimoschema radkevichi differs in the more contrasting forewing with distinct blackish-brown spots and brown pattern along dorsal margin. Gnorimoschema steueri Povolný, 1975 is very similar but can be separated by the absence of white subapical spots and the blackish-brown rather than white subapical costal margin. The male genitalia are characterized by the sacculus, which is strongly curved inwards in the apical half, forming a nearly closed ring. Gnorimoschema hoefneri (Rebel, 1909), G. streliciella (Herrich-Schäffer, 1854) and G. rufomaculata  are somewhat similar in the shape of sacculus which, however, is medially not broadened, and the valva is widened towards apex in these species. The sub-triangular posterolateral sclerites placed near the posterior margin of segment VIII in combination with the stout, short and broad signum are characteristic for the female genitalia of the new species. Gnorimoschema streliciella is rather similar but the signum is much more slender. Gnorimoschema brachyptera and G. altaica differ by the shape of signum (less curved in G. brachyptera) and shape of posterolateral sclerites (narrow in G. altaica).
Molecular data. BIN BOLD:AAD9963 (n=10). The mean intraspecific divergence of the barcode region is 0.14%, the maximum divergence is 0.39%. The distance to the nearest neighbour, an undescribed species of Gnorimoschema from North America, is 3.53% (p-dist).
Distribution. Russia (S Ural, Altai, Tuva). Biology. Host plant unknown. The holotype was collected in early August at an elevation of 2100 m, paratypes were collected from the second half of June to early July in various kinds of rocky steppes and in dry mountain steppes with plenty of Artemisia at an elevation between 600-2500 m (Figs 46-48).
Etymology. The species name, a noun in apposition, refers to the type locality -Tabazhok River in the vicinity of Kosh-Agach village in the Altai Mountains.  (Figs 14-15). Wingspan 12.1-13.8 mm. Head brown, frons dirty white; segment II of labial palpus brown, outer surface white in basal 1/3-2/3, inner surface white, with brush of modified scales on underside, segment III black with white base half on lower side, acute, scape black with rare white tipped scales, flagellum blackish-brown grey-ringed; thorax and tegulae covered with brown greyedged apically scales; forewing covered with black white-tipped scales, sub-costal vein and fold mottled with brown to half length, three black spots edged with brown in fold and in cell, black streak in base of fold, distinct white sub-apical fascia on 2/3 length, subapical 1/3 brown except for termen covered with black white-tipped scales, fringe grey; hindwing and fringe light grey.
Variation. Distal portion of valva varies of even width or with broadened apex; saccus varies in width and length.
Female genitalia (Fig. 41). Papilla analis elongate, sub-triangular, densely covered with short setae; apophysis posterioris 2-2.5 times longer than segment VIII; segment VIII sub-rectangular; subgenital plates medially strongly edged, separated with broad sub-triangular membranous area covered with fine microtrichia, posterolateral sclerites large, inverted drop-shaped, narrowly projecting anteromedially, placed under mid length of posterior margin of sternum VIII; anterior margin of sternum VIII deeply concave, strongly sclerotized, medial opening small; apophysis anterioris about as long as segment VIII, strongly widened in basal 2/3, distal portion narrow, weakly curved; colliculum narrow, twice longer than broad; ductus bursae narrow, weakly broadened in anterior and posterior portion; corpus bursae sub-ovate, twice longer than broad, about as long as ductus bursae, signum near entrance of corpus bursae, base small, distal hook gradually curved, of even width except for narrowed and pointed apex, posterior margin weakly serrated.
Diagnosis. The new species is recognizable by the blackish-brown forewing with distinct narrow white subapical fascia. Gnorimoschema streliciella is nearly indistinguishable except for the less extensive brown pattern and the white sub-apical fascia which is usually angled towards apex. The male genitalia are characterized by the down-curved apical portion of the sacculus in combination with the moderately narrow medial emargination of the posterior margin of the vinculum. Gnorimoschema streliciella differs in the broader medial emargination of the posterior margin of vinculum, and the sacculus which is broader on base, and narrower and longer in the distal portion. The large, inverted drop-shaped posterolateral sclerites in combination with the strongly concave anterior margin of sternum VIII and the apophysis anterioris distinctly widened in basal 2/3 length are characteristic for the female genitalia. Gnorimoschema hoefneri differs in the weakly sclerotized anterior margin of sternum VIII, the narrower apophysis anterioris and the shorter signum.
Molecular data. BIN BOLD:ADE8232 (n=2), shared with G. brachyptera. The mean intraspecific divergence of the barcode region is 0.15%. The distance to the nearest neighbour G. brachyptera is 1.44% (p-dist).
Distribution. Russia (Altai, Buryatia). Biology. Host plant unknown. Adults were collected in semi-arid, steppe habitats with scattered vegetation (Fig. 45) from mid-June to early August up to an elevation of 2500 m.
Etymology. The new species is named in honour of Prof. Roman Yakovlev (Altai State University, Barnaul, Russia) in recognition of his enormous contribution to the exploration of Lepidoptera in Altai and organization of joint expeditions. Description. Adult (Fig. 17). Wingspan 11.0 mm. Head white with several brown scales on the neck, segment II of labial palpus brown with white medial belt, upper surface white, with brush of modified scales on underside, segment III black with white medial and apical rind, acute, scape brown with few white scales on apex, flagellum brown white-ringed; thorax and tegulae covered with white brown-tipped scales; forewing yellowish cream in dorsal 1/3 width, costal 2/3 mottled with grey and brown mainly along veins, fold with indistinct light brown streak, fringe white brown-tipped; hindwing and fringe light grey.
Male genitalia (Fig. 32). Uncus moderately narrow, apex triangular, pointed; gnathos long, weakly curved, broadest in middle; tegumen broad in basal half, distally nearly parallel-sided, anteromedial emargination deep, triangular, extending to half length of tegumen; valva broad in basal third, strongly curved before middle, then narrow, weakly sinuate, about of equal width, apex slightly broadened and rounded, not extending the top of uncus; sacculus very long, extending nearly to the top of valva, broad on base, distal portion narrow, with pointed, coiled and downwards curved 1/4; vinculum broad, posterior margin with deep and broad sub-triangular medial emargination, with triangular lateral process and broad membranous lobe; saccus subrectangular, weakly narrowed towards rounded apex, not extended beyond top of pedunculus; phallus moderately broad, gradually curved, with small triangular apical hook, caecum twice shorter than the length of phallus.