Psychana Ježek & Harten 2005, gen. nov.

Psychana gen. nov.

Type species. Psychana rujumensis sp. nov. by present designation.

Differential diagnosis. Antennomeres 13-14 fused, (apical) antennomere 15 separated, conical, meropleural suture conspicuously or at least slightly developed. This contrasts with the genera Ypsydocha Ježek, 1984 and Tinearia Schellenberg, 1803 in which antennomeres 13- 15 are fused, antennomere 15 is not conical and the meropleural suture is missing. The mentioned characters seem to be unique for this genus, especially in the shape of the apical flagellomere.

Etymology. A mutation of Psychoda (gender feminine).

Comments on the generic classification and extent of the genus. JEŽEK (1983, 1984) discussed in detail the position of six new genera excluded from the genus Psychoda auct. in the light of relationships among other genera. The complex taxonomical situation of the tribe Psychodini, comprising chiefly the clearly polyphyletic Psychoda s. lat. (nec Latreille, 1796) will not be fully resolved by the description of the new genus Psychana and may, in fact, become even more complicated. Sound comparative morphological studies, based not only on the last flagellomeres, are necessary for an acceptable division of the tribe. Worldwide it contains 447 species, 26 of which most probably belong to quite different tribes. Unfortunately, the clarification of their taxonomic status is hampered by the unavailability or poor condition of the type material. At any rate, future revisions of particular species groups are needed. The following species belong to the new genus: Psychana absidata (Quate & Quate, 1967) comb. nov. (from Psychoda Latreille, 1794) from New Guinea, P. moleva (Quate, 1965) comb. nov. (from Psychoda) from the Philippines, P. pellucida (Quate, 1965) comb. nov. (from Psychoda) from Malaysia, P. pinguicula (Quate & Quate, 1967) comb. nov. (from Psychoda) from New Guinea, and P. rujumensis sp. nov. from Yemen.