Oiketicoides elegantis Arnscheid & Sobczyk 2023, sp. nov.

Oiketicoides elegantis sp. nov.,

(Figs 23, 44)

Holotypus ♁: Tajikistan, Romit reserve, 4–6.ix.2008, 1400 m, leg. V. Gurko. The holotype is deposited in MWM (in ZSM).

Paratypes. 17 ♁ same data as holotype; 3 ♁ Uzbekistan, Tshatkalskij khrebet vic. Tshimgan, 1600–2000 m, 15.viii.1985, leg. K. & L. Krusek; 1 ♁ ditto, 20.viii.1980; 1 ♁ Kyrgyzstan, Alai Mountains, river Dugoba, 1400 m, 13.vii.1992, leg. V. Murzin (CWA, CTS, MWM).

Etymology. The species is named after its slender and tiny general appearance.

Diagnosis. A very characteristic species by its slender and tiny general appearance. It resembles slightly O. centralasiaticae sp. nov. in male genitalia, but the valvae are narrower, the cucullus longer and the clasper of the sacculus covered with 4–5 long spines. The vinculum is less triangular.

Description. Head. Frons and vertex are densely covered with light brown hair. Eyes EI: 1.0. Antennae of nearly three-quarter of costa length, with very long pecten and 32–34 segments.

Thorax. Wings. Wingspan 19–24 mm, forewing length 9–12 mm. Wings short, costal margin slightly concave at the basal third. Apex roundish or sometimes pointed, termen and posterior margin straight. Less densely covered with very thin light greyish brown scales, often with two dentations and deeply bifurcated. The costal margin is darker brownish and more densely scaled. The fringes of all wings are distinctly darker brown. FI 1.90. Hindwings of the same colour as forewings.

Abdomen. Protruding distinctly the hindwings, conical and densely covered with yellowish-grey hair.

Male genitalia. GP 4169 (Fig. 44). Valvae slightly protruding the distal end of tegumen, tegumen stretched, pointed, and broadly folded laterally. The valvae are slender, cucullus slender and long, directed downwardly. The cucullus of the sacculus is distinctly stretched and covered with 4–5 long outwardly directed spines. The vinculum is less triangular, lateral lobes are hardly visible. The saccus is relatively long and distinctly lobeshaped.

Female. Unknown.

Larval case. Unknown.

Distribution. Widespread in Central Asia. Records were taken in the western Tien Shan in Uzbekistan, the Alai Range in Kyrgyzstan, and the Romit (Ramit) reserve near Dushanbe in Tajikistan.