Description of a new species of <i>Scythris</i> Hübner, 1825 (Lepidoptera: Scythrididae) from central Spain

Scythris salsolavermiculatus sp. nov. is described as new for science from material taken ex cocoon in its food-plant: Salsola vermiculata L. (Chenopodiaceae) in 2001, in the vicinity of Meco (prov. Madrid, 607 m a. s. l.). Its biology is documented, which includes its host plant and its parasitoid, as well as the basic morphology related to its exuvium and cocoon. The male genitalia is very characteristic, with the uncus divided in two and unusually lengthened, while the gnathos is scleroticised and in the shape of a finch's head. The new taxon is included in the cistorum species-group. Its wing morphology is also quite distinct in terms of the three other species included.