Plicacora Elliott, 2025, gen. nov.

Genus Plicacora gen. nov. (Figs 1, 2, 6) Type species: Plicacora maputoana sp. nov., by present designation and monotypy. Diagnosis. Species of Plicacora gen. nov. have distinctly narrow and falcate forewings, sometimes with spotted patterning that is reminiscent of species of Cecidothyris Aurivillius, 1910 (Figs 3 & 4). The two genera can be distinguished by examining the labial palps, for which the second and third segments are fused in species of Cecidothyris and separate in Plicacora gen. nov.. Primarily, the two genera can be differentiated by examining the male genitalia and specifically the gnathos. The gnathos of Plicacora gen. nov. is lobate and highly modified (Fig. 6), in contrast to the simple gnathos of species of Cecidothyris (Figs 7 & 8). Description. Species of the genus Plicacora gen. nov. have a highly modified, sclerotised and lobate gnathos, well-developed and sclerotised harpe and broad valva in the male genitalia (Fig. 6). Externally, species typically have narrow forewings that are pointed apically, with comparatively small hindwings, minutely ciliate antennae and distinctly three-segmented labial palps. Remarks. The genus Plicacora gen. nov. is placed in the subfamily Siculodinae based on the relatively simple appearance of the male genitalia. In Whalley’s (1971) key to the subfamilies of Thyrididae, the Siculodinae are defined as having relatively unmodified valva and an uncus that is always singularly produced and never bifid. The anal papillae of females in the subfamily are ‘simple’ and unfolded, which should be taken into consideration when a female of P. maputoana sp. nov. is discovered. Furthermore, Plicacora gen. nov. belongs in the tribe Siculodini (tribal classifications as outlined by Shaffer & Nielsen (1996)) based on the absence of apical spines on the tarsal segments (as defined by Whalley (1971)). In Whalley (1971), the Siculodinae (or Siculinae, a synonym of Siculodinae used in this instance) were subdivided into the Rhodoneurini and Opulini. Following Shaffer & Nielsen (1996), Opulini and Siculini were subsequently synonymised under Siculodini. Interestingly, under the original description of C. longicorpa, Whalley (1971) noted that the relationship of this species to others in the genus is unclear. Externally C. longicorpa (Fig. 5) appears to be more similar to P. maputoana sp. nov. than to other species of Cecidothyris and is more comparable with regards to characters of the male genitalia. It would be reasonable to assume that C. longicorpa is in fact more closely related to the genus Plicacora gen. nov. based on morphological analyses alone. However, the fused second and third segments of the labial palps of C. longicorpa, by definition, place this species in the genus Cecidothyris and the aforementioned unique and unusual characters of P. maputoana sp. nov. warrant the establishment of a new genus in which to contain this species. Etymology. The genus name is derived from the Latin words ‘plicatum’ meaning folded and ‘cor’ meaning heart and refers to the folded lobes of the gnathos of the male of the type species.