Ok... I have managed to fix/track down.... still confused though..
Through the upgrade process, there seems to have been an erroneous component created and tracking that down in cpanel (file manager) there it was, with Hikaserial files in it) - attached is the now deleted folder for info.
As you can see, it had the directory name of com___compo_name__, which also corresponds to the erroneous menu item in the components.
It must have been a gremlin through the update process of either joomla, hikashop, or serial.
So that is solved....
BUT, how do I get rid of the erroneous menu item in the backed? (see image)
Any help on that GREATLY appreciated!