[Entomology • 2026] Pseudodelta melas • A New Wasp-mimicking Clearwing Moth (Lepidoptera: Sesiidae: Sesiini) from Uganda

Pseudodelta melas

Bartsch & Sáfián, 2026

DOI: doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5807.1.9 

Abstract

In this study a new genus of Sesiini, Pseudodelta gen. nov., and its type species Pseudodelta melas sp. nov., are described from the Ziika (Zika) Forest, Uganda. This highly mimetic species bears a striking resemblance to Delta emarginatum (Linnaeus, 1758), the black mud wasp widespread in Africa, which is probably its model.

Lepidoptera, Cossoidea, new species, Afrotropical region, taxonomy

Pseudodelta melas holotype, male (1) upperside, (2) underside.

Pseudodelta melas holotype, genitalia structure.

Pseudodelta gen. nov. 

Etymology. The name refers to ancient Greek ψευδο [pseudo] = false, pretended, not real, and the genus Delta Fabricius, 1804 (Vespidae); gender is neuter.

Pseudodelta melas sp. nov. 

Etymology. Ancient Greek μέλας [mélas] = black, dark.

DANIEL BARTSCH and SZABOLCS SÁFIÁN. 2026. A New Wasp-mimicking Clearwing Moth from Uganda (Lepidoptera: Sesiidae: Sesiini).  Zootaxa. 5807(1); 184-188. DOI: doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5807.1.9  [2026-05-08]

[Entomology • 2022] Scarlata namsanam • A New Species of the Genus Scarlata (Lepidoptera: Sesiidae) from Laos

Scarlata namsanam 

 Gorbunov, 2022

DOI: doi.org/10.31610/zsr/2022.31.2.204

Abstract 

Scarlata namsanam sp. nov. from Laos is described and illustrated. The type series was collected on wet soil near the drying stream within a primary monsoon lowland tropical forest. This new species is most similar to S. guichardii Skowron Volponi, 2022, from which it differs in the coloration of the hind tibia, forewing and abdomen and in noticeably wider discal spot of the hindwing.

Key words: clearwing moths, taxomony, Laos, Oriental Region, Sesiidae, Sesiinae, Osminiini, new species 

Variability of males of Scarlata namsanam sp. nov.
1–2, holotype, wing expanse 14.0 mm, Sesiidae picture №№ 0021-0022–2022;
 3–4, paratype, wing expanse 13.1 mm, Sesiidae picture № 0023-0024–2022;
5–6, paratype, wing expanse 15.5 mm, Sesiidae picture № 0149-0150–2021.
Dorsal (1, 3, 5) and ventral (2, 4, 6) view.

Variability of males of Scarlata namsanam sp. nov.
7–8, paratype, wing expanse 15.5 mm, Sesiidae picture №№ 0025-0026–2022;
9–10, paratype, wing expanse 15.3 mm, Sesiidae picture № 0027-0028–2022;
11–12, paratype, wing expanse 15.5 mm, Sesiidae picture № 0147-0148–2021.
Dorsal (7, 9, 11) and ventral (8, 10, 12) view.

O.G. Gorbunov. 2022. A New Species of the Genus Scarlata (Lepidoptera: Sesiidae) from Laos. Zoosystematica Rossica. 31(2): 204–211. DOI: doi.org/10.31610/zsr/2022.31.2.204 

 

[Entomology • 2024] Taikona gaoligongshana & T. extraordinaria • Two New Species of the Genus Taikona Arita & Gorbunov, 2001 (Lepidoptera: Sesiidae) from Yunnan, China

 

[1-2] Taikona gaoligongshana Yu, Arita & Kallies,
[5-8] Taikona extraordinaria Yu, Kallies & Arita

in Yu, Kallies, Arita, He, Li, Yata & LiI, 2024 

DOI: doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5443.1.8  

  Researchgate.net/publication/379951548

 

Abstract 

Two new species, Taikona gaoligongshana Yu, Arita & Kallies, sp. nov. and Taikona extraordinaria Yu, Kallies & Arita sp. nov. are described from Yunnan Province, China. Illustrations of the holotypes and the male genitalia are provided, along with a key to all currently known species of the genus. DNA barcoding sequences are also provided.

 Lepidoptera, Sesiidae, Paranthrenini, Oriental region, barcoding, clearwing moths, taxonomy

 Taikona species, adults.
1-4. Taikona gaoligongshana sp. nov. 1-2. Holotype, ♂, Gongshan County, Yunnan Prov., No. KIZ 0135567. 3-4. Paratype, ♂, Gongshan County, Yunnan Prov., No. KIZ 0135568.
5-8. Taikona extraordinaria sp. nov. 5-6. Holotype, Dulongjiang Village, Gongshan County, Yunnan Prov., No. KIZ 0135569. 7-8. Paratype, ♂, Bingzhongluo Town, Gongshan County, Yunnan Prov., No. KIZ 0135570.

 

Taikona gaoligongshana Yu, Arita & Kallies, sp. nov. 

Taikona extraordinaria Yu, Kallies & Arita sp. nov. 

TIANTIAN YU, AXEL KALLIES, YUTAKA ARITA, JINFU HE, HAIJUN LI, NAOKI YATA, XUEYAN LI. 2024. Two New Species of the Genus Taikona Arita & Gorbunov, 2001 (Lepidoptera, Sesiidae) from Yunnan, China.  Zootaxa. 5443(1); 135-140. DOI: doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5443.1.8 [2024-04-19] 

 Researchgate.net/publication/379951548_Two_new_species_of_the_genus_Taikona_from_Yunnan_China

[Entomology • 2024] Paranthrene sogaardi • A New Species of Paranthrene Hübner (Lepidoptera: Sesiidae) from the northern midwest United States

 

Paranthrene sogaardi Taft & Smith,

in Smith, Taft et Cognato, 2024

journals.flvc.org/mundi/article/view/136538 

Abstract

A clearwing moth species, Paranthrene sogaardi Taft and Smith, 2024, new species, is described from Michigan and Minnesota. The recognition of this new species is based on a phylogeny estimated from mitochondrial cytochrome oxidase I and wingless DNA sequences of 25 specimens representing all Paranthrene Hübner species including individuals from various locations. Paranthrene sogaardi new species was monophyletic and differed from Paranthrene tabaniformis Rottenburg, 1775 by a mean of 7.6% COI pairwise “p” distance, coloration, and genitalic morphology.

Keywords: Clearwing moths, Michigan, mitochondrial DNA, nuclear DNA, phylogeny, systematics

William H. Smith III, William H. Taft Jr. and Anthony I. Cognato. 2024. A New Species of Paranthrene Hübner (Lepidoptera: Sesiidae) from the northern midwest United States. Insecta Mundi. 1047-1055. https://journals.flvc.org/mundi/article/view/136538 (2024-06-10) 

[Entomology • 2022] Afromelittia gruschwitzi • A New Species of Afromelittia Gorbunov & Arita, 1997 (Lepidoptera: Sesiidae: Melittiini) from The Gambia

Afromelittia gruschwitzi

Bartsch & Weitzel, 2022 

DOI: doi.org/10.18476/2022.477144 

Abstract

A new species of Afrotropical Melittiini, Afromelittia gruschwitzi sp. n., is described. Attracted by synthetic pheromones, a single male was trapped 1992 in Abuko Nature Reserve, a gallery forest in The Gambia, West Africa. The female and the biology of the new species are unknown.

KEYWORDS: Afrotropical Region, clearwing moths, Cucurbitaceae, pheromones, taxonomy

Afromelittia gruschwitzi sp. n., holotype.

 Afromelittia gruschwitzi sp. n.

 

Diagnosis: Afromelittia gruschwitzi sp. n. resembles other species of the genus, particularly A. occidentalis, A. aenescens, A. natalensis, A. iridisquama and A. caerulea. All of these species, including the western extreme A. iridisquama, differ externally by the usually completely opaque fore-wings, which only rarely have one or two very small transparent cells near the tornus (external transparent area well developed and large in A. gruschwitzi), and the well-developed, specialized scale follicles of tergite eight (stunted in medial part in A. gruschwitzi). Afromelittia caerulea differs further by the bright blue, opaque hindwings. In the male genitalia, these species are hard to distinguish. Afromelittia gruschwitzi sp. n. has valva slightly broader and shorter with distal margin somewhat more concave, and saccus longer and narrower.

Etymology: The new species is named after Dr. Michael Gruschwitz, Weeze, North Rhine Westphalia, Germany, who collected the holotype.

Daniel Bartsch amd Matthias Weitzel. 2022. A New Species of Afromelittia Gorbunov & Arita, 1997 (Lepidoptera: Sesiidae: Melittiini) from The Gambia. Integrative Systematics: Stuttgart Contributions to Natural History. 5(1); 49-52. DOI: doi.org/10.18476/2022.477144 

[Entomology • 2023] Proaegeria murzini • On the Systematic Position of the Genus Proaegeria Le Cerf 1916 (Lepidoptera: Sesiidae) with Description of A New Species

 

Proaegeria murzini Gorbunov, 2023

DOI: doi.org/10.37828/em.2023.63.4 

Researchgate.net/publication/371830996

Abstract

A new species, Proaegeria murzini sp. n., is described and illustrated from a series of males and a female collected in the vicinities of Kindia, Guinea. The new species is well distinguished from the closest relative, Proaegeria vouauxi Le Cerf, 1916, by the colouration of the abdomen and the details of the structure of the hindwing. The study of the genital structures of both the male and the female of the new species unequivocally determines the systematic position of this genus in the tribe Sesiini.

 Moths. Proaegeria murzini sp. n.:
1-2. Holotype, male, Sesiidae pictures №№ 0023-0024-2023;
3-4. Paratype, male. Sesiidae pictures №№ 0021-0022-2023;
5-6. Paratype, male. Sesiidae pictures №№ 0025-0026-2023;
7-8. Paratype, female. Sesiidae pictures №№ 0019-0020-2023.
Dorsal view (1, 3, 5, 7) and ventral view (2, 4, 6, 8).

 Genitalia. Proaegeria murzini sp. n.: 9-14. Paratype, male, genitalia preparation № 010-2023.
9. Tegumen-uncus complex; 10. Valva; 11. Saccus; 12. Juxta, ventral view; 13. Phallus. 14. Paratype, female, genitalia preparation № 011-2023. Scale bar 1.0 mm.

Proaegeria murzini sp. n.

Oleg G. Gorbunov. 2023. On the Systematic Position of the Genus Proaegeria Le Cerf 1916 (Lepidoptera: Sesiidae) with Description of A New Species.  Ecologica Montenegrina 63; 39-45. 

DOI: doi.org/10.37828/em.2023.63.4

 Researchgate.net/publication/371830996_systematic_position_of_Proaegeria_with_description_of_a_new_species

[Entomology • 2024] Carmenta brachyclados • A Clearwing Moth (Lepidoptera: Sesiidae: Synanthedonini) from Guyana discovered with its hostplant indoors in Wales (United Kingdom)

  

Carmenta brachyclados Sterling & Lees, 

in Sterling, Cadet, Beasley et Lees, 2024

DOI: 10.3897/nl.47.130138 

Abstract

A new species of Sesiidae, Carmenta brachyclados Sterling & Lees, 2024 is described from adult specimens, pupal exuviae and larval borings which were accidentally transported to South Wales, United Kingdom. DNA barcoding and morphological evidence shows that this species is native to the Neotropics, where it feeds in the seedpods of the leguminous tree, Mora excelsa Benth. (Fabaceae: Caesalpinioideae) and that it is related to a group of seed-feeding species of clearwing moths within the genus Carmenta Edwards, 1881, naturally occurring in the Neotropics and southern Nearctic, although C. mimosa Eichlin & Passoa, 1984 has been introduced in Australia and elsewhere as a biological agent.

Carmenta brachyclados sp. nov.; 11. Holotype ♀ dorsal; 12. Holotype ♀ ventral; 13. External diagnostic characters of C. brachyclados;
14. External diagnostic characters of C. whitelyi;
15. Paratype of C. brachyclados ♀ genitalia slide number NHMUK014332461; 16. Paratype of C. brachyclados pre-genital abdomen.

Scale bars: 10 mm (11, 12, 16); 1 mm (15).

 Carmenta brachyclados Sterling & Lees, sp. nov.

Diagnosis: Hindwing with branch of M3 and CuA1 very short (1/10th of distance between edge of discal cell and termen), forewing with discal spot narrow and tapering below M3 towards dorsum, exterior transparent area elongate, with moderately convex outer margin, apical area predominantly black, reaching close to branch of R4 and R5, entire area between stalks of R4 and R5 scaled black (Figs 11–13). Similar to C. whitelyi (See Similar species) but differs in length of branch of M3 and CuA1 in hindwing and in shape of discal spot and exterior transparent area (Figs 13, 14). Female genitalia with sclerotised section of ductus bursae long and thin, ductus seminalis arising at juncture of sclerotised and membranous section of ductus bursae (Fig. 15).

Etymology: The specific name is derived from brachys (gr.) short; klados (gr.) a branch. The species is named after the characteristic short branch of M3 and CuA1 in the hindwing.

Mark J. Sterling, Daisy T. Cadet, Jordan Beasley and David C. Lees. 2024. A Success for Community Science: Carmenta brachyclados sp. nov. (Lepidoptera, Sesiidae, Synanthedonini), A Clearwing Moth from Guyana discovered with its hostplant indoors in Wales (United Kingdom). Nota Lepidopterologica. 47: 201-218. DOI: doi.org/10.3897/nl.47.130138 

www.nhm.ac.uk/discover/news/2024/october/new-species-of-tropical-moth-from-guyana-discovered-in-port-talbot.html

[Entomology • 2023] Corematosetia parvimaculata • A New Species of Corematosetia Kallies & Arita, 2001 (Lepidoptera: Sesiidae) from south-eastern China

Corematosetia parvimaculata Liang & Hsu,

in Liang, Ruan, Chen, Zhang, Lin et Hsu, 2023.

 taiwania.ntu.edu.tw/abstract/1960

facebook.com/TaiwaniaOffice

Abstract

A new species of clearwing moth, Corematosetia parvimaculata sp. nov., is described from south-eastern China in this article. Adults and genitalia of both sexes are illustrated, DNA barcodes are provided, and immature biology and potential damage to Ardisia sieboldii Miq. and A. quinquegona Blume (Primulaceae) are both discussed.

Keyword: Ardisia sieboldii, clearwing moth, Corematosetia parvimaculata, immature biology, Pennisetiini, taxonomy

Adults and genitalic structures of Corematosetia parvimaculata sp. nov.,
A–B. Male, holotype, CHINA, Fujian Prov., Ningde (IOZ). C–D. Female, paratype, CHINA, Fujian Prov., Ningde (NDNU). E. Caudal view of tegumen-uncus and valvae. F. Lateral view of phallus. G. Distal part of phallus. H. Female genitalia. I. corpus bursae and signum.

Scale bar A-D. = 5 mm. E-F,I. = 0.5 mm; G. = 0.1mm; H. = 1mm.

Corematosetia parvimaculata Liang & Hsu, sp. nov.

小紋毛刷透翅蛾

Diagnosis. Corematosetia parvimaculata sp. nov. is distinct from all known species of the genus Corematosetia by its abdomen not being constricted at segments 3−5. The male genitalia of C. parvimaculata is similar to that of C. minuta Kallies & Arita 2006 from Vietnam, but can be distinguished from the latter by its vesica bearing numerous small cornuti, in contrast to the absence of cornutus on vesica in C. minuta.

Etymology. The name "parvimaculata" comes from the Latin parva (= small) and maculae (= spot), which is referring to the three small, transparent cells present in the exterior area of the new species.  

 Biology of Corematosetia parvimaculata sp. nov.
A–B Infection of C. parvimaculata sp. nov. immature on stem of Ardisia sieboldii. C. Mature larva of C. parvimaculata sp. nov. in stem of A. sieboldii. D. Pupal and cocoon of C. parvimaculata sp. nov. in stem of A. sieboldii. E. Pupal exuviae protruding from trunk of A. sieboldii. F. Freshly emerged male adult. G. Haltichella sp. adult that emerged from Corematosetia parvimaculata pupa.

Jia-Yuan Liang, Jun-Feng Ruan, Mei-Xia Chen, Cheng-Kang Zhang, Nuo-Bin Lin and Yu-Feng Hsu. 2023. A New Species of Corematosetia Kallies & Arita, 2001 (Lepidoptera: Sesiidae) from south-eastern China. Taiwania. 68(4); 430-434. taiwania.ntu.edu.tw/abstract/1960 

facebook.com/TaiwaniaOffice/posts/722195393264488

[Entomology • 2018] Aschistophleps ignisquamulata • A New Species of Aschistophleps (Lepidoptera: Sesiidae) from Thailand and Laos, with A New Generic Synonymy

[1, 3, 4] Aschistophleps ignisquamulata Kallies & Štolc, 2018
 [2] A. cucphuonganae comb. nov. 

DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4446.4.11 

 Researchgate.net/publication/326492921

Abstract

We here describe a new clearwing moth species, Aschistophleps ignisquamulata sp. nov., from northern Thailand and Laos. This striking new species differs from all other species of Osminiini in both external appearance and genitalia and displays characteristics that indicate that Pyrophleps Arita & Gorbunov is a junior subjective synonym of Aschistophleps (syn. nov.).

Keywords: Lepidoptera, south-eastern Asia, clearwing moths, pheromones, Osminiini, ignisquamulata, Pyrophleps

  1-4. Aschistophleps species and habitat.
1. Aschistophleps ignisquamulata spec. nov., holotype, Thailand. 2. A. cucphuonganae comb. nov., Vietnam.
3. A. ignisquamulata spec. nov., paratype, male genitalia. 4. Type locality of A. ignisquamulata spec. nov. in Thailand.

Aschistophleps ignisquamulata spec. nov.

Etymology. The name is derived from the Latin ignis (fire) and squamula (scale).

Axel Kallies and VladimÍr Štolc. 2018. A New Species of Aschistophleps from Thailand and Laos, with A New Generic Synonymy (Lepidoptera, Sesiidae). Zootaxa. 4446(4); DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4446.4.11

  Researchgate.net/publication/326492921_A_new_species_of_Aschistophleps_from_Thailand_and_Laos

 

[Entomology • 2022] Scarlata gen. nov. & Malayomelittia gen. nov. • Hidden Jewels of Malaysia: Two New Genera and Species of remarkable Clearwing Moths (Lepidoptera: Sesiidae: Osminiini)

 Scarlata nirvana 

Skowron Volponi, 2022

DOI: 10.1080/24750263.2022.2061613  

Abstract

A stunning scarlet-coloured clearwing moth was found mud-puddling on a rainforest river bank in Malaysia and is described herein as a new genus and species, Scarlata nirvana gen. et sp. nov.. This sesiid seems to be a rare case of a mimic of an assassin bug (Hemiptera: Reduviidae) in a family otherwise known for hymenopteran mimicry. A high-quality video of the moth’s behaviour in its habitat is provided. Studies of the collections of the Natural History Museum in London revealed another member of the new genus, S. guichardii sp. nov. A third species, S. ignisquamulata Kallies, 2018 comb. nov. is transferred to Scarlata gen. nov. from the genus Aschistophleps Hampson, 1892. The second new lineage from Malaysia described here, Malayomelittia gen. nov., includes two species, Malayomelittia pahangensis Skowron, 2015 comb. nov. and M. ruficrista Rothschild, 1912 comb. nov. Additionally, Heterosphecia bantanakai Arita & Gorbunov, 2000 is placed as a junior synonym of H. hyaloptera Hampson, 1919 syn. nov. Morphological descriptions, remarks on behaviour, conditions of occurrence and a discussion about potential mimicry models are included. All new taxa are figured, including images of male genitalia.

 

Keywords: Assassin bug, mimicry, Malaysia, puddling, new taxa

(a)  Scarlata nirvana gen. et sp. nov. holotype male; (b) S. guichardii gen. et sp. nov. holotype male;
 (c) Malayomelittia ruficrista comb. nov. holotype female; (d). M. ruficrista male NHMUK10605228.

Details of the head and outline of the eye of:
 (a) Malayomelittia pahangensis comb. nov.; (b)  Scarlata nirvana gen. et sp. nov. 
Note differences in the shape of the eye and in scaling of labial palp apically.

Malayomelittia Skowron Volponi gen. nov.

Type species: Heterosphecia pahangensis Skowron, 2015.

Composition: Only two known species belong to this newly described genus: 

Malayomelittia pahangensis (Skowron, 2015), comb. nov. 

and Malayomelittia ruficrista (Rothschild, 1912), comb. nov.

Etymology. The name derives from Malaysia, the country of origin of representatives of this genus, and the Greek “melitta” (bee), due to the type species’ splendid mimicry of Trigona bees. The gender is feminine.

 Scarlata nirvana gen. et sp. nov. exposing its hind leg tufts in a common feeding position of this species.

 Scarlata nirvana gen. et sp. nov. in a typical resting position.  

Scarlata Skowron Volponi gen. nov.

Type species: Scarlata nirvana Skowron Volponi sp. nov.

Small (wingspan 14–17 mm) and slender clearwing moths with scarlet coloured, conspicuous hindleg tufts of elongated scales. Antennae simple and clavate, frons covered with smooth scales, labial palpi mostly smooth-scaled with narrow elongated scales at tip and wide, slightly erected scales at base. Thorax and abdomen covered with smooth scales, either scarlet or black. Wings mostly transparent with broad black fore- and hindwing discal spots and margins. Male genitalia morphology distinct from other Osminiini: uncus with very short sclerotized setae on margins, similar setae forming a small patch or row at tip of valva, valva folded inwards subapically on coastal margin.

Differential diagnosis: 

Superficially similar to Malayomelittia and Aschistophleps but can be differentiated by the morphology of the male genitalia, the shape of the eye, scaling of labial palps (more hair-like scales apically in Malayomelittia), broader hindwing discal spot and the structure of the hindleg tuft: in Scarlata, the hair-like scales are strongly elongated on the inner margin, moving towards the dorsal side there is a narrow groove covered with shorter scales followed by a ridge of elongated scales dorsally, the tuft of elongated scales continues onto the proximal half of the 1st tarsomere only on the inner margin, on the hindleg outer side the scales are elongated only on the tibia, the 1st tarsomere is dorsally and externally smooth-scaled. Scarlata does not have a tuft of hair-scales on the midleg. In Malayomelittia the hindleg tuft is made of almost equally elongated scales dorsally and on both inner and outer sides of tibia and entire 1st tarsomere. Aschistophleps has a tuft of hairs on the midleg tibia and two small tufts on the hind leg which allows for the immediate differentiation from closely related genera. Overall, the hindleg tufts of the genera Scarlata, Malayomelittia and Heterosphecia are very conspicuous, made of dense, elongated scales. In the slender-bodied species of Pyrophleps, these tufts are much less impressive and scales less elongated.

In the field, representatives of the genus Scarlata can be differentiated from Malayomelittia and Aschistophleps by their posture, especially different ways of exposing the hind leg tufts. Scarlata species often spread out their wings (Figure 2; Suppl. video TC 02:50–03:05), showing the bright red hind legs with tarsi curled up, not using them much to move around. Malayomelittia, when puddling, always keeps its wings folded back against the body and rises the hind legs upwards, often moving them slightly to expose the conspicuous tufts (see Suppl. video in Skowron et al. 2015), but never uses them to walk, whereas Aschistophleps, keeping its wings folded against its body and hind legs on the outer side of the wings, uses the hind legs actively for locomotion. Pyrophleps species do not expose hindleg tufts significantly but keep the hind legs close to their slender abdomens and most of the time concealed beneath the wings.

From the similarly-coloured species of Akaisphecia Gorbunov and Arita (1995), Scarlata can be distinguished by the absence of a filiform appendix on the abdomen, structure of hind leg tufts, well-developed forewing transparent areas and morphology of male genitalia.

Composition: This genus consists of three species: 

S. ignisquamulata Kallies, 2018 comb. nov.; 

S. nirvana Skowron Volponi sp. nov. 

and S. guichardii Skowron Volponi sp. nov.

Scarlata nirvana sp. nov. 

Etymology: This species is named after the Nirvana Asia Group, who co-financed the expedition to Malaysia during which this new species was discovered.

 

Marta Skowron Volponi. 2022. Hidden Jewels of Malaysia: Two New Genera and Species of remarkable Clearwing Moths (Lepidoptera: Sesiidae: Osminiini). The European Zoological Journal.  89(1); 579-589. DOI: 10.1080/24750263.2022.2061613  

[Entomology • 2022] Taxonomic Changes and Review of the Genera Tipulamima Holland, 1893 and Macrotarsipodes Le Cerf, 1916 stat. rev. (Lepidoptera: Sesiidae: Sesiinae)

Tipulamima pterotarsa (Meyrick, 1933)

in Bartsch & Sáfián, 2022. 

 DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5094.1.4

 

Abstract

In this study, two genera of Afrotropical Sesiidae, Tipulamima Holland, 1893 and Macrotarsipodes Le Cerf, 1916 stat. rev., are redefined and redescribed, the latter being resurrected from synonymy with the former as a valid genus. Both genera are confirmed to belong to the tribe Synanthedonini. The genera closest to Tipulamima are unknown. Macrotarsipodes is related to Macrotarsipus Hampson, [1893] from Southeast Asia and Lepidopoda Hampson, 1900 from Africa and Southeast Asia. The latter genus as well as Pedalonina are transferred to Synanthedonini. Uranothyris Meyrick, 1933 syn. nov. is regarded as a subjective junior synonym of Tipulamima. Checklists of the species assigned to Tipulamima and Macrotarsipodes are provided. One new species, Tipulamima hesperia sp. nov., from Guinea and Ghana and the previously unknown male of T. pterotarsa (Meyrick, 1933) comb. nov. (Uranothyris) are described and depicted. The following new combinations are introduced: Macrotarsipodes leptosceles (Bradley, 1968) comb. nov. (Synanthedon), M. pedunculata (Hampson, 1910) comb. nov. (Ichneumenoptera), M. sexualis (Hampson, 1910) comb. nov. (Macrotarsipus), M. tricinctus Le Cerf, 1916 comb. rev., Synanthedon malimba (Beutenmüller, 1899) comb. nov. (Sesia), Malgassesia ivondro (Viette, 1955) comb. nov. (Tipulamima), M. opalimargo (Le Cerf, 1913) comb. nov. (Sesia), Lepidopoda aericincta (Meyrick, 1928) comb. nov. (Aegeria), L. cyanospira (Meyrick, 1928) comb. nov. (Aegeria), L. dasysceles (Bradley, 1968) comb. nov. (Synanthedon), L. erythromma (Hampson, 1919) comb. nov. (Synanthedon), L. festiva (Beutenmüller, 1899) comb. nov. (Sesia), L. flavipalpis Hampson, 1910 comb. rev., L. nuba (Beutenmüller, 1899) comb. nov. (Sesia), L. rubripicta (Hampson, 1919) comb. nov. (Synanthedon), L. waterloti (Le Cerf, 1913) comb. nov. & stat. nov. (Macrotarsipodes), Episannina sylphina (Hampson, 1919) comb. nov. (Lepidopoda) (Synanthedonini), Chamanthedon auronitens (Le Cerf, 1913) comb. nov. (Sesia), Pyranthrene hypocalla (Le Cerf, 1937) comb. nov. (Tipulamima), P. nigriceps (Hampson, 1919) comb. nov. (Tipulamima) (Osminiini). Junior subjective synonyms are: Aegeria rubripalpis Meyrick, 1932 syn. nov. of L. rubripicta, Aegeria mercatrix Meyrick, 1931 syn. nov. of L. aericincta and Aegeria pyrostoma Meyrick, 1927 syn. rev. of L. erythromma. Lectotypes of Tipulamima haugi (Le Cerf, 1917), T. flammipes (Hampson, 1910) and Macrotarsipodes sexualis comb. nov. are designated. Clerodendrum paniculatum L. (Lamiaceae) is reported as a host plant of Tipulamima for the first time. The larvae of three species of Macrotarsipodes and several species of Lepidopoda are known to be pests of Ipomoea batatas (L.) Lam. (Convolvulaceae).

Keywords: Lepidoptera, Afrotropical Region, clearwing moths, Clerodendrum paniculatum, Ipomoea batatas, Lepidopoda, Macrotarsipus, Malgassesia, Pheromones, Pyranthrene, Uranothyris

Daniel Bartsch and Szabolcs Sáfián. 2022. Taxonomic Changes and Review of the Genera Tipulamima Holland, 1893 and Macrotarsipodes Le Cerf, 1916 stat. rev. (Lepidoptera: Sesiidae: Sesiinae). Zootaxa. 5094(1); 103-128. DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5094.1.4

[Entomology • 2021] Scoliokona baliensis • A New Species of the Genus Scoliokona Kallies et Arita, 1998 (Lepidoptera: Sesiidae) from Bali, Indonesia

Scoliokona baliensis O. Gorbunov, 2021

DOI: 10.15298/rusentj.30.1.11

ABSTRACT

 A new species, Scoliokona baliensis sp.n. from the island of Bali, Indonesia, is described and figured. The holotype of the new species was collected with using artificial sex attractant. It is deposited in the collections of the A.N. Severtsov Institute of Ecology and Evolution of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, Russia. The female and the larval host plant are still unknown. This is the first record of the genus to the island of Bali. A new combination — Scoloikona stroehlei (Fischer, 2002), comb.n. is established. 

 

KEY WORDS. Lepidoptera, Paranthrenini, clearwing moths, Scoliokona, new species, Oriental Region, Indonesia. 

Scoliokona baliensis sp. n.:
2 — holotype, upside. Sesiidae picture № 0017–2020. Alar expanse 32.8 mm;
3 — ditto underside. Sesiidae picture № 0018–2020.

Type locality of Scoliokona baliensis sp. n. Indonesia, Bali, Tabanan, Lalah Linggah, ..., 50 m, 11.II.2020.

Photo by O. Gorbunov.

 

Scoliokona baliensis O. Gorbunov, sp.n.

HABITAT. The holotype was collected at the edge of a coconut plantation and a secondary rainforest (Fig. 1). 

DISTRIBUTION. The new species is known only from the type locality on the island of Bali, Indonesia. 

ETHYMOLOGY. This new species is named after the island Bali, Indonesia, where this species was collected. 

  O.G. Gorbunov. 2021. A New Species of the Genus Scoliokona Kallies et Arita, 1998 (Lepidoptera: Sesiidae) from Bali, Indonesia. Russian Entomological Journal. 30(1); 93–99. DOI: 10.15298/rusentj.30.1.11

 kmkjournals.com/upload/PDF/REJ/30/ent30_1_093_099_Gorbunov_for_Inet.pdf

РЕЗЮМЕ. Приведено описание нового вида, Scoliokona baliensis sp.n. с острова Бали, Индонезия. Голотип нового вида был собран с помощью искусственных половых аттрактантов. Он хранится в коллекции Института проблем экологии и эволюции им. А.Н. Северцова Российской академии наук в Москве. Это первое указание рода для острова Бали. Установлено новое сочетание — Scoloikona stroehlei (Fischer, 2002), comb.n.

КЛЮЧЕВЫЕСЛОВА. Lepidoptera, Paranthrenini, бабочки-стеклянницы, Nokona, новыйвид, Ориентальный регион, Индонезия.

[Entomology • 2019] Melanosphecia paolo • A New Species of Spectacular Spider Wasp Mimic Moth (Lepidoptera: Sesiidae: Osminiini) from Thailand is the First Representative of the Genus Melanosphecia Le Cerf 1916 to be filmed in the Wild

Melanosphecia paolo Skowron Volponi

in Skowron Volponi, 2019.

DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4695.3.4 

Abstract

A metallic blue, new species of clearwing moth from Thailand is described and shown on video. With its spectacular colouration, long hind legs and an incredible illusion of a wasp-waist, complemented by behavioural imitations, this sesiid is a striking spider wasp mimic. Notes on possible mimicry models, behaviour and conditions of occurrence are given. COI DNA barcode sequence is provided. This is the first country record of Melanosphecia Le Cerf 1916 for Thailand and the first representative of this genus to be filmed in its natural habitat.

Keywords: Lepidoptera, clearwing moth, mimicry, behaviour, mud-puddling, Hymenoptera, Pompilidae, Southeast Asia, barcoding

Melanosphecia paolo Skowron Volponi sp. nov.

Etymology. I dedicate this species to my husband, Paolo Volponi, a brilliant filmmaker and clearwing moth enthusiast, whose help and assistance in the field have been crucial in the studies of this and many other Sesiidae species.

Marta A. Skowron Volponi. 2019. A New Species of Spectacular Spider Wasp Mimic Moth from Thailand is the First Representative of the Genus Melanosphecia Le Cerf 1916 (Lepidoptera: Sesiidae: Osminiini) to be filmed in the Wild. Zootaxa. 4695(3); 295–300. DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4695.3.4