96 



U.S. NATIONAL MUSEUM BULLETIN 255 



CALIFORNIA INSECT SURVEY 

 Department of Entomology and Parasitology 



UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA 



Map 15. — Distribution of Prodoxus aenescens (see maps 4 and 5 for distribution of host). 



Pasqual, 5 ? 9 , Apr. 25 (USNM). Tulare Co.: Three Rivers, 20 d^ d^, 23 ? 9 , 

 May 7-21 (USNM). Ventura Co.: Mortimer Park, Simi Hills, 3 cf cf , 5 9 9, 

 June 17 (LACM). Sherwood Lake, Hidden Valley, cf , May 22 (LACM). 



Mesepiola, new genus 



Type species. — Mesepiola specca, new species. 



Adult. — Relatively small, slender bodied moths; similar to Prodoxus 

 in general habitus. 



Head (fig. 43): Eyes large, vertical diameter approximately 1.5 

 times the width of frons. Tongue prominent, similar to that of Prodoxus 

 in size, greatly exceeding length of maxillary palpi. Mandibles 

 minute, rounded. Maxillary palpus 5-segmented, segmentation 

 similar to that of Prodoxus; fourth segment doubling third in length; 

 maxillary tentacle absent in both sexes. Labial palpus 3-segmented, 

 apical segment one-half the length of second; sensory invagination 

 present at apex of distal segment. 



Thorax: Wings (fig. 48) similar to Prodoxus, relatively broad, 

 apices somewhat acute; all veins normally separate except 7 and 8 of 

 forewings and 5 and 6 of hindwings which are usually connate; 

 frenulum simple in male, prominent. Epiphysis present (fig. 56). 



Abdomen: Seventh tergite of female with a prominent, uncinate 

 appendage (fig. 113). 



Male genitalia. — Similar in general structure to Agavenema. 

 Apex of tegumen bilobed ; a pair of tiny, sclerotized spots near middle 

 of dorsal membranous area. Vinculum somewhat V-shaped; saccus 

 broad, indistinctly set off from vinculum. Valves with sacculus 



