132 
MICROLEPIDOPTERA OE NEW GUINEA 
Proboscis absent. Antenna 1 / 2 , in male dentate, strongly fasciculate- 
biciliated, ciliations 2, scape thickened, with a moderate pecten of bristly 
hairs or with a large fan-like pecten of Jong scales. Labial palpus moderate 
or rather long, curved, ascending, sometimes strongly diverging and 
appressed to face and eyes ; basal segment of palpus with a tuft of long 
scales beneath, median segment densely rough-haired, above mostly with 
long dense erect scales, laterally towards apex also with a lew bristly 
projecting scales, terminal segment short (hardly 1 / e ), stout, scaled, rather 
obtuse. Maxillary palpi obsolete. Thorax with a strong posterior crest. 
Anterior tibia thickened, smooth, laterally compressed, with a shallow 
furrow at each side, and two keels or a tuft of scales towards apex below; 
basal segment of tarsus much dilated with smoothly appressed scales, 
roughly projecting at apex; other segments normal, long; posterior tibia 
long, with sparse loose very long erectile hairs above and beneath. Fore 
w ing very elongate, narrow, lb furcate, lc strongly developed; 2 from 
towards angle, 3 from angle, approximated, stalked or almost connate 
with 4, 5 and 6 approximated towards base; 7 and 8 short-stalked, 7 to 
costa, stalk from below angle; 9 from angle, 11 apparently from towards 
base, anterior half of this vein and upper edge of cell from base of vein 10 
to base of wing almost obliterate ; lower parting vein strong from beyond 
base, to halfway between 5 and 6; sometimes discoidal between the last 
mentioned veins distinctly angulate inward, upper parting vein weak, to 
stalk of 7 + 8. Retinaculum, a strong oblique transverse sclerotized bar. 
Hind wing H/ 2 — l 1 /.,, semiovate-lanceolate, pointed, tornus angulate, 
distinct, cilia over 1 / 2 ; la and lb anastomosing beyond base, lc furcate 
at base, 2 from 3 / 4 , 3 from angle, 4 approximated towards base, 5 and 6 
approximated towards base, 7 parallel, parting vein distinct, to below 
base of 6. 
Alli ed to Ptychoxena Meyrick and might even prove to be a synonym 
of that genus. Belongs to the group of Oerontha Walker. Meyrick’s 
statement that the terminal segment of the labial palpus is 1 / 2 of the 
median is erroneous. Set specimens of this genus become quickly greasy 
which indicates a great development of the fat body, probably in connection 
with wood-boring life-habits of the larvae, which are, however, unknown. 
Key to the species of Micrerethista 
1. Fore wing with veins 3 and 4 stalked in male, connate in female . . . eustena spec. nov. 
Fore wing with veins 3 and 4 approximated in both sexes. . . mochlacma Meyrick 
Micrerethista mochlacma Meyrick, 1938 
Micrerethista mochlacma Meyrick, 1938, Trans. Ent. Soc. Lond., vol. 87, p. 527. 
Distribution: Papua, Mount Tafa, 8500 feet. 
Mist Camp, 1800 m, January 12, 15, 1939. One male, one female. 
