Tabwecala robinsoni gen. nov., sp. nov., from Vanuatu and its systematic position in the ‘Ophiusini-Poaphilini’ clade (Lepidoptera, Erebidae)

By

Zilli, Alberto

Type

Article

Date of Publication

2021-10-8

Original Publication

Nature conservation

Volume

44

Pages

193--211

Subjects

Australian Region , Moths , Noctuoidea , Pacific , sex-limited structures , taxonomy

Contributed by

Pensoft Publishers

Language

English

Published by

Sofia, Bulgaria Pensoft Publishers 2012-

Identifiers

DOI: https://doi.org/10.3897/nl.44.70359

 

Abstract

A new erebid,Tabwecala robinsonigen. nov.,sp. nov., from the Vanuatu Islands (Espiritu Santo) (West Pacific Ocean) is described. The new species, superficially resembling species of the generaArtena,AchaeaorLeistera, shows a peculiar combination of characters which suggested its placement in a new genus. This is provisionally placed in tribe Poaphilini but following a review of the features purporting to show the separation of Ophiusini and Poaphilini, it is shown that morphological rationale supporting the current arrangement of these tribes is still lacking. Noteworthy modifications affect the hindleg of maleTabwecala robinsoni, with greatly shortened and swollen metatibia bearing a dorsal hair-pencil.