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

Abstract

A new erebid, Tabwecala robinsoni gen. nov., sp. nov., from the Vanuatu Islands (Espiritu Santo) (West Pacific Ocean) is described. The new species, superficially resembling species of the genera Artena, Achaea or Leistera, 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 male Tabwecala robinsoni, with greatly shortened and swollen metatibia bearing a dorsal hair-pencil.

Keywords

• Australian region
• moths
• Noctuoidea
• Pacific
• sex