Dichocrocis dichochrosialis Hampson

Taxonomy

The male holotype of Meroctena dichochrosialis Hampson 1898: 761 from Bali is in the BMNH.

This sp. is not a Meroctena as per Lederer 1863b as the male holotype described in Hampson (1899: 178), does not have markedly unipectinate antennae. This sp. is similar to Dichocrocis pandamalis Walker, 1859e consequently we consider it a sp. awaiting allocation to a new genus but generic placement is uncertain.

Description

A bright orange yellow sp. with black spotted markings. The thorax and abdomen is yellow with a black band basally on the abdomen and the tip has a black band followed by a narrow white band. The male has modified antennae with the basal half serrate and fasciculate, a large tuft of scales on upperside at one-fifth from the base; palpi with the 3rd joint short, flattened, rounded, the outer side hollowed out and curled over at tip. See other members of the Dichocrocis pandamalis group which have similar markings.

References

• Hampson, G. F. (1898) A revision of the moths of the subfamily Pyraustinae and the family Pyralidae. Part 1, Proc. zool. soc. Lond.: 590-760.
• Hampson, G. F. (1899) A revision of the moths of the subfamily Pyraustinae and the family Pyralidae. Part 2, Proc. zool. soc. Lond.: 172-291.
• Walker, F. (1859e) Pyralides, In; List Spec. Lepid. Ins. Coll. B. M., Cat. Lepid. Heterocera. Ser. 4, 19: 799-1036.
• Lederer, J. (1863b [Oct]) Beitrag zur Kenntniss der Pyralidinen. Wien. entomol. Monat. 7 (10): 331-378, pl. 2-18.