Massepha? meropalis Walker

Taxonomy

The holotype of Hydrocampa? meropalis Walker 1859c: 462. TL Borneo (Sarawak) is in the Oxford UMNH. The type #931 was collected by A.R. Wallace.

• syn. Hydrocampa? actoralis Walker 1859e: 962. TL Borneo (Sarawak). The type #930 collected by A.R. Wallace is in the Oxford UMNH. (Speidel & Mey 1999b: 138).

In LepIndex as Cataclysta meropalis (Walker) and Globiz as Nymphula.

Comb n. to Aetholix Lederer, 1863 and transfer to Spilomelinae (Speidel & Mey, 1999b: 138).

This sp. is not well placed in Aetholix. As a temporary measure and because of its similarity to Massepha litanalis Walker we are treating it in the Pyraustinae and possibly Massepha.

Description

A rather dowdy pale brown species, lightly marked with indistinct white markings. Note the pointed FW apex and the small white markings on the FW costa The HW is slightly falcate.

References

• Walker, F. (1859c) Pyralides. In; List Spec. Lepid. Ins. Coll. B. M., Cat. Lepid. Heterocera. Ser. 4, 17: 255-508.
• Walker, F. (1859e) Pyralides, In; List Spec. Lepid. Ins. Coll. B. M., Cat. Lepid. Heterocera. Ser. 4, 19: 799-1036.