Premium
The first vespiform tineid moth (Lepidoptera: Tineidae)
Author(s) -
ROBINSON GADEN S.,
CARTER DAVID J.
Publication year - 1989
Publication title -
systematic entomology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.552
H-Index - 66
eISSN - 1365-3113
pISSN - 0307-6970
DOI - 10.1111/j.1365-3113.1989.tb00284.x
Subject(s) - biology , lepidoptera genitalia , vespidae , mimicry , hymenoptera , zoology , batesian mimicry , larva , ecology
Vespitinea gurkharum gen. et sp.n. is described from specimens reared from a bracket‐fungus ( Ganoderma ‐ Polyporaceae) from lowland rain‐forest in Brunei. This striking wasp‐like moth is suggested to be a Batesian mimic of species of Vespidae and Pompilidae (Hymenoptera) and the first example of this mimicry type recorded from the Tineoidea. Abdominal, eye and wing‐coupling modifications suggest that it is diurnal and a behavioural mimic. The systematic position of Vespitinea is discussed with reference to biology and adult and larval morphology.