Metasphenisca gracilipes (Loew, 1862)

Trypeta gracilipes Loew, 1862c: 90 . Syntypes. Egypt (NHMW). Acidia cyclopica Bezzi, 1908: 152 . Syntypes . Eritrea ( Cheren) (MZLS).

Trypeta w-fuscum Enderlein, 1911: 425 . Holotype. Eritrea (PAN).

Distribution. AF: Eritrea, South Africa. PA: Egypt.

Egyptian localities. Unknown. This species was recorded from Egypt according to a specimen in Vienna Museum labeled “Natt. Egypt, 1858” (Efflatoun 1924a).

Host plants. Hosts of Metashenisca spp. include Blepharis spp., that are suspected to be the hosts of this species (Munro 1947; Freidberg & Kugler 1989). Dates of collection. Unknown.

Remark. Efflatoun (1924a) listed this species in his monograph according to five specimens belonging to Vienna Museum bearing vague labels "Natt. 1858”, Egypt." I could not find any other sources to confirm its presence in Egypt which is thus considered as doubtful.