Microleon Butler, 1885

Sohn, Jae-Cheon, Shih, Li-Cheng & Wu, Shipher, 2024, Review of Microleon Butler, 1885 (Lepidoptera: Limacodidae) from Taiwan with description of a new species based on morphology and DNA barcoding, Zootaxa 5403 (3), pp. 377-384 : 379

Genus Microleon Butler, 1885

Microleon Butler, 1885: 121 .

Type species: Microleon longipalpis Butler, 1885 .

Diagnosis. Liang et al. (2022) associated this genus with Euphlyctina Hering, 1931 but distinguished both genera in forewing shape and patterns and the male genitalia. Adults of Microleon are nearly indistinguishable in external appearance so they are better identified with the examination of the genitalia ( Sasaki 2016). Liang et al. (2022) provided a key to all the congeners. The key is updated with the new species found in this study.

A key to the world species of Microleon , based on male genitalia

1. Gnathos present...................................................................................... 2

- Gnathos absent................................................................. dianensis Liang et al., 2022

2. Juxta with prominent processes dorsolaterally.............................................................. 3

- Juxta without prominent processes dorsolaterally............................................................ 4

3. Gnathal medial plate extended laterally................................................ longipalpis Butler, 1885

- Gnathal medial plate spatulate........................................................ yoshimotoi Sasaki, 2016

4. Left sacculus with dorsal process longer than ventral one..................................................... 5

- Left sacculus with ventral process longer than dorsal one................................... decolatus Sasaki, 2016

5. Right sacculus with dorsal process 2× longer than ventral one.................................... taiwanensis n. sp.

- Right sacculus with dorsal process>3.5× longer than ventral one..................... simingensis Solovyev et al., 2022