Mesophleps truncatella, Li & Sattler, 2012

Li, Houhun & Sattler, Klaus, 2012, A taxonomic revision of the genus Mesophleps Hübner, 1825 (Lepidoptera: Gelechiidae) 3373, Zootaxa 3373, pp. 1-82 : 46-47

Mesophleps truncatella -group

Labial palpus recurved, segment 2 distally thicker than at base, with dorsal brush of long erectile scales, brown with white distal ring; segment 3 about as long as 2, white, sometimes with black apex.

Genitalia ♂ ( Figs 80, 81). Uncus large, broader than tegumen, expanded laterally, distally truncated or concave. Gnathos hooks very strong, widely separated, bases connected by narrow, gently curved, sclerotized ribbon. Tegumen relatively short, anterior emargination variable; pedunculi long, simple, curved. Valva unremarkable. Vinculum rounded, distal portion narrow or wide. Phallus typical of genus.

Genitalia ♀ ( Figs 108, 109, 139, 140). Dorso-posterior margin of segment VIII with pair of strongly sclerotized pits; sclerotized antrum variable; ductus bursae short, at most twice length of apophyses anteriores; ductus seminalis from small bulge in posterior part of corpus bursae ( undulatella ) or very close to ductus bursae ( truncatella ).

Remarks. Members of this group differ from other Mesophleps in the male genitalia in the broad, somewhat atypical uncus and, in the female genitalia, in the presence of conspicuous sclerotized pits on the dorso-posterior margin of segment VIII.

Biology. Host-plants: Leguminosae ( Mimosoideae ).

Distribution ( Fig. 24). Papua New Guinea, Australia, Vanuatu (‘New Hebrides’).