Lithocolletis, Walker, 1875, 1825

Prins, Jurate De & Kawahara, Akito Y., 2012, Systematics, revisionary taxonomy, and biodiversity of Afrotropical Lithocolletinae (Lepidoptera: Gracillariidae), Zootaxa 3594 (1), pp. 1-283 : 158

“Lithocolletis” aurifascia Walker, 1875

L.[ithocolletis] aurifascia, Walk. — Walker (1875: 192–193).

This species does not belong to Lithocolletinae according to external morphology. Differently from all Lithocolletinae genera defined by the character indicated in the original description that labial palpi “filiform, drooping ” ( Stainton 1854: 264), labial palpi in aurifascia are long, porrect; second palpomere with a long tuft beneath, terminal palpomere as long as the second palpomere or slightly longer ( Figs 134, 135 ).

Note: All five type specimens of L. aurifascia lack abdomens.

Holotype ♂, [abdomen lacking], S[ain]t Helena:[1] ‘ Type’,[2] ‘ St Helena , [leg.] Wollaston, 79-68’, [3]’ aurifascia Walk’. [on the reverse side of the label 3: ’ 500 feet lower’].

Paratypes: 2♂, 2 specimens [abdomens and hindwings lacking]. S[ain]t. Helena: [1] ‘St Helena, Wollaston, 79-68’, in BMNH .

Figures

FIGURES 134–135. “Lithocolletis” aurifascia Walker 1875, holotype ♂, Saint Helena, leg. Wollaston, in BMNH. 134, adult, habitus. 135, labial palpus long and porrect with a long tuft beneath indicates that aurifascia does not belong to Lithocolletinae.