Moleropterix, M.S & R.K, 2008

M. S & R. K, 2008, A primitive moth from the earliest Eocene Fur Formation (" Mo-clay ") of Denmark (Lepidoptera: Micropterigidae), Linzer biologische Beiträge 40 (2), pp. 1443-1448 : 1444-1445

Moleropterix gen.nov.

Type species: Moleropterix kalbei nov.sp.

D i a g n o s i s:Forewingoval,apexrounded (similar to some Paramartyria and other micropterigids), not narrow lanceolate (narrow lanceolate is the typical condition of most micropterigids) ( Figs 1-2 ), more than twice as long as wide, faint evidence of at least two pale patches present ( Fig. 1 ); first extending from just apical of divergence of Rs 1 and Rs 2, broadening posteriorly to encompass fork of Rs 3 and Rs 4, base of M 1, and ending at M 3; second patch slightly smaller and proximad first patch (there may also be a third small patch apical to the larger patch but it is exceedingly faintly indicated and may be an artifact); Sc forked, stem Sc 1+2 long, preserved portion at least as long as Sc 2 ( Fig. 2 ); sc-r present, faint and oblique, originating near midpoint of Sc 2 and terminating on R 1+2 before fork; R forked, stem R 1+2 long, slightly more than twice length of R 2 ( Fig. 2 ); Rs first forking in apical portion of median cell, at least apical quarter and approximately opposite M 2 -M 3 fork, with all branches terminating on costa, Rs 4 terminating only slightly before wing apex; Rs 1+2 and Rs 3+4 short, latter slightly longer than former; rs-rs crossvein (i.e., inter-Rs crossvein) not evident (this vein is typically very faint in modern species and given that, if present, it would be positioned within the larger of the pale patches it may simply be impossible to discern; as such, it should not be considered definitively absent); M with three branches ( Fig. 2 ); m-cua not evident; CuA forked, CuA 1 and CuA 2 faint, short; CuP simple and faint; anal loop evident, faint.

Etymology: The new generic name is a combination of Moler, the term for the form of diatomite particular to northern Denmark, and the suffix -pterix commonly used for primitive moth genera (a form of pteryx, meaning "wing"). The name is feminine.

Comments: This fossil apparently intermingles traits of the Micropterix and Sabatinca groups of micropterigid genera. While R in the forewing is forked, as in the Sabatinca group, Rs 4 terminates on the costa instead of slightly posterior to the wing apex, like those species of the Micropterix group.

Figures

Fig. 1: Photomicrograph of of holotype forewing of Moleropterix kalbei nov.gen. et sp. (KU- NHM-ENT FFD-002).

Fig. 2: Line drawing of holotype forewing of Moleropterix kalbei nov.gen. et sp. (KU-NHM-ENT FFD-002). Dashed lines indicate those veins present but very faintly preserved and difficult to see in the specimen; marginal setae and patterning of wing (there are at least two pale patches, the larger is medially on the wing surrounding the forking of Rs3-4, the origin of M1, and surrounding areas: vide Fig. 1) omitted. Scale bar = 1 mm.