Identity of Eumenodora encrypta Meyrick, a cryptic Australian moth (Lepidoptera:Gelechioidea).
A hitherto neglected gelechioid moth genus Eumenodora Meyrick (Gelechioidea: Elachistidae; Cosmopterigidae; Xyloryctidae) is redescribed. The genus, originally assigned to the Elachistidae and later transferred to the Cosmopterigidae, is monotypic. The single constituent species, E. encrypta Meyrick, 1906, has long been known only from the holotype, collected in Brisbane, Queensland (Australia). The specimen lacks its abdomen. The genus is characterized and the single recognized species redescribed based on recently collected adult males and a female. Evidence from morphology, supported by DNA sequences, is provided to support the placement of the taxon in the Hierodoris group of the Xyloryctidae, in spite of its atypical external appearance.
Affiliation: unknown; Email: lauri.kaila@helsinki.fi.
Lauri
L
Kaila
D000825:Animal Structures / Q000033:anatomy & histology; D000818:Animals; D001315:Australia; D005260:Female; D008297:Male; D009036:Moths / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000145:classification* / Q000235:genetics; D010802:Phylogeny; D014921:Wings, Animal / Q000033:anatomy & histology