The first vespiform tineid moth (Lepidoptera: Tineidae) |
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Authors: | GADEN S. ROBINSON DAVID J. CARTER |
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Affiliation: | Department of Entomology, British Museum (Naturla History), London |
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Abstract: | Abstract Vespitinea gurkharum gen. et sp.n. is described from specimens reared from a bracket-fungus ( Ganoderma - Polyporaceae) from lowland rain-forest in Brunei. This striking wasp-like moth is suggested to be a Batesian mimic of species of Vespidae and Pompilidae (Hymenoptera) and the first example of this mimicry type recorded from the Tineoidea. Abdominal, eye and wing-coupling modifications suggest that it is diurnal and a behavioural mimic. The systematic position of Vespitinea is discussed with reference to biology and adult and larval morphology. |
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Keywords: | Lepidoptera Tineidae Scardiinae systematics mimicry fungivory morphology behaviour. |
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