51. On the Morphology and Systematics of Micropterygidæ (Lepidoptera Homoneura) of Japan and Formosa, with some considerations on the Australian, European, and North American Forms.

Abstract

Summary.Neomicropteryxis, in spite of its having the same type of venation asPalœ‐omicroides, phylogenetically widely remote from the other two genera of our country, viz.,ParamartyriaandPalœomicroides, in view of the different type of structures of mouth‐parts and abdomen.ParamartyriaandPalœomicroides, though somewhat different in the structure of the radial Pector, are quite close to each other in having the same type of other wing‐veins, mouth‐parts, and tibial appendages.It would appear that the North AmericanEpimartyriais, on the whole, nearest to ourParamartyriaandPalœomicroides, since in the wing‐venation it shows close affinity to the former and to the latter in the gonocoxite of genitalia; moreover, the structures of the cranium, antenna, maxillary palpus, and labial palpus are almost the same in these three geners.The EuropeanMicropteryxis an isolated genus of the family, from the evidence offered by the head and appendages, wing‐venation, as well as the genitalia.As regards the New ZealandSabatinca, in which the genital structures show wonderful variation in different species (I could not actually study it) this genus might not be monophyletic, and may be divisible into several genera. That is,MicropardulisMeyr. will stand on firmer ground andPalœomicraMeyr. will be revived; moreover, some new genera might be established when we have considered the evidence which an exhaustive study of every species may bring forward; this supposition will be emphasised when we consider the specific difference in antennz which is present among the species.In my opinion the Queensland forms (at least as far asS. calliplacaMeyr. and the unknown third species are concerned) should be separated fromSabatincaWalk., and a new genus should be established for the reception of these forms.In the light of the present study, the definition of the family Micropterygidæ may be modified as follows:—Head rough‐haired. Ocelli present. Antenna moniliform, sub‐moniliform, or filiform. Mandible developed, toothed and functional. Maxilla with lacinia, galea not elongated; palpus elongated, with five segments. Labial palpus minute*, two‐, three‐, or four‐segmented. Middle tibia without spurs. Hind tibia with two pairs of spurs. Fore wing more or less broadly lanceolate; jugal lobe small, bent under the wing; costal area enlarged and crossed near its middle by an oblique branch from subcosta; all branches of radius present; stem of media (M1–4) and its principal forking (mf') always present; second branch of cubitus (Cu2) completely present. Hind wing a little narrower than the fore: four branches of radial sector present; stem of media (M1–4) and its principal forking (mf') always present; second branch of cubitus completely retained and fused with first anal at a distance; second anal joins with first anal apically.