Mnesictena flavidalis explained

Mnesictena flavidalis is a moth in the family Crambidae.^{[1] [2]} It was described by Edward Doubleday in 1843.^[3] It is endemic to New Zealand.^[4]

Taxonomy

This species was first described by Edward Doubleday in Ernst Dieffenbach's book Travels in New Zealand: with contributions to the geography, geology, botany and natural history of the country and named Margaritia flavidalis. In 1899 Hampson placed this species in the genus Mnesictena. In 1983 G. E. Munroe synonymised the genus Mnesictena with Udea.^[5] However in 1988 John S. Dugdale treated Mnesictena as a valid genus. Dugdale's treatment was followed in 2011 by Richard Mally and Matthias Nuss. The male holotype specimen, collected in Auckland by A. Sinclair, is held at the Natural History Museum, London.^[6]

Description

Doubleday described this species as follows:

Notes and References

1. Book: New Zealand inventory of biodiversity. Volume two. Kingdom animalia : chaetognatha, ecdysozoa, ichnofossils. Canterbury University Press. 2010. 9781877257933. Gordon. Dennis P.. 2. Christchurch, N.Z.. 458. 973607714.
2. Web site: Nuss . M. . etal . 2003–2017 . GlobIZ search . Global Information System on Pyraloidea . December 12, 2017.
3. Book: Dieffenbach, E.. Travels in New Zealand: with contributions to the geography, geology, botany and natural history of the country.. John Murray. 1843. 2. London. 287 . List of Annulose Animals hitherto recorded as found in New Zealand with descriptions of some new species by Messrs. Adam White and Edward Doubleday..
4. Web site: Udea flavidalis (Doubleday, 1843). www.nzor.org.nz. Landcare Research New Zealand Ltd. 23 January 2018.
5. Book: Hodges, Ronald W. . Check list of the Lepidoptera of America north of Mexico : including Greenland . 1983 . E.W. Classey . 0-86096-016-1 . London . 72 . 9748761.
6. 153.