Yepcalphis Explained

Yepcalphis is a monotypic moth genus of the family Noctuidae erected by Nye in 1975.[1] Its only species, Yepcalphis dilectissima, was first described by Francis Walker in 1858.[2] It is found in Sri Lanka, the Oriental tropics, the Philippines, Sulawesi and the Sula Islands.[3]

Description

The genus is described as: palpi upturned, short, smoothly scaled, and not reaching vertex of head. Antennae simple, somewhat thickened in the male. Thorax and abdomen tuftless. Forewings with non-crenulate cilia and stalked veins 7,8,9 and 10. Hindwings with veins 3,4 and 6,7 from angles of cell.

The species is described as: wingspan of the male is about 24 mm and the female 30 mm. Head and thorax bright ferrous colour. Vertex of head, collar and metathorax with some sulphur-yellowish patches. Abdomen black with narrow white rings, and a white anal tuft. Forewings also ferrous with a yellow patch. There is a series of costal specks and a medial series of spots consisting of a large costal spot, two spots towards the inner margin, and two small spots at the middle. A series of large marginal and cilial spots and two specks can be seen on inner margin. Hindwings black, with a series of white cilial spots. Ventral side variegated with white.[4]

The larvae feed on Vitex species. They are found on the underside of the leaves of their host plant.[5]

Subspecies

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Savela . Markku . Yepcalphis Nye, 1975 . Lepidoptera and Some Other Life Forms . January 23, 2019.
  2. Web site: Savela . Markku . Yepcalphis dilectissima (Walker, 1858) . Lepidoptera and Some Other Life Forms . January 23, 2019.
  3. Web site: Holloway . Jeremy Daniel . Yepcalphis dilectissima Walker . The Moths of Borneo . January 23, 2019.
  4. Book: Hampson, G. F. . George Hampson . 1894 . The Fauna of British India, Including Ceylon and Burma: Moths Volume II . Taylor and Francis . Biodiversity Heritage Library.
  5. Web site: Holloway . Jeremy Daniel . Yepcalphis dilectissima Walker . The Moths of Borneo . 7 August 2016.