Mesophleps crocina ( Meyrick, 1904 ) Li & Sattler, 2012

Li, Houhun & Sattler, Klaus, 2012, A taxonomic revision of the genus Mesophleps Hübner, 1825 (Lepidoptera: Gelechiidae) 3373, Zootaxa 3373, pp. 1-82 : 32-33

Mesophleps crocina ( Meyrick, 1904) comb. nov.

( Figs 4, 35, 67, 96, 126)

Nothris crocina Meyrick, 1904 , Proc. Linn. Soc. N.S.W. 29: 421 [key]; 423. LECTOTYPE ♂, AUSTRALIA: South Australia, Port Lincoln , 7.xi.1882 (Meyrick) (slide no. 14412; BMNH), here designated [examined].

Xerometra crocina (Meyrick) ; Meyrick 1925: 170; Common 1990: 259, pl. 25, fig. 8.

♂, ♀. Wingspan 12.0–16.0 mm. Labial palpus recurved, segment 2 distally widened, dorsally with tuft of erectile scales, dark brown, distally with white ring, 3 slightly longer than 2, white, outer surface sometimes with faint brown longitudinal stripe, dark brown near apex. Antenna yellowish brown with darker rings. Forewing ground colour pale yellow, overlaid with ochreous brown scales; costal margin in basal quarter black-edged, in following two quarters lined with broader black or dark brown stripe; plical and discocellular spots variable in size but usually present, discal usually absent or indistinct, up to three dark terminal spots present, sometimes also one pre-apical.

Genitalia ♂ ( Fig. 67). Uncus with basal two-fifths constricted, distal three-fifths more or less octagonal, caudal margin strongly sclerotized; gnathos hooks slender, shorter than uncus; valva very narrow; downturned distal part of vinculum about one-quarter its total length, anterior margin concave, sclerotized posterior margin very narrow, medially with small sub-rectangular extension; phallus with basal two-thirds bulbous, distal one-third abruptly narrowed, straight.

Genitalia ♀ ( Figs 96, 126). Dorso-posterior margin of segment VIII medially convex, apophyses anteriores about two-thirds length of apophyses posteriores; anterior margin of subostial plate convex, almost semicircular, strongly sclerotized, posterior margin gently sinuous; no distinct antrum, merely slight trace of narrow sclerotization in ductus near ostium bursae, ductus bursae narrow, about twice length of apophyses anteriores; corpus bursae large, oval, slightly longer than ductus bursae; ductus seminalis very thin, arising from corpus bursae near entrance of ductus bursae.

Biology. Host-plant: Acacia sp. (Leguminosae, Mimosoideae ). According to Common (1990: 259) the larva is a seed feeder and can be collected during the winter in the fallen seed pods. Pupation takes place in a silk-lined cell within the pod.

Distribution. Australia (South Australia, Victoria).

Material examined (3 ♂♂, 4 ♀♀, including 3 ♂♂, 1 ♀ genitalia preparations)

Australia: 1 ♂, lectotype (as above) ; 1 ♂, 4 ♀♀, South Australia, Port Lincoln , 7.xi.1882 (Meyrick) paralectotypes ; 1 ♂, Victoria, Melbourne, Hobsons Bay , xi–xii.1889 (Anderson) .