Fibiger, Fibiger, 2007

Fibiger, Michael, 2007, Revision of the Micronoctuidae (Lepidoptera: Noctuoidea). Part 1, Taxonomy of the Pollexinae, Zootaxa 1567 (1), pp. 1-116 : 8

SUBFAMILY POLLEXINAE Fibiger , new subfamily

Type genus: Pollex , new genus.

Taxonomic notes. The subfamily comprises three genera, Tolpia Walker, 1863 with 21 species (one described previously), Disca , a new genus with 7 new species, and Pollex , a new genus with 46 species (one described previously). Because of the structures of the male and female genitalia Tolpia is considered to be the most primitive genus, but closely related to Disca ; Pollex is considered to be the most derived genus in the subfamily. The descriptions below reflect this sequence of genera. It is possible to identify the three genera from external characteristics, but the identification of the species requires examination of the genitalia.

Diagnosis. Character states of the subfamily Pollexinae with synapomorphies indicated by (apo.) are:

Imago (external).

Labial palps: dark brown, with lighter brown on inner side; 2 nd segment ovoid, with long tuft of scales downwards; 3 rd segment narrower, cylindrical; 3 rd segment 1/4–1/5 of 2 nd.

Antenna: male antenna ciliate with large scales dorsally and laterally and short lamellae directed ventrally; female antenna fasciculate.

Head, patagia, and base of forewing costa: blackish brown.

Tegula, thorax, and ground-colour of forewing: light to dark brown.

Wingspan: Pollex species average smaller than those of Tolpia .

Forewing: basal area with a distinct black mesial dot (apo.).

Hindwing: marginal invagination most prominent at stalked M3–Cu vein (apo.).

Hindwing: dark brown, lighter towards base, without pattern (without medial or subterminal lines) (apo.).

Underside: unicolorous blackish brown except for beige costal spots; ventral part of forewing underside grey, without pattern.

Hindleg: male tibia (and occasionally tarsus also) covered with prominent, long, black, hair-like scales forming scent brushes; secondarily lost in all Disca ; reduced or absent in most Pollex .

Abdomen: first segment with long, black dorsal tuft.

Male genitalia.

7 th tergite and sternite: inconspicuous (apo.).

Tegumen: long to very long.

Vinculum: short to very short (apo.).

Ampulla: large to extremely large, usually narrow (apo.).

Pollex : prominent, free (apo.).

Juxta: higher than wide (apo.).

Juxta and anellus: heavily fused into a plate with a round hole that remains when phallus is removed.

Female genitalia.

Bursa copulatrix: ductus bursae extremely long and slender; corpus bursae globular (elongated in one speciesgroup: Pollex speideli group).

Distribution. Tropical areas of the Oriental and Indo-Australian Regions.