Thyrocopa elikapekae

Medeiros, Matthew J., 2009, A revision of the endemic Hawaiian genus Thyrocopa (Lepidoptera: Xyloryctidae: Xyloryctinae), Zootaxa 2202, pp. 1-47 : 19

10. Thyrocopa elikapekae nov. sp.

( Figs. 22 , 75 )

Holotype: UNITED STATES: HAWAII: Kauai: 4000’ [1219 m], Kokee St. Park, Honopu Trail: 1 3, 22 Aug 1973, K. & E. Sattler (BMNH).

Paratypes: UNITED STATES: HAWAII: Kauai: 4000’ [1219 m], Kokee St. Park, Kahuamaa Flat: 1 3 (slide 21908 BMNH), 21 Aug 1973, K. & E. Sattler (BMNH); Kaholuamano: 1 3, Apr 1920, J.A. Kusche (BPBM); Kokee St. Park, Pihea Tr.: 2 3, 2 Ƥ (slides 07B49 and 07B67), 8–11 Oct 2007, M.J. Medeiros (BPBM); Na Pali-Kona FR, Alakai Jnct.: 1 3, 24 Jul 2008, M.J. Medeiros (BPBM); Na Pali-Kona FR, Alakai Swamp Trail, 3800’ [1158 m]: 2 Ƥ, 10 Oct 1973, K. & E. Sattler (BMNH); Na Pali-Kona FR, Alakai Swamp Tr., 1237 m: 2 3 (slide LA60), 8–9 Aug 2007, W. Haines & D. Rubinoff (UHIM); Na Pali-Kona FR, Pihea Trail, 4200’ [1280 m]: 2 3, 11 –26 Sep 1973, K. & E. Sattler (BMNH).

Diagnosis: Thyrocopa elikapekae can be recognized by its distinctive forewing ground color, rich metallic-rust-brown, which is very different from any other Thyrocopa except the slightly lighter T. geminipuncta , which is restricted to Maui and Molokai, and T. leonina , which is restricted to Lanai.

Description: Head: Scales rich rust-brown. Antenna ca. 0.6–0.7x forewing length; dense, short with few longer, piliform cilia on ventral side of flagellomere of male and female. Labial palpus mottled brown and white; smooth, long, recurved; third segment ca. 0.8x length of second. Thorax: Rich rust-brown. Forewing length 9–12 mm; forewing ground color rich metallic-rust-brown; one to three very small black spots in cell; sometimes a few black scales scattered throughout and sometimes black scales concentrated near proximal end of costal margin and along termen. Hindwing light brown with bit of orangish-brown and brown along the termen and anal margin; fringe light brown. Abdomen: Light brown. Male genitalia ( Fig. 75 ) with apex of uncus deeply cleft; sacculus short, tapering to sharp point, sometimes hooked inward toward center. Female genitalia typical for genus; signum long.

Food plants: Unknown.

Flight period: At least April–October.

Distribution: Kauai.

Remarks: This moth was illustrated as “ Thyrocopa species ” by Zimmerman (1978: plate 4, fig. 8).

Etymology: This moth s named in memory of my mother, Sharon Elizabeth Jenkins Medeiros. “Elikapeka” is a Hawaiian form of her middle name. Sharon was born on Maui, loved the Hawaiian Islands very much, and always encouraged my studies there.

Figures

FIGURES 16 – 30. Adults of Thyrocopa. 16. T. brevipalpis, Kauai, forewing = 13 mm; 17. T. brevipalpis, Kauai, forewing = 11 mm; 18. T. brevipalpis, Kauai, forewing = 13 mm; 19. T. brevipalpis, Kauai, forewing = 12 mm; 20. T. cinerella, Kauai, forewing = 19 mm; 21. T. decipiens, Hawaii Island, forewing = 18 mm; 22. T. elikapekae, Kauai, forewing = 12 mm; 23. T. epicapna, Hawaii Island, forewing = 10 mm; 24. T. geminipuncta, Maui, forewing = 9 mm; 25. T. gigas, Kauai, forewing = 23 mm; 26. T. indecora, Maui, forewing = 12 mm; 27. T. indecora, Hawaii Island, forewing = 9 mm; 28. T. indecora, Oahu Island, forewing = 11 mm; 29. T. indecora, Maui, forewing = 14 mm; 30. T. indecora, Maui, forewing = 12 mm.

FIGURES 75 – 89. Male genitalia of Thyrocopa; for all figures, lower left box shows detail of uncus, lower right box shows detail of sacculus. 75. T. elikapekae, Kauai, male genitalia (slide LA 60 UHIM); 76. T. epicapna, Maui, male genitalia (slide LA 81 BPBM); 77. T. geminipuncta, Molokai, male genitalia (slide 07 A 44 BPBM); 78. T. gigas, Molokai, male genitalia (slide LA 33 UHIM); 79. T. indecora, Maui, male genitalia (slide 06 B 14 BPBM); 80. T. indecora, Oahu, male genitalia (slide LA 18 BPBM); 81. T. kanaloa, Kahoolawe, male genitalia (08 A 54 BPBM); 82. T. kea, Kauai, male genitalia (slide LA 59 UHIM); 83. T. kikaelekea, Hawaii Island, male genitalia (slide 05 A 45 BPBM); 84. T. kokeensis, Kauai, male genitalia (slide 21909 BMNH); 85. T. megas, Maui, male genitalia (slide LA 73 UHIM); 86. T. neckerensis, Necker, male genitalia (slide LA 10 BPBM); 87. T. nihoa, Nihoa, male genitalia (slide LA 13 BPBM); 88. T. peleana, Oahu, male genitalia (slide # 151 BPBM); 89. T. seminatella, Kauai, male genitalia (slide 07 A 90 BPBM).