Mesophleps tephrastis ( 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 : 51

Mesophleps tephrastis ( Meyrick, 1904) comb. nov.

( Figs 13, 22, 85, 112, 143)

Nothris tephrastis Meyrick, 1904 , Proc. Linn. Soc. N.S.W. 29: 421 [key], 427. LECTOTYPE ♂, AUSTRALIA: Western Australia, York , 12.x.1886 (Meyrick) (slide no. 30948; BMNH), here designated [examined].

Xerometra tephrastis (Meyrick) ; Meyrick 1925: 171; Edwards, 1996: 108.

Pregenital abdomen ( Fig. 22). In female anterior margin of TIV–VII with broad transverse band of microtrichia, anterior margin of the band medially somewhat protruded.

Genitalia ♂ ( Fig. 85). Uncus sub-rectangular, distal margin weakly convex; gnathos arms broad, medially fused to flat single hook, broadly V-shaped distally; tegumen with concave anterior margin. Valva simple. Posterior margin of vinculum drawn out to pair of sclerotized processes, medially concave. Phallus with short distal portion.

Genitalia ♀ ( Figs 13, 112, 143). Papillae anales more than one-half length of apophyses posteriores, narrow, gently tapered towards rounded apex, sparsely set with short sensory setae. Apophyses anteriores two-thirds length of apophyses posteriores. Segment VIII short, at most one-third length of apophyses anteriores; ostium bursae near anterior margin of VIII; antrum funnel-shaped, weakly sclerotized; ductus bursae straight, narrow, short, about onehalf length of apophyses anteriores; corpus bursae large, ovoid, ductus seminalis from cervix bursae, inception in patch of microtrichia (“signum”) near entrance of ductus bursae.

Remarks. N. tephrastis was described from eight syntypes (both sexes) collected by Meyrick at York, Western Australia, on 11 and 12 October 1886. All specimens (2 males and 6 females), rather mouldy, are still present in coll. Meyrick (BMNH); a male is here designated as the lectotype.

Biology. Host-plant unknown.

Distribution. Australia (Western Australia).

Material examined (2 ♂♂, 6 ♂♂, including 1 ♂, 1 ♀ genitalia preparations)

Australia: 1 ♂, lectotype (as above) ; 1 ♂, 6 ♀♀, Western Australia, York , 11, 12.x.1886 (Meyrick) (paralectotypes) .