Levu samoensis Muir, 1927

Zelazny, B. & Webb, M. D., 2011, 3071, Zootaxa 3071, pp. 1-307 : 40-41

Levu samoensis Muir, 1927

Levu samoensis Muir, 1927: 22 , Fig. 19

( Fig. 158)

Redescription. Forewings 1.9 times longer than wide, length: male 2.8–3.6 mm (mean = 3.2, n= 11), female 3.1– 4.6 mm (mean = 3.4, n= 10). Colour stramineous, in some specimens a faint orange mark above eyes; distal part of mesonotum with diffuse, light brown marks. Forewings white; narrow bands of light infuscations along most veins; stronger infuscation around first two subcostal sectors, along apical cross-veins, and around R-Rs1 and M-Ms4 forks; most veins light brown to brown. Rostrum reaching hind trochanter; subantennal processes connected to margins of facial carinae. Forewings with Sc+R fork just distad of basal third of wing; Ms1 branched in its basal quarter, both branches touching again after a short section, forming a spindle-shaped cell; a triangle at base of Ms1. Male anal segment with short lateral processes. Genital styles slightly truncated at the end; proximal dorsal process short, distal dorsal process elongated. Aedeagus with stem widening just before the apical portion; apical part tapering towards the end, left margin blade-like, right side with a flat dorsal lobe.

Etymology. Derived from Samoa, the latinized species name ( samoensis , -ensis, -ense) is an adjective.

Type material. Lectotype ♀ (here designated) (forewing 4.6 mm), SAMOA; labels: 1) Savaii/Samoa 2) Safune/V-3-24 3) Rain forest /2000–4000' 4) E.H. Bryon, Jr./ Collector 5 ) Holotype / 426/ Levu samoensis / ♀ Muir. ( BPBM # 426 ) .

Note. Muir's description was based on 25 specimens and contains no holotype designation. One female and one male in BPBM have corresponding data and obviously belong to the type series. The female bears a type label and is here designated as lectotype .

Other material examined. SAMOA: 2 ♂ 2 ♀ (paralectotypes of L. samoensis , 1 ♂ in BPBM, rest in BMNH); Upolu Isl. , Siumu, II.1955 , 3 ♀, N.L.H. Krauss; Mafa pass road, II.1955 , 1 ♂, N.L.H. Krauss; Mulivai, 0–100m, III.1972, 1 ♂, N.L.H. Krauss; Alafua, 4, 16–18.XI.1968, 2 ♂, B. Hocking; Vaisala, 300m, 21–22.I.1969, 2 ♂, B. Hocking; Faleolo, 7.II.1969, 1 ♂, B. Hocking; Tapueleele , II.1955 , 1 ♀, N.L.H. Krauss; Asau , 4–5.I.1969 , 2 ♂ 2 ♀ B. Hocking; Patamea , II.1955 , 1 ♀, N.L.H. Krauss; Tutuila Isl. , 7. III.1957 , 1 ♀, W. R. Kellen ; Tafuna, 0–50m, IX 1959 , 1 ♂, N.L.H. Krauss; Mt. Alava , 500m, 20–22.II.1965 , 1 ♀, G.A. Samuelson; Fagatogo, nr. reservoir, 3. VII.1940, 800', 1 ♂, O.H. Swezey (all BPBM) .

Distribution. Samoan Islands.

Diagnosis. Levu samoensis shows similarities to L. rufulus Muir , also found in Samoa, L. paganus (Fennah) from Ponape, L. pallescens Metcalf from Guam and Yap, L. lactineus (Fennah) from Palau, and L. haedulus (Fennah) from Truk. The forewing venation of all these species contains a spindle-shaped cell, formed by Ms1a and Ms1b converging and touching around their middle. This venation is not found in other species of Levu . Levu samoensis is indistinguishable externally from L. pallescens , from which it can be separated by the rounded apex of the male aedeagus.