Xylorycta cosmeta

Xylorycta cosmeta Turner, 1917.

Xylorycta cosmeta, ♂, QM

Xylorycta cosmeta, ♀, QM

Xylorycta cosmeta, ♂, ANIC

Xylorycta cosmeta, ♀, ANIC

Xylorycta cosmeta, ♂, K-0284, Kuranda, 16.48ºS 145.38'E, 335m, 1-15 January 2010, collected by David Rentz.

Xylorycta cosmeta Turner, 1917. Lepidopterological gleanings. Proc. R. Soc. Qd 29: 70–106 [95]. Syntype(s) ANIC 4♂♀, Herberton, Qld.

Xylorycta cosmeta Turner, 1917. Common, in Nielsen, Edwards, & Rangsi, 1996, Checklist of the Lepidoptera of Australia. Monographs on Australian Lepidoptera, 4: i-xiv, 1-529 & CD-ROM [89].

Xylorycta cosmeta Turner, 1917. Beccaloni, G. W., Scoble, M. J., Robinson, G. S. & Pitkin, B. (Editors). 2003. The Global Lepidoptera Names Index (LepIndex). World Wide Web electronic publication. http://www.nhm.ac.uk/entomology/lepindex [accessed 5 May 2010].

Xylorycta cosmeta Turner, 1917. Edwards, E. D. (2003), Xyloryctinae. Australian Faunal Directory. Australian Biological Resources Study, Canberra. http://www.environment.gov.au/biodiversity/abrs/online-resources/fauna/afd/taxa/XYLORYCTINAE [accessed 19 June 2010].

Original description, Turner 1917
xylorycta cosmeta, n. sp.
χοσμετος, neat.
♂ ♀ 22-26 mm. Head white. Palpi moderate; second joint reaching base of antennae; terminal joint ½; white, external surface of second joint fuscous except at apex. Antennae white becoming grey towards apex; in ♂ slightly dentate with long ciliations (1 ½). Thorax white with a large grey posterior spot. Abdomen white with some ochreous-fuscous admixture on dorsum. Legs white;  anterior pair fuscous; anterior tarsi annulated with white. Forewings with costa strongly arched, apex round-pointed, termen nearly straight, scarcely oblique; white with a few fuscous-grey scales; markings fuscous; a semicircular blotch on dorsum before middle not reaching middle of disc; a line from 2/3 costa to ¾ dorsum, strongly angulated outwards in middle, dilated on both margins; cilia fuscous, on apex and tornus white. Hindwings and cilia whitish.N.Q. Herberton in December and January; four specimens received from Mr. F. P. Dodd.

Diagnosis:

Description:

Head:

Xylorycta cosmeta, ♂, head, K-0277, Kuranda, 16.48ºS 145.38'E, 335m, 16-28 February 2010, collected by David Rentz.

Thorax:

Xylorycta cosmeta, ♂, wing venation.

Abdomen:

Xylorycta cosmeta, ♂, abdomen, K-0015, Kuranda, 16.48ºS 145.38'E, 335m, 16-31 Mar 09, collected by David Rentz.

Xylorycta cosmeta, ♂, genitalia, K-0015, Kuranda, 16.48ºS 145.38'E, 335m, 16-31 Mar 09, collected by David Rentz.

Xylorycta cosmeta, ♂, aedeagus, K-0015, Kuranda, 16.48ºS 145.38'E, 335m, 16-31 Mar 09, collected by David Rentz.

Food plants:

Flight period: November, December, January, February, March.

Distribution: Queensland. Endemic. (Edwards, 2003).

Remarks: See also Xylorycta amblygona and Lichenaula goniodes.

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