A revision of the Australian Cnephasiini (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae: Tortricinae).

Abstract

A substantial rearrangement of the species and genera of Australian Tortricinae has resulted from a revision employing for the first time the genitalia of both sexes. Six tribes are recognized, the first of which, the Cnephasiini, containing 38 species in 13 genera, is dealt with in the present paper. The Australian Cnephasiini contain two groups of genera. The Arotrophora group is most abundant in the southern half of the continent, where it is associated with Proteaceae, while the Taeniarchis group is found in or near rain-forest in the east and north. Arotrophora Meyr. is restricted to eight Australian species, two of which are described as new. The larvae tunnel in the flower spikes of Banksia (Proteaceae). Peraglyphis, gen. nov., contains six species previously referred to Arotrophora and nine new species. Except for one Indian species, P. crustata (Meyr.), all are Australian, and the known larvae feed between joined leaves of Proteaceae. Parastranga Meyr. is a monotypic genus from south-western Australia also associated with Banksia. Paraphyas Turn. has a single species recorded from both Tasmania and south-western Australia. Symphygas, gen. nov., is based on a single species, S. nephaulus (Meyr.), previously referred to Tortrix. Syllomatia, gen. nov., contains three species the larvae of which join leaves of Lomatia (Proteaceae) to form characteristic shelters. They were previously placed in Arotrophora. Tanychaeta, gen. nov., is monotypic and is based on the rain-forest species T. neanthes (Turn.), previously referred to Arotrophora. Taeniarchis Meyr. includes three Australian species, one of which is described as new. Two of the species are found in rain-forest, and the third in rain- and wet sclerophyll forest. The larvae of one species feed between joined leaves of Cissus (Vitaceae). Other species occur in New Guinea. Drachmobola Meyr, contains one Indian and one Australian species. Mictoneura Meyr. is monotypic, the single species occurring along the central eastern coast. Paranepsia Turn, is also monotypic and is known only from the unique holotype from southern Queensland. Apwa Turn. was based on a single rain-forest species A. xanthosoma Turn. from Queensland and New Guinea, but the Samoan species Peronea xylodryas Meyr. is here also assigned to it. Polylopha Low. contains two Australian and the Indian species, P. porpacias (Meyr.), which is here removed from the synonymy of the Australian species P. epidesma Low. Genitalic and other structures used to distinguish the genera are discussed and figured. The genitalia of both sexes and the wings of the Australian species are figured, and keys to the genera and species are given.