Species Melittia pyroptella Kallies, 2020

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• Melittia pyroptella Kallies, A. 2020. The clearwing moths (Lepidoptera, Sesiidae) of Australia, New Guinea and the Pacific Islands. Zootaxa 4833(1): 001-064 [Date published 17 Aug 2020] [33-35].

  Type data:

   Holotype ANIC ♂, adult (Rainforest edge, 800 m, 22. March 2005), Australia, S Queensland, Lamington N.P., Binna Burra camp site [28º11.93'S 159º11.71'E].

Introduction

"This is a remarkable new species, which differs from all congeners by a number of characters, including the small size, the reduced scale tufts of the hindlegs, the large external transparent areas and the structure of the antennal club. In contrast, the male genitalia of Melittia pyroptella spec. nov. correspond to the one typically found in Melittia; however, the female remains unknown. Based on the overall appearance it appears possible that future studies stablish [sic] that this species represents a genus different from Melittia. However, at the moment, this cannot be established with certainly [sic]. Notably, it is also the only species of Melittia in Australia that inhabits the very south-east of Queensland, where it occurs from sea level to at least 800 m altitude. The hostplant is unknown. However, several Curcurbitaceae were found growing in the vicinity of the type locality." (Kallies 2020, pp 33-34, Figs 65, 77, 78)

General References

Kallies, A. 2020. The clearwing moths (Lepidoptera, Sesiidae) of Australia, New Guinea and the Pacific Islands. Zootaxa 4833(1): 001-064 [Date published 17 Aug 2020] [33-35]

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