|
Characoma
Walker
Type
species: albulalis
Walker, Borneo.
Definition of Characoma and the related genera
Pardasena
Walker and Giaura
Walker is difficult, as the type species of the second and third have
distinguishing characteristics not shared by other included species (e.g. as in
Poole (1989)). Only
Garella
Walker can be clearly distinguished, as discussed below, though it shares with
typical Characoma reduction of the hindwing veins in the M2-CuA2 sequence
to three, with the anterior two stalked. In Pardasena and Giaura
all four are present, but M3 and CuA1 are stalked.
Tymbal organs are present in some species of all of these genera. In most
species, the male genitalia have a simple, tapering uncus, a tegumen that
broadens and overlaps the vinculum on each side and bears a hair-pencil there,
and moderate, simple valves with a slender, sabre-like black-scaled dorsal
process, or at least with a shorter zone of scales on a long stalk.
In
the female genitalia of all three genera the ovipositor lobes are typically sarrothripine, acute. The ductus is very long and slender, and the bursa is
extensively if often very lightly spined, without a signum as in Etanna.
All the species included in Characoma here combine trifine hindwing
venation with a very slender, sabre-like, black-scaled valve process, with the
scales running for most of its length. The saccus is mostly slender, tapering
rapidly from a broad base. All three genera are represented in the Afrotropics
as well as the Indo-Australian tropics.
<<Back
>>Forward <<Return
to Content Page |
