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Micromelalopha Nagano
Micromelalopha melinau sp. n
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Micromelalopha melinau  (paratype)
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11-12 mm. The forewings are dull red with a dark brown discal spot.
There are indistinct crenulate brown fasciae antemedially and post-medially,
obtusely angled centrally basad, the postmedial edged paler distad. There is a
submarginal row of diffuse dark brown spots in the spaces. The species is
perhaps most similar to M. elachista West from the Philippines but that
species has a more uniformly red, unfasciated forewing.
The male genitalia are distinguished from those of elachista by
the elliptical, rather than angular, valves, the scobinate subbasal process to
the valve costa and the bilobed uncus.
Holotype .
SARAWAK: Gunong Mulu Nat.
Park, R. G. S, Exped. 1977-8 (J. D. Holloway et al.), Site 24, April, W.
Melinau Gorge, 270 m, 430558, FEG 4, limestone forest, BM notodontid slide 1147.
Paratypes, 2 as holotype but Site 23, 250 m; 1 same general data but Site 20,
Mar-Apr, W. Melinau Gorge, 150 m, 422577, FEG 3, kerangas.
Geographical range. Borneo; the Sumatran species referred to by Bender
& Dierl (1977) as related to elachista may be melinau or
close.
Habitat preference. Three of the four specimens taken were in lowland
forest on limestone slopes.
Biology. The host-plants of Japanese species are in the Salicaceae (Sugi &
Nakatomi 1969).
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