A new Afrotropical species of Metamicroptera HULSTAERT, 1923 with the first record of M. rotundata HULST. from Zambia (Lepidoptera: Arctiidae)

摘要

Metamicroptera christophi, a new Afrotropical species is described and illustrated. Lectotypes of Metamicroptera rotundata HULSTAERT, 1923 and its two synonyms Balacraparadoxa HERING, 1932 and B. paradoxa ROMIEUX, 1934 are designated. M. rotundata HULST. is for the first time recorded from Zambia. Metamicroptera is one amongst several very characteristic, small genera of Thyretini known only from one sex. As in Neophemula (OBERTHtJR, 1904), Takwa KlRlAKOFF, 1957 or Pseudodip-tera KAYE, 1918 only themales are known. Thyrogonia (HOLLAND, 1898) and Pseudmelisa HAMP-SON, 1910 on the contrary, are only represented by females. It is very probable that this situation is caused by the strong sexual dimorphism. Some genera will most probably be synonymizedin the future as they simply are composed by specimens of the opposite sex but of the same species. Resolving this problem however needs further intensive field work: collecting as well as rearing.