Revision of the genus Maliarpha (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae), based on adult morphology with description of three new species

Abstract

AbstractWhat has previously been referred to in the literature as the African white rice borer Maliarpha separatella, is a complex of three closely related stemborers. These are described and the genus revised. The genera Biafra Ragonot and Ethitropa Hampson are synonymized with Maliarpha Ragonot. All primary types available have been examined. The revised genus Maliarpha is a monophyletic group defined by the apomorphic, tri-lobed form of the male gnathos. Six species of Maliarpha are treated, of which brunnella, fuscicostella and longisignumella are described as new. The species Biafra rhodinella (Ragonot), Singhalia haemocharis (Meyrick), Ethiotropa phromerella (Hampson) and Biafra taxiarcha Meyrick are synonymized with Maliarpha concinnella (Ragonot), and Biafra concinnella Ragonot and Saluria rosella (Hampson) are recombined with Maliarpha. The adult moths are illustrated and line drawings of the genitalia are provided for all species.