Moth Taxon Search
Observation_226331
Notes (optional)
Suggested ID: Opisina arenosella Walker, 1864
, subfamily Xyloryctinae, family Xyloryctidae, superfamily Gelechioidea
References
1. https://www.biodiversitylibrary.org/item/120181#page/239/mode/1up (original description of the genus and species by Francis Walker in Cat. Lep. B.M. vol. 29, 1864); the genus is described well. The species is described in two sentences. Opisina is a monotypic genus.
2. https://www.nhm.ac.uk/our-science/data/lepindex/detail/?taxonno=115152&&snoc=arenosella&search_type=starts&genus=opisina&sort=snoc&indexed_from=1&page_no=1&page_size=30&path=advanced (NHM card)
Walker doesn't mention the type locality, but the NHM card mentions it as S.L. (likely Sri Lanka)
3. https://www.biodiversitylibrary.org/page/5725988#page/701/mode/1up (description by Meyrick as Nephantis serinopa in J. BNHS vol.16, 1905). – a new genus Nephantis is erected by Meyrick. Type locality: Batticaloa, Ceylon.
4. https://resjournals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1111/j.1365-3113.1981.tb00431.x
'Identity and provenance of the gelechioid moths originally described by Francis Walker from 'unknown countries' (by V. O. Becker, Systematic Entomology, April 1981)
This publication synonymises Nephantis serinopa with Opisina arenosella.
Quoting from the publication:
'Remarks: The female holotype of areno-
sella is in very good condition and the wing
markings agree with most of the specimens of
serinopa, which is represented in the BMNH
collection by a series of sixty-two specimens.
Only two of these specimens, the male lecto-
type and one of the female paralectotypes,
have a dark postmedian fascia with the basal
two-thirds of the fore wings darker than the
distal third, as figured by Clarke (1955: 454).
It seems that this dark area and fascia are
unnatural, presumably caused by the killing
agent or a fungicide. One male, with markings
similar to those of arenosella, was dissected
and the genitalia show no difference from the
lectotype of serinopa.'
5. Since it is a major pest of the coconut palm, there are numerous publications regarding this species in the past hundred years or more. Probably owing to Walker's mediocre description, most of the publications are in the name of Nephantis serinopa, Oecophorinae. After the synonymy, more recent publications have used Opisina arenosella as the name of the taxon.
6. https://goodhands.lk/damages-by-coconut-caterpillar-opisina-arenosella/ (Sri Lankan community website which has documented the life cycle etc. of the pest; pictures of adult and larvae for reference)
JR: I agree with the ID, looks like a good match with O. arenosella. A widespread one in India, I think.
, subfamily Xyloryctinae, family Xyloryctidae, superfamily Gelechioidea
References
1. https://www.biodiversitylibrary.org/item/120181#page/239/mode/1up (original description of the genus and species by Francis Walker in Cat. Lep. B.M. vol. 29, 1864); the genus is described well. The species is described in two sentences. Opisina is a monotypic genus.
2. https://www.nhm.ac.uk/our-science/data/lepindex/detail/?taxonno=115152&&snoc=arenosella&search_type=starts&genus=opisina&sort=snoc&indexed_from=1&page_no=1&page_size=30&path=advanced (NHM card)
Walker doesn't mention the type locality, but the NHM card mentions it as S.L. (likely Sri Lanka)
3. https://www.biodiversitylibrary.org/page/5725988#page/701/mode/1up (description by Meyrick as Nephantis serinopa in J. BNHS vol.16, 1905). – a new genus Nephantis is erected by Meyrick. Type locality: Batticaloa, Ceylon.
4. https://resjournals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1111/j.1365-3113.1981.tb00431.x
'Identity and provenance of the gelechioid moths originally described by Francis Walker from 'unknown countries' (by V. O. Becker, Systematic Entomology, April 1981)
This publication synonymises Nephantis serinopa with Opisina arenosella.
Quoting from the publication:
'Remarks: The female holotype of areno-
sella is in very good condition and the wing
markings agree with most of the specimens of
serinopa, which is represented in the BMNH
collection by a series of sixty-two specimens.
Only two of these specimens, the male lecto-
type and one of the female paralectotypes,
have a dark postmedian fascia with the basal
two-thirds of the fore wings darker than the
distal third, as figured by Clarke (1955: 454).
It seems that this dark area and fascia are
unnatural, presumably caused by the killing
agent or a fungicide. One male, with markings
similar to those of arenosella, was dissected
and the genitalia show no difference from the
lectotype of serinopa.'
5. Since it is a major pest of the coconut palm, there are numerous publications regarding this species in the past hundred years or more. Probably owing to Walker's mediocre description, most of the publications are in the name of Nephantis serinopa, Oecophorinae. After the synonymy, more recent publications have used Opisina arenosella as the name of the taxon.
6. https://goodhands.lk/damages-by-coconut-caterpillar-opisina-arenosella/ (Sri Lankan community website which has documented the life cycle etc. of the pest; pictures of adult and larvae for reference)
JR: I agree with the ID, looks like a good match with O. arenosella. A widespread one in India, I think.
Observation Reference