Lepasta, MOSCHLER, 1878

22. LEPASTA MÖSCHLER, 1878 View in CoL

Lepasta Möschler, 1877 . Type species: Nystalea bractea Felder, 1874 . Reise Novara 1: pi. 97, Fig. 3 View FIGURE 3 .

Adults. ( Figure 2I View FIGURE 2 , 11B View FIGURE 11 ) Head: male and female antennae simple filiform; antennal tufts present; third segment of male palpus long; ocelli reduced. Thorax: male prothoracic leg lacks scent organ; tarsal claws bifid. Wings: males 34 mm, females 41 mm; forewing with accessory cell present; hindwing with Sc-Rs stalked. Male terminalia ( Figure 5A View FIGURE 5 ): eighth tergite with midplate; eighth sternite with two sclerotized apodemes; valvae with an especially well-developed SSO (expansive and densely pleated); valvae membranous with long hairs and short setae; costa slightly sclerotized appearing as a narrow rod, with membranous apex; uncus with distal process membranous with hairs and setae. Socii sclerotized and snake fang-like in shape; costulae present as a short ribbon-like sclerotization near base of valvae; juxta triangular, M-shaped, flat and fused to saccular base. Aedeagus slim and long; callosum foot-like; vesica with deciduous cornuti. Female terminalia: Eighth tergite highly curved, unornamented; eighth sternite with lateral and sometimes midventral prominences; midventral sclerotization present; papillae anales moderately sclerotized, longer setae near periphery; posterior apophyses long; anterior apophyses short; ostium bursae wide and M-shaped. Ductus bursae sclerotized and dorso-ventrally flattened. Corpus bursae membranous with sclerotized shield; one signum.

Diagnosis. The massive SSO, the M-shape of the juxta, foot like base of the aedeagus, T shape of the costa, and the socii with long fang-like shape are diagnostic of Lepasta .

Comments. Lepasta means “limpet” or “cup” shape, and probably refers to the shape of the white forewing markings ( Weller, 1989). The species Lepasta lignistriata Schaus, 1901 is externally quite divergent from the rest of the genus, appearing more similar to Antiopha due to the lack of light-colored wing markings and the presence of black, lengthwise striations. However, a genitalia examination suggests that Lepasta is the most appropriate genus for the placement of this species. Female genitalia illustrated in Weller (1989).

The species Lepasta brabilla Dognin, 1911 does not belong in Lepasta , but rather Ankale given the male genitalia which we have examined in the type of brabilla in the USNM. We transfer it accordingly: Ankale brabilla comb. n.

Distribution. From Mexico to South Brazil.

Species included (9).

Lepasta benderi Thiaucourt, 1981

Lepasta bractea (Felder, 1874) *

Lepasta elegans Thiaucourt, 1984

Lepasta herrerai (Beutelspacher, 1986)

Lepasta lignistriata Schaus, 1901

Lepasta majorina Dognin, 1914

Lepasta maonica Schaus, 1905

Lepasta mixta Möschler, 1883

Lepasta omaiensis Schaus, 1904