Boros István (szerk.): A Magyar Természettudományi Múzeum évkönyve 5. (Budapest 1954)

Gozmány, L.: Studies on Microlepidoptera

differences with regard to the Oxypteron species are in the peculiarly strongly chitinized and bent sacculi, and the straight, smooth, narrow valvae. There is a fultura superior. On these characters I erect a new genus for wertheimsteini Rebel, to be called Oporopsamma genus nova. Of the biology of wertheimsteini Rbl., it must be said that all specimens were caught hitherto in September (similarly to all Oxypteron species that are on the wing in the autumn and winter) while all cnephasid species fly in the late spring or summer. We have no date on the flying season of impar Stgr. During my work in this genus I found in the Collection three Spanish specimens of a species, put tentatively to impar Stgr., by Dr. A.Schmidt, who was till 1938 Keeper of the Collection. These individuals are indeed very similar to impar Stgr., but they proved eventually to be a new species, the description of which is as follows : Oxypteron neogena sp. n. Alar exp. : 19—21 mm. Head & thorax brown, palpi brown, second joint erect with dense scales, third slightly protruding, antennae longer than 1/2, densely ciliated on both sides, brown. Forewings elongated, basic color sandy grey, lightest along costa. Costa creamy, light orange-yellow at base, among veins, and before and after spots in cell, darkest in cell and on veins to apex. Two spots in cell (one at middle, second * at end), fold and termen light grey, veins irrorated grey, ciliae gray, basally creamy. Whole wing lutescent, making right determination of colors difficult. Hindwings 3/2 broad, shiny, refracting grey, ciliae much lighter. Underside of wings grey. Abdomen light fuscous with grey. Holotype male : Montarco, Prov. Madrid, 20. Sept. (1923?), leg. F.Esc a1 e r a. Paratype males of the same locality and date. Regarding its allied species, I have already given the differences to impar Stgr. Palmoni Amsel have leaden grey dark scales, and has no dark spots in the cell. Amsel in his above mentioned paper has grouped the species belonging to Oxypteron Stgr., into two assemblages. The most significant character seems to be the presence or absence of the fultura superior in the male genitalia. Also, there is a certain resemblance with regard to the antennae, with the same structure in polita Wlsm., eremica Wlsm.; while impar Stgr., palmoni Amsel, and wertheimsteini Rbl., have differently shaped antennae. 0. neogena, further, also lacks the fultura superior (fig. 1—3.), whilst wertheimsteini Rbl., possesses a well-developed one (figs. 4—5.). I find it advisable, in the light of a new species having now been relegated to the genus Oxypteron Stgr., to split up this genus tinto two subgenera, one of which is new. This is the more advisable, as, in my opinion, more new species may be found, the detailed examination of which will eventually shed more light on the relationship and characteristics of this complex group. On the base of the fultura superior being absent in the male genitalia I erect therefore the subgenus Psammozesta sg. nov., with subgenotype neogena sp. n.To this group belong also polita Wlsm., and eremica Wlsm. Subgenus Oxypteron Stgr., will comprise of impar Stgr., and palmoni Arrisel. In natura unknown to me is pariitanum Chrét., and the relegation of exigua Lah., (= chapmanni Wals.) cannot be made at the present time, as no male specimen is known.