10. Thyrocopa elikapekae nov. sp.

(Figs. 22, 75)

Holotype: UNITED STATES: HAWAII: Kauai: 4000’ [1219 m], Kokee St. Park, Honopu Trail: 1 3, 22 Aug 1973, K. & E. Sattler (BMNH).

Paratypes: UNITED STATES: HAWAII: Kauai: 4000’ [1219 m], Kokee St. Park, Kahuamaa Flat: 1 3 (slide 21908 BMNH), 21 Aug 1973, K. & E. Sattler (BMNH); Kaholuamano: 1 3, Apr 1920, J.A. Kusche (BPBM); Kokee St. Park, Pihea Tr.: 2 3, 2 Ƥ (slides 07B49 and 07B67), 8–11 Oct 2007, M.J. Medeiros (BPBM); Na Pali-Kona FR, Alakai Jnct.: 1 3, 24 Jul 2008, M.J. Medeiros (BPBM); Na Pali-Kona FR, Alakai Swamp Trail, 3800’ [1158 m]: 2 Ƥ, 10 Oct 1973, K. & E. Sattler (BMNH); Na Pali-Kona FR, Alakai Swamp Tr., 1237 m: 2 3 (slide LA60), 8–9 Aug 2007, W. Haines & D. Rubinoff (UHIM); Na Pali-Kona FR, Pihea Trail, 4200’ [1280 m]: 2 3, 11 –26 Sep 1973, K. & E. Sattler (BMNH).

Diagnosis: Thyrocopa elikapekae can be recognized by its distinctive forewing ground color, rich metallic-rust-brown, which is very different from any other Thyrocopa except the slightly lighter T. geminipuncta, which is restricted to Maui and Molokai, and T. leonina, which is restricted to Lanai.

Description: Head: Scales rich rust-brown. Antenna ca. 0.6–0.7x forewing length; dense, short with few longer, piliform cilia on ventral side of flagellomere of male and female. Labial palpus mottled brown and white; smooth, long, recurved; third segment ca. 0.8x length of second. Thorax: Rich rust-brown. Forewing length 9–12 mm; forewing ground color rich metallic-rust-brown; one to three very small black spots in cell; sometimes a few black scales scattered throughout and sometimes black scales concentrated near proximal end of costal margin and along termen. Hindwing light brown with bit of orangish-brown and brown along the termen and anal margin; fringe light brown. Abdomen: Light brown. Male genitalia (Fig. 75) with apex of uncus deeply cleft; sacculus short, tapering to sharp point, sometimes hooked inward toward center. Female genitalia typical for genus; signum long.

Food plants: Unknown.

Flight period: At least April–October.

Distribution: Kauai.

Remarks: This moth was illustrated as “ Thyrocopa species ” by Zimmerman (1978: plate 4, fig. 8).

Etymology: This moth s named in memory of my mother, Sharon Elizabeth Jenkins Medeiros. “Elikapeka” is a Hawaiian form of her middle name. Sharon was born on Maui, loved the Hawaiian Islands very much, and always encouraged my studies there.