22. Thyrocopa neckerensis sp. nov.

(Figs. 40, 86)

Holotype: UNITED STATES: HAWAII: Necker Island: Annexation Hill, 60 m: 1 3 (slide LA10), ex Sesbania litter, 4 Sep 2004, S.L. Montgomery (BPBM).

Paratypes: UNITED STATES: HAWAII: Necker Island: Annexation Hill, 60 m: 1 Ƥ (slides LA08 & LA09), ex Sesbania litter, 4 Sep 2004, S.L. Montgomery (BPBM); Flagpole Hill, 46 m: 1 Ƥ, ex litter, 4 Sep 2004, S.L. Montgomery (BPBM).

Diagnosis: Thyrocopa neckerensis is the only Thyrocopa that occurs on Necker Island; it can be distinguished morphologically by the cilia surrounding the flagellomere.

Description: Head: Mottled light brown to dark brown. Antenna ca. 0.7–0.8x forewing length; dense, short, piliform cilia surrounding male flagellomere, cilia extremely short dorsally; female with short, piliform cilia on ventral side of flagellomere. Labial palpus mottled white to brown to dark blackish-brown; third segment ca. 1.2x length of second. Thorax: Mottled light brown to dark brown. Forewing length 7–8 mm; ground color mottled very light whitish-brown, brown, and dark brown, or brown and dark brown; discal area clouded with poorly defined blackish spots in cell; curving poorly defined whitish band through terminal area; evenly spaced spots on distal half of costa and along termen at vein endings, though sometimes quite faint. Abdomen: Light brown. Male genitalia (Fig. 86) with uncus barely cleft apically; sacculus short and tapering to sharp apex. Female genitalia typical for genus; signum long.

Food plants: Unknown.

Flight period: Specimens have been collected in September.

Distribution: Necker Island.

Etymology: The name “ neckerensis ” refers to Necker Island, the only locality where this moth occurs.

Remarks: The three specimens are not spread; hence, the thorax, hindwings, and abdomen are not easily examined. Owing to the scarcity and small size of the specimens, I did not relax and spread them, risking damage.