Epitarsipus Le Cerf, 1922

Bartsch, Daniel, 2018, Taxonomic changes in Synanthedonini from Madagascar, with description of two new genera and species (Lepidoptera: Sesiidae), Zootaxa 4433 (1), pp. 174-186 : 176

Epitarsipus Le Cerf, 1922 stat. rev.

Type species: Epitarsipus rufithorax Le Cerf, 1922 , by original designation.

Le Cerf (1922) described Epitarsipus and the single species E. rufithorax on the basis of one male and one female. Later Viette ([1955]: 92, 1957: 94, 1982: 28) regarded Epitarsipus Le Cerf, 1922 a synonym of Malgassesia . However, the external characters and the genitalia of the type species of genera, Epitarsipus rufithorax and Malgassesia rufescens (figured by Viette 1982: 28, 32 and 20, 21), differ to such an extent, that the synonymy cannot be confirmed. The most important differential characters between Epitarsipus and Malgassesia are: Epitarsipus with antenna narrow, minimally clavate (distally broader, clearly clavate in Malgassesia ); first tarsomere of hindleg distinctly elongated (not in Malgassesia ); male genitalia with crista sacculi of valva uniquely bipartite, consisting of a flat and broad part medio-basally and an elevated, bulbous part at the ventral margin (crista sacculi simple, broad and flat in Malgassesia ); phallus simple (distal part very long and slender in Malgassesia ); female with ovipositor long and narrow (short and thick in Malgassesia ); antrum weakly sclerotized, simple, long and continuously narrow (strongly sclerotized, broader and medially narrowed in Malgassesia ); ductus bursae enlarged with numerous longitudinal folds (narrow, without folds or other specialization in Malgassesia ). As long as no other species with intermediate characters become known, I regard Epitarsipus stat. rev. a valid genus containing a single species, E. rufithorax Le Cerf, 1922 comb. rev.