Parapoynx diminutalis Snellen, 1880

Agassiz, David J. L., 2012, The Acentropinae (Lepidoptera: Pyraloidea: Crambidae) of Africa, Zootaxa 3494, pp. 1-73 : 11

Parapoynx diminutalis Snellen, 1880

Parapoynx diminutalis Snellen, 1880: 242 .

Paraponyx [sic] dicentra Meyrick, 1885

Oligostigma pallida Butler, 1886: 423 .

Nymphula uxorialis Strand, 1919: 102 .

Type locality: Sulawesi.

Described and illustrated by Agassiz (1978), Yoshiyasu (1985), Speidel (1984) and Goater (1986).

Imago (Figs. 3, 4): Wingspan ♂ 11–14mm, ♀ 16–23mm. Head white with a scattering of dark fuscous scales; labial palpus with segment 3 short and slender, segment 2 thickened with fuscous scales laterally; antenna ringed white and dull fulvous. Thorax white mixed fuscous. Forewing white suffused fuscous, especially near base; a vertical pair of ill-defined blackish spots in disc; some blackish markings in fold; an interrupted oblique orangeyellow antemedian fascia, not reaching costa; an orange-yellow median fascia from dorsum to just above middle of wing then curved beneath discal spots to costa; a further irregular orange-yellow postmedian fascia; a fine fuscous subterminal line; termen orange-yellow; terminal cilia white with a sequence of blackish dashes. Hindwing white; a fine oblique Y-shaped median fascia; chiefly fuscous but yellow towards dorsum, an irregular broader median fascia of fuscous and orange-yellow; a fine fuscous subterminal line; termen and cilia as forewing. Abdomen banded white and pale fuscous.

A very variable species, especially in the amount of fuscous irroration, so that the overall impression can be anything from white to dark fuscous. Markings of females generally less distinct than males.

Male genitalia (Fig. 84): Uncus gently tapered, blunt tip, setae arising laterallyonly from near base; gnathos almost as long as uncus; valva with sides almost parallel, a small process near base bearing 1–3 fine setae; aedeagus simple, without cornutus, vesica with very fine spines.

Female genitalia (Fig. 134): Ostium narrow, antrum short, colliculum sclerotised, ductus long and narrow, finely scobinate on one side, widening into corpus bursae, signa two small elongate dentate patches. Ostium to posterior end of bursa 0.7 x length of abdomen.

Tympanal organs: Venulae clear, but not strong, diverging slightly at each end; tympanum almost triangular.

Diagnosis: The species could be confused with P. affinialis , but the latter species lacks fuscous colouration and the black wavy subterminal line of the hindwing is strong and broad near termen. The female can resemble P. fluctuosalis , but that species has straighter, evenly curved markings on the hindwing.

Biology: The larva feeds on a number of aquatic plants including Hydrilla , Nymphaea , etc. Adults have been taken in Africa in every month except ix & xii. Continuously brooded.

Distribution: A widespread species in Asia, recently introduced into central America. In Africa known from Egypt, Sudan, Ethiopia, Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Malawi, South Africa, Botswana, Angola, Congo, Nigeria; Madagascar.

Material examined. KENYA: 4♂ 5♀ Lake Baringo ( DJLA), 5♀ Nairobi , 2♂ 1♀ Eburu , 1♀ Ndabibi , 1♂ 2♀ Naivasha , 3♀ Ngong ( BMNH), 18♀ Lake Turkana, 1♂ Ngong, 2♀ Nairobi, 1 ♂ 10♀ Naivasha ( NMK); UGANDA: 3♂ Lake Rudolf ( BMNH), 1♀ Bwamba ( NMK); MALAWI: 2♂ 1♀ Zomba, 1 Maleribo, 2♂ Ft. Johnston ( BMNH); ZIMBABWE: 1♂ Harare [ Salisbury ] ( BMNH), Khami near Bulawayo , Matsheamhlope near Bulawayo , Gatooma , Chete Game Reserve , Victoria Falls , Balla-Balla , Chirisa , Chiturapadzi ( NMB); BOTSWANA: 2 ♀ N. Gweta ( BMNH), Sepopa, Maun ( NMB); SOUTH AFRICA: 1♂ Durban , 1♀ Clansthal ( BMNH), Naboomspruit ( NMB), 1♀ Malema ( NMK); ANGOLA: 1♂ N’Dallo Tando, 1♀ Hulla Dist . ( BMNH); D.R. CONGO: 1♂ Bitshumbi (L. Edward), 1♂ 5♀ Kamadu (L. Edward), 3 Kalondo , 1♂ Kivu ( BMNH); NIGERIA: 2♂ Zaria , 1♂ Mokwa ( BMNH); SUDAN: 2 ♂ 10♀ White Nile ( OUM).