Spheterista, Meyrick, 1912

Austin, Kyhl A. & Rubinoff, Daniel, 2023, Rediscoveries and Presumed Extinctions of Hawaiian Leaf-roller Moths (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae), Proceedings of the Hawaiian Entomological Society 55, pp. 11-27 : 17-18

“ Spheterista ” urerana (Swezey)

Presumed extinct

This species was described from a series of four specimens reared from twigs of “ Urera sandwicensis ” [= U. glabra ] ( Urticaceae ) by Swezey in 1914 on Tantalus, Oʻahu ( Swezey 1915). Zimmerman (1978) designated a lectotype and paralectotype and removed the latter from the cork mount. It does not appear he was able to locate the other two specimens in the series. We were unable to locate the paralectotype, though it is supposedly deposited in the BPBM. Females are unknown.

This species may be a synonym of “ S. ” infaustana (Walsingham), described from

Kauaʻi. Alternatively, the type series could be an unusual color form of a widespread extant species on Oʻahu closely related to “ S.” infaustana but provisionally considered undescribed by KAA. It is still common on parts of Tantalus where Pipturus and Urera grow.