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Miresa Walker
Type species: albipuncta Herrich-Schaffer.
Synonyms: Nyssia Herrich-Schaffer (type species, albipuncta Herrich-Schaffer); Neomiresa Butler (type species, argentata Walker); Miresopsis
Matsumura (type species, bracteata Butler).
This genus typically consists of species with dull yellowish bodies,
pale yellow hindwings and rufous brown forewings with yellowish patches and,
diagnostically, a silvered white postmedial that often is associated with a
central white triangle. The antennae are broadly bipectinate over the basal half
and the palps are somewhat upcurved with the third segment inconspicuous.
The male genitalia are typical of the limacodid ground plan, lacking
significant modifications, and those of the female are typical of the bisignate
group with a spiral ductus.
Only the distinctive forewing facies separates the species from Parasa
Walker, discussed next. Narosoideus Matsumura may also be a synonym.
Larval characteristics may prove helpful in delineating Parasa and
Miresa. Both have similar shaped oblong larvae as tall or taller than
broad. The lateral scoli or tubercles form a complete row (except Al where there
are no scoli) but the dorsolaterals from A2 to A6 are reduced to vestiges in
both genera leaving those on T2 to Al and A7 to A9 prominent and longer than the
laterals in Miresa bracteata, T2 to Al and A7, A8 prominent in the Parasa
lepida group, and Narosoideus (?vulpina Wileman; Hong Kong). The
larva of M. bracteata is described below (Bell, MS). Bell also described
the larvae of M. albipuncta Herrich-Schaffer and M. decedens Walker
which differ slightly in the development of the dorsolaterals and in colour.
Early instars of decedens are markedly different in colour (whites and
yellows) to the final instar. The facies is generally green with thin pale lines
longitudinally that recur two or three times on each side, perhaps with the most
dorsal pair of lines connecting posteriorly and doubling back to a lower level
anteriorly to produce the next line ventrad. This looping, recurring line may
also prove to be diagnostic for the genus; it is seen also in Narosoideus
flavidorsalis Staudinger (Issiki, 1969) and the Hong Kong species already
mentioned (photographed by Dr M.J. Bascombe).
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