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Ectropidia Warren
Type species: exprimata Walker.
Males in this genus and Diplurodes Warren lack a fovea in the
forewing and have fasciculate antennae. They often have a tuft of sexual
hair-scales associated with the dorsum of the hindwing. The abdomen
characteristically has strong coremata between segments 6 and 7 as in Myrioblephara
and often a strong pair between 3 and 4. A weak one may occur between 4 and
5 (strong in Diplurodes; that between 3 and 4 is weak or absent).
In the type species and a few others there is a coarsely spined short corema
between 7 and 8. Diplurodes lacks a pair of coremata between 6 and 7, but
usually has a strong one between 7 and 8.
In the male genitalia, the uncus is usually small, often deeper than
broad, the gnathus reduced with a distal rugose zone, or lost. The process on
the valve sacculus is typically digitate, inwardly directed, with one or more
robust, curved, spine-like setae at its apex. Similarly robust setae are
frequently located on the ventral margin of the valve; the ventral margin of the
valve costa may also be modified, and the costa itself is strongly defined.
In the female genitalia the ovipositor is elongated. The eighth segment
is tubular, sclerotised, lightly creased laterally (Diplurodes is
similar). The ductus is short, the bursa elongate, with a weak, rather irregular
signum set at the distal end.
The genus is most diverse morphologically in Sundaland but is also
represented in S.E. Asia and the Indian Subregion (E. shoreae Prout comb.
n. from India has the coarsely spined coremata (see above) well
developed). The majority of Myrioblephara-group species in Sulawesi are Ectropidia
and appear to be derived from a common ancestor that speciated on Sulawesi
(Holloway, 1991). This lineage has also contributed a few species to the
Moluccas and New Guinea.
E. shoreae was described from material reared from Shorea robusta (Dipterocarpaceae).
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