A new genus of Alheitini (Lepidoptera, Mimallonidae, Lacosominae) from Central America. | CU Experts

Overview

Flammopenna gen. nov., is erected for F. maya sp. nov., sole member of the new genus. This taxon had been recently included in a complete phylogenomic study of all named Mimallonidae genera but has eluded description until now. The new monotypic genus, recognizable by its relatively small size, falcate wing tips, and mostly uniform rusty-red coloration, occurs from Mexico throughout Central America to at least Costa Rica. Based on prior phylogenomic data, it is most closely related to a rarely collected South American genus, Arianula Herbin which contains two species distributed in the Amazon and Brazilian Cerrado. The new genus is so far the only mimallonid taxon known to feed on the plant family Ebenaceae.