Enispa Walker

Type species: eosarialis Walker, Borneo.

Synonym: Micraeschus Butler (type species elataria Walker).

Edwards in Nielsen et al. (1996) treated Micraeschus as a good genus, but the male genitalia of the type species resemble those of eosarialis as discussed below. Some species currently in Enispa may also be better placed in Corgatha, so the treatment here retains a broad concept of Enispa pending revision in conjunction with Corgatha. There are many undescribed Enispa-like species in Borneo represented by limited material which will not be described here as their genitalia illustrate a high degree of diversity as do their facies types; generally, the species currently assigned to the genus (Poole, 1989) show a similar diversity of facies type. Many species are only represented by limited material, so any revision must await the acquisition of a much better sample of material from throughout the region.

Poole (1989) include two further genus-group names as synonyms of Enispa. Penisa Warren has facies and male genitalia similar to those of the Zitna group of Corgatha (see p. 126), so it is added to the synonymy of the latter. Trogacontia Hampson (type species albifrontata Moore, Darjeeling) Gen. rev. was placed as a synonym of Enispa but has facies that indicate that it is distinct. The forewings are falcate, rich medium brown, with two oblique, straight, dark fasciae, and the hindwings are a similar colour with one straight fascia.

The type species of Enispa and Micraeschus are small, delicate, and have forewings with a central angle to the distal margin; the hindwing margins are also slightly angled.

The male abdomen of eosarialis has an eighth segment of a weakly framed corematous type. In the genitalia, the uncus is relatively short and robust compared to that of most Corgatha. The valves are very narrow, extending dorsal to the uncus, with the distal third incurved. There is a semicircular saccular process similar to that of the Zitna section of Corgatha at one third. The male abdomen and genitalia of elataria are similar to those of eosarialis except the uncus is longer, tapering, with four strong setae extending laterally from the centre. The valves are similarly slender and incurved, but shorter and with a longer, slender, digitate saccular process.

Robinson et al. (2001) listed old records of oblataria (transferred here to Corgatha as noted above) and one other species attributed to Enispa with larvae feeding on lichens. Sugi (1987) indicated that Japanese species currently in Enispa feed on lichens, the larva camouflaging itself with a covering of lichen fragments that is utilised later to form a cocoon.

Common (1990) referred to an Australian species currently in Enispa that lives in spider webs and feeds on dead leaves and prey remains that accumulate there. Seven species are listed for Australia in Nielsen et al. (1996).