Micromelalopha melinau Holloway sp. n.
♂♂ 11-12 mm.
The forewings are dull red with a dark brown discal spot.
There are indistinct crenulate brown fasciae antemedially and post-medially, obtusely angled centrally basad, the postmedial edged paler distad.
There is a submarginal row of diffuse dark brown spots in the spaces.
The species is perhaps most similar to M. elachista West from the Philippines but that species has a more uniformly red, unfasciated forewing.
The male genitalia are distinguished from those of elachista by the elliptical, rather than angular, valves, the scobinate subbasal process to the valve costa and the bilobed uncus.
Holotype ♂
SARAWAK: Gunong Mulu Nat. Park, R. G. S, Exped. 1977-8 (J. D. Holloway et al.), Site 24, April, W. Melinau Gorge, 270 m, 430558, FEG 4, limestone forest, BM notodontid slide 1147. Paratypes, 2♂♂ as holotype but Site 23, 250 m; 1♂ same general data but Site 20, Mar-Apr, W. Melinau Gorge, 150 m, 422577, FEG 3, kerangas.
Geographical range
Borneo; the Sumatran species referred to by Bender & Dierl (1977) as related to elachista may be melinau or close.
Habitat preference
Three of the four specimens taken were in lowland forest on limestone slopes.
Biology
The host-plants of Japanese species are in the Salicaceae (Sugi & Nakatomi 1969).
Genitalia:
