Netelia melanopus (Brullé, 1846)

(Fig. 17 c–d)

Paniscus melanocotis Holmgren, 1868: 411; Paniscus melanopus Brullé, 1846: 156; Paniscus perforator Smith, 1876: 449; Paniscus pungens Saussure, 1892: pl. 15

Diagnosis. Most individuals are recognizable due to their rather homogeneous yellowish-orange coloration, and their paler inner orbits. They cannot be confused with the two other Netelia spp. hereby reported.

Description. Rousse (2011).

Host records. Mythimna loreyi, Sesamia calamistis, S. inferens (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae), Olethreutes schistaceanus (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae) and Chilo sacchariphagus (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae).

Comments. Netelia is greatly diversified (about 60 species in Ethiopian region and India). The coloration of N. melanopus is somewhat variable and it has been described under different names in every islands of the Indian Ocean subregion. All of them thereafter felt into synonymy.

Distribution records. Reunion (Saussure, 1892). Madagascar, Mauritius, Rodriques Island, South Africa, Uganda, Zimbabwe.

Material examined. Holotype Ƥ (MNHN EY 6457) Verbatim label data: Maurice n°9941.36; nearly destroyed. Other material (Reunion) 1Ƥ (MNHN EY 6456) (type of P. pungens), no label. Other material (Reunion) 1Ƥ St Paul / Tan Rouge, alt. 800m, II.2011, leg. Cirad; 1Ƥ 233 Trois Bassins / Forêt des Bénares, alt. 1660m, XI.2010, leg. P. Rousse (light trap); 1Ƥ St Pierre / Ligne Paradis, alt. 180m, IX.2003, leg. P. Rousse (light trap); 1Ƥ St Pierre / Ligne Paradis, alt. 170m, VIII.2010, leg. T. Ramage (light trap); 13 Petite Ile / Forêt de Bel Air, alt. 1000m, I.2006, leg. D. Martiré; 13 St Denis / Roche Ecrite, alt. 1740m, XI.2005, leg. IDR (light trap); 1Ƥ Les Avirons / Tevelave, alt. 1730m, I.2005, leg. IDR (light trap); 1Ƥ 233 St Paul / Maïdo, I.1994, leg. C. Guillermet; 1Ƥ St Paul / Bois de Nèfles, II.1984, leg. Cirad; 1Ƥ Ste Marie, XI.1980, leg. Cirad.