Hi all

Just had a message from David Lees at the BMNH. He told me about a really cool moth called Apoprogones hesperistis Hampson 1903 (Apoprogeninae). It is according to him, known presumably from just the type specimen. The type locality (Eshowe, Zululand, 1500') where Mrs W.M. Mercer found it presumably at the turn of that century should perfectly correspond to the Dlinza forest nature reserve (Mpushini Falls etc.).

Here's the description and a picture:






It looks like a missing link between Hesperids and Geometrids! So any of you heading off to Eshowe - keep your eyes peeled!

He also sent more info:

As a longer shot to finding this species again, it also might be worth checking out suitable sites around Barberton, the type locality of Oedimetopia jansei Prout, 1916, described as a geometrid, but which is apparently a synonym and the female of Apoprogones hesperistis. This species should be illustrated in Annals of the Transvaal Museum, 5: 152, pl. 25: 1 (I do not however have a copy of the description)

The flight period is probably from now to November.

Cheers

Steve
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