labial palp

This organ functions in conjunction with the labial palp, the second segment of which is inflated and free of scales.

It can be distinguished from all other Sphingidae species by the combination of the labial palp structure, long thorax and wing pattern.

Near the base of the prementum, on either side, is the palpiger which carries the labial palp and often resembles a basal segment of the later.

The mouthpart consists of the basic: labrum, clypeus, labium, maxillae, mandible and labial palp.

At least some of these moths are characterized by a short scape and a triangular tuft of short hairs on the tip of the second labial palp segment.

It is similar to Pseudodolbina species but distinguishable by the presence of the field of microtrichia on the inner surface of the labial palp segment one and the choerocampine pilifer-palp hearing organ.

The first four superfamilies listed here may comprise 90% of species in a sample of smaller moths and the listed characters may be of some assistance to sort these out, particularly the form of the labial palp and scaling of the proboscis (Robinson et al. 2001).

It is similar to Rhagastis acuta, Rhagastis hayesi and Rhagastis velata but distinguishable from the first two by the forewing upperside ground colour and from the last by the shape of the labial palp, which is strongly narrowed towards the base.