Tessema sensilis

Description

Tessema sensilis is a little-known moth species, the only member of genus Tessema. It belongs to the grass moth family (Crambidae), and therein to the large subfamily Spilomelinae; at the time of its description, these were still included in subfamily Pyraustinae and the entire Crambidae was then merged with the snout moths (family Pyralidae). While its detailed relationships are undetermined, it may be a close relative of Herpetogramma and/or Pilocrocis. Though there is no particular reason to assume it is very rare, this moth is inconspicuous and has in fact only been recorded a single time so far, on January 23, 1968; it took almost 20 years to realize it was a new and distinct animal. It inhabits the island of Nuku Hiva, in the Marquesas Islands of Polynesia, where it may be endemic. The holotype and only specimen (USNM 100735, genitalia on microscopic slide USNM 25220) was collected on Tunoa Ridge about 885 m (2900 ft) ASL, near the scenic lookout at 8°51′25″S 140°11′00″W.