Published online by Cambridge University Press: 31 May 2012
Framinghamia Strand, 1920: 160. Monotype: [Pionea helvalis Walker=] Framinghamia botys Strand.
The common species helvalis Walker has ordinarily been placed in Phlyctaenia Hübner; this arrangement is unnatural even on the old definition of the genus. The third joint of the labial palpus is exposed and the species runs to Archernis in Hampson's (1898) key. The species of that genus, however, are of much stouter build and have radically different genitalia; there is accordingly, I think, no direct relationship. Framinghamia helvalis (Walker), new combination, like the species of Archernis, belongs to the group of Pyraustinae that has lost the frenulum hook. Framinghamia may be differentiated from Udea by the different configuration of the palpi (Fig. 12), as well as by genitalic characters (Fig. 8). Among the more striking features of the male genitalia are the absence of the uncus, the conspicuous fringe of long, heavily pigmented scales along the costa of the valve, the broad transtilla, the minute, furcate juxta, and the twisted, ribbon-like coremata, with simple scent tufts.