I would like to bring to everyone's attention the following discussion regarding the disposition
of Hypena masurialis records listed for Australia. There are 329 observations as of this
writing.

This dates from 8 months ago
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/81480058#activity_comment_32cd8b72-d69b-41e3-b5ed-1391968bd72a

and furthermore, The Coffs Harbour Butterfly House website removed H. masurialis and lists H. obacerralis
http://lepidoptera.butterflyhouse.com.au/hypn/obacerralis.html

To sum up, Roger Kendrick concludes H. masurialis does not occur in Australia.

It is likely that virtually all of the Australian material so assigned actually refers to Hypena obacerralis
https://www.inaturalist.org/taxa/480246-Hypena-obacerralis

Despite this, I see the persistent use of H. masurialis within iNaturalist and feel the need to bring
the matter to those closest to it by virtue of listing the species within their observations.

====================================================

If your eyes are already glazing over please skip to the end

WARNING muddying caveat ensues:

It is not clear whether H. obliquarlis occurs in Australia.

The Australian Faunal Directory maintains H. masurialis. But H. masurialis is a junior synonym of
H. obliqualis ... which IS listed in AFD under Rhynchina. See..
https://biodiversity.org.au/afd/taxa/Rhynchina_obliquarlis

Of R. obliquarlis, there is nothing in BOLD Systems.

However, this Coffs Harbour ref:
http://lepidoptera.butterflyhouse.com.au/hypn/obliquarlis.html
depicts three different forms including an examople labeled
Hypena masurialis but may well refer to H. obacerralis.

END

Suggested course of action within iNaturalist.

1. Stop using H. masurialis as this is clearly inappropriate.

2. Use Hypena sp. if you think we need to approach the
H. obacerralis / Rhynchina (Hypena) obliquarlis conservatively.

3. Opt for H. obacerralis as a relevant placeholder until such time the
taxonomy / identification is further clarified.

4. Reconsider your past identifications of H. masurialis and substitute either (2) or (3).

@dustaway, @wellsii, @nicklambert, @imcmaster, @ecross, @gregtasney, @dianneclarke,
@sarahcobbaus, @davidtng, @cher63, @larney, @lifeisamazing, @toddburrows, @peregrine80
@kdbishop69 @matthew_holden @tinnanbar @urliup-wildlife-sanctuary -wild, @carolynstewart
@jb2602 @dhfischer @harveyperkins, @martin487, @aalbertrebergen, @clairecottage, @dianadavey
@dlync, @dhobern, @domf, @dj_maple, @rqy-yong

Posted on February 8, 2022 05:58 AM by vicfazio3