Erechthias grayi Davis & Mendel 2013

Adult (Figs 7, 8). Head: Scales generally slender with bidentate apices; scales of frons smooth, appressed, directed dorsad, pale brown to gray on lower frons becoming dull white to pale gray at top of frons; scales of vertex erect or mostly so, especially over occipital tufts, fuscous, some with grayish white apices. Labial palpus with scales flattened and appressed dorsally, mostly dark grayish brown with scattered paler scales; venter of second segment with a dark brush of long, slender, erect scales and a lateral series of ~ 6-8 long, dark bristles; 1–2 bristles also arising laterally from basal segment. Maxillary palpus elongate, 5-segmented, approximately as long as labial palpus. Antenna ~ 1.6× the length of forewing; scales smoothly appressed, dark fuscous; scales of scape and pedicel moderately broad; flagellum without cilia and with a single row of more slender scales completely encircling each segment. Thorax: Forewing brachypterous (Fig. 18), length 1.4–1.8 mm. Dorsum of thorax dark fuscous dorsally, with a few dull white scales at caudal margins of tegula and mesonotum; mostly grayish white ventrally. Forewing similar to dorsum in color, dark fuscous with an irregular scattering of dull white scales at base of wing and mostly crossing wing beyond middle; a slightly larger concentration of dull white scales at apex and extending a short distance along costa; fringe almost completely lacking, restricted to apex. Hindwing minute (Fig. 18), slightly variable in size, without scales; length ~ 0.15 mm; a single stout frenulum present in male ~ equal to length of hindwing (frenulum not examined in female); fringe absent. Fore and midlegs fuscous, lightly irrorated with pale grayish white scales; apices of tibia and tarsomeres ringed with grayish white; hindleg generally paler in color. Abdomen: Dark fuscous dorsally, mostly grayish white ventrally. Eighth segment without coremata. Male genitalia (Figs 28, 29): Segment 10 mostly membranous; uncus lobes indistinct, broadly rounded. Tegumen consisting of a relatively narrow dorsal ring. Vinculum broad, V-shaped, gradually tapering anteriorly with an acute anterior apex; vinculum ~ 0.7× the length of valva. Valva simple; cucullus broadly triangular with narrowly rounded apex; costal margin densely setose. Juxta well developed as an elongate U-shaped pouch. Aedeagus slender, ~ 1.3× length of valva; vesica with numerous, minute, spicular cornuti; base of aedeagus moderately flared, not divided. Female genitalia (Figs 30, 31): Eighth sternite weakly sclerotized; ostium opening near anterior margin; an irregular cluster of ~ 5 pairs of long setae encircling caudal margin of eighth segment. Antrum slender, length ~ 3× maximum width. Ductus bursae slender, elongate, slightly longer than anterior apophysis, gradually enlarging to moderately large, ovate corpus bursae; walls of corpus bursae membranous except for very small, elongate signum; distal, more slender half of signum projecting beyond wall of corpus bursae.

(Fig. 1). Ascension Island. Erechthias grayi was at first thought to be confined to the higher elevations of Green Mountain where it was found on several occasions at altitudes around 743 m, in a very moist area frequently shrouded in cloud. Recent captures at Little White Hill, an extremely arid area at altitudes below 200 m show that Erechthias grayi is tolerant of a wide range of conditions. What the two areas do have in common is that the vegetation and habitat are comparatively undisturbed. Probably, Erechthias grayi would have been more widespread on Ascension prior to human habitation and the disturbances accompanying human settlement.