[Taxacom] Type genus of Hepialidae

[John Grehan]

Since Taxacome is inhabited by some super sleuths who manage to dig up the
most obscure nomenclatural stuff I thought I would post this inquiry. The
Hepialidae Stephens 1828 is 'obviously' derived from the genus Hepialus
(Linnaeus, 1758). But Stephens did not designate Hepialus as the type
genus, and so far in my looking through the literature the earliest
designation I can find for Hepialus as the type genus is Nye & Fletcher
(1991 - Generic names of moths of the world). They do not indicate their
designation is original, so perhaps there is something earlier. I have so
far not found (or missed) anything in the early family listings by Walker
or Kirby, or various other publications I have so far read. If anyone
recalls anything earlier than Nye & Fletcher please let me know.  It's one
of those items that could be out there,but 'buried' amongst everything else.

John Grehan