Secondary sexual characters in Celaenorrhinus and the delimitation of the genus (Lepidoptera,Hesperiidae)

Summary

Scent producing organs involving parts of the thorax as well as of the abdomen in males of Calaenorrhinus and some related genera are described. The unique character of abdominal pouches with scent hairs is applied to delimit the genus Celaenorrhinus Hübner, 1819, the only pantropical genus of the Hesperiidae. As a consequence, the genera Orneates Godman and Salvin, 1894, and Charmion de Nicéville, 1894, are placed in synonymy. Two species without secondary sexual characters are also considered to belong to Celaenorrhinus, viz., Plesioneura aurivittata Moore, 1865, and Plesioneura jao Mabille, 1889, the latter being placed in Celaenorrhinus for the first time. The evolution of the described scent organs is discussed in relation to their geographic distribution.     

The occurrence and function of the sphragis in the zerynthiine genera Zerynthia,Allancastria and Bhutanitis (Lepidoptera: Papilionoidea: Papilionidae)

In some butterfly species males attach a large external mating plug termed a sphragis to the female abdomen during mating. This is derived from male accessory secretions and covers the female ostium bursae and surrounding areas, thus preventing or delaying remating. Specimens of all 12 species of the genera Zerynthia, Allancastria and Bhutanitis (Lepidoptera: papilionidae), which form a natural clade within the Zerynthiini, were examined for presence or absence of a sphragis and their male and female genitalia were studied. In all three genera female genitalia lack a typical sinus vaginalis and the sterigma is modified to form an exposed, shiny, well-sclerotized genital plate, derived from the fusion and expansion of the lamellae ante- and postvaginales. The exposed ostium bursae is situated near the posterior end of the genital plate in Zerynthia, whereas in Allancastria and Bhutanitis it is near the anterior end. A crude irregularly formed sphragis was found at least facultatively in all species. The sphragides of Zerynthia and Bhutanitis were generally poorly developed, in most cases only partially covering the female genital plate. In Allancastria the sphragis mostly covered the genital plate entirely, and generally incorporated numerous long scales derived from the male’s 8th abdominal segment; scales were sometimes sparse or absent, probably due to depletion from repeated matings by males. In Zerynthia, males lacked the dense terminal abdominal tuft of elongated scales found in Allancastria, and their sphragis lacked scales. The sphragis of Bhutanitis thaidina incorporated scales from the male valves, whereas in the B. lidderdalii sphragis (and probably B. ludlowi) the scales derived from the male’s 8th abdominal segment. The role of the scales and possible reasons for the difference in the development of the sphragis among these genera are discussed.     

Description,molecular phylogeny,and natural history of a new kleptoparasitic species of gelechiid moth (Lepidoptera) associated with Melastomataceae galls in Brazil

The male, female, pupa and larva of a new species of Gelechiidae (Lepidoptera), Locharcha opportuna Moreira and Becker, are described and illustrated with the aid of optical and scanning electron microscopy. A preliminary analysis of mitochondrial DNA sequences including members of related lineages is also provided. The immature stages are associated with galls induced by a species of Palaeomystella Fletcher (Lepidoptera: Momphidae) on Tibouchina sellowiana (Cham.) Cogn. (Melastomataceae), endemic to the Atlantic Rainforest. Larvae are kleptoparasitic, usurping the gall internal space and thereafter feeding on the internal tissues. By determining the variation in population density of both species and following gall development individually throughout ontogeny under field conditions, we demonstrated that the kleptoparasite completes its life cycle inside galls induced by Palaeomystella, where pupation occurs. The variation in seasonal abundance of the kleptoparasite is tied to that of the cecidogenous species, with their corresponding peaks in density occurring sequentially.

http://zoobank.org/urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:525F6D52-8CE1-47D1-A0D9-78B564DF5565     

The Lepidoptera of Easter,Pitcairn and Henderson Islands

The Lepidoptera faunas of the remote Pacific islands, Easter, Pitcairn and Henderson, are listed and discussed, with notes on biology. They are compared with the faunas of Mururoa and Rapa Islands, the five islands providing contrasts in geology, ecology and human disturbance. A new hawk moth is described, Hippotion hateleyi, endemic to Henderson Island.     

The function of the sphragis in Cressida cressida (Fab.) (Lepidoptera,Papilionidae): a visual deterrent to copulation attempts

During mating, males of Cressida cressida (Lepidoptera, Papilionidae) form a large external mating plug or sphragis that covers the female's copulatory opening and physically prevents remating. The sphragis has lateral and distal projections that make it an obvious structure. We tested experimentally the hypothesis that the sphragis acts as a signal of female mating status. Males pursue mated females with an intact sphragis only briefly and rarely make physical contact with them. When the sphragis of a mated female is removed or reduced in size, males are significantly more likely to physically contact the female and initiate the aerial takedown that preceeds a copulation attempt. These results suggest that the sphragis deters male sexual interest at a distance and thus functions as a signal of female mating status. The discussion focuses on the fitness consequences for females and their mates of the signal function of the sphragis.     

Description of the biology and immature stages of Pagyris ulla (Hewitson) (Lepidoptera: Nymphalidae: Ithomiini) in the Colombian Andes

The biology and immature stages of Pagyris ulla (Hewitson, [1857]) (Lepidoptera: Nymphalidae: Ithomiini) are described for the first time. The species’ host plant is established to be Brugmansia candida Pers. (Solanaceae). The life cycle from eggs to adult under laboratory conditions and ambient temperature took approximately 47 days, and the larvae passed through five instars. The larvae are gregarious, feed at night, and rest during the day in nests made by joining leaves near the apex of the plant stem.     

Spatial and temporal patterns of territorial mate locating behaviour in Hypolimnas bolina (L.) (Lepidoptera: Nymphalidae)

Male Hypolimnas bolina (L.) (Lepidoptera: Nymphalidae) defend perch sites as a method of visually locating receptive females. In this study we charted the spatio-temporal activity of perching males in tropical Australia to investigate (a) the extent to which male activity is thermally constrained, and (b) the physical attributes of selected perching sites. Butterflies were surveyed along two 5-15m wide open corridors through dense vegetation, and this allowed the prediction that males should favour narrower corridor sections in order to maximize their visual search capability. This prediction was supported. Beyond corridor width, the distribution of favoured perches was not explained any further by patterns of shading, larval food plant distribution, or the presence of nectar resources. Males were active from 0800 to 1700 h, but the number of perching individuals varied throughout the day, and this pattern varied between the two transects. Most individuals perched along one transect in the morning (0900-1100 h), whereas activity along the other peaked around midday (1100-1300 h). This between-transect difference in male activity followed changes in shading between the transects, however this variable did not predict male distribution at the territory scale. Although ambient and black body temperatures were significantly related to population-level activity, these variables only predicted 15-55% of the variance in male counts in individual transects. This result, viewed in conjunction with the limited available information on female receptivity, suggests that the timing of mate location in H. bolina may be primarily influenced by the daily pattern of female availability.     

Genus Promalactis Meyrick (Lepidoptera: Oecophoridae) in northern Vietnam. Part II: six new species of the genus

This paper is the second part of a series on the genus Promalactis (Lepidoptera: Oecophoridae) in northern Vietnam, describing six new species: Promalactis albipars sp. nov., Promalactis bitrigona sp. nov., Promalactis diorbis sp. nov., Promalactis forticosta sp. nov., Promalactis magnipuncti sp. nov. and Promalactis polyspina sp. nov. Adults and genitalia of the new species are illustrated.     

Immature stages of Parrhasius polibetes (Lepidoptera: Lycaenidae): host plants,tending ants,natural enemies and morphology

Natural history and immature stage morphology of the facultative myrmecophilous butterfly Parrhasius polibetes (Stoll) (Lepidoptera: Lycaenidae) are described and illustrated through both light and scanning electron microscopy. Larvae underwent four instars. At the third instar, the dorsal nectar organ became present and functional, and larvae were facultatively tended by several ant species, those also tending plants bearing extrafloral nectaries and honeydew-producing hemipterans. Larvae were florivorous and polyphagous at the species level, using at least 44 species of plants in 19 families. Most host plants (～ 89%) had some type of ant-attractive features, such as extrafloral nectaries or ant-tended treehoppers. The host range of this butterfly species allows the use of floral resources throughout the year. Food sources that promote ant visitation, flower bud morphology and phenology appear to be related to the evolution and maintenance of polyphagy in this butterfly species.     

Meteorus acerbiavorus sp. nov. (Hymenoptera,Braconidae), a gregarious parasitoid of Acerbia alpina (Quensel) (Lepidoptera,Arctiidae) in North Finland

The new gregarious parasitoid Meteorus acerbiavorus sp. nov. (Hymenoptera, Braconidae) was reared from the cocoons of Acerbia alpina (Quensel) (Lepidoptera, Arctiidae) in north-western Finnish Lapland. This species belongs to Meteorus rubens (Nees) species group and differs from the most related M. rubens in the following features: the eyes densely setose; the median lobe of the mesoscutum, scutellum, mesopleuron, and the hind coxa entirely or at least partly rugulose-granulate or rugose-areolate and sometimes with granulation; the ovipositor subapically with distinct dorsal node; the ventral borders of the first metasomal tergum weakly separated by narrow space in its basal half; the colour of the body and legs mostly or entirely dark; the fore wing more or less darkened. Phylogenetic relationships among several Meteorus species close to M. rubens including new M. acerbiavorus were investigated based on DNA sequence fragments of the mitochondrial COI and the nuclear 28S rDNA genes. The discussions on the species groups of Meteorus, on distribution of Acerbia alpina in the Holarctic and on its known parasitoids are presented.     

Bornean caterpillar (Lepidoptera) constructs cocoon from Vatica rassak (Dipterocarpaceae) resin containing multiple deterrent compounds

Many Lepidoptera larvae use pieces of vegetation bound with silk to construct or disguise their cocoons. Here we report the first known case of a caterpillar building its cocoon entirely out of fragments of resin, broken away from sheets of dried resin on the trunk of a tree and held together with silk. The behaviour of the larva (possibly Negritothripa sp. in the Nolidae), from the Kinabatangan Wildlife Sanctuary in Sabah, Borneo, is described. The cocoon was constructed on the trunk of Vatica rassak (Dipterocarpaceae). Analysis of resin from the cocoon, using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry, revealed a complex mixture of 260 components, dominated by sesquiterpenes and triterpenes. Many of these compounds have defensive properties, protecting the tree from herbivores and fungi. The larva appears to have evolved an elaborate and possibly unique behaviour, allowing it to harness the defensive properties of the resin to protect its pupa from predators and/or entomopathogenic fungi.     

Three new species of Pseudohaliotrema Yamaguti, 1953 (Monogenea: Ancyrocephalidae) from Siganus species (Siganidae) and the description of a mechanism for cross-insemination

Three new species of Pseudohaliotrema Yamaguti, 1953 were collected from two Siganus species caught off Singapore. They are Pseudohaliotrema virgata n. sp. and P. molnari n. sp. from Siganus virgatus and P. falcata n. sp. from S. guttatus. They differ in the shape and size of both the body and haptoral sclerites and in the morphology of the male organ (modified copulatory organ). Pseudohaliotrema species from siganids are characterized by having a large prominent vaginal pouch, an eversible spermatophore transfer tube associated with the vaginal pouch, ovoid spermatophores (in mature worms), a male organ adapted for spermatophore formation, a large prostatic reservoir, and a testis and ovary arranged side by side. Pseudohaliotrema plectocirra Paperna, 1972 is re-assigned as Tetrancistrum plectocirra (Paperna, 1972) n. comb. Pseudohaliotrema species from non-siganid fish do not possess these characteristics and belong elsewhere. The generic diagnosis of Pseudohaliotrema is amended. Pseudohaliotrema species use a spermatophore for sperm transfer, which is documented in detail for P. virgata n. sp. The same reproductive strategy is used by P. molnari n. sp. and P. falcata n. sp., as indicated by the presence of spermatophores on the spermatophore transfer tube and inside the vaginal pouch. The presence of individuals exchanging spermatophores indicates that P. sphincteroporus Yamaguti, 1953 and P. sigani Yamaguti, 1953 also employ the same mechanism. The spermatophore, assembled in the sclerotized male organ and stored in the spermatophore chamber, is retrieved by the eversible spermatophore transfer tube (housed within the vaginal pouch) and drawn into the vaginal pouch as the spermatophore transfer tube invaginates. Within the vaginal pouch, the wall of the spermatophore disintegrates releasing spermatozoa.     

The preimaginal stages of Minotetrastichus frontalis (Nees) and Chrysocharis laomedon (Walker) (Hymenoptera: Eulophidae), parasitoids associated with Phyllonorycter issikii (Kumata) (Lepidoptera,Gracillariidae)

The biology and morphology of the early larval instars of Minotetrastichus frontalis (Nees) are redescribed and the morphology of the preimaginal stages of Chrysocharis laomedon (Walker) (Hymenoptera: Eulophidae) are described in detail for the first time. Both species are larval-pupal parasitoids of Phyllonorycter issikii (Lepidoptera, Gracillariidae), which is associated with Tilia sp. The female of M. frontalis lays her egg beside the host larva and the newly hatched first instar larva moves and has to find the host larva. The larva of P. issikii tries to continue its feeding but never pupates after paralysis. The female of C. laomedon lays its egg inside the cuticle of the larva of P. issikii, but the newly hatched parasitoid larva vacates the host larva and develops externally on its surface as an ectoparasitoid. Such behaviour might be facilitated by the constant temperature and humidity inside the mine. Some peculiarities of parasitoid–host relationships are described and discussed.     

Morphology of Eogystia sibirica (Alphéraky) (Lepidoptera: Cossidae) attacking Asparagus officinalis in northern China with descriptions of its immature stages

The carpenter moth Eogystia sibirica (Alphéraky) (Lepidoptera: Cossidae) is a serious pest of the garden asparagus Asparagus officinalis (family Liliaceae) in northern China, with its larvae boring in the stem and roots, frequently causing significant damage to the plant. All the life stages of the pest, including egg, larva, pupa and adult, are described and illustrated in detail. The ovoid egg is covered with a reticulate meshwork of ridges on the chorion. The eruciform larva possesses only three stemmata on each side of the head; the reduced abdominal prolegs on segments III–VI each bear 35–55 uniordinal crochets arranged in two transverse bands; the short anal prolegs each bear five to seven uniordinal crochets in a transverse band. The pupa is adecticous and obtect, without cremaster. The reduction of larval stemmata and the invagination of the adult pterosterna are briefly discussed.     

Revision of the Neotropical genus Yagra Oiticica (Lepidoptera: Castniidae)

The Castniidae, or butterfly moths, are characteristically colourful diurnal moths, distributed throughout the tropics except in Africa. The Neotropical representatives forage almost exclusively on monocotyledonous plants and many species are crop pests with more than 60% of the Neotropical castniids found or endemic in Brazil. Research studies that focus on taxonomy, systematics, and morphology of this group are scarce. In this study, Yagra Oiticica, a small genus restricted to south-eastern South America, is revised and the diagnostic morphological characters of male and female genitalia are illustrated. This research is part of long-term study on the Castniidae for future phylogenetic analysis.     

A survey of the genus Geometra Linnaeus (Lepidoptera,Geometridae, Geometrinae)

The type genus of the family Geometridae, Geometra Linnaeus, is reviewed. In addition to the 16 species known worldwide, two new species are described: Geometra neovalida sp. nov. from China, and Geometra burmensis sp. nov. from Burma (Myanmar). All the known species are redescribed. Genitalia of all species are described and illustrated, most for the first time. Generic characters based on all species are summarized. The monophyly of the genus and its relationship with allied genera are reviewed and discussed in detail. Most species fall into two species groups, named the papilionaria and smaragdus groups, on the basis of the morphology of the male genitalia. Biological information is provided where available. Illustrations of moths and genitalia are presented.     

Ooencyrtus marcelloi sp. nov. (Hymenoptera: Encyrtidae), an egg parasitoid of Heliconiini (Lepidoptera: Nymphalidae: Heliconiinae) on passion vines (Malpighiales: Passifloraceae) in Central America

A new species belonging to the genus Ooencyrtus Ashmead is described. Ooencyrtus marcelloi sp. nov. has been reared from eggs of Heliconiini (Lepidoptera: Nymphalidae, Heliconiinae) collected in Panama on Passiflora spp. The new species is compared with its closest Ooencyrtus species, i.e. O. caligo Noyes, O. neustriae Mercet, O. flavipes (Timberlake), O. camerounensis (Risbec), O. endymion Huang and Noyes and Ooencyrtus sp. “undet. C.” (from India). This represents the second record of Ooencyrtus from Heliconinae and the first record of this genus from Panama.     

Larval feeding habits of the Hepialidae (Lepidoptera)

The host-plant relationships of the Hepialidae are discussed in relation to host range and larval tunnelling behaviour. Larvae are mostly phytophagous on live angiosperms, gymnosperms, pteridophytes and mosses. Generally they specialize as feeders of leaf, stem/branch or root tissue, but dietary transitions from leaf to stem and root to stem occur in some species. An early period of mycophagy where larvae feed on fungi or dead decaying plant tissue is recorded in a wide range of species that feed on live embryophytes in later instars. Feeding patterns of the Hepialidae are compared with those of other major lepidopteran taxa and the evolutionary implications of hepialid feeding habits for the origin and derivation of larval host-plant relationships in Lepidoptera are discussed. It is suggested that the developmental transition from mycophagy to phytophagy in the Hepialidae is the result of partial ‘suppression’ of mycophagy in the generalist feeding ancestor of Lepidoptera.