Search

Feltia subterranea (Fabricius), commonly known as the granulate cutworm, is a common species of owlet moths (Noctuidae) of major agricultural importance, widely distributed in Nearctic and Neotropical regions. This study was conducted to determine the species biological parameters, gather information about its larval host plants, and assess the agricultural significance of this species in the Americas. The viability of the egg, larval, pupal stages, and prepupal period was 98, 98, and 100%, respectively, under laboratory conditions. The average duration of the egg, larval, pupal stages, and prepupal period was 3, 17, 4, and 13 d, respectively. All laboratory-reared larvae developed through five instars. The growth ratio was 1.93 for females and 1.85 for males. The duration of the larval stage was significantly longer in females than in males from the fourth instar. The duration of the pupal stage was significantly shorter in females than in males. When larval and pupal stage durations were combined, there were no significant differences in total development time as a function of sex. In total, 159 botanical taxa belonging to 41 families were recorded as host species for F. subterranea. The families with the greatest number of host species were Fabaceae (22), Poaceae (19), Asteraceae (16), Brassicaceae (13), Solanaceae (12), Amaranthaceae (7), Cucurbitaceae (7), and Malvaceae (5). It is noteworthy that the large number of native weeds used by F. subterranea as host plants could represent a significant source of infestation of crops in the agricultural landscape. Fil: Specht, Alexandre. Embrapa Cerrados; Brasil Fil: Dias, Fernando M. S.. Universidade Estadual de Londrina; Brasil. Universidade Federal do Paraná; Brasil Fil: San Blas, Diego German. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Instituto de Ciencias de la Tierra y Ambientales de La Pampa. Universidad Nacional de La Pampa. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales. Instituto de Ciencias de la Tierra y Ambientales de La Pampa; Argentina Fil: Roque-Specht, Vânia F.. Universidade do Brasília; Brasil Fil: Casagrande, Mirna M.. Universidade Federal do Paraná; Brasil Fil: Mielke, Olaf H. H.. Universidade Federal do Paraná; Brasil Fil: Montezano, Débora G.. Corteva Agrisciense; Estados Unidos Fil: Barbosa Santos, Izailda. University of Florida; Estados Unidos Fil: Paula-Moraes, Silvana V.. University of Florida; Estados Unidos Fil: Hunt, Thomas E.. Universidad de Nebraska - Lincoln; Estados Unidos Fil: Malaquias, Juaci V.. Embrapa Cerrados; Brasil Fil: Bonfin, Felipe A. D.. Embrapa Cerrados; Brasil. Instituto Federal de Brasília; Brasil Fil: Vieira, Paulo V. M.. Embrapa Cerrados; Brasil. Universidade do Brasília; Brasil

The genus Praepedaliodes Forster, 1964, the only representative of the mega-diverse mostly Andean Pedaliodes complex lineage in the Brazilian Atlantic Forest, is revised. Prior to this study, four species were known, P. phanias (Hewitson, 1862), P. granulata (Butler, 1868), P. amussis (Thieme, 1905) and P. exul (Thieme, 1905). Here, a further six are described, all from SE Brazil, expanding to 10 the number of species in this genus. Lectotypes are designated for P. phanias, P. granulata and P. amussis. The genus is most diverse in the Serra da Mantiqueira (São Paulo, Rio de Janeiro, Minas Gerais) and in the Serra Geral (Paraná, Santa Catarina) with seven species occurring in both ranges. Praepedaliodes phanias is the most widespread species and the only one found in the western part of the Atlantic Forest; only this species and P. duartei Dias, Dolibaina & Pyrcz n. sp. occurring to near sea level. Other species, P. zaccae Dolibaina, Dias & Pyrcz n. sp., P. francinii Freitas & Pyrcz n. sp., P. sequeirae Pyrcz, Dias & Dolbaina n. sp., P. landryi Pyrcz & Freitas n. sp. and P. pawlaki Pyrcz & Boyer n. sp. are strictly montane and the highest species richness is reached at 1400–1800 m. One species, P. sequeirae n. sp., is a narrow endemic found only at timberline in the Agulhas Negras massif above 2300 m. Immature stages are described for two species, P. phanias and P. landryi n. sp. Molecular data (barcode region of cytochrome oxidase, subunit I) and adult morphology, including male and female genitalia, support the genus as monophyletic, belonging to a predominantly Andean clade of the Pedaliodes Butler, 1867 complex. Morphological evidences, in particular female genitalia comparative analysis, indicate the genera Physcopedaliodes Forster, 1964 and Panyapedaliodes Forster, 1964 as possibly the closest relatives to Praepedaliodes. Molecular data are inconclusive in this respect.

We provide the first comprehensive taxonomic revision of the poorly known South American butterfly genus Zischkaia Forster, 1964, hitherto regarded as including three described species. A phylogenetic analysis based on DNA sequence data shows that Zischkaia is monophyletic and consists of two morphologically diagnosable clades. Morphological characters and DNA ‘barcodes’ support the recognition of twelve species in the genus, a significant increase even for the relatively poorly studied subtribe Euptychiina. Consequently, nine new species are described and named herein, including Z. arctoa Nakahara, sp. nov., Z. chullachaki Nakahara & Zacca, sp. nov., Z. baku Zacca, Dolibaina & Dias, sp. nov., Z. arenisca Nakahara, Willmott & Hall, sp. nov., Z. argyrosflecha Nakahara, L. Miller & Huertas, sp. nov., Z. abanico Nakahara & Petit, sp. nov., Z. josti Nakahara & Kleckner, sp. nov., Z. mielkeorum Dolibaina, Dias & Zacca, sp. nov. and Z. warreni Dias, Zacca & Dolibaina, sp. nov. In addition, a neotype is designated for Satyrus pacarus Godart, [1824], and lectotypes are designated for Euptychia amalda Weymer, 1911, Euptychia fumata Butler, 1867 and Euptychia saundersii Butler, 1867.

Our understanding of the origin and evolution of the astonishing Neotropical biodiversity remains somewhat limited. In particular, decoupling the respective impacts of biotic and abiotic factors on the macroevolution of clades is paramount to understand biodiversity assemblage in this region. We present the first comprehensive molecular phylogeny for the Neotropical Anaeini leafwing butterflies (Nymphalidae, Charaxinae)and, applying likelihood-based methods, we test the impact of major abiotic (Andean orogeny, Central American highland orogeny, Proto-Caribbean seaway closure, Quaternary glaciations)and biotic (host plant association)factors on their macroevolution. We infer a robust phylogenetic hypothesis for the tribe despite moderate support in some derived clades. Our phylogenetic inference recovers the genus Polygrapha Staudinger, [1887]as polyphyletic, rendering the genera Fountainea Rydon, 1971 and Memphis Hübner, [1819]paraphyletic. Consequently, we transfer Polygrapha tyrianthina (Salvin & Godman, 1868)comb. nov. to Fountainea and Polygrapha xenocrates (Westwood, 1850)comb. nov. to Memphis. We infer an origin of the group in the late Eocene ca. 40 million years ago in Central American lowlands which at the time were separated from South America by the Proto-Caribbean seaway. The biogeographical history of the group is very dynamic, with several oversea colonization events from Central America into the Chocó and Andean regions during intense stages of Andean orogeny. These events coincide with the emergence of an archipelagic setting between Central America and northern South America in the mid-Miocene that likely facilitated dispersal across the now-vanished Proto-Caribbean seaway. The Amazonian region also played a central role in the diversification of the Anaeini, acting both as a museum and a cradle of diversity. We recover a diversification rate shift in the Miocene within the species-rich genus Memphis. State speciation and extinction models recover a significant relationship between this rate shift and host plant association, indicating a positive role on speciation rates of a switch between Malpighiales and new plant orders. We find less support for a role of abiotic factors including the progressive Andean orogeny, Proto-Caribbean seaway closure and Quaternary glaciations. Miocene host plant shifts possibly acted in concert with abiotic and/or biotic factors to shape the diversification of Anaeini butterflies., This work was supported by grant BA2152/20-1 (DFG), and by the grants PR2015-00305(MINECO) and CGL2016-76322-P (AEI/FEDER, UE) to R.V. FMSD, OHHM and MMC thank Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES, Edital 15/2014 CAPES/EMBRAPA) and Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq, 141143/2009-6, 150542/2013-5, 308247/2013-2, 304639/2014-1), for financial support.

Lepidoptera is one of the four megadiverse insect orders, comprising butterflies and moths. In Brazil, the bulk of knowledge about the butterfly fauna is restricted to some areas in the southeast of the country, with large gaps of knowledge in other areas. The state of Mato Grosso is one of the largest states in Brazil, and holds three of the main Brazilian biomes: Amazon rain forest, Cerrado and Pantanal. However, knowledge about Mato Grosso butterflies is fragmented and restricted to a few localities, and information is scattered in various sources. The aim of this study is to assemble the biodiversity information of the butterfly fauna of the state of Mato Grosso based on historical and recent literature data and collections carried out in the southwest of the state from 2007–2009. Records without precise locality data or taxonomic information were not included. Species identification was based on literature and comparison with specimens in collections; higher and species-level taxonomy were updated based on the Neotropical Checklist of Hesperioidea and Papilionoidea and recent phylogenetic and revisionary taxonomic works. In total, 901 species were recorded in 2,820 occurrence records. This represents 148 species of Hesperiidae, 29 Papilionidae, 28 Pieridae, 77 Lycaenidae, 238 Riodinidae, and 381 Nymphalidae. Of these, 207 species records are from the type specimens of species described in the state. Based on the results and literature records for other Brazilian states and biomes, probably the figures for Mato Grosso are underestimated, particularly in the families Hesperiidae, Lycaenidae and Riodinidae, in that order. Future collecting efforts should be directed towards certain areas of the state, especially in less sampled areas and biomes, as the north of the state and Pantanal.

The external morphology of the last instar and pupa of Dismorphia melia (Godart, [1824]) are described from specimens collected at Sao Bento do Sul, Santa Catarina, Brazil. Morphological descriptions and illustrations are provided on the basis of observations through stereoscopic microscope attached to camera lucida; results are compared and discussed with immature stages of other species of Dismorphiinae, Coliadinae and some tribes of Pierinae with the “type I” pupae. Moreover, the taxonomy of the species is discussed, on the basis of informations and illustrations of the intraspecific variability of the imagoes, the morphology of the genitalia of both sexes, and the geographic distribution.

The external morphology of immature stages of Zaretis strigosus (Gmelin, [1790]) and Siderone galanthis catarina Dottax and Pierre, 2009 comb. nov. from southern Brazil are described. Additionally, morphology of the adults and sequences of the mitochondrial gene cytochrome oxidase, subunit I, were analyzed in order to evaluate the taxonomy of Siderone galanthis Hübner, [1823]. Immatures were collected on Casearia sylvestris (Salicaceae) in Curitiba, Paraná, and Balneário Barra do Sul, Santa Catarina, Brazil, and reared at the laboratory. Morphological descriptions and illustrations are provided, based on observations through stereoscopic and optic microscopes attached to camera lucida; results are compared and discussed and immature stages of some other species of Charaxinae. The results indicates that the morphology of the immature stages of the studied species differ greatly from other Anaeini, representing a distinct lineage of leafwings butterflies. Morphology and molecular evidence indicate that S. nemesis mexicana Dottax and Pierre, 2009 and S. nemesis catarina Dottax and Pierre, 2009 are conspecific with S. galanthis (Cramer, 1775); additionally, S. thebais C. Felder and R. Felder 1862, S. nemesis var. confluens Staudinger, 1887, S. nemesis f. leonora Bargmann, 1928 and S. nemesis f. exacta Bargmann, 1929 are synonymized with S. galanthis galanthis (Cramer, 1775). Keywords: Anaeini, Chaetotaxy, DNA barcoding, Leafwing, Zaretidinae

The hitherto unknown female of Napaea joinvilea Hall & Harvey, 2005 (Lepidoptera: Riodinidae: Mesosemiini) is described, and new distribution records for the species—until now only known from a single locality in the state of Santa Catarina, Brazil—are presented, expanding the distribution more than 1.500 kilometers northwards. Diagnosis and description of the female, distinction from similar sympatric species, illustrations of the imagines and male and female genitalia are provided. Special attention is given to distinguish N. joinvilea from its sisterspecies, N. melampia (Bates, 1867), a rare species known only from unspecified localities in the state of Bahia, Brazil. Based on the female and the new distributional records, N. joinviliea is clearly recognized as a distinct species.

The taxonomy of the hitherto unplaced taxon Porosagrotis carolia Schaus, 1929 is evaluated and the name is taken out of taxonomic limbo and combined with Feltia Walker, 1856. Feltia carolia comb. nov., described from a single female specimen, is redescribed, including the first description of the male. Head, thorax and its appendages, and male and female genitalia are illustrated through photographs and line drawings; photographs of the holotype and a distribution map for the species is provided. Additionally, the spatio-temporal occurrence of the species in Rio Grande do Sul was assessed by monthly standardized samplings with light traps from January of 1998 to December of 1999 in ten different physiographical zones of the state. Our results suggest that F. carolia comb. nov. is univoltine and goes through prepupal and pupal estival diapauses. The assessment of the distribution of the species, based on the standardized samplings and specimens deposited in entomological collections, suggests that F. carolia comb. nov. is restricted to the southern Brazilian Campos, a mostly neglected environment discontinuously distributed in mountainous plateaus of the southern Mata Atlântica biome. Fil: Dias, Fernando M. S.. Universidade Federal do Paraná; Brasil Fil: Specht, Alexandre. Ministerio da Agricultura Pecuaria e Abastecimento de Brasil. Empresa Brasileira de Pesquisa Agropecuaria; Brasil Fil: San Blas, Diego German. Universidad Nacional de La Pampa. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Argentina Fil: Casagrande, Mirna M.. Universidade Federal do Paraná; Brasil Fil: Mielke, Olaf H. H.. Universidade Federal do Paraná; Brasil

A new species of Eurybia [Illiger], 1807 (Lepidoptera: Riodinidae: Eurybiini), Eurybia gonzaga sp. nov., is described from the state of Pernambuco, Northeastern Brazil and compared with its closest ally, Eurybia pergaea (Geyer, 1832). Taxonomic comments, illustrations of the adults and male genitalia are provided.

Notes on the geographic distribution and subspecific taxonomy of Sais rosalia (Cramer) (Lepidoptera, Nymphalidae, Ithomiini), including the first records in Paraguay. This paper provides comments on the subspecific taxonomy and geographic distribution of Sais rosalia (Cramer, 1779) (Lepidoptera, Nymphalidae, Ithomiini), as well as an up-to-date distributional map, complemented with unpublished distributional data based on specimens deposited in the Coleção Entomológica Pe. Jesus S. Moure, Curitiba, Brazil and the Museo de Historia Natural, Lima, Peru. The following synonyms are proposed: Sais rosalia camariensis Haensch, 1905 syn. rev. as junior subjective synonym of Papilio rosalia Cramer, 1779 and Sais rosalia brasiliensis Talbot, 1928 syn. rev. as junior subjective synonym of Sais rosalia rosalinde Weymer, 1890. Additionally, the first country records of Sais rosalia in Paraguay, including the southernmost record of the species, are documented.

A new species of Taygetis Hübner, [1819] (Lepidoptera, Nymphalidae, Satyrinae) from southeastern Brazil is described: Taygetis drogoni sp. n. In addition, T. servius Weymer, 1910 and T. fulginia d’Almeida, 1922 are resurrected from synonymy and a taxonomic discussion on the species T. ypthima Hübner, [1821] and T. rectifascia Weymer, 1907 is provided. A dichotomous key for the species is also provided.

Three new species of Synargis Hubner, 1819, from Paraguay and southern and central Brazil are described: Synargis fandanga sp. nov. from Paraguay (Amambay and Paraguari) and southern Brazil (Parana and Santa Catarina), Synargis rasqueada sp. nov. from central Brazil (Mato Grosso), and Synargis gorpa sp. nov. from southern Brazil (Parana, Santa Catarina, and Rio Grande do Sul). Lectotypes are designated for Lemonias axenus Hewitson, 1876, Ematurgina axenus ochrophlegma Sitchel, 1911, Ematurgina acervata Seitz, 1932, and Ematurgina perrupta Seitz, 1932. Ematurgina ochrophlegma f. dissimilis Hayward, 1949, is a new synonym of Synargis bifasciata (Mengel, 1902), and Ematurgina ochrophlegma f. distincta Hayward, 1949, is a new synonym of Synargis axenus (Hewitson, 1876). The revalidation of E. perrupta Seitz, 1932, and the new status Synargis ochrophlegma (Stichel, 1911) are proposed. Ematurgina perrupta ab. roeberi Seitz, 1932, and Ematurgina bifasciata ochrophlegma ab. leucomelaina Breyer, 1930, are considered unavailable names. Based on a previous phylogenetic hypothesis, the phylogeny of the genus Synargis is reassessed, adding these new and revalidated taxa, and nine additional characters. The ‘Synargis regulus’ species group and the ‘Synargis axenus complex’ are recovered as monophyletic, with S. gorpa sp. nov. sister to the remaining species of the ‘S. axenus complex’. Additionally, an up-to-date geographical distribution map and a dichotomous key are provided, and the taxonomy of the taxa involved is discussed. © 2013 The Linnean Society of London

The external morphology and life cycle of the immature stages of Temenis laothoe meridionalis Hübner, [1819] (Lepidoptera, Nymphalidae, Biblidinae), associated with Serjania laruotteana (Sapindaceae) in Curitiba, Paraná, Brazil, are described and illustrated with photographs and images from scanning electron microscopy. Special aspects of the external morphology are compared to the immature stages of other species of Biblidinae. Keywords: Larva, Morphology, Neotropical, Host plant

Immature stages of Memphis moruus stheno (Prittwittz) were subject of a behavior, biological and morphological study. The morphological study was carried out through observation by stereoscopic microscopy with camera lucida and micrometric lens attached for illustrations and measurements, respectively; and scanning electron microscopy for ultrastructural analysis. Behavioral data were obtained through direct observation in the field and laboratory. Eggs were laid on the underside of leaves of two Lauraceae species. The first to third instars build frass chains, the fourth and the fifth instars build a conical shelter using a single leaf of the host plant. Before pupation, larvae bend its body ventrally and the pupae are incapable of movement. Descriptions, illustrations and photographs of egg, all five instars and pupa are given. The cephalic morphology and chaetotaxy of first instar were described and illustrated. Results are compared with other Charaxinae immature stages.

The external morphology and biology of the immature stages of Hamadryas fornax fornax (Hübner, [1823]) (Lepidoptera, Nymphalidae, Biblidinae) recorded on Dalechampia triphylla (Euphorbiaceae) in Curitiba, Paraná, Brazil are described. Morphological characters are illustrated and described, as a result of observations in scanning electron, stereoscope and optical microscopes, the last two attached to a camera lucida. Results are compared and discussed with immature stages of other species of Biblidinae. Keywords: Bionomy, Life cycle, Neotropical, Papilionoidea

Two new species of Euptychia Hübner, 1818 are described from the upper Amazon basin: Euptychia attenboroughi Neild, Nakahara, FratelloLe Crom, sp. n. (type locality: Amazonas, Venezuela), and Euptychia sophiae Zacca, Nakahara, DolibainaDias, sp. n. (type locality: Acre, Brazil). Their unusual facies prompted molecular and phylogenetic analyses of one of the species resulting in support for their classification in monophyletic Euptychia. Diagnostic characters for the two species are presented based on wing morphology, wing pattern, presence of androconial patches on the hindwing, and genitalia. Our results indicate that the projection of the tegumen above the uncus, previously considered a synapomorphy for Euptychia, is not shared by all species in the genus. The adults and their genitalia are documented, and distribution data and a map are provided.ResumoDuas novas espécies deResumenSe describen dos nuevas especies de

The external morphology and the tegument ultra-structure of Prepona laertes laertes (Hubner, [1811]) (Lepidoptera: Nymphalidae: Charaxinae) eggs and first instar larvae feeding on Inga spp. (Fabaceae) in a forest fragment in Joinville, Santa Catarina, Brazil, are described. Descriptions of the morphology with illustrations are presented, based upon observations through scanning electron microscopy and stereoscopic and optic microscopes attached to a camera lucida. Descriptions and illustrations of the head capsule, chaetotaxy, tegument, and setae are presented. The taxonomy, morphological characters, and host plant use of Prepona laertes immature stages are discussed.

The present note aims to describe two alternative methods for observing genitalia in Lepidoptera. The first one provides means to examine both male and female genitalia without spoiling the scales of the abdomen, preserving it attached to the thorax and aesthetically similar to an unexamined specimen. The second one provides ways of observing certain characters on the male genitalia in a non-destructive way, and does not depend on time-consuming removing and dissection of the abdomen. It is expected that the presented techniques will help on morphological studies and on identifying similar species which consistently differ in genitalic armatures.

Hoje a presença de listas vermelhas de espécies ameaçadas de extinção é comum em muitos países que as julgam necessárias para promover a conservação da natureza. No entanto, poucos esforços vêm sendo realizados com objetivo de resgatar as informações básicas acerca da presença e distribuição dessas espécies, sobretudo sua conservação. Portanto, o presente trabalho fornece novos registros de borboletas consideradas ameaçadas de extinção com distribuição no Paraná, incluindo uma da lista vermelha brasileira e complementando assim o conhecimento de suas distribuições geográficas e estudos de conservação. Ao total, somam-se 15 registros inéditos correspondentes a oito espécies, confirmando a presença onde já havia registros ou adicionando novos registros de distribuição. As espécies abordadas em nosso estudo são: Passova passova practa Evans, 1951 (CR), Zonia zonia diabo Mielke & Casagrande, 1998 (VU - Brasil), Euryades corethrus (Boisduval, 1836) (EN), Cyanophrys bertha (Jones, 1912) (EN), Alesa prema (Godart, [1824]) (VU), Symmachia arion (C. Felder & R. Felder, 1865) (VU), Pampasatyrus glaucope glaucope (C. Felder & R. Felder, 1865) (VU) e Charonias theano (Boisduval, 1836) (EN). Exceto P. g. glaucope e C. theano, todas foram registradas nos últimos três anos. Metade dos registros corresponde a pequenas unidades de conservação do noroeste e nordeste paranaense, enquanto os fornecidos para região centro-sul não estão protegidos, especialmente as espécies endêmicas dos Campos Naturais. A partir dos novos dados, são sugeridas as seguintes alterações na situação de ameaça das espécies: descaracterização dos graus de ameaça de P. p. practa, C. bertha e S. arion. Z. z. diabo deve ser inserida como criticamente em perigo (CR), assim como E. corethrus deveria elevar sua categoria em perigo (EN) para criticamente em perigo (CR). A. prema, P. g. glaucope e C. theano não tiveram as categorias e critérios alterados. Many countries regard the red lists of threatened species as useful tools for promoting the biological conservation. However, little effort has been made to gather base-line information on the presence and distribution of such species, or their conservation. Therefore, the present work provides new records of some threatened butterflies species distributed through Paraná, one of which is already included in the Brazilian red list, and thus complementing the knowledge of geographical distribution and conservation. In total, 15 new records belonging to 8 species are given, confirming past records, or representing new distribution records. The species addressed in our study are: Passova passova practa Evans, 1951 (CR), Zonia zonia diabo Mielke & Casagrande, 1998 (VU - Brazil), Alesa prema (Godart, [1824]) (VU), Symmachia arion (C. Felder & R. Felder, 1865) (VU), Cyanophrys bertha (Jones, 1912) (EN), Euryades corethrus (Boisduval, 1836) (EN), Charonias theano (Boisduval, 1836) (EN), and Pampasatyrus glaucope glaucope (C. Felder & R. Felder, 1865) (VU). Except for Charonias theano and Pampasatyrus glaucope glaucope, all species were recorded on the past three years (2007-2009). Approximately one-half of the records included here correspond to small conservation units located at the northwest and northeast regions of Paraná, while records from central-south region correspond to non-protected areas, specially the endemic grasslands species. From these new data, we suggest the following modifications to threat status: remove P. p. practa, C. bertha and S. arion from the red list. Z. z. diabo should be considered critically endangered (CR), while the status of E. corethrus should be revised to critically endangered (CR). We make no recommendations for change in status for A. prema, P. g. glaucope and C. theano.

O presente trabalho visa fornecer subsídios para estudos morfológicos comparativos de Charaxinae neotropicais. Memphis moruus stheno (Prittwitz, 1865) é a segunda espécie neotropical de Anaeini e a primeira do gênero Memphis a ter sua morfologia detalhada. A morfologia externa é apresentada com descrições, ilustrações e imagens de microscopia eletrônica de varredura de estruturas da cabeça e apêndices cefálicos, região cervical, tórax e apêndices torácicos, abdome e genitálias masculina e feminina. A morfologia de M. moruus stheno é comparada com uma espécie do gênero proximamente relacionado Zaretis Hübner, [1819]. This study is intended to allow further comparative morphological studies on the Neotropical Charaxinae. Memphis moruus stheno (Prittwitz, 1865) is the second species of Anaeini and the first in the genus Memphis to have its morphology published in detail. The external morphology is presented with descriptions, line drawings and scan electron microscopy of the head and its appendages, cervix, thorax and its appendages, abdomen and both male and female genital armatures. Memphis moruus stheno is compared with a species of its closely related genus Zaretis Hübner, [1819].

This paper provides two new distribution records from Guyana for Memphis montesino Pyrcz, 1995, extending the distribution of the species over 200 km westwards to lowland moist forests; and the first record for Memphis boliviana (Druce, 1977) from Argentina, extending its distribution over 500 km southwards.

This paper provides the exact location of the first records from Brazil of Aricoris terias (Godman, 1903) and an updated geographic distributional map of the species, extending the known range of the species over 1300 km. This is also the first record of this species on a wet forest environment.

The external morphology of the immature stages of Hamadryas epinome (C. Felder & R. Felder, 1867) (Lepidoptera : Nymphalidae : Biblidinae) is described, including drawings, photos and scanning electron micrographs.

The biology and the external morphology of immature stages of Diaethria candrena candrena (Godart) (Lepidoptera: Nymphalidae: Biblidinae) are described. Immature D. c. candrena found on Allophylus spp. (Sapindaceae) were collected in Curitiba, Parana, Brazil and reared in the laboratory. Morphological descriptions and illustrations are given, based on observations using electronic, stereoscopic, and optic microscopes, the latter two attached to camera lucida. Results are compared and discussed with immature stages of other species of Biblidinae described to date.

Accurate identification of species is fundamental to every biological research. While morphological identification is a time-consuming and skilled technique, straightforward molecular techniques require the availability of a database of previously sequenced and identified specimens. For most countries of South America, species of noctuids with available sequences are scarce, mostly restricted to species of economic importance, making molecular identification untenable. Here we sequenced the mitochondrial DNA ?barcode? region of the cytochrome c oxidase subunit I gene of 34 specimens pertaining to 26 species of South American noctuids, 20 of these for the first time. For all species, genetic distances were higher for interspecific than for intraspecific relations, supporting the utility of DNA ?barcodes? to identify species. Larger intraspecific divergences occurred in species of Agrotis and Anicla, and interspecific divergences lower than 2% occurred in about one fifth of the species, all in species of Agrotis, Feltia, and Anicla. These results will allow identifying these species using DNA ?barcodes?, either for pest management or general biological studies. Furthermore, we carried out phylogenetic analyses with those sequences and 158 other sequences of 85 species of noctuids mined from GenBank. These analyses, in every case, grouped species of the same genus suggesting that the DNA ?barcodes? region alone can be useful for lower level phylogeny in this group, recovering as monophyletic groups such as Copitarsia, Agrotis and Austrandesiita. Conversely, groups such as Mythimna (Mythimna) and the subgenera of Feltia were not recovered as monophyletic, suggesting the need for further taxonomic studies in these groups. Made available in DSpace on 2022-05-24T05:02:12Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Alexandre-Molecular-characterization-and-phylogenetic.pdf: 1808675 bytes, checksum: 178daa5d6765ad2ddd9c35e332bebf6b (MD5) Previous issue date: 2021

Theages Walker, 1855 é um gênero estritamente Neotropical constituído por 12 espécies bastante similares entre si quanto aos caracteres cromáticos, revelando-se uma considerável confusão taxonômica e nomenclatural. No presente trabalho, sob uma pespectiva de morfologia comparada, buscou-se reconhecer e elucidar o número de táxons nominais pertencentes ao gênero, bem como propor uma hipótese de relacionamento evolutivo entre eles. A análise cladística contou com 17 terminais (11 do grupo interno e seis do grupo externo) e 41 caracteres morfológicos. A busca exaustiva de pesos iguais resultou em uma única árvore mais parcimoniosa (l=142) e a de busca por pesagem implícita também gerou uma única árvore mais parcimoniosa (l=143). O gênero teve sua monofilia sustentada por oito sinapomorfias, sendo cinco únicas e três homoplásticas. Foram propostos ainda dois complexos de espécies para o gênero: (T. xanthura (T. leucophaea, T albidius)) e (T. pinasi (T. griseatum, T. hoffmanni)) (T. occultus (T. flavicaput, Theages sp. nov.))). Adicionalmente, com base na topologia obtida são fornecidos subsídios para o entendimento da evolução dos caracteres sexuais secundários encontrados no gênero. A revisão taxonômica, por sua vez, permitiu o reconhecimento de 11 espécies válidas, com a inclusão de uma espécie nova para a Colômbia e Equador. Uma sinonímia também foi proposta para o gênero: T. bricenoi torna-se sinônimo júnior subjetivo de T. flavicaput. Todas as espécies são redescritas, ilustradas e tiveram suas distribuições geográficas mapeadas e discutidas. Uma chave de identificação também é fornecida. Thaeges Walker, 1855 is a strictly Neotropical genus composed of 12 species very similar amongst themselves regarding chromatic characters, thus revealing a considerable taxonomic and nomenclatural confusion. In the present study, under the perspective of comparative morphology, the recognition and elucidation of the number of nominal taxa belonging to this genus was aimed, as well as proposing an evolutionary relationship hypothesis between them. The cladistic analysis comprised 17 terminals (11 from the ingroup and six from the outgroup), and 41 morphological characters. The exhaustive search for equal weights resulted in a single most parsimonious tree (I=142) and the implicit weight search also yielded a single most parsimonious tree (I=143). The genus\' monophyly was well supported by eight synapomorphies, five being unique and three homoplastic. In addition, two species complexes were proposed for the genus: (T. xanthura (T. leucophaea, T albidius)) and (T. pinasi (T. griseatum, T. hoffmanni)) (T. occultus (T. flavicaput, Theages sp. nov.))). Furthermore, based on the topology obtained, subsidies for the understanding of the evolution of the male secondary sexual characters found in the genus were provided. On the other hand, the taxonomic revision enabled the recognition of 11 valid species with the inclusion of a new species for both Colombia and Ecuador. Additionally, a synonym was also proposed to the genus: T. bricenoi becomes a junior subjective synonym of T. flavicaput. All species were redescribed, illustrated, and their geographical distributions mapped and discussed. An identification key was also provided.