Search

This is the first publication of any genus of Metarbelidae Strand, 1909 for Madagascar since 1891. Here, the genus Saalmulleria Mabille, 1891 is revised comprising three species including descriptions of two new species. Three new genera are presented: first, an African-Madagascan sister genus-group, namely Shimbaniagen. nov. and Morondavaniagen. nov. The genus Morondavania is monotypic and comprises one new species, while Shimbania comprises 13 species, of which 11 species are new to science. Lebedodes wichgrafi (Grünberg, 1910) and L. durbanica Hampson, 1910 are treated as valid species and are moved to the new genus Shimbania. Secondly, the monotypic Eberhardfischeriagen. nov. that shares one synapomorphy with Saalmulleria. The species S. dubiefi (Viette, 1974) is excluded from Saalmulleria, since it most probably represents another undescribed genus. Species of Shimbania occur along the eastern coast of the African mainland up to about 540 km inland from the Indian Ocean, with one record from the Atlantic Ocean coast in Nigeria (Central Africa). The other three genera are endemic to Madagascar.

Zoological collections remain the main archive of animal biodiversity on Earth, and especially in times of large-scale declines of many groups represent important resources for biodiversity and conservation research. The most important individuals of these collections are the type specimens, which represent the original and unique reference for a species. While a full digitization of most museum collections currently remains utopic, lists of types are an essential resource for researchers to perform taxonomic revisions. Here, we provide an updated type catalogue of the lepidopteran superfamilies Hepialoidea, Cossoidea and Zygaenoidea deposited in the Zoological Museum of Hamburg (ZMH). In this paper, we report 259 specimens labelled as “types” belonging to 36 infrasubspecific taxa (invalid under the ICZN codes), 34 subspecies (16 of valid status) and 13 species (all of valid status). We present a full bibliography of the original descriptions and illustrations for all taxa, aiming to provide a comprehensive taxonomic guide to this collection.

In the sixth part of the revision of the Asian Metarbelidae we describe a new monotypic genus, Tearbela Yakovlev & Zolotuhin, gen. nov. (type species, by original designation: Arbela theivora Hampson, 1910). Tearbela theivora (Hampson, 1910) comb. nov. and Marcopoloia dea (Swinhoe, 1890) comb. nov. are established and redescribed.

In this study, we designate lectotypes and fix the identities of two Australian Castniidae species, Synemon sophia (White, 1841), the type species of Synemon Doubleday, 1846, and Synemon parthenoides R. Felder, 1874. Furthermore, we describe seven new species of Castniidae from Western Australia, two new species of the Synemon sophia group, Synemon anthracica Kallies & Edwards sp. n. and Synemon crocea Kallies & Edwards sp. n., three species in the Synemon magnifica Strand, 1911 group, Synemon semaphora Kallies & Edwards sp. n., Synemon angustiptera Kallies & Edwards sp. n. and Synemon petrophila Kallies & Edwards sp. n., one new species of unclear affinity, Synemon cacumina Kallies & Edwards sp. n., and one new species related to Synemon directa Westwood, 1877, Synemon victoriae Kallies & Edwards sp. n. We report Restionaceae, a host-plant family not previously recorded for Castniidae.

The cupuassu (Theobroma grandiflorum (Willd ex Sprengel) K. Schum.) is a native tree from the tropical rainforest and one of the most important fruit trees in the Amazon region. Its pulp and seeds are widely used in the alimentary industry, as well as food by the people of northern Brazil. Among the factors that can compromise the production of cupuassu are the attack of diseases and insect pests. The aim of this work is to report the attack of a wood-borer lepidopteran in commercial cupuassu plantation located in the district of Nova Califórnia, Rondônia State, Brazil. In April 2019 an infestation of a wood-borer insect was observed causing the death of branches. Branches containing caterpillars in their inside were collected and taken to the Entomology Laboratory of the Embrapa Acre, where they were placed in a screened cage. After about 60 days, an adult insect emerged, which was identified as Magulacra nigripennata, a lepidopteran associated with cocoa and cupuassu plantations in that country. A random survey of 100 plants in the plantation area detected an infestation level of 36%, indicating the harmful potential of this pest to the cupuassu crops in the Amazon region. Made available in DSpace on 2020-10-07T09:14:35Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 27032.pdf: 986600 bytes, checksum: 4c0ca83d81f4763af2c6e44d2ccaeec6 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2020

A total of 972 species of Macrolepidoptera belonging to 28 families are reported for the territory of Omsk Oblast. The most numerous is Noctuidae family represented by 358 species, followed by Geometridae (252 species), Erebidae (48), Lycaenidae (42), Arctiidae (40), Nymphalidae (37), Satyridae and Notodontidae (27 species in each family), Pieridae, Sphingidae, Lasiocampidae (17 species in each family), Hesperiidae (15), Lymantriidae (13), Zygaenidae and Sesiidae (12 species in each family), Drepanidae (10), Nolidae (7), Cossidae (4), Papilionidae and Hepialidae (3 species in each family), Syntomidae, Saturniidae and Lemoniidae (2 species in each family), Endromididae, Uraniidae, Thyrididae, Limacodidae and Brachodidae (1 species in each family). A total of 13 species were registered in Omsk Oblast for the first time, among them Pennisetia hylaeiformis (Laspeyres, 1801), Synanthedon martjanovi Sheljuzhko, 1918, Synanthedon spheciformis ((Denis & Schiffermüller, 1775), Synanthedon uralensis (Bartel, 1906, Bembecia sp., Chamaesphecia astatiformis (Herrich-Schäffer, 1846), Alcis jubata (Thunberg, 1788), Dysstroma infuscata (Tengström, 1869), Scopula tessellaria (Boisduval, 1840), Panchrysia deaurata (Esper, 1787), Amphipoea crinanensis (Burrows, 1908), Euxoa eruta (Hübner, (1827), Xestia sexstrigata (Haworth, 1809). The list of doubtful and erroneously records is given.

An illustrated catalogue is given of the family Ratardidae in the world fauna which includes 10 species from 3 genera. A new species, Callosiope elenae Yakovlev sp. n., is described from Lampang Province, Thailand. Externally, the new species differs well from the type species of the genus, C. banghaasi. The fore wing of C. elenae sp. n. has a pattern of alternating wide black bands against pure white background (in C. banghaasi, the fore wing is strongly darkened, without bands). The hind wing of C. elenae sp. n. shows a pattern of large dropshaped black smears at the wing edge and a more or less expressed spotted pattern in the discal and postdiscal areas (in C. banghaasi, the hind wing is completely black, with no pattern). A new synonymy: Ratarda marmorata Moore, 1879 = Ratarda guttifera Hering, 1925 syn. n. and a new status: Ratarda mora javanica Roepke, 1937 stat. n., are established. Ratarda excellens (Strand, 1917) is recorded in the fauna of Thailand for the first time.

A dataset for North American specimens in the holdings of the Oregon State Arthropod Collection is presented. Details about the metadata an some basic summary of the contents are presented. The dataset itself, in the form of a text file (csv formatting) is provided in the supplemental file materials.

We recorded a new species of Cossidae – Acossus terebrus (Denis & Schiffermüller, 1776) – for Mongolia (Tov Aimak). We also report on the most northern habitat of the cossid genus Gobibatyr Yakovlev, 2004 (North-West Mongolia, Bayan-Ulegej Aimak), which shows the permeability of the Mongolian Altai Mountain Range for some elements of the Dzungarian fauna. Additionally, our sampling resulted in adding new localities to the ranges of Catopta perunovi Yakovlev, 2007 and Cecryphallus nubila (Staudinger, 1895) (first discovered in Hovd Aimak).

The taxonomic position of the family Castniidae within the order Lepidoptera has changed over time. Initially, it was classified in the superfamily Sesioidea, and then it was grouped in a large assemblage including the Cossoidea, Sesioidea, and Zygaenoidea. Recent studies have included it in the superfamily Cossoidea. In Europe, the palm borer moth (PBM) Paysandisia archon is the only species of the Castniidae. This moth, native to South America (Argentina and Uruguay), was first reported in Europe (France and Spain) in 2001, but it is believed to have been introduced before 1995 on palm trees imported from Argentina. Since then, the moth has been reported in Belgium, Bulgaria, Cyprus Island, Croatia, the Czech Republic, Denmark, France, Greece, Italy, Slovenia, Spain, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom. All known hosts are palms (family Arecaceae). The moth appears to have a wide host range, including the native Mediterranean palms but also exotic species, threatening ornamental and patrimonial palms, as well as date palms in North Africa. In Europe, the adult moths are active during the hottest part of sunny days, from mid-May to September–October, with a peak during June and July. PBM overwinter as larvae. Cocoons can be found from mid-March to mid-September. During the summer, all of the developmental stages of the moth (egg, larva, pupa, and adult) can be observed. Recent research has aimed to provide a more comprehensive understanding of the PBM's biology and host palm tree range under European Mediterranean conditions, to fill the knowledge gaps, support decisions for risk assessment, and improve monitoring, management, and regulation. (Resume d'auteur)

Six new Metarbelidae are described. Photographs of the adults, illustrations of their wing venation and genitalia, as well as information on the floristic composition of their habitats, are presented. Five species are from Tanzania, which include Metarbela lornadepewae spec. nov. from Mufindi (Udzungwa Mountains), Ortharbela jurateae spec. nov., Lebedodes ianrobertsoni spec. nov. and Lebedodes leifaarviki spec. nov.from Morogoro (Uluguru Mountains) and Ortharbela cliftoni spec. nov. from Amani (East Usambara Mountains). Paralebedella shimonii spec. nov. from Marenji Forest (Kenyan Coast) is the first described species of the genus Paralebedella for Kenya, and considered to be very rare. At least five genera and ten species occur in Morogoro and its surroundings which is a very high diversity of Metarbelidae. A characteristic feature of the Morogoro sites is the occurrence of at least four Lebedodes species. This is 16% of Lebedodes known from the Afrotropical Region (including undescribed species) and the highest diversity for a single locality. It appears to be due to the presence of miombo characterized by the dominance ofleguminous trees of the genera Brachystegia, Julbernardia and/or Isoberlinia. The distribution pattern of the Metarbelidae from the Afrotropical Region, Madagascar and via the Arabian Peninsula into the Oriental Region is presented. There appears to be evidence for ancient (probably Cretaceous), relictual taxa.

Ten new Metarbelidae are described. Photographs of the adults, illustrations of their wing venation and genitalia, as well as information on the floristic composition of their habitats, are presented. They are classified as endemics to various centres or subcentres of endemism. Lebedodes johni spec. nov. (potential Kenyan endemic), Metarbela shimonii spec. nov. and Salagena charlottae spec. nov. are from Arabuko-Sokoke, Kaya Muhaka and Gogoni Forest (Kenyan Coast). Salagena quentinlukei spec. nov., Ortharbela sommerlattei spec. nov. (potential East Usambara endemic), Paralebedella estherae spec. nov., Lebedodes willihaberlandi spec. nov. (potential Udzungwa endemic), Metarbela abdulrahmani spec. nov. and Metarbela chidzingai spec. nov. are from the Taita Hills (Kenya), the East Usambaras, the Uluguru and the Udzungwas (Tanzania). The genus Paralebedella is newly recorded for Uganda, Kenya and Tanzania; P. estherae spec. nov. and Lymantria leucerythra (Lymantriidae) show a disjunct distribution between the coastal forests/Eastern Arc Mountains and Mabira Forest (Uganda) indicating that both areas were probably once connected. Salagena bennybytebieri spec. nov. occurs in Ngong and Ololua “dry transitional montane forests” (Kenya). Related are submontane, montane and upper montane Salagena from Nyika National Park (Malawi), Ruwenzori Range (Uganda) and the East Usambaras (Tanzania). Closest related to S. quentinlukei spec. nov. is Salagena meyi from the Brandberg (Namibia). The author found that the Metarbelidae comprise at least 200 species in the Afrotropical Region. They are usually rare but a typical element of the African fauna. The local high diversity and endemism might be an indicator of long-term ecological stable conditions, dating back to the sudden appearance of numerous woody legumes ca. 25 myr BP Keywords: New species, taxonomy, biogeography, host-plant relationship, endemismJournal of East African Natural History Vol. 97 (1) 2008: pp. 43-82

In this study nine new species and a new genus of Brachodidae are described from tropical Asia and Papua New Guinea. Synechodes polias sp. nov. and Synechodes tamila sp. nov. are described from Sulawesi and southern India, respectively. A new genus, Saccocera gen. nov. (type species Miscera orpheus Kallies, 2004), is described to accommodate five species occurring from Taiwan and Sumatra across Melanesia to Papua New Guinea. It differs significantly from the related genera Miscera Walker, 1863 and Synechodes Turner, 1913 in morphological details of the head and the male and female genitalia. Two species of Saccocera are described here, Saccocera panaras sp. nov. from Papua New Guinea and Saccocera miangkabau sp. nov. from Sumatra. Furthermore, Miscera minahasa sp. nov. and Paranigilgia mariannae sp. nov. are described from Sulawesi, Paranigilgia brandti sp. nov. and Nigilgia atribractea sp. nov. from Papua, and Nigilgia browni sp. nov. is described from Christmas Island. Finally, Synechodes heppneri Kallies, 1998 syn. nov. is reverted to a junior synonym of Synechodes coniophora Turner, 1913. Nigilgia anactis Diakonoff, 1982 is figured for the first time and its distribution in Asia is discussed.

A new species and genus of Sesiini, Hyleina kaphetea new gen. & new sp., from tropical Africa is described. The type series comprises twelve male specimens from the Democratic Republic of Congo, Malawi, Tanzania and Zambia. Female specimens and life history are unknown.

Sun moths (Castniidae) constitute a family of day-flying moths that due to their slim bodies, broad and often richly coloured wings and clubbed antennae closely resemble butterflies. However, despite this superficial similarity, sun moths are not related to butterflies but belong to the diverse cossoid assemblage of lepidopterous families (Edwards et al . 1998). Until recently, Castniidae were assigned to the superfamily Sesioidea (Minet 1991). A molecular study by Mutanen et al. (2010), however, failed to find support for a close relationship of Sesiidae and Castniidae, resulting in the inclusion of both families in a larger concept of Cossoidea (Nieukerken et al. 2011). In contrast, Heikkil et al . (2015) who added considerable morphological data to DNA, recovered Sesioidea as monophyletic, with Sesiidae, Castniidae and Brachodidae as constituent families, yet with low support values. Thus, although the monophyly of Castniidae is well supported, the systematic position of this family is unresolved.

Brachodidae are a small family of day-flying, rarely collected cossoid moths. Here, the Brachodidae fauna of Sub-Saharan Africa and the neighboring Arabian Peninsula is reviewed with special attention to the species of the subfamily Brachodinae. The origin of the African Brachodinae and their relationship to the Palaearctic genus Brachodes are discussed, and a Gondwanan origin of the family Brachodidae sensu stricto is proposed. A total of 34 brachodid species are considered in this study, most of which are figured. Two new genera, Archaeotychia gen. nov. (type species Atychia quiris Felder & Rogenhofer, 1875) and Nothobrachodes gen. nov. (type species Atychia infanda Meyrick, 1920) are described. Furthermore, 12 species are described as new to science: Archaeotychia semicuprea sp. nov., Archaeotychia dicksoni sp. nov., Archaeotychia khoisanorum sp. nov., Archaeotychia krooni sp. nov., Archaeotychia dentata sp. nov., Phycodes nigeriana sp. nov., Nigilgia scoblei sp. nov., Nigilgia agassizi sp. nov., Nigilgia ruwenzoriensis sp. nov., Nigilgia megabella sp. nov., Nigilgia arcana sp. nov. and Nigilgia crocea sp. nov. Moreover, Atychia metaspila Meyrick, 1926 syn. nov. is established as a new synonym of Archaeotychia albiciliata (Walsingham, 1891) , and Atychia nycteropis Meyrick, 1920 syn. nov. as a new synonym of Nothobrachodes infanda (Meyrick, 1920). Atractoceros xanthoprocta (Meyrick, 1914) is transferred to the subfamily Phycodinae.

In this study, a new genus of Sesiini, Laetosphecia Kallies & Arita gen. nov., is described. The type species, Laetosphecia variegata (Walker, 1865) comb. nov., and a new species, Laetosphecia brideliana Kallies & Arita spec. nov., occur in south-eastern China (Province of Guangdong and Hong Kong). The larvae of both species cause galls in small branches of Bridelia tomentosa Blume (Phyllanthaceae). Furthermore, Laetosphecia leucozona (Hampson, 1919) comb. nov. from north-eastern India is transferred to the new genus. Additionally, we briefly review the Sesiini fauna of Mainland China and present an updated checklist for this region. Trilochana caseariae Yang & Wang, 1989 syn. nov. is established as a junior synonym of Trilochana scolioides Moore, 1879. Lenyra ashtaroth (Westwood, 1848) and Sphecosesia rhodites Kallies & Arita, 2004 are reported from China for the first time.

The genera Dianfosseya gen. nov. and Janegoodallia gen. nov. and their single species D. leakeyi sp. nov. and J. davenporti sp. nov. are both described from Isiro, north-eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo, Central Africa (Afrotropical Region). Wing pattern and male genitalia of the new species are depicted and notes on the habitat are presented.

The skeleton and musculature of the meso- and metathorax as well as of the male genitalia of Synemon planaWalker (Castniidae) and Brachodes appendiculata (Esper) (Brachodidae) are described, illustrated and compared with corresponding structures earlier described from the Cossidae, Choreutidae, Zygaenidae, Limacodidae and Sesiidae. Cladistic analyses of the muscle data, both separately and in combination with those of other characters, were performed to reveal relationships among these families. Our findings supported the monophyly of a group composed of three families (Brachodidae, Sesiidae and Castniidae) constituting the superfamily Sesioidea sensu Minet, and hence indicated that the Choreutidae are not closely related to the Sesioidea. The character set comprised no synapomorphies of the Limacodidae and Zygaenidae, currently united in the superfamily Zygaenoidea sensu Minet. A sister-group relationship between the Cossoidea and most if not all other superfamilies of Apoditrysia is suggested.

The aortas of 58 lepidopterous species, representing 2 superfamilies of Rhopalocera and 7 superfamilies of Heterocera, were examined with the aid of vital staining. Two distinct types of mesothoracic aortal chambers were found. A vertical type with dorsal incurrent ostia and an associated accessory diaphragm occurred in members of the Tortricoidea, Geometroidea, Bombycoidea, Sphingoidea, and Noetuoidea; a horizontal type with lateral incurrent ostia was present in representatives of the Cossoidea, Hesperioidea, and Papilionoidea (except Papilionidae). No chamber was found in the Papilionidae or the Pyralidoidea; the latter probably exhibits the primitive condition of the aorta, while the absence of the chamber in the former may represent an instance of degeneration. The conformation of the lateral incurrent ostia, found in all horizontal chambers, is described. These ostia apparently function passively in response to differential haemolymph pressures. In the Rhopalocera, the entrance of the aorta into the mesothorax generally involves perforation of the second phragma; in the Hesperiinae, Papilioninae, and Lycaenidae, the aorta passes beneath the phragma and enters the region of the flight muscles anterior to it. Phylogenetic relationships proposed on the basis of the chamber type present (or on its absence) include: (1) The Pyralidoidea represent a branch of significantly earlier origin than the Tortricoidea and Cossoidea; (2) the Tortricoidea represent an offshoot from the main stem leading to the higher moths; (3) the base of the Cossoidea line lies between those of the Pyralidoidea and the Tortricoidea; (4) the Rhopalocera lie on the same stem as the Cossoidea; and (5) the Papilionidae probably show the most advanced condition of the aorta among the Rhopalocera.