Archernis humilis (Swinhoe) (Lepidoptera: Crambidae) Rediscovered Feeding on Skunk Vine (Paederia foetida L.) in Southeast Asia

Abstract

Archernis humilis (Swinhoe) (Lepidoptera: Crambidae) has previously been recorded only from India, and nothing has been reported about its biology or immatures. It was recently discovered during surveys for biological control agents against Paederia foetida L. (Rubiaceae) or skunk vine, and this represents the first report of the food plant. Archernis humilis was not sufficiently host specific to be considered as a biological control agent of P. foetida because it showed strong preference for other Paederia species and oviposited on P. ciliata, a Mexican endemic. With considerable new material available from a laboratory colony, we describe the adult morphology in greater detail, including internal genitalic structures of both sexes for the first time. We also provide an image of the egg and describe the larvae and pupae. We discuss the currently known distribution and expansion to China and Thailand. We designate as a lectotype a specimen from Khasia Hills, India. A phylogenetic analysis shows that Archernis is closely related to Trichaea Herrich-Schäffer and Prophantis Warren (Crambidae).