First Report of the Immature Stages of the Leaf-Mining Genus Subclemensia Kozlov, 1987 (Lepidoptera: Incurvariidae), with a Re-Illustration of the Type Species and a Generic Concept Discussion Based on Immature Characters.

Abstract

Simple SummaryCaterpillars and pupae are important sources of evidence for the identification of primitive moths, and they can often provide quite different but useful morphological characters from those of adults. Incurvariidae is one of the most primitive groups of extant Lepidoptera, but half of the genera lack any information on caterpillars and pupae. It is important to increase the knowledge on the immature stages of Incurvariidae. Subclemensia Kozlov, 1987 is one of the monotypic genera in Incurvariidae. In this study, the caterpillar and pupa of the type species of Subclemensia are reported for the first time. The leaf mine, host plant and its biological characteristics are also provided. DNA barcodes were generated to help with the species delimitation. The adult male and female genitalia are re-illustrated by color photography to supplement the original line drawings.The immature stages of primitive Lepidoptera can provide quite different but often useful morphological evidence and synapomorphies from those of adults. Incurvariidae is one of the most primitive lineages of extant Lepidoptera, which is species-poor but highly diverse, but half of the genera lack any information on immature stages. New knowledge on the immature stages of the family is expected to provide useful morphological evidence and synapomorphies to stabilize the generic nomenclature. Subclemensia Kozlov, 1987 is one of the monotypic genera in Incurvariidae. In this study, the immature stages of the type species of Subclemensia are reported for the first time. The leaf mine, host plant and its biological characteristics are also provided. DNA barcodes were generated to aid the species delimitation. The adult male and female genitalia are re-illustrated by color photography to supplement the original line drawings. The generic concepts of Subclemensia and other related genera are discussed based on immature characters.