The Golden and Mariana albatrosses, new species of pierid butterflies, with a review of subgenusAppias(Catophaga) (Lepidoptera)

Abstract

This paper presents an overview of the subgenus Appias (Catophaga) Hubner (Pieridae). A beautiful golden-yellow member of the group, endemic to the Indonesian island of Sulawesi, Appias (Catophaga) aurosa Yata & Vane-Wright sp.n., is described as new. A small white species, Appias (Catophaga) mariana Yata & Chainey sp.n., is described as new from the Marianas. Four other taxa, A. (C.) athama (Blanchard), A. (C.) galba (Wallace) stat.rev., A. (C.) galene (Felder & Felder) and A. (C.) wardii (Moore), treated in most recent literature as subspecies, are recognized here as distinct, increasing the number of Catophaga species generally recognized from nine to 15. A brief review is given for each, with notes on their diagnosis, general distribution and known hostplants. An annotated synonymic checklist indicating subspecies, type localities and four new synonyms, and nine lectotype designations, one neotype designation and two type locality restrictions necessary to stabilize usage conclude the paper. Online Supporting Information provides an extensive discussion concerning the possible evolution of these butterflies with respect to polymorphism, speciation, coloration and hostplant relationships, a comprehensive list of type material for all available species group names belonging to the subgenus, and a complete bibliography for all citations in both the printed and online material.