Endemic Moth Research Articles

A Scanning Electron Microscopic Study on the Sensory System of Abdominal Cuticle and Prolegs in Different Larval Stages of <I>Antheraea assamensis</I>, an Endemic Silk Moth Species of North East India

A Scanning Electron Microscopic Study on the Sensory System of Abdominal Cuticle and Prolegs in Different Larval Stages of <I>Antheraea assamensis</I>, an Endemic Silk Moth Species of North East India

The Hawaiian amphibious caterpillar guild: new species of Hyposmocoma (Lepidoptera: Cosmopterigidae) confirm distinct aquatic invasions and complex speciation patterns

Although aquatic caterpillars are a globally rare lifestyle, we have found them in multiple, independent lineages of the endemic moth genus Hyposmocoma across all of the Hawaiian Islands with flowing water. We formally describe 11 new species of Hyposmocoma that belong to four different larval case types: cone, bugle, medium burrito, and large burrito: Hyposmocoma kahamanoasp. nov. from Oahu Island, Hyposmocoma kamakou sp. nov. from Molokai Island, Hyposmocoma kahaiaosp. nov., Hyposmocoma waihohonusp. nov., and Hyposmocoma moopalikeasp. nov. from Maui Island, andHyposmocoma aumakuawaisp. nov.,Hyposmocoma eepawaisp. nov., Hyposmocoma ipowainuisp. nov., Hyposmocoma kawaikoisp. nov., Hyposmocoma uhauiolesp. nov., and Hyposmocoma wailuasp. nov. from Kauai Island. We also illustrate and describe in detail the aquatic case-bearing larva of Hyposmocoma kahamanoa. Despite having similar ecologies as algae and lichen grazers at and below the water line of streams, prior research indicates that species with each case type constitute an independent lineage, with terrestrial sister taxa, and therefore the different groups of species bearing unique case types each represent an independent aquatic invasion. The case-bearing larvae often occur sympatrically, and on Kauai even species with similar case-types occur together, suggesting complex patterns of speciation and either past periods of isolation or sympatric speciation. Phylogenetic analysis of 2243 base pairs from two nuclear and one mitochondrial gene for 18 species confirm that each species is endemic to a single volcano, and that morphological divergence within case-types has not been dramatic. Diversification has been complex, and superficially similar case type lineages are not all monophyletic. Kauai, the oldest but smallest of the major high islands, supports more species in the aquatic guild than any other island, thus island age, rather than size, may be important in generating diversity in this group. © 2011 The Linnean Society of London, Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society, 2011, 162, 15–42.

Ecological correlates of the non-indigenous parasitoid assemblage associated with a Hawaiian endemic moth

Understanding what ecological factors might predispose indigenous habitats to invasion by invasive species is an important aspect of conservation and invasive species management, particularly when biological control is considered for suppression of the invasive species. This study seeks to identify ecological factors that might play a role in determining the structure of the parasitoid assemblage associated with caterpillars of the endemic Hawaiian moth Udea stellata (Crambidae). Parasitoids were reared from field-collected U. stellata larvae at 18 locations. Fourteen environmental variables were measured at each site. Two multivariate analyses, principal component analysis (PCA) and partial redundancy analysis (RDA), were used to analyze the parasitoid assemblage across a range of habitats varying in environmental characteristics. The PCA analysis showed that the occurrence of some species were highly correlated, and associated with less disturbed sites, whereas other species were associated with sites of medium and high levels of disturbance. The RDA analysis showed that only three of the measured environmental variables (U. stellata density, elevation, and level of habitat disturbance) significantly explained variability in the parasitoid assemblage among sites. There was greater parasitoid species richness associated with U. stellata larvae at higher elevation sites with a lower degree of habitat disturbance by exotic vegetation. The purposely introduced parasitoid species were associated with the non-target moth at sites located at higher elevations with low levels of disturbance. Multivariate analysis has the potential to provide valuable insights into the identification of important environmental factors that mediate parasitoid assemblage structure and level of parasitism on a particular target or non-target species, and therefore facilitate identification of suitable target habitats or susceptible non-target habitats.

Ecologically and Morphologically Remarkable New Cosmet Moth Species of the Genus Hyposmocoma (Lepidoptera: Cosmopterigidae) Endemic to the Hawaiian Islands, with Reference to the Spectacular Diversity of Larval Cases

Abstract Hyposmocoma is an endemic Hawaiian moth genus with >330 recognized species occupying a remarkable range of ecological habits and exhibiting a high degree of variation typical of adaptive radiations. Within this diverse genus, some species have evolved intriguing and globally rare lifestyles, such as predatory or aquatic caterpillars. There are still many undescribed species in the genus, and no current work succinctly covers the range of their diversity. We describe nine new species in an attempt to demonstrate some of the remarkable ecological and phenotypic diversity displayed by species in the genus in a concise format: Hyposmocoma carnivora sp. nov. from the island of Hawaii; Hyposmocoma eliai sp. nov. Hyposmocoma nohomaalewa sp. nov., and Hyposmocoma waikamoi sp. nov. from the island of Kauai; and Hyposmocoma papaiili sp. nov., Hyposmocoma pukoa sp. nov., Hyposmocoma pupumoehewa sp. nov., Hyposmocoma opuulaau sp. nov., and Hyposmocoma waikamoi sp. nov. from the island of Maui. Although the taxa presented here do not represent a monophyletic group with respect to the rest of Hyposmocoma, they represent some of the most striking aspects of Hyposmocoma diversity as a whole.

Parasitism of a Hawaiian Endemic Moth by Invasive and Purposely Introduced Hymenoptera Species

The impact of invasive alien species on native organisms is a cause for serious concern. This concern is especially relevant in the Hawaiian archipelago because of its high level of endemicity, severe impacts of accidental introductions of invasive species, and long history of purposeful biological control introductions. Results from a previous study showed that the parasitoid assemblage associated with an endemic moth Udea stellata (Butler) comprised seven species: three adventive species, two purposely introduced species, and two of unknown origin. The objectives of this study were to assess the parasitism levels of alien wasps on populations of U. stellata at different sites and to determine the specific stages that were used by the spectrum of parasitoid species that attack U. stellata. Standardized collections of wild larvae were conducted at eight sites located on the islands of Kauai, Oahu, and Hawaii. In total, 3,531 larvae were collected in a 2-yr survey. Of these, 8.0% were collected as first instar, 23.0% as second instar, 39.0% as third instar, 21.0% as fourth instar, 7.1% as fifth instar, and 1.8% as sixth instar. Of the larvae that survived laboratory rearing, 43.0% were parasitized. Information collected in the surveys was complemented with data from life-table studies to determine stage-specific parasitism. All larval stages were susceptible to parasitism by at least one parasitoid species; second and third instars were susceptible to attack by all seven parasitoid species. Adventive parasitoids rather than purposely introduced ones were responsible for the greater part of the apparent mortality observed. At low and low-medium elevations, the parasitoid assemblage was dominated by adventive species. The two purposely introduced parasitoids were present in remote relatively undisturbed sites on the islands Kauai and Hawaii. The sometimes high parasitism rates by adventive species found in this study were shown to have minimal effect at the population level in our life table study; therefore, care should be taken when interpreting field parasitism data. Carefully addressing current ecological impacts of alien parasitoids on native species is of particular importance for developing more efficient means to quantify the risks of future biological control introductions.

Multiple aquatic invasions by an endemic, terrestrial Hawaiian moth radiation

Insects are the most diverse form of life on the planet, dominating both terrestrial and freshwater ecosystems, yet no species has a life stage able to breath, feed, and develop either continually submerged or without access to water. Such truly amphibious insects are unrecorded. In mountain streams across the Hawaiian Islands, some caterpillars in the endemic moth genus Hyposmocoma are truly amphibious. These larvae can breathe and feed indefinitely both above and below the water's surface and can mature completely submerged or dry. Remarkably, a molecular phylogeny based on 2,243 bp from both nuclear (elongation factor 1alpha and carbomoylphosphate synthase) and mitochondrial (cytochrome oxidase I) genes representing 216 individuals and 89 species of Hyposmocoma reveals that this amphibious lifestyle is an example of parallel evolution and has arisen from strictly terrestrial clades at least three separate times in the genus starting more than 6 million years ago, before the current high islands existed. No other terrestrial genus of animals has sponsored so many independent aquatic invasions, and no other insects are able to remain active indefinitely above and below water. Why and how Hyposmocoma, an overwhelmingly terrestrial group, repeatedly evolved unprecedented aquatic species is unclear, although there are many other evolutionary anomalies across the Hawaiian archipelago. The uniqueness of the community assemblages of Hawaii's isolated biota is likely critical in generating such evolutionary novelty because this amphibious ecology is unknown anywhere else.

New species of Hyposmocoma (Lepidoptera, Cosmopterigidae) from the remote Northwestern Hawaiian Islands of Laysan, Necker, and Nihoa

The endemic Hawaiian cosmopterigid moth genus Hyposmocoma Butler, 1881 contains 315 described species, making it one of the Archipelago’s most diverse radiations. However, only one species was previously described as endemic to the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands (NWHI), and prior taxonomic work in the region has been problematic. The NWHI represent a series of much older island remnants and atolls that were formerly high islands of much greater diversity. Systematic relationships within and between Hyposmocoma on the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands may have implications for understanding not only the biogeography of Hyposmocoma but of Hawaiian radiations in general. We describe eight new species of Hyposmocoma endemic to the NWHI: H. laysanensis sp. nov. and H. ekemamao sp. nov. from Laysan Island, H. opuumaloo sp. nov. and H. mokumana sp. nov. from Necker Island, and H. nihoa sp. nov., H. kikokolu sp. nov., H. menehune sp. nov., and H. papahanau sp. nov. from Nihoa Island. This work represents the first inclusive taxonomic treatment of Hyposmocoma in the NWHI and may serve as a basis for studies both of Hyposmocoma, and broader biogeographic research on the NWHI.

A revision of the endemic Hawaiian genus Thyrocopa (Lepidoptera: Xyloryctidae: Xyloryctinae)

The endemic Hawaiian moth genus Thyrocopa (Xyloryctidae: Xyloryctinae) is revised. Thirty-one species are recognized, including seven new species: apikia sp. n., elikapekae sp. n., kanaloa sp. n., kea sp. n., kokeensis sp. n., neckerensis sp. n., and nihoa sp. n. The following new synonymies are proposed: T. depressariella Walsingham, T. fraudulentella Walsingham, T. immutata Walsingham, T. ingeminata Walsingham, T. nubifer Walsingham, and T. pallida Walsingham as junior synonyms of T. abusa Walsingham; T. adumbrata Walsingham and T. inermis Walsingham as junior synonyms of T. alterna Walsingham; T. mediomaculata Walsingham as a junior synonym of T. apatela (Walsingham); T. phycidiformis (Walsingham) as a junior synonym of T. brevipalpis (Walsingham); T. pulverulenta Walsingham as a junior synonym of T. epicapna (Meyrick); T. argentea (Butler) and T. tessellatella Walsingham as junior synonyms of T. indecora (Butler); and T. criminosa Meyrick, T. librodes Meyrick, and T. sucosa Meyrick as junior synonyms of T. usitata (Butler). A lectotype is designated for T. megas.

Phylogeography and ecology of an endemic radiation of Hawaiian aquatic case-bearing moths (Hyposmocoma: Cosmopterigidae)

The endemic moth genus Hyposmocoma (Lepidoptera: Cosmopterigidae) may be one of the most speciose and ecologically diverse genera in Hawaii. Among this diversity is the Hyposmocoma saccophora clade with previously unrecorded aquatic larvae. I present a molecular phylogeny based on 773 base pairs (bp) of the mitochondrial gene cytochrome c oxidase subunit I and 762 bp of the nuclear gene elongation factor 1-alpha. Topologies were constructed from data using maximum-parsimony, maximum-likelihood and Bayesian search criteria. Results strongly support the monophyly of the H. saccophora clade and the monophyly of the genus Hyposmocoma. The H. saccophora clade has single-island endemic species on Oahu, Molokai and West Maui. By contrast, there are three species endemic to Kauai, two being sympatric. The H. saccophora clade appears to follow the progression rule, with more basal species on older islands, including the most basal species on 11 Myr-old Necker Island, one of the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands. Aquatic behaviour either evolved recently in the species on the main Hawaiian Islands or was secondarily lost on the arid northwestern Necker Island. The phylogeny suggests that Hyposmocoma is older than any of the current main islands, which may, in part, explain Hyposmocoma's remarkable diversity.

Molecular phylogeny and dating of an insular endemic moth radiation inferred from mitochondrial and nuclear genes: The genus Galagete (Lepidoptera: Autostichidae) of the Galapagos Islands

Galagete is a genus of microlepidoptera including 12 nominate species endemic to the Galapagos Islands. In order to better understand the diversification of this endemic insular radiation, to unravel relationships among species and populations, and to get insight into the early stages of speciation, we developed a phylogenetic reconstruction based on the combined mitochondrial cytochrome oxidase I (555 bp) and II (453 bp), and the nuclear elongation factor-1α (711 bp) and wingless (351 bp) genes. Monophyly of the genus is strongly supported in the Bayesian and maximum likelihood analyses suggesting a single colonization event by a common ancestor. Two cases of paraphyly observed between species are hypothesized to represent imperfect species limits for G. espanolaensis nested within the G. turritella clade, and introgressive hybridization or lineage sorting in the case of the population of G. protozona from Santa Fe nested within the G. gnathodoxa clade. A geologically calibrated, relaxed molecular clock model was used for the first time to unravel the chronological sequence of an insular radiation. The first split occurring within the Galagete lineage on the archipelago is estimated at 3.3 ± 0.4 million years ago. The genus radiated relatively quickly in about 1.8 million years, and gives an estimated speciation rate of 0.8 species per million years. Although the colonization scenario shows a stochastic dispersal pattern, the arrival of the ancestor and the diversification of the radiation coincide with the chronological emergence of the major islands.

Loss of extrafloral nectary on an oceanic island plant and its consequences for herbivory

Two Hibiscus (Malvaceae) species coexist on the oceanic Bonin (Ogasawara) Islands: Hibiscus glaber (an endemic species) and H. tiliaceus (the ancestral non-endemic species). Hibiscus tiliaceus produces extrafloral nectar from the sepals, while H. glaber does not. To clarify the effects of extrafloral nectar loss on Hibiscus-insect relationships, we examined herbivory and insect communities on flower buds of H. glaber and H. tiliaceus. Larvae of the endemic moth Rehimena variegata (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae) attacked 20% of the flower buds on H. glaber, while less than 0.2% of buds on H. tiliaceus were attacked. Introduced species of ants frequently visited the flower buds of H. tiliaceus to collect extrafloral nectar from the sepal, while they rarely visited those of H. glaber. Therefore, extrafloral nectar on H. tiliaceus sepals may function as a facultative defense against flower bud herbivory. The loss of extrafloral nectaries of H. glaber sepals may be related to the original paucity of native herbivores and ants on the Bonin Islands.

The internal genitalia as a taxonomic tool: description of the relict endemic moth, <i>Coranarta restricta</i> sp. n., from the Iberian Peninsula (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae: Hadeninae)

A comparative study of the internal genitalia and examination of ecological preferences show that the Iberian populations formerly referred to as Coranarta cordigera (Thunberg, 1788) should be recognised as a distinct species, Coranarta restricta sp. n. Because of its rarity, extremely local distribution, and endemic and relict character, it should be regarded as an endangered species and its potential as a flagship species in conservation programmes is addressed. The phylogenetic and zoogeographical relationships among the species of Coranarta are outlined. The utility of structural matching of internal genitalia in conspecific males and females as a taxonomic tool is discussed, together with the main hypotheses of the evolutionary significance of internal genital differentiation in allopatric species.

Notes OnAgrotis innominataHudson (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae)

The endemic noctuid moth Agrotis innominata is recorded from several new southern coastal localities. The larvae are recorded as feeding on the exotic marram grass (Ammophila arenaria) in sand dunes. A description of the larva is given and comments are made on its native hosts. Southern populations (south of Westport and Christchurch) of the species are found to have a brachypterous female in contrast to northern populations. The flight period is found to be trans-winter (i.e. May-December). It is compared with coastal noctuid species in the Northern Hemisphere. The implications for A. innominata of the removal of marram grass and replacement with native species on dune systems is discussed.

Studies on three moth species in a Scottish port silo, with special reference to overwintering Ephestia kuehniella (Zeller) (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae)

During the winter of 1973–1974, enormous numbers of fully-fed, last instar larvae of Ephestia kuehniella (Zeller) were discovered in a large Scottish port silo where previously the endemic moth infestation had been almost entirely Endrosis sarcitrella (L.) and Hofmannophila pseudospretella (Stainton). E. kuehniella had previously been uncommon in this silo as in unheated silos elsewhere in Britain. During 1974–1976 E. kuehniella was most abundant on the topmost floors of the silo, particularly inside the tops of grain bins where previously E. sarcitrella had been abundant. E. sarcitrella, however, was still the more abundant on the storage floors and at the bin bottoms. H. pseudospretella was widespread throughout the buildings, though less concentrated locally. In September, most of the E. kuehniella larvae found were early instars less than half grown but by December the smallest larvae seen approached half grown. This gradual increase in mean larval length continued through the winter, although considerable mortality of large larvae occurred after December in some areas. However, some last instar larvae appeared to enter a diapause in the autumn and did not pupate until the following May. Adults of E. sarcitrella commenced to emerge in March, and of the other two species in June.