Gelechiidae Research Articles

A New Genus and Five New Species of the Gelechiid-Moth Tribe Gelechiini (Lepidoptera: Gelechiidae, Gelechiinae) from Laos and Malaysia

A New Genus and Five New Species of the Gelechiid-Moth Tribe Gelechiini (Lepidoptera: Gelechiidae, Gelechiinae) from Laos and Malaysia

Identification and Functional Characterization of Two Putative Pheromone Receptors in the Potato Tuber Moth, Phthorimaea operculella.

Pheromones are a kind of signal produced by an animal that evoke innate responses in conspecifics. In moth, pheromone components can be detected by specialized olfactory receptor neurons (OSNs) housed in long sensilla trichoids on the male antennae. The pheromone receptors (PRs) located in the dendrite membrane of OSNs are responsible for pheromone sensing in most Lepidopteran insects. The potato tuber moth Phthorimaea operculella is a destructive pest of Solanaceae crops. Although sex attractant is widely used in fields to monitor the population of P. operculella, no study has been reported on the mechanism the male moth of P. operculella uses to recognize sex pheromone components. In the present study, we cloned two pheromone receptor genes PopeOR1 and PopeOR3 in P. operculella. The transcripts of them were highly accumulated in the antennae of male adults. Functional analysis using the heterologous expression system of Xenopus oocyte demonstrated that these two PR proteins both responded to (E, Z)-4,7–13: OAc and (E, Z, Z)-4,7,10–13: OAc, the key sex pheromone components of P. operculella, whilst they responded differentially to these two ligands. Our findings for the first time characterized the function of pheromone receptors in gelechiid moth and could promote the olfactory based pest management of P. operculella in the field.

Field assessment on management of South American pin worm, Tuta absoluta (Meyrick) (Lepidoptera: Gelechiidae) in tomato

Field trials were conducted for three years during kharif season of 2014, 2015 and 2016 to evaluate the integrated pest management (IPM) module against pinworm (Tuta Absoluta) in tomato in comparison with farmer’s practice. Seasonal incidence studies revealed that population increased gradually from September and touched its peak during December (28.00 adults/trap). The insect was found to be higher at the fruit maturity stage and infestation found decreased with increase in temperature. IPM module reduced the cost of cultivation by Rs. 9615.66 ha-1 and the net returns were increased by Rs. 53282.00 per hectare. The average benefit cost ratio was improved with 2.39 in treatment compared to farmers practice 1.92. The results based on pooled data showed that reduction in the fruit damage by Tuta absoluta and good yields is due to the integrated management strategy taken up by installing pheromone traps 2 weeks after transplanting by which awareness on timely spraying of Azadirachtin 1500ppm @ 5ml/lt or combination of Azadirachtin with Chlorantraniliprole 18.5% SC @ 0.3 ml or Flubendiamide 480 SC @0.3ml or Indoxacarb 14.5% SC @ 1.75ml carried in practicing farmers field based on ETL level of adult catches and burning of infested plants and remnants of the crop immediately after the fruits have been harvested also found effective in managing the pest.

First data on the bionomics of Leptochilus (Euleptochilus) limbiferus (Morawitz, 1867) (Hymenoptera: Vespidae: Eumeninae), with taxonomic notes and new records.

Nesting of Leptochilus limbiferus (Morawitz, 1867) was observed in the Krasnodar Territory, Russia. Twelve nests were studied; all of them were located in empty shells of a terrestrial snail species, Xeropicta derbentina (Krynicki). The building material used by the wasps was pellets of dry soil and gravel particles, as well as shell bits, and sometimes also tiny shells. Females hunted for caterpillars of a gelechiid moth Syncopacma coronillella (Treitschke) and two unidentified species. Imagoes of L. limbiferus were observed feeding on nectar at flowers of five plant species in five families. Males were also observed patrolling the nesting site and sleeping inside a shell of X. derbentina. Nests were invaded by ants and an anthracine fly. Nesting activity and structure of the nests and cocoons are described in detail. The species is univoltine; hibernation occurs at the prepupa stage. The present contribution is the first detailed report on the bionomics of the subgenus Euleptochilus Blüthgen, 1943. Nesting of Old World species of Leptochilus de Saussure, 1853 is discussed with special reference to use of gravel as building material in two phylogenetic lineages: Leptochilus and unrelated genus Alastor Lepeletier de Saint-Fargeau, 1841. The distribution of L. limbiferus is summarized; particularly, the species is reported from Montenegro and Azerbaijan for the first time. At the same time, its previous records from Armenia were found to be based on a misidentification of Leptochilus (Euleptochilus) duplicatus (Klug, 1835) (new for Armenia and the Caucasus as a whole). Leptochilus limbiferus anatolicus Blüthgen, 1955 and L. limbiferus achaeus Gusenleitner, 1970 are treated as synonyms of L. limbiferus s. str. (new synonymies). The lectotype of Odynerus limbiferus Morawitz, 1867 is designated. A key to subgenera of Leptochilus is provided.

Four New Species of Gelechiid Moths of the Genus Photodotis Meyrick, 1911 (Lepidoptera, Gelechiidae) from Borneo

Four new Gelechiidae species of the genus Photodotis Meyrick, 1911 are described from the Malaysian part of Borneo: Ph. crockeri sp. n., Ph. decolorata sp. n., Ph. aliena sp. n., and Ph. imperfecta sp. n. The name of the genus Palintropa Meyrick, 1913 is considered a junior synonym of that of the genus Photodotis Meyrick, syn. n. A new combination is also established: Photodotis hippica (Meyrick, 1913), comb. n. ex Palintropa.

AN OVERVIEW ON SUITABILITY OF ECO-FRIENDLY IPM APPROACH FOR MANAGEMENT OF BT-RESISTANCE IN PINK BOLLWORM ON COTTON

Pink Bollworm (Pectinophora gossypiella) member of the family Gelechiidae is known to be among the most destructive insect pest of cotton, causing huge damage to the cotton seed as well as heavy loss in fiber quality of the crop. Its larvae are active feeder of the reproductive parts of cotton and conceal in the damaged bolls. Large scale cultivation of transgenic cotton that produces Cry1Ac resulted in development of resistance in pink bollworm against Cry1Ac. A single control tactic even chemical control remains ineffective for their management and all possible tactics are integrated for their effective control. For its monitoring Sex pheromone traps, PB Ropes and light traps are installed. Growing of non Bt refugia also play an effective role for the management of pink bollworm. Keeping in view, the importance of Integrated Pest Management (IPM) is an ecofriendly and effective technique as compared with the use of conventional insecticidal technique.

Commented checklist of European Gelechiidae (Lepidoptera).

The checklist of European Gelechiidae covers 865 species, belonging to 109 genera, with three species records which require confirmation. Further, it is the first checklist to include a complete coverage of proved synonyms of species and at generic level. The following taxonomic changes are introduced: Pseudosophronia constanti (Nel, 1998) syn. nov. of Pseudosophronia exustellus (Zeller, 1847), Metzneria expositoi Vives, 2001 syn. nov. of Metzneria aestivella (Zeller, 1839); Sophronia ascalis Gozmány, 1951 syn. nov. of Sophronia grandii Hering, 1933, Aproaerema incognitana (Gozmány, 1957) comb. nov., Aproaerema cinctelloides (Nel & Varenne, 2012) comb. nov., Aproaerema azosterella (Herrich-Schäffer, 1854) comb. nov., Aproaerema montanata (Gozmány, 1957) comb. nov., Aproaerema cincticulella (Bruand, 1851) comb. nov., Aproaerema buvati (Nel, 1995) comb. nov., Aproaerema linella (Chrétien, 1904) comb. nov., Aproaerema captivella (Herrich-Schäffer, 1854) comb. nov., Aproaerema semicostella (Staudinger, 1871) comb. nov., Aproaerema steppicola (Junnilainen, 2010) comb. nov., Aproaerema cottienella (Nel, 2012) comb. nov., Ptocheuusa cinerella (Chrétien, 1908) comb. nov., Pragmatodes melagonella (Constant, 1895) comb. nov., Pragmatodes albagonella (Varenne & Nel, 2010) comb. nov., Pragmatodes parvulata (Gozmány, 1953) comb. nov., Oxypteryx nigromaculella (Millière, 1872) comb. nov., Oxypteryx wilkella (Linnaeus, 1758) comb. nov., Oxypteryx ochricapilla (Rebel, 1903) comb. nov., Oxypteryx superbella (Zeller, 1839) comb. nov., Oxypteryx mirusella (Huemer & Karsholt, 2013) comb. nov., Oxypteryx baldizzonei (Karsholt & Huemer, 2013) comb. nov., Oxypteryx occidentella (Huemer & Karsholt, 2011) comb. nov., Oxypteryx libertinella (Zeller, 1872) comb. nov., Oxypteryx gemerensis (Elsner, 2013) comb. nov., Oxypteryx deserta (Piskunov, 1990) comb. nov., Oxypteryx unicolorella (Duponchel, 1843) comb. nov., Oxypteryx nigritella (Zeller, 1847) comb. nov., Oxypteryx plumbella (Heinemann, 1870) comb. nov., Oxypteryx isostacta (Meyrick, 1926) comb. nov., Oxypteryx helotella (Staudinger, 1859) comb. nov., Oxypteryx parahelotella (Nel, 1995) comb. nov., Oxypteryx graecatella (Šumpich & Skyva, 2012) comb. nov.; Aproaerema genistae (Walsingham, 1908) comb. rev., Aproaerema thaumalea (Walsingham, 1905) comb. rev.; Dichomeris neatodes Meyrick, 1923 sp. rev.; Caryocolum horoscopa (Meyrick, 1926) stat. rev.; Ivanauskiella occitanica (Nel & Varenne, 2013) sp. rev.; Apodia martinii Petry, 1911 sp. rev.; Caulastrocecis cryptoxena (Gozmány, 1952) sp. rev. Following Article 23.9.2 ICZN we propose Caryocolum blandella (Douglas, 1852) (Gelechia) nom. protectum and Caryocolum signatella (Eversmann, 1844) (Lita) nom. oblitum.

Два новых вида Выемчатокрылых молей (Lepidoptera, Gelechiidae) из родов Deltophora Janse и Stegasta Meyrick из центрального Лаоса

Два новых вида Выемчатокрылых молей (Lepidoptera, Gelechiidae) из родов Deltophora Janse и Stegasta Meyrick из центрального Лаоса

К фауне выемчатокрылых молей (Lepidoptera: Gelechiidae) Омской области

К фауне выемчатокрылых молей (Lepidoptera: Gelechiidae) Омской области

Новый род выемчатокрылых молей трибы Litini (Lepidoptera, Gelechiidae: Gelechiinae) из Малайзии

A new genus of Gelechiid moths Invetrix gen. nov., with type species I. bifaria sp. nov., is described from the vicinity of the Tawau Park in Malaysia (Borneo). The new genus combines features common for the genera of two evolutionary branches of the Litini tribe (= Teleiodini) (Teleiodes Sattler, Pseudotelphusa Janse, etc.) and Exoteleiini tribe (Parachronistis Meyrick, Stenolechia Meyrick, etc.). As a result of detailed functional and morphological studies, these taxa have been added to the Litini tribe. According to the androconial apparatus on the 2nd segment of the male abdomen, the new genus is close to the genera Parachronistis Meyrick and Protoparachronistis Omelko from the Litini tribe.

Conservation attempt of critically endangered mangrove <i>Lumnitzera littorea</i> (Jack) Voigt in Madu Ganga Ramsar Site of Sri Lanka; stand composition and seed germination

Considering the environmental and specific socio-economic significance of the critically endangered mangrove Lumnitzera littorea, this study was conducted aiming the conservation of the species. The specific objectives were to define the diversity of the other mangrove species in association with the existing L. littorea plant population in the Madu Ganga wetland, Sri Lanka, to study its seed germination and identify the barriers for seed germination. The existing population of L. littorea is an aged population with low regeneration potential. Most of the seeds collected at the dispersal maturity were empty. A micro moth belonging to Family Gelechiidae was identified as the embryo predator. Although GA3 (Gibberellic acid) treatment and dry storage reduced the germination time, none of the seed treatments significantly improved the seed germination of L. littorea. Low seed germination observed was due to absence of embryo in mature seeds as a result of insect predation and physiological dormancy of seeds. Optimum GA3 concentration, duration of dry storage and potting medium with suitable salt concentration for seedlings should be optimized in future research.

Influence of Age, Host Plant and Mating Status in Pheromone Production and New Insights on Perception Plasticity in Tuta Absoluta.

The tomato leafminer Tuta absoluta Meyrick (Lepidoptera: Gelechiidae) is one of the most important pests of tomato worldwide. However, in spite of its tremendous economic importance, the success of environmentally friendly measures to control the pest is still limited. Study of physiological and behavioral parameters that affect pheromone production has provided useful information for pest management. Our results show no clear difference in pheromone production by females over the period from 2 h before to 2 h after the scotophase. However, pheromone production was clearly dependent on female age, with young females producing the highest amount of each pheromone component 10 days after emergence. In the presence of the host plant (physical contact and olfaction of the plant volatiles), virgin and mated females produced higher amounts of the major component of the pheromone (TDTA) than those in the absence of plant and those devoid of olfaction (antennectomized) but in physical contact with the plant. In electrophysiological experiments, TDTA elicited slightly lower responses on male antennae than the pheromone mixture. When stimulated at certain time intervals after the first exposure to TDTA, male antennae became more sensitive to the stimulus (sensitization effect). For the first time in an insect of the family Gelechiidae, we have found that females are able to detect their own pheromone (autodetection). Altogether, our results may represent a step forward in the knowledge of the chemical communication of this important pest.

Frugivorous Insects Reared from Chytranthus obliquinervis Radlk. (Sapindales: Sapindaceae) with the Description of a New Monophagous Species of Grapholita Treitschke (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae)

Ripe fruits of Chytranthus obliquinervis were sampled from a tree in Buda Forest in coastal Kenya. Four species of insects were reared from the fruits, two species of Tephritidae, an undescribed species of gelechiid moth, and a new species of tortricid moth, Grapholita chytranthusi Razowski, sp. n., described herein. No parasitoids were reared. Notes on the biology, distribution, and conservation status of the host and its pests are included.

Consideration of the Places of Pupation of Aroga Velocella (Zeller, 1839) (Lepidoptera: Gelechiidae)

Consideration of the Places of Pupation of <i>Aroga Velocella</i> (Zeller, 1839) (Lepidoptera: Gelechiidae)

New species and new records of the genus Scrobipalpa Janse (Lepidoptera, Gelechiidae) from China.

An annotated list of 71 species of the genus Scrobipalpa in China is given. Nine species of the genus Scrobipalpa Janse, 1951 are described as new: S.triangulellasp. n. (Gansu, Ningxia, Shaanxi), S.punctulatasp. n. (Henan, Shanxi), S.septentrionalissp. n. (Heilongjiang, Ningxia), S.zhongweinasp. n. (Ningxia), S.tripunctellasp. n. (Hebei, Ningxia, Shanxi), S.ningxicasp. n. (Ningxia), S.psammophilasp. n. (Ningxia), S.zhengisp. n. (Inner Mongolia, Ningxia), and S.liuisp. n. (Shanxi). Scrobipalpagorodkovi Bidzilya, 2012 is synonymised with S.subnitens Povolný, 1967. The female of S.flavinerva Bidzilya & Li, 2010 is described for the first time. Two new combinations are proposed: Scrobipalpaperfecta (Povolný, 1996), comb. n., Scrobipalpasuaveolens (Povolný, 1996), comb. n. Twelve species of Scrobipalpa are recorded from China for the first time. Scrobipalpacryptica Povolný, 1996, S.proclivella (Fuchs, 1886) and S.smithi Povolný & Bradley, 1964 are removed from the list of Scrobipalpa of China due to misidentification.

A New Genus and Two New Species of Gelechiid Moths of the Subfamily Anacampsinae (Lepidoptera, Gelechiidae) from Laos

A new genus, Vientiana gen. n. with the species V. patricki gen. et sp. n., is described from the central part of Laos. The new genus represents a separate lineage in the subfamily Anacampsinae. It is somewhat related to Battaristis Meyrick, as the male genitalia of the Far Eastern species B. majuscula M. Omelko et N. Omelko and V. patricki sp. n. have a similar plate-shaped juxta. The genus Semophylax Meyrick has hitherto comprised only two species: S. apicepuncta (Busck), known from the southern North America and northern South America, and S. verecunda (M. Omelko) (nomen correctum!), described from Vietnam by a single male. A new species, S. crassiuscula sp. n., is described from southern Laos and the previously unknown female of S. verecunda is documented and illustrated, based on material of both sexes collected in central Laos.

Three New Species of Gelechiid Moths (Lepidoptera, Gelechiidae) from the Southeastern Regions of the European Part of Russia

Three new species of gelechiid moths (Gelechiidae) are described from the arid regions of the southeastern European part of Russia (Astrakhan and Orenburg provinces): Bryotropha satschkovisp. n., Monochroa aenigmasp. n., and Scrobipalpa achtubicasp. n.

New species and new records of gelechiid moths (Lepidoptera, Gelechiidae) from southern Siberia.

Noteworthy records of 23 species of the family Gelechiidae from southern Siberia are reported. The following seven new species are described: Metzneria transbaikalica Bidzilya, sp. nov., Istrianis jaskai Bidzilya, sp. nov., Teleiopsis kyraensis Bidzilya, sp. nov., Athrips nigrilineella Bidzilya K. Nupponen, sp. nov., Filatima multicornuta Bidzilya K. Nupponen, sp. nov., Lutilabria pallidella K. Nupponen Bidzilya sp. nov. and Caryocolum unicolorellum Bidzilya, sp. nov. Two new synonyms are established: Filatima bidentella Bidzilya, 1998 syn. nov. of Filatima asiatica Sattler, 1961; Filatima autocrossa Meyrick, 1937 syn. nov. of Filatima pallipalpella Snellen, 1884. Lutilabria kaszabi Povolný, 1978 is re-described based on additional material. The hitherto unknown females of Filatima asiatica, F. karsholti Ivinskis Piskunov, 1989, F. sciocrypta (Meyrick, 1936) and Athrips kerzhneri Piskunov, 1990 are described. Dirhinosia interposita Bidzilya Budashkin, 2015, Scrobipalpa flavinerva Bidzilya Li, 2010, Scrobipalpa sinica Bidzilya Li, 2010 and Filatima karsholti are recorded from Russia for the first time. Nine species are recorded for the first time from different regions of Siberia. Female brachyptery in Filatima Busck, 1939 and Lutilabria Povolný, 1965 is reported for the first time.

New Species of the Genus Photodotis Meyr. (Lepidoptera, Gelechiidae) in the Fauna of Laos

Three species of the gelechiid moth genus Photodotis new to science are described from central Laos: P. daedalea sp. n., P. lurida sp. n., and P. reclinata sp. n.

A new species of the genus Empalactis Meyrick, 1925 (Lepidoptera, Gelechiidae) from Japan

A new species of the genus Empalactis Meyrick, 1925 (Lepidoptera, Gelechiidae) from Japan