Choreutidae Research Articles

The first documented report of metalmark moths (Lepidoptera: Choreutidae) in Israel, with the first record of Oriental Choreutis sexfasciella (Sauber) in the Palearctic

The first documented report of metalmark moths (Lepidoptera: Choreutidae) in Israel, with the first record of Oriental Choreutis sexfasciella (Sauber) in the Palearctic

First mitochondrial genome of the superfamily Choreutoidea and its phylogenetic implications

ABSTRACTChoreutoidea (metalmark moths) is a poorly known monotypic superfamily of Lepidoptera with 406 described species in 18 genera from two subfamilies (Brenthiinae and Choreutinae). The phylogenetic position of metalmark moths within the lepidopteran phylogeny has been controversial. For the present study, we sequenced the nearly complete mitochondrial genome (mitogenome) of Choreutis emplecta, the first representative from Choreutoidea. A common set of 37 mitochondrial genes, including 13 protein-coding genes (PCGs), 22 transfer RNA genes, and 2 ribosomal RNA genes, were identified in the 14,718-bp genome. The gene rearrangement of trnM-trnI-trnQ is also present in this genome. The genome size, base composition, secondary structures of RNA genes, and codon usages are similar to those of most lepidopteran mitogenomes. Phylogenetic analysis of 107 Lepidoptera species using the concatenated 13 PCGs deduced a similar topology between the Bayesian inference tree and the maximum likelihood tree. Most nodes in both phylogenetic trees confirm the current view of lepidopteran phylogeny. The Choreutoidea was demonstrated to be an early-diverging lineage of Apoditrysia.

The importance of long‐distance dispersal and establishment events in small insects: historical biogeography of metalmark moths (Lepidoptera, Choreutidae)

AbstractAimTo determine the importance of different biogeographical processes (vicariance, dispersal, long‐distance dispersal and establishment or LDDE) for the current distribution of metalmark moths, a group of small insects, using a time‐calibrated molecular tree.LocationGlobal.MethodsWe sampled 104 species of metalmark moths with representatives from all six major biogeographical regions of the world (Afrotropical, Australasian, Neotropical, Nearctic, Oriental and Palaearctic). The taxon sampling includes c. 20% of known species in the family and covers both subfamilies. Using an eight‐locus molecular data set and secondary calibration points, we inferred a time‐calibrated tree, which was then used for ancestral range estimation with variants of the dispersal‐extinction‐cladogenesis model (DEC), some of which incorporated the founder‐event j‐parameter for modelling of LDDEs (DECj).ResultsThe inferred phylogeny is well resolved and in accordance with earlier works. The metalmark moth distribution is best explained with DECj models. It remains unclear what the ancestral area was. Different models differ in the number and type of events estimated – DEC models infer vicariance for several nodes where DECj models usually infer LDDEs. However, the pattern that emerges from all the analyses is that dispersal and/or LDDE over transoceanic distances such as between the Afrotropics and Australasia and the Afrotropics and Neotropics occurred several times in the evolutionary history of this group.Main conclusionsVicariance may have played an important role in the early evolution of metalmark moths, while dispersal and LDDEs mostly shaped the group's distribution later on. Based on insect flight research using aerial radars, the best mechanism for explaining how small insects cross oceans is by being adapted for exploiting atmospheric conditions as opposed to employing active flight.

A new genus of metalmark moths (Lepidoptera, Choreutidae) with Afrotropical and Australasiandistribution.

Niveas Rota, new genus, and its two new species, N. agassizi Rota, new species, and N. kone Rota, new species, are described and illustrated. Niveas is assigned to the subfamily Choreutinae based on morphological and molecular data. Niveas agassizi is currently known only from Kenya and only from female specimens. Niveas kone has been found on the Solomon Islands and in Papua New Guinea (PNG). In PNG, larvae of this species have been reared from several species of Ficus (Moraceae). The two species are superficially quite dissimilar from each other. However, they share features in wing pattern and venation, as well as female genitalia, and the molecular data strongly support the monophyly of Niveas.

Exploration of data partitioning in an eight‐gene data set: phylogeny of metalmark moths (Lepidoptera, Choreutidae)

Rota, J. & Wahlberg, N. (2012). Exploration of data partitioning in an eight‐gene data set: phylogeny of metalmark moths (Lepidoptera, Choreutidae). —Zoologica Scripta, 41, 536–546.Molecular data sets for phylogenetic inference continue to increase in size, especially with respect to the number of genes sampled. As more and more genes are included in analyses, the importance of partitioning the data to avoid problems that can arise from underparameterization becomes more apparent. With an eight‐gene data set from 38 metalmark moth species (12 genera represented) and three outgroups, we explored different data partitioning strategies and their influence on convergence and mixing of Markov Chains Monte Carlo in a Bayesian setting. We found that in larger data sets, with an increase in the number of partitions that are made a priori (e.g. by gene and codon position), convergence and mixing become poor. This problem can be overcome by using a recently published algorithm in which homologous sites are grouped into blocks with similar evolutionary rates that can then be modelled as separate data subsets. Using this novel approach to data partitioning, our analyses resolve with strong support relationships among the genera of metalmark moths. Support for the monophyly of the family, the two subfamilies and all genera except Hemerophila is strong. Hemerophila is broken into two separate clades, Hemerophila sensu stricto and another well‐supported clade. To render Hemerophila monophyletic, we describe a new genus, Ornarantia Rota, gen. nov., and transfer 18 species from Hemerophila to it. The type species of Ornarantia is Hemerophila laciniosella Busck, 1914.

Data partitioning in Bayesian analysis: molecular phylogenetics of metalmark moths (Lepidoptera: Choreutidae)

In this study a multilocus phylogenetic analysis of metalmark moths (Lepidoptera: Choreutidae) focused on resolving the higher‐level phylogeny of this group is presented. Through the analysis of this dataset, I explore different data‐partitioning strategies in Bayesian phylogenetic inference, and find that a partitioning strategy can have a large influence on the results of phylogenetic analysis. Depending on how the data are partitioned, there can be significant differences in branch support. I also test for the existence of the Bayesian star tree paradox, and its importance in this dataset, and find that it appears to inflate support for the clade including Rhobonda gaurisana, Hemerophila houttuinialis, H. diva and H. felis, but plays no role in other cases where the differences between maximum‐likelihood bootstraps and Bayesian posterior probabilities are large. The results of all the phylogenetic analyses strongly suggest that including Millieriinae in Choreutidae renders the family polyphyletic. The monophyly of the other two subfamilies, Brenthiinae and Choreutinae, as well as their sister‐group relationship, is strongly supported. Similarly, the monophyly of all the genera examined except Hemerophila is also well supported. To bring the classification of Choreutidae in line with our current understanding of the phylogenetic relationships in the family, I propose to exclude Millieriinae from Choreutidae, elevate it to Millieriidae Heppner, and place it as incertae sedis within Ditrysia.

A new genus and new species of metalmark moths (Lepidoptera: Choreutidae) from Costa Rica

A new genus and new species of metalmark moths (Lepidoptera: Choreutidae) from Costa Rica

A new genus and new species of metalmark moths (Lepidoptera: Choreutidae) from Costa Rica

Alasea, new genus, is described and illustrated. As currently defined, Alasea is monotypic with the single species A. corniculata, n. sp., from Heredia, Limón, and Puntarenas provinces in Costa Rica. The new genus is assigned to the subfamily Choreutinae based on morphological and molecular data. As in other choreutines, Alasea has a bluntly pointed forewing and hindwing (in Brenthiinae the wings are obtuse); the basal segment of the labial palpus is parallel-sided (in Brenthiinae it is narrowed basally); and the basal flagellomeres of the antenna are heavily scaled (in Brenthiinae such scaling is never present). The immature stages and the biology of A. corniculata are unknown. Additionally, the terminology and homology of genitalic characters used in descriptions of Choreutidae are reviewed, and suggestions for more consistent usage are provided.

Predator Mimicry: Metalmark Moths Mimic Their Jumping Spider Predators

Cases of mimicry provide many of the nature's most convincing examples of natural selection. Here we report evidence for a case of predator mimicry in which metalmark moths in the genus Brenthia mimic jumping spiders, one of their predators. In controlled trials, Brenthia had higher survival rates than other similarly sized moths in the presence of jumping spiders and jumping spiders responded to Brenthia with territorial displays, indicating that Brenthia were sometimes mistaken for jumping spiders, and not recognized as prey. Our experimental results and a review of wing patterns of other insects indicate that jumping spider mimicry is more widespread than heretofore appreciated, and that jumping spiders are probably an important selective pressure shaping the evolution of diurnal insects that perch on vegetation.