Wing Markings Research Articles

НОВЫЕ СВЕДЕНИЯ ПО ФАУНЕ ПЯДЕНИЦ (LEPIDOPTERA, GEOMETRIDAE) ЯКУТИИ. II

17 species of geometrid moths are listed, including 7 species firstly recorded from Yakutia (Alcis repandata L., Melanthia procellata Den.&Schiff., Pasiphila rectangulata L., Eupithecia abietaria Goeze, E. analoga Djak., E. thalictrata Püng., Lobophora halterata Hufn.). New data are added for 10 little-known species. Records of Alcis repandata and Alcis deversata Stgr. from the territory of Yakutia are revised, and a key to these species by their wing markings is proposed. Information about the material examined, distribution and host plants of caterpillars is given for each species.

New species of <i>Grammolingia</i> Ren, 2002 from the Middle Jurassic of Inner Mongolia, China (Neuroptera: Grammolingiidae)

Three new species, <i>Grammolingia uniserialis</i> n. sp., <i>Grammolingia binervis</i> n. sp., and <i>Grammolingia sticta</i> n. sp. are described from the Jiulongshan Formation of northeastern China. <i>G. uniserialis</i> n. sp. exhibits a single row of cells in the costal area almost along the entire wing length except the basal part, which is rare in the family and firstly found in this genus. <i>G. binervis</i> n. sp. and <i>G. sticta</i> n. sp. add two new patterns of wing markings to the family. A key to the species of <i>Grammolingia</i> Ren, 2002 is provided. All types of wing markings present in this family are classified. <br><br> doi:<a href="http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/mmng.201300008" target="_blank">10.1002/mmng.201300008</a>

New species ofGrammolingiaRen, 2002 from the Middle Jurassic of Inner Mongolia, China (Neuroptera: Grammolingiidae)

Abstract. Three new species, Grammolingia uniserialis n. sp., Grammolingia binervis n. sp., and Grammolingia sticta n. sp. are described from the Jiulongshan Formation of northeastern China. G. uniserialis n. sp. exhibits a single row of cells in the costal area almost along the entire wing length except the basal part, which is rare in the family and firstly found in this genus. G. binervis n. sp. and G. sticta n. sp. add two new patterns of wing markings to the family. A key to the species of Grammolingia Ren, 2002 is provided. All types of wing markings present in this family are classified. doi: 10.1002/mmng.201300008

Interpretation of Wing Pattern Elements in Relation to Bird Predation on AdultHyalophora(Saturniidae)

A large sample of trapped adult males of Hyalophora euryalus, H. columbia gloveri, and intergrades from a hybrid zone between these taxa were scored for seven categories of wing damage. A total of 6.1% of 471 adults showed wing damage consistent with bird strikes. Among categories of wing damage, a significantly higher frequency of strikes involved the HW discal spot and the apical eye spot. Patterns of wing damage and behavior of adults when threatened were evaluated in the context of formal models of wing markings as anti-predator mechanisms. Discal spots may act to intimidate predators, while apical eye spots may deflect attacks away from the body. Certain markings are highly conserved and concordant with DNA-based saturniid phylogeny.

A new species of Dendroleon Brauer, 1866 (Neuroptera, Myrmeleontidae) from China

A new species of the genus Dendroleon (Dendroleon falcatus Zhan & Wang sp. nov.) is described from China. This new species can be distinguished from other Dendroleon species by the following characters: the significantly larger size, the long abdomen in males, and the particular wing shape and markings. Dendroleon javanus Banks, 1914 was previously reported in China based on a misidentification; the Chinese specimens are actually Bullanga florida (Navás, 1913). An identification key and distribution map are provided for Dendroleon species recorded from China.

Revision of the Euthalia phemius complex (Lepidoptera: Nymphalidae) based on morphology and molecular analyses

Adults of the Euthalia phemius complex, which is composed of three South-East Asian nymphalid species, Euthalia phemius, Euthalia ipona, and Euthalia euphemia, were genetically analysed by examining mitochondrial and nuclear genes. The E. phemius complex was also examined morphologically, with particular emphasis on wing markings and male genitalia. No significant differences amongst the three species in the complex were detected with respect to either genetic distance or genital morphology. We therefore conclude that the three currently recognized Euthalia species belong to a single species. Accordingly, E. ipona is synonymized with E. phemius. Euthalia euphemia is treated as a subspecies of E. phemius. Type specimens of all taxa and a synonymic list for the E. phemius complex are also given. In addition, we briefly discuss the evolution and biogeography of the species complex.

First record of Micromus variegatus (Fabricius) (Neuroptera: Hemerobiidae), an accidentally introduced Palearctic species, in the United States

One specimen of Micromus variegatus (Fabricius 1793) (Neuroptera: Hemerobiidae) was collected in the city of Moscow in northern Idaho. The specimen data are: U.S.A.: Idaho: Latah Co.: Moscow, elev. 840 m, 8 August 2010, M. M. Furniss. The specimen was found on the wall of a house in an area with diverse vegetation, including coniferous and deciduous trees, shrubs and herbaceous species that support a diversity of potential prey. The specimen was initially recognized on the basis its distinctive wing markings (Fig. 1). Its identity was confirmed using identification keys (Aspock et al. 1980) and by comparison with authoritatively determined material from Europe. The specimen is deposited in the William F. Barr Entomology Museum at the University of Idaho. This is the first reported specimen of M. variegatus from the United States. The species was first reported in North America in British Columbia, Canada (Klimaszewski & Kevan 1988). Those authors suggested that the species was introduced from Japan. It is now reported from five localities in southern BC (Scudder & Cannings 2009). Micromus variegatus is also known in eastern Canada with 14 specimens from Saint-Laurent-de-Ile-d Orleans, Quebec (Klimaszewski et al. 2009). That population is believed to be the result of an independent introduction from the British Isles or Western Europe. The discovery of M. variegatus in Idaho, approximately 480 km from the nearest known site in Penticton, BC, and 700 km from the original North American collection on Galiano Island near Victoria, BC, provides additional documentation of the establishment and spread of this species in North America. Its broad geographical and ecological distribution in Eurasia, from the British Isles through Iran and other arid areas in the Middle East to Japan (Aspock et al. 1980, Aspock et al. 2001), suggests that it could ultimately become widespread in North America. Its impact on native lacewing populations, especially native species of Micromus, should be monitored if M. variegatus increases in abundance. We thank John Oswald for his assistance in locating the relevant literature and reviewing the manuscript, Sean McCann, Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, BC, Canada, for the use of his photograph, and Subject Editor Eric Benbow for helpful comments.

Two new taxa of Euptychia Hübner, 1818 (Lepidoptera: Nymphalidae: Satyrinae) from the Andes of Colombia and Peru

We describe a new species and a new subspecies of Euptychia Hübner, 1818 from Colombia and Peru: E. cesarense Pulido, Andrade, Peña & Lamas n. sp. and E. cesarense viloriai Andrade, Pulido, Peña & Lamas n. ssp. This new species resembles E. enyo Butler, 1867 and E. rufocincta Weymer, 1911 but shows clear differences in the wing markings, ocellus pattern and the male genitalia morphology. The new subspecies can be distinguished from the nominotypical subspecies described herein by differences in wing pattern coloration. The nominate subspecies occurs in northern Colombia, and E. c. viloriai is known from eastern Peru.

The butterfly subfamily Pseudopontiinae is not monobasic: marked genetic diversity and morphology reveal three new species of Pseudopontia (Lepidoptera: Pieridae)

The Afrotropical butterfly subfamily Pseudopontiinae (Pieridae) was traditionally thought to comprise one species, with two subspecies (Pseudopontia paradoxa paradoxa Felder & Felder and Pseudopontia paradoxa australis Dixey) differing in a single detail of a hindwing vein. The two subspecies also differ in their known geographic distributions (mainly north of versus south of the equator). Unlike most butterflies, Pseudopontia is white with no visible wing or body markings. We now report that males of P. paradoxa australis have an area of ultraviolet‐reflecting scales along the anal vein of the forewing, whereas males of P. paradoxa paradoxa and all females do not. A total of 21 individuals of the northern subspecies, which were collected in three localities south of the equator, were found in the collection of the Royal Museum for Central Africa, indicating sympatry of the two traditional subspecies in the Congo River basin. To determine if additional cryptic species might be present, we sequenced three nuclear genes (CAD, DDC and wingless) as well as cytochrome oxidase I (COI), examined amplified fragment‐length polymorphisms, and re‐examined wing and genitalic morphology, using recently collected specimens from several regions of Africa. Phylogenetic analyses of the COI sequences and amplified fragment‐length polymorphism data concur, and indicate the existence of at least five monophyletic, non‐interbreeding populations, with a particularly deep divergence between three populations of P. paradoxa paradoxa and two of P. paradoxa australis. Despite the slow rate of evolution of the nuclear genes studied, individual gene trees and a concatenated three‐gene tree demonstrate, with high bootstrap support, clear divergence among the five populations of Pseudopontia. In addition, consistent variations in details of wing vein stalks were found among four of the genetically distinct populations, which supports the hypothesis of multiple species. Division of Pseudopontia into five phylogenetic species is proposed, including the elevation of ssp. australis to species rank and the description of Pseudopontia mabira, Pseudopontia gola and Pseudopontia zambezi

The genus <I>Bornethosea</I> Holloway (Lepidoptera: Limacodidae) from China with the descriptions of a new species

The genus Bornethosea Holloway, 1986 was recorded from China for the first time with a new species Bornethosea jiuwanshanisis sp. nov. (Lepidoptera: Limacodidae) which was described and illustrated from Guangxi province, China. This new species is the last related species Bornethosea nigrina Holloway, 1986 from Borneo by the wing markings and genitalia. The type specimens are deposited in Academy of Hunan Agricultural Sciences.

Taxonomía y distribución de Nathalis (Lepidoptera: Pieridae) en Colombia

In Colombia, Nathalis has two described species: N. iole and N. plauta. Previous authors did not make detailed descriptions of its distribution in meridional regions and failed to differentiate both species based on genitalic characters. Some wing marks have been enough to separate them, but co-specificity was a possibility. They inhabit Colombia above 2000 m in the paramo, and have a vicariant distribution from the remaining population of N. iole in the Antillean and Central and North America. An analysis focused on male and female genitalia, as well as the wing pattern of more than 100 specimens from the Colombian Andes (Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta and Sierra de Perijá) and Mexico, indicates that the two species differ in their genitalia, and considering their allopatric distribution, we support the specific distinction of N. iole and N. plauta. We describe a new endemic subspecies found exclusively in the paramo above 3000 m, an area where other endemics occur. It has phenotypic plasticity related to environmental factors.

Conspicuousness, not eye mimicry, makes "eyespots" effective antipredator signals

Many animals bear colors and patterns to reduce the risk of predation from visually hunting predators, including warning colors, camouflage, and mimicry. In addition, various species possess paired circular features often called ‘‘eyespots,’’ which may intimidate or startle predators preventing or postponing an attack. Most explanations for how eyespots work assert that they mimic the eyes of the predators own enemies. However, recent work has indicated that spots may reduce the risk of predation based purely on how conspicuous they are to a predator’s visual system. Here, we use a field technique involving artificial prey marked with stimuli of various shapes, numbers, and sizes, presented to avian predators in the field, to distinguish between the eye mimicry and conspicuousness theories. In 3 experiments, we find that the features which make effective antipredator wing markings are large size and higher numbers of spots. Stimuli with circles survived no better than those marked with other conspicuous shapes such as bars, and changing the spatial construction of the spots to increase the level of eye mimicry had no effect on the protective value of the spots. These experiments support other recent work indicating that conspicuousness, and not eye mimicry, is important in promoting avoidance behavior in predators and that eyespots on real animals need not necessarily, as most accounts claim, mimic the eyes of other animals. Key words: antipredator, conspicuousness, eyespots, mimicry, predation, vision. [Behav Ecol]

A new species of Plusia (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) from North America

AbstractA new species of the genus Plusia Ochsenheimer is described from North America on the basis of differences in wing colour, markings, and genital structure. The new species, typically found in bogs, was first recognized through molecular sampling for the Barcode of Life Initiative and differs significantly from other species of Plusia in the cytochrome c oxydase I (COI) mitochondrial gene sequence.

A systematic study of the pulchra species group of Archips occurring in Japan (Lepidoptera, Tortricidae)

AbstractThis paper reviews the pulchra species group of Archips, describes a new species, Archips stellata, and redescribes A. pulchra (Butler) and A. abiephaga (Yasuda). Although long confused with each other, these three species are distinguishable by differences in the wing markings, abdominal dorsal pits, and genitalia. To position the pulchra group systematically within the genus Archips, earlier related studies are reviewed and the phylogenetic relevance and polarities of traits are discussed. The forewing pattern, consisting of transverse black and glossy gray fasciae, is presumed to be the only synapomorphy of this group; affinity between the pulchra group and other groups of Archips in some traits may reflect symplesiomorphy.

Biosystematic study of Issikiocrania japonicella Moriuti (Lepidoptera: Eriocraniidae), with description of immature stages

AbstractThe larval and pupal morphology of the eriocraniid species Issikiocrania japonicella Moriuti, 1982 is examined and described for the first time. Unique characters on the thorax and the ninth abdominal segment were recognized in the larval chaetotaxy, but evaluation of the characters remains unresolved. Redescription of the adult morphology, including mouth parts, wing markings and venation, and male and female genitalia, is also given. Four new localities are recorded from Aomori, Nagano, Aichi and Osaka prefectures. Fagus crenata Blume (Fagaceae) was determined as the larval host plant from rearings. The morphology of adult and immature stages suggests that Issikiocrania is a unique genus that retains many primitive features.

New species of Tomoplagia Coquillett (Diptera: Tephritidae) from capitula of Asteraceae in Brazil

Twelve new species of Tomoplagia reared from capitula of Asteraceae collected in southern and southeastern Brazil are described (T. achromoptera n. sp., T. aczeli n. sp., T. bicolor n. sp., T. brasiliensis n. sp., T. cipoensis n. sp., T. dimorphica n. sp., T. grandis n. sp., T. interrupta n. sp., T. matzenbacheri n. sp., T. rupestris n. sp., T. variabilis n. sp., and T. voluta n. sp.). Five of these species have highly atypical wing markings, differing from the usual pattern for the genus, which includes five oblique yellow bands. Aberrant wing patterns were previously known in only three species. All the new species were reared from capitula of Vernonieae, confirming this Asteraceae tribe as the main host group of Tomoplagia species. Of these new species, five are specialists on the Lychnophorinae, a Vernonieae subtribe endemic to campo rupestre vegetation, which occurs on tops of mountain chains in central and southeastern Brazil. These species of Tomoplagia are probably restricted to the small ranges of these host plants. An addedum to the most recent key to species (Aczél 1955a) is provided, including couplets to all of the species with modified wing patterns.

A new knotweed‐boring species of the genus Ostrinia Hübner (Lepidoptera: Crambidae) from Japan

AbstractA pyraustine species of the genus Ostrinia Hübner collected at Shigakogen, central Honshu, Japan is described as new to science under the name of Ostrinia ovalipennis sp. nov. This species is morphologically similar to the Far Eastern knotweed borer, Ostrinia latipennis, but is distinguishable from O. latipennis in wing marking and male genitalia. Larvae of O. ovalipennis feed on the knotweed, Reynoutria sachalinensis (Polygonaceae), as do larvae of O. latipennis. In Shigakogen, adults of the two knotweed‐boring species co‐occur in the same season. Adults of O. ovalipennis were captured only in July, suggesting that this species is univoltine. The fact that O. ovalipennis shares several morphological and ecological features with O. latipennis suggests that the species is the closest relative of O. latipennis.

Molecular phylogeny of the Eichhorni group of Delias Hübner, 1819 (Lepidoptera: Pieridae)

The eichhorni group lies within the genus Delias (Lepidoptera: Pieridae) which has markedly diversified aposematic wing markings. The phylogenetic relationships among all species of the eichhorni group, representatives of each of the other 21 species groups of Delias butterflies, and some related genera were analyzed based on nucleotide sequences of the mitochondrial NADH dehydrogenase subunit 5 gene. A supplemental study using the nuclear elongation factor-1α (EF-1α) gene was also carried out. The results are compared with those of morphological studies. Our results confirm the monophyly of the eichhorni group and suggest the monophyly of the genus Delias. They also indicate phylogenetic intragroup relationships, particularly the division of the eichhorni complex into groups I and II. Moreover, they also indicate that the initial diversification of the eichhorni group involved separation of the D. catisa + D. toxopei clade, followed by the divergence of other species including the eichhorni complex. Based on these findings, it is supposed that this group first appeared close to or within the western mountain range of New Guinea Island (135°30 ′–140° E) where D. catisa, D. toxopei, and representatives of other species cohabit.

Origin and characteristics of the Maltese Black-Bronze Turkey

SummaryThe Maltese Black-Bronze Turkey is a previously undescribed, rustic breed of turkey raised exclusively in backyard conditions. The broad-breasting trait (prevalence, P=100 percent), “bronzing” on the rump and tail (P=100 percent) and “wild type” wing markings (P=78 percent) were present. The average weight (AW) and standard error (SE) and weight range (WR) of turkeys (N=50) at 12 weeks, 20 weeks and 24 weeks of age was of 3.34 ± 0.04 kg and WR = 2.80–3.80 kg, 8.14 ± 0.09 kg and WR = 7.10–9.10 kg, 10.37 ± 0.10 kg and WR = 9.40–11.70 kg, respectively.The AW ± SE and WR of a skinned, excised breast muscle(P. majorandP. profunduscombined) and of a skinned leg of turkey at 24 weeks was of 1.37±0.08 kg and WR=1.05±1.65 kg and 0.98±0.08 kg and WR=0.9-1.10 kg, respectively. There were no mortalities during the study (P=0 percent) and no birds were condemned at slaughter (P=0 percent) at 24 weeks. Although growth rates were not as fast as commercial strains raised in industrial conditions, carcass quality and conformation were good. Persons (N=2) visually assessing meat colour found only 2 percent breast muscle to be darker than that of industrially-raised turkey. However, poor intra-rater agreement and inter-rater agreement for darkness of breast muscle indicated that it was indistinguishable from the breast muscle of industrially raised birds. When only feed costs were included, the price per kg live weight was of US$ 0.99, US$ 0.74 and US$ 0.98 for 12, 20 and 24 weeks of age, respectively. Raising this breed of turkey for 20 weeks appears to be the most profitable age for marketing under small-scale semi-intensive conditions, but it is slower growing than industrial birds as the latter reach 8–16 kg at 14–20 weeks. A questionnaire based on 322 respondents identified that there was a high, but unsatisfied demand for slower growing turkeys raised in “more natural” backyard conditions (P=89 percent). The Maltese Black-Bronze Turkey had the necessary characteristics to fill this niche market.

Memories on Hypolimnas bolina some problems around the variation of wing marking and coloration in the Fiji (Island-) population.

Memories on Hypolimnas bolina some problems around the variation of wing marking and coloration in the Fiji (Island-) population.