David Adamski

Phylogeny and feeding trait evolution of the mega-diverse Gelechioidea (Lepidoptera: Obtectomera): new insight from 19 nuclear genes

The Gelechioidea (>18 000 species), one of the largest superfamilies of Lepidoptera, are a major element of terrestrial ecosystems and include important pests and biological model species. Despite much recent progress, our understanding of the classification, phylogeny and evolution of Gelechioidea remains limited. Building on recent molecular studies of this superfamily and a recently revised family/subfamily classification, we provide an independent estimate of among‐family relationships, with little overlap in gene sample. We analysed up to five nuclear genes, totalling 6633 bp, for each of 77 gelechioids, plus up to 14 additional genes, for a total of 14 826 bp, in 45 of those taxa and all 19 outgroup taxa. Our maximum‐likelihood (ML) analyses, like those of previous authors, strongly support monophyly for most multiply‐sampled families and subfamilies, but very weakly support most relationships above the family level. Our tree looks superficially divergent from that of the most recent molecular study of gelechioids, but when the previous tree is re‐rooted to accord maximally with ours, the two phylogenies agree entirely on the deepest‐level divergences in Gelechioidea, and strongly though incompletely on among‐family relationships within the major groups. This concordance between independent studies is evidence that the groupings (or at least the unrooted branching order) are probably accurate, despite the low bootstrap values. After re‐rooting, both trees divide the families into three monophyletic groups: a ‘Gelechiid Assemblage,’ consisting of Gelechiidae and Cosmopterigidae; a ‘Scythridid Assemblage,’ consisting of Stathmopodidae, Scythrididae, Blastobasidae, Elachistidae, Momphidae, Coleophoridae and Batrachedridae; and a ‘Depressariid Assemblage,’ consisting of Autostichidae, Xyloryctidae, Lecithoceridae, Oecophoridae, Depressariidae and Lypusidae. Within the largest family, Gelechiidae, our results strongly support the pairing of Anomologinae with Gelechiinae, in accordance with a recent study of this family. Relationships among the other subfamilies, however, conflict moderately to strongly between studies, leaving the intrafamily phylogeny unsettled. Within the ‘Scythridid Assemblage,’ both trees support an ‘SSB clade’ consisting of Blastobasidae + (Scythrididae + Stathmopodidae), strongly resolved only in our results. Coleophoridae + Batrachedridae is supported, albeit weakly, in both trees, and only Momphidae differ in position between studies. Within the ‘Depressariid Assemblage,’ both trees support an ‘AXLO’ clade consisting of Autostichidae, Xyloryctidae, Lecithoceridae and Oecophoridae. The monophyly of this clade and relationships therein are supported weakly in previous results but strongly in ours. The recently re‐defined family Depressariidae is paraphyletic in our tree, but the evidence against depressariid monophyly is very weak. There is moderate support for a core group of Depressariidae consisting, among the seven subfamilies we sampled, of Depressariinae, Aeolanthinae and Hypertrophinae. We show that gelechioids have a higher total number and percentage of species that are saprophagous as larvae than any other apoditrysian superfamily, that saprophagy is concentrated primarily in the ‘AXLO clade,’ and that the ancestral gelechioid condition was probably feeding on live plants. Among the living‐plant feeders, concealed external feeding was probably the ancestral state. The multiple origins of internal feeding of various kinds, including leaf mining (otherwise almost unknown in Apoditrysia), are restricted mostly to the Scythridid and Gelechiid Assemblages. The traits that predispose or permit lineages to adopt these unusual life histories are worthy of study.

TWO NEW SPECIES OF WOCKIA HEINEMANN (LEPIDOPTERA: URODIDAE) FROM COASTAL DRY-FORESTS IN WESTERN MEXICO

Abstract Two new species of Wockia Heinemann, 1870 (Lepidoptera: Urodidae), W. chewbacca and W. mexicana, are described from primary dry-forests in western México. A new host record is reported for the genus from larvae of W. chewbacca feeding on leaves of Casearia nitida (L.) Jacq. (Salicaceae). Several shared genitalic features and DNA barcode similarities suggest a congeneric relationship between the two Mexican species but uncertain generic placement within Urodidae. Scanning electron micrographs of the larva and illustrations of the larva and pupa of Wockia chewbacca are provided, along with illustrations of male and female genitalia of both Mexican species. Three unusual features found in the larval stage are documented for W. chewbacca include; a multi-lobed integument, recurved D2 seta on the shield of T1, and a “hydroid bush” consisting of multiple sensilla trichoidea on the apical turret of the antenna. Locality data indicate the existence of Neotropical elements of Wockia and an expanded distributional range for the genus.

Three new cecidogenous Palaeomystella Fletcher (Lepidoptera, Coleophoridae, Momphinae) associated with Melastomataceae in Brazil

Three new cecidogenous Palaeomystella Fletcher (Lepidoptera, Coleophoridae, Momphinae) associated with Melastomataceae in Brazil. Three new cecidogenous Palaeomystella Fletcher (Lepidoptera, Coleophoridae, Momphinae), described herein, induce galls on stems and leaves of Melastomataceae species. They include: Palaeomystella tibouchinae sp. n., on Tibouchina barbigera (Naudin) Baillon, P. oligophaga sp. n., on Macairea radula (Bonpland) de Candolle and M. thyrsiflora de Candolle, and P. henriettiphila sp. n., on Henriettea succosa (Aublet) de Candolle. Adults, including male and female genitalia, larva, pupa, and galls are illustrated and described in detail.

History, Distribution, and Identification Of Exoteleia dodecella (L.) (Lepidoptera: Gelechiidae) in North America, With Insights into the Systematics of Exoteleia Wallengren using Characters of the Adult, Immatures, Bionomics, and DNA Barcodes

Abstract Exoteleia dodecella (L.) (Lepidoptera: Gelechiidae), a native of Europe, was first documented from North America at several locations in eastern Canada. Additional records indicate this moth has now spread throughout New England and west to northern Pennsylvania, New York, and possibly into Michigan in the United States. A second introduction of E. dodecella has occurred near the Vancouver area of British Columbia in Canada. To help with the identification of E. dodecella, morphological, biological, and molecular evidence are presented. Key features of the adult, larval, and pupal morphology are compared to other species of Exoteleia and illustrated with line drawings or scanning electron micrographs. The high sequence divergence (>7%) of E. dodecella compared to samples of related native North American species demonstrates that DNA barcodes are a useful identification tool for this pest. A summary of the biology of E. dodecella, including 12 species of larval and pupal parasitoids (most representing new host records), is also included.

Three New Species of Leaf-Mining Gelechiidae (Lepidoptera) from Canada and Northeastern United States

ABSTRACT. Three new species of leaf-mining Gelechiidae are described: Xenolechia ceanothiae Priest, whose larvae feed on Ceanothus americanus L. (Rhamnaceae); Gnorimoschema shepherdiae Priest, on Shepherdia canadensis (L.) Nutt. (Elaeagnaceae); and Scrobipalpula manierreorum Priest, on Eurybia (Aster) macrophylla (L.) Cassini (Asteraceae). Their leaf mines were initially discovered in the understory in Michigan forests. Barcoding revealed additional records for two of these species from several regions of Canada. Photographs of the imagos and illustrations of the male and female genitalia, larval and pupal chaetotaxal maps are provided. Scanning electron micrographs of selected features of the larva for each species supplement illustrations. Comparative diagnoses of adult morphological characters are presented to distinguish the new species from other North American congeners. Photographs of the leaf-mines for each species are also included. DNA barcodes for each species are shown to be distinct from related North American congeners. The first occurrence of Gnorimoschema vibeiWolff in North America is confirmed by barcoded specimens from Kuujjuarapik in northern Quebec, Canada.

One New Species and One New Combination in Netechma Razowski (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae: Euliini)

Abstract Netechma similis, new species, from Costa Rica, is described and illustrated, and Netechma caesiata (Clarke), new combination, from Venezuela, is redescribed and illustrated. Netechma Razowski belongs to a group of genera in Euliini characterized by one or more sparganothine-like features of the male genitalia, including a spiny transtilla; a long, slender, hooklike uncus; and densely scaled socii. Adults of the two treated species are superficially most similar to species of Icteralaria Razowski, with a forewing that features a broad, dark, medial band on a pale yellow ground color.

Anchimacheta suppletella (Zeller, 1877), N. Comb., (Lepidoptera: Urodoidea: Urodidae): Transferred from Blastobasis Zeller, 1855 (Gelechioidea: Blastobasidae), with Redescription and Diagnosis

Abstract Anchimacheta suppletella (Zeller, 1877), n. comb. (Lepidoptera: Urodoidea: Urodidae), is transferred from Blastobasis Zeller, 1855 (Gelechioidea: Blastobasidae). Anchimacheta suppletella is redescribed, and diagnostic features are given in support of the transfer. Anchimacheta suppletella is the first species of the genus recorded from South America, and it represents the southernmost known distribution for the genus. Images of the imago and illustrations of the male and female genitalia are provided. A lectotype is designated for Blastobasis (Hypatima) suppletella Zeller, 1877.

Pigritia crocea (Braun, 1918), New Combination (Lepidoptera: Gelechioidea: Blastobasidae), Transferred from Exegetia Braun, 1918, New Synonymy (Yponomeutoidea: Lyonetiidae)

Abstract. Exegetia crocea Braun, 1918, (Yponomeutoidea: Lyonetiidae), type species of Exegetia Braun, 1918, n. syn., is transferred to Pigritia Clemens, 1860 (Gelechioidea: Blastobasidae). Pigritia crocea (Braun, 1918), n. comb., is redescribed, and morphological evidence is provided in support of its new generic and familial assignment. A habitus image of the male holotype and illustrations of the male genitalia and wing venation of a conspecific male are included.

Reassessment of the Identity and Placement of Amphiclada fervescens Meyrick, 1912 (Lepidoptera: Gelechioidea)

Abstract. The identity and placement of Amphiclada fervescens Meyrick, 1912 is reassessed. We conclude that its transfer from the Heliodinidae to Blastobasidae is unfounded. However, we maintain provisionally its placement in the Gelechioidea, an entity within incertae sedis, as neither facies nor genitalia provide convincing evidence of a familial status within the superfamily. A redescription of A. fervescens is included, as are images of its holotype and associated female genitalia, to help substantiate our decision on placement.