J. Donald Lafontaine

A new molecular phylogeny offers hope for a stable family level classification of the Noctuoidea (Lepidoptera)

Zahiri, R., Kitching, I. J., Lafontaine, J. D., Mutanen, M., Kaila, L., Holloway, J. D. & Wahlberg, N. (2010). A new molecular phylogeny offers hope for a stable family level classification of the Noctuoidea (Lepidoptera). —Zoologica Scripta, 40, 158–173.

Molecular phylogenetics of Erebidae (Lepidoptera, Noctuoidea)

As a step towards understanding the higher‐level phylogeny and evolutionary affinities of quadrifid noctuoid moths, we have undertaken the first large‐scale molecular phylogenetic analysis of the moth family Erebidae, including almost all subfamilies, as well as most tribes and subtribes. DNA sequence data for one mitochondrial gene (COI) and seven nuclear genes (EF‐1α, wingless, RpS5, IDH, MDH, GAPDH and CAD) were analysed for a total of 237 taxa, principally type genera of higher taxa. Data matrices (6407 bp in total) were analysed by parsimony with equal weighting and model‐based evolutionary methods (maximum likelihood), which revealed a well‐resolved skeleton phylogenetic hypothesis with 18 major lineages, which we treat here as subfamilies of Erebidae. We thus present a new phylogeny for Erebidae consisting of 18 moderate to strongly supported subfamilies: Scoliopteryginae, Rivulinae, Anobinae, Hypeninae, Lymantriinae, Pangraptinae, Herminiinae, Aganainae, Arctiinae, Calpinae, Hypocalinae, Eulepidotinae, Toxocampinae, Tinoliinae, Scolecocampinae, Hypenodinae, Boletobiinae and Erebinae. Where possible, each monophyletic lineage is diagnosed by autapomorphic morphological character states, and within each subfamily, monophyletic tribes and subtribes can be circumscribed, most of which can also be diagnosed by morphological apomorphies. All additional taxa sampled fell within one of the four previously recognized quadrifid families (mostly into Erebidae), which are now found to include two unusual monobasic taxa from New Guinea: Cocytiinae (now in Erebidae: Erebinae) and Eucocytiinae (now in Noctuidae: Pantheinae).

A Transcontinental Challenge — A Test of DNA Barcode Performance for 1,541 Species of Canadian Noctuoidea (Lepidoptera)

This study provides a first, comprehensive, diagnostic use of DNA barcodes for the Canadian fauna of noctuoids or “owlet” moths (Lepidoptera: Noctuoidea) based on vouchered records for 1,541 species (99.1% species coverage), and more than 30,000 sequences. When viewed from a Canada-wide perspective, DNA barcodes unambiguously discriminate 90% of the noctuoid species recognized through prior taxonomic study, and resolution reaches 95.6% when considered at a provincial scale. Barcode sharing is concentrated in certain lineages with 54% of the cases involving 1.8% of the genera. Deep intraspecific divergence exists in 7.7% of the species, but further studies are required to clarify whether these cases reflect an overlooked species complex or phylogeographic variation in a single species. Non-native species possess higher Nearest-Neighbour (NN) distances than native taxa, whereas generalist feeders have lower NN distances than those with more specialized feeding habits. We found high concordance between taxonomic names and sequence clusters delineated by the Barcode Index Number (BIN) system with 1,082 species (70%) assigned to a unique BIN. The cases of discordance involve both BIN mergers and BIN splits with 38 species falling into both categories, most likely reflecting bidirectional introgression. One fifth of the species are involved in a BIN merger reflecting the presence of 158 species sharing their barcode sequence with at least one other taxon, and 189 species with low, but diagnostic COI divergence. A very few cases (13) involved species whose members fell into both categories. Most of the remaining 140 species show a split into two or three BINs per species, while Virbia ferruginosa was divided into 16. The overall results confirm that DNA barcodes are effective for the identification of Canadian noctuoids. This study also affirms that BINs are a strong proxy for species, providing a pathway for a rapid, accurate estimation of animal diversity.

Major lineages of Nolidae (Lepidoptera, Noctuoidea) elucidated by molecular phylogenetics

To elucidate the evolutionary relationships of the major lineages within the moth family Nolidae, we analysed a molecular dataset comprising eight independent gene regions (6.4 kbp), cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (COI) from the mitochondrial genome, and elongation factor‐1α (EF‐1α), ribosomal protein S5 (RpS5), carbamoylphosphate synthase domain protein (CAD), cytosolic malate dehydrogenase (MDH), glyceraldehyde‐3‐phosphate dehydrogenase (GAPDH), isocitrate dehydrogenase (IDH) and wingless genes from the nuclear genome, using parsimony and model‐based evolutionary methods (maximum likelihood and Bayesian inference). Our analyses revealed a well‐resolved phylogenetic hypothesis, again recovering the six previously recognized families within Noctuoidea (i.e. Oenosandridae, Notodontidae, Euteliidae, Erebidae, Nolidae and Noctuidae), and monophyly of the quadrifid Noctuoidea (i.e. Euteliidae, Erebidae, Nolidae and Noctuidae). The family Nolidae is diagnosed and characterized by two synapomorphies from morphology: construction of a ridged boat‐shaped cocoon that bears a vertical exit slit at one end; and two other morphological character states: elongation of the forewing retinaculum into a bar‐like or digitate condition and possession of a postpiracular counter‐tympanal hood. We present a new phylogenetic hypothesis for Nolidae consisting of eight strongly supported subfamilies, two of which are erected here: Diphtherinae, Risobinae, Collomeninae subfam. nov., Beaninae subfam. nov., Eligminae, Westermanniinae, Nolinae and Chloephorinae. Where we are able, each monophyletic lineage is diagnosed by morphological autapomorphies and within each subfamily, monophyletic tribes and subtribes are circumscribed, most of which are also diagnosable by morphological apomorphies. We also describe two new taxa: Gelastocerini trib. nov. and Etannina subtrib. nov. The Neotropical subfamily Diphtherinae, here newly circumscribed, is considered to be the plesiomorphic sister lineage to the rest of Nolidae. Diphtherinae are characterized by loss of the proximal pair of metatibial spurs in males and by the presence of a frontal tubercle, which is presumably associated with a derived strategy of emergence from the cocoon.

Additions and corrections to the check list of the Noctuoidea (Insecta, Lepidoptera) of North America north of Mexico

Abstract A total of 64 additions and corrections are listed and discussed for the check list of the Noctuoidea of North America north of Mexico published in 2010. One family-group name is inserted, four are changed in rank, one is deleted, one is changed in name, and three are changed in authorship. Taxonomic changes to species are six new or revised synonymies, one new combination, and one revision in status from species to subspecies.

Comments on differences in classification of the superfamily Noctuoidea (Insecta, Lepidoptera) between Eurasia and North America

Abstract An attempt is made to bring consensus between the classifications of the Noctuoidea in Europe and North America. Twelve points of disagreement between the check lists from the two regions are discussed and solutions recommended.

Probing planetary biodiversity with DNA barcodes: The Noctuoidea of North America

This study reports the assembly of a DNA barcode reference library for species in the lepidopteran superfamily Noctuoidea from Canada and the USA. Based on the analysis of 69,378 specimens, the library provides coverage for 97.3% of the noctuoid fauna (3565 of 3664 species). In addition to verifying the strong performance of DNA barcodes in the discrimination of these species, the results indicate close congruence between the number of species analyzed (3565) and the number of sequence clusters (3816) recognized by the Barcode Index Number (BIN) system. Distributional patterns across 12 North American ecoregions are examined for the 3251 species that have GPS data while BIN analysis is used to quantify overlap between the noctuoid faunas of North America and other zoogeographic regions. This analysis reveals that 90% of North American noctuoids are endemic and that just 7.5% and 1.8% of BINs are shared with the Neotropics and with the Palearctic, respectively. One third (29) of the latter species are recent introductions and, as expected, they possess low intraspecific divergences.

Contributions to the systematics of New World macro-moths III

This special issue of ZooKeys, “Contributions to the systematics of New World macromoths III” is the third volume in this series. The series was initiated in May 2009 (ZooKeys # 9), with the second volume published in March 2010 (ZooKeys # 39) (Schmidt and Lafontaine 2009, 2010). Fourteen authors contributed 13 manuscripts for this volume, covering taxa in the Noctuidae, Erebidae, Notodontidae, Geometridae and Crambidae. New taxa are described from Argentina, Bolivia, Canada, Chile, Costa Rica, Peru and United States. Taxonomic changes include the description of two new genera, eight new species, and a new subspecies. Also, 47 new or revised synonyms, six new or revised statuses, and 19 new or revised generic combinations are proposed herein. Since its inception in 2009, the “Contributions” series collectively includes 37 taxonomic publications by 24 authors, containing 51 new species descriptions, 6 new genera, 119 new or revised synonymies, 22 new or revised statuses, and 143 new or revised generic combinations. Geographic coverage has focused on the North American fauna (Canada, United States and Mexico), but taxa from Central and South America are also covered. For reference, we include below the links to the two previous “Contributions ...” in ZooKeys. Authors interesting in contribution to future “Contributions ...” are encouraged to contact us. ZooKeys 149: 1–4 (2011)

Contributions to the systematics of New World macro-moths IV

With the fifth installment of the “Contributions to the systematics of New World macro-moths” series, initiated in 2009 (Schmidt and Lafontaine 2009), systematics of taxa in the Geometridae, Notodontidae, Erebidae and Noctuidae are addressed. Geographic coverage is approximately equal between the Nearctic and Neotropic realms. Despite the relatively advanced taxonomic knowledge of the North American macro-moth fauna, surprising discoveries continue – one new genus and species of Noctuidae is described from eastern North America (Cherokeea Quinter & Sullivan, gen. n.; Cherookeea attakullakulla Sullivan & Quinter, sp. n.), and two genera and four species, also Noctuidae, from western North America (Chloronycta Schmidt & Anweiler, gen. n., Nudorthodes Lafontaine, Walsh & Ferris, gen. n., Nudorthodes molino Lafontaine, Walsh & Ferris, sp. n., Protorthodes ustulata Lafontaine, Walsh & Ferris, sp. n., Protorthodes texicana Lafontaine, sp. n., Protorthodes mexicana Lafontaine, sp. n.). Four new generic combinations are proposed: Chloronycta tybo (Barnes), Acronicta fallax (Herrich-Schaffer), comb. n., Nudorthodes texana (Smith, 1900), comb. n., and Nudorthodes variabilis (Barnes & McDunnough, 1912), comb. n. Six previously recognized species are revised in status to subspecies: Raphia frater abrupta Grote, stat. n., Raphia frater coloradensis Putnam-Cramer, stat. rev., Raphia frater piazzi Hill, stat. n., and Raphia frater elbea Smith, stat. n. Ongoing updates and corrections to the North American Noctuoidea checklist (Lafontaine and Schmidt 2011, 2013) will be published in the upcoming volume VI of “Contributions”. Eight new species are described from the Neotropics, all from Costa Rica: Phyllodonta esperanza Sullivan, sp. n., Phyllodonta intermediata Sullivan, sp. n., Phyllodonta alajuela Sullivan, sp. n. (Geometridae); Symmerista luisdiegogomezi Chacon, sp. n., Symmerista aura Chacon, sp. n., Symmerista inbioi Chacon, sp. n., Symmerista minaei Chacon, sp. n. and Disphragis bifurcata Sullivan & Pogue, sp. n. (Notodontidae). The status of Disphragis hemicera (Schaus, 1910), stat. rev. is raised to species and Elymiotis tlotzin (Schaus, 1892), comb. n. is transferred from Symmerista. The type material of Neotropical Arctiinae (Erebidae) described by C. G. Burmesiter and C. Berg is reviewed, resulting in the following changes: Opharus picturata (Burmeister, 1878), comb. n. (= Opharus brunnea Gaede, 1923: 7, syn. n.); Hypocrisias fuscipennis (Burmeister, 1878) (= Phaegoptera jonesi Schaus, 1894, syn. n.); Leucanopsis infucata (Berg, 1882), stat. rev.; Paracles argentina (Berg, 1877), sp. rev.; Paracles uruguayensis (Berg, 1886), sp. rev. A lectotype is designated for Halesidota picturata Burmeister, 1878, Halesidota cancellata Burmeister, 1878 Halesidota cancellata Burmeister, 1878. Seventeen authors contributed eight manuscripts for this volume, and the continued interest and support of these contributors makes this series (Schmidt and Lafontaine 2009, 2010, 2011, 2013) possible. Authors interested in contributing to future editions of “Contributions …” are encouraged to contact us.

A revision of the North American species of Brachylomia (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae: Xyleninae) with descriptions of four new species

The North American species of Brachylomia Hampson, 1906 are revised and four new species (B. cascadia sp. nov., B. obscurifascia sp. nov., B. pallida sp. nov., and B. sierra sp. nov.) are described. The monotypic genus Lomilysis Franclemont, 1937 is synonymized with Brachylomia. Epunda onychina Guenée, 1852, which is currently placed in Brachylomia, is reclassified as a senior synonym of Egira alternans (Walker, [1857]), but Epunda onychina, not being associated with any known species in more than 150 years, is treated as a nomen oblitum, so Egira alternans is a nomen protectum under provisions of Article 23.9.2 of the International Code of Zoological Nomenclature. Adults and genitalia of Nearctic species of Brachylomia are figured.