The South American moth Rheumapteramochica (Dognin, 1904) (Lepidoptera, Geometridae, Larentiinae) rediscovered after more than a century of anonymity.

Rheumapteramochica (Dognin, 1904) (Lepidoptera, Geometridae, Larentiinae) is reported from Chile for the first time. It was described from the western slopes of the Andes of southern Peru more than 100 years ago, and was recently rediscovered in Chile after larvae were collected and reared on the shrub Sennabirostrisvar.arequipensis (Meyen ex Vogel) H.S. Irwin & Barneby (Fabaceae). This discovery expands the known distribution of this moth and provides its first host plant record. The genitalia of R.mochica are described and illustrated for the first time and compared to those of R.affirmata (Guenée, [1858]). A maximum likelihood analysis based on mitochondrial DNA sequences clustered R.mochica as sister to R.affirmata with 3.6-3.8% divergence (K2P). A lectotype is designated for Calocalpemochica Dognin, 1904.

A new species of Ithome Chambers (Lepidoptera, Cosmopterigidae, Chrysopeleiinae) from the Atacama Desert revealed by morphology and DNA barcodes.

Morphology and DNA barcode sequences were used to assess the taxonomic status of a micro-moth of the genus Ithome Chambers, 1875 (Lepidoptera, Cosmopterigidae, Chrysopeleiinae), whose larvae feed on inflorescences of Prosopis tamarugo Phil. (Fabaceae), a tree native to the Pampa del Tamarugal, Atacama Desert, northern Chile. As a result, Ithome tamarugensis Vargas, sp. nov. is described and illustrated. Its genitalia are remarkably similar to those of Ithome tiaynai Vargas, 2004 from coastal valleys of the Atacama Desert. However, the two species can be recognized by the shape of the phallus in males and the shape of the antrum and ductus bursae in females. The genetic distance between DNA barcodes of I. tamarugensis and I. tiaynai was 3.0-3.3% (K2P), and a maximum likelihood analysis indicated that they are in reciprocally monophyletic clusters, providing additional support for the heterospecific status suggested by morphology.

Cryptic Diversity in the Monotypic Neotropical Micromoth Genus Angelabella (Lepidoptera: Gracillariidae) in the Peru-Chile Desert.

Angelabella (Lepidoptera: Gracillariidae: Oecophyllembiinae) is considered a monotypic Neotropical genus of leaf miner micromoths known only from a few valleys of the arid environments of the Peru-Chile desert, particularly the southernmost part of Peru and northernmost part of Chile (type locality), where natural populations of its primary host plant occur. The geographic distribution of potential host plants provides a scenario for a wider range for this micromoth genus. The aims of this study were to explore the geographic range of Angelabella, determine the spatial distribution of mitochondrial lineages, and test lineage conspecificity hypotheses. The spatial distribution of genetic diversity indicated the presence of four spatial clusters, three of which are north of the previously known geographic range. Genetic distances were 0.2-0.8% and 3.6-8.3% (K2P) between haplotypes of the same and different spatial clusters, respectively. Phylogenetic relationships indicated reciprocal monophyly among the four spatial clusters, suggesting that allopatric differentiation processes have governed the recent history of Angelabella in these arid environments. These groups were defined as different species by four species delimitation methods, suggesting that Angelabella is not a monotypic genus, but harbors at least four morphologically cryptic allopatric species with restricted geographic ranges, including the type species and three candidate species.

A new species of Strepsicrates Meyrick (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae) from the Atacama Desert of northern Chile previously misidentified as S. smithiana Walsingham.

The adult, larva, and pupa of Strepsicrates gattii Vargas-Ortiz Vargas, sp. n. (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae: Olethreutinae: Eucosmini), are described and illustrated from the Atacama Desert of northern Chile. The larvae are leaf-tiers on the vulnerable native tree Morella pavonis (Myricaceae). As S. gattii was previously misidentified as S. smithiana Walsingham, morphological differences that enable the separation of the two species are highlighted. Sequences of the DNA barcode fragment of the cytochrome oxidase subunit I mitochondrial gene of the new species are provided and used in a Bayesian analysis with congeneric representatives to assess their relationships preliminarily. The divergence (K2P) with S. smithiana was 6.4-7.4%, providing additional support for separating the two species.

Genetic divergence of isolated populations of the native micromoth Bucculatrix mirnae (Lepidoptera: Bucculatricidae) in the arid environments of Northern Chile.

Analysis of maternally inherited genes is especially helpful in population studies of host-specialized insects, as female dispersal is key to find an adequate host plant to ensure larval survival. Bucculatrix mirnae (Lepidoptera: Bucculatricidae) is a little-known Neotropical micromoth native to the arid environments of northern Chile whose hypermetamorphic larvae are miners and skeletonizers on leaves of two species of Baccharis (Asteraceae) shrubs. This micromoth has been detected in three isolated locations embracing a narrow geographic range: two from the coastal valleys of the Atacama Desert near sea level and one from the western slopes of the Andes at about 3000 m elevation. As the dispersal of B. mirnae is mostly restricted to the small adult stage, the altitudinal gradient and desert areas among the three localities could be effective barriers, triggering genetic differentiation among populations. Sequences of the DNA barcode fragment of the cytocrome oxidase subunit I mitochondrial gene were analyzed to assess for the first time the patterns of genetic variation of B. mirnae. Fifteen haplotypes, each exclusive to one locality, were found in the 71 specimens analyzed. Genetic divergence (K2P) between haplotypes of different localities was at least 2.0%. A Bayesian analysis with sequences of congeneric species grouped all the B. mirnae haplotypes in a clade, in which three well-supported locality-specific haplogroups were found. In concordance with this pattern, an analysis of molecular variance showed that the highest genetic variation was found among populations. Furthermore, all the population pairwise comparisons (FST) were significant. These results suggest that female migration between isolated populations of B. mirnae is absent. This pattern must be considered in the current scenario of habitat destruction and modification in the arid environments of northern Chile.

Morphology of the immature stages and notes on the natural history of the little-known plume moth Stenoptilodes juanfernandicus Gielis (Lepidoptera: Pterophoridae).

Stenoptilodes juanfernandicus Gielis, 1991 (Lepidoptera: Pterophoridae) was described from the Juan Fernandez Islands, Chile; it was subsequently recorded from the Galápagos Islands and mainland Ecuador. Its larva and pupa are described and illustrated for the first time with the aid of light and scanning electron microscopy. Descriptions are based on specimens collected as larvae displaying cryptic coloration feeding on inflorescences of Verbena hispida Ruiz Pav. (Verbenaceae) in the Andes of northern Chile. Several differences were found with the larva and pupa of congeneric representatives, suggesting that immature morphology should be further explored to assess its value in the taxonomy and systematics of Stenoptilodes Zimmerman, 1958. Verbena hispida is the first host plant recorded for S. juanfernandicus, a finding that will be helpful to further explore different Neotropical environments to better characterize the geographic range of this plume moth.

A new species of Stenoptilia Hübner (Lepidoptera: Pterophoridae) associated with Neobartsia peruviana (Orobanchaceae) in the Andes of northern Chile

Abstract The plume moth genus Stenoptilia Hübner, [1825] (Lepidoptera: Pterophoridae) is recorded for the first time from Chile. Adults of Stenoptilia socoromaensis Vargas & Gielis sp. nov. from the northernmost part of the Chilean Andes are described and illustrated. The larvae of S. socoromaensis feed on buds, flowers and unripe fruits of the hemiparasitic plant Neobartsia peruviana (Walp.) Uribe-Convers & Tank (Orobanchaceae). Pairwise distances of a DNA barcode sequence of S. socoromaensis with congeneric species ranged from 9.1 to 12.6% (K2P).

First record of the sedge feeder Bactra verutana Zeller (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae) in Chile based on morphology and DNA barcodes

Abstract The sedge-feeding moth Bactra verutana Zeller, 1875 (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae: Olethreutinae: Bactrini), described from Dallas, Texas, USA, is widespread, recorded throughout much North America, Central and South America, including the Caribbean, and Africa. The species is recorded for the first time from Chile based on specimens collected in the coastal valleys of the Atacama Desert, where its larvae feed on Cyperus corymbosus Rottb. var. subnodosus (Nees & Meyen) Kük. (Cyperaceae). A single DNA barcode haplotype, which is widespread in USA, was found in two Chilean specimens sequenced.

Prey identification in nests of the potter wasp Hypodynerus andeus (Packard) (Hymenoptera, Vespidae, Eumeninae) using DNA barcodes

Prey identification in nests of the potter wasp Hypodynerus andeus (Packard) (Hymenoptera, Vespidae, Eumeninae) using DNA barcodes. Geometrid larvae are the only prey known for larvae of the Neotropical potter wasp Hypodynerus andeus (Packard, 1869) (Hymenoptera, Vespidae, Eumeninae) in the coastal valleys of the northern Chilean Atacama Desert. A fragment of the mitochondrial gene cytochrome oxidase c subunit 1 was amplified from geometrid larvae collected from cells of H. andeus in the Azapa Valley, Arica Province, and used to provide taxonomic identifications. Two species, Iridopsis hausmanni Vargas, 2007 and Macaria mirthae Vargas, Parra & Hausmann, 2005 were identified, while three others could be identified only at higher taxonomic levels, because the barcode reference library of geometrid moths is still incomplete for northern Chile.