RESUMEN
Ypsolopha Latreille, 1796 (Lepidoptera, Ypsolophidae) is a genus comprised mostly of Holarctic micromoth species with a fairly broad range of larval hosts (e.g. Aceraceae, Rosaceae, and Fagaceae). The only previous record of herbivory on a representative of the South American genus Adesmia DC. (Fabaceae) was based on the discovery of Ypsolophamoltenii Vargas, 2018 larvae feeding on Adesmiaverrucosa Meyen in the Andes of northern Chile. Further surveys revealed Adesmiaatacamensis Phil. as another host for Y.moltenii, and Adesmiaspinosissima Meyen as the single host of Ypsolopha sp. The genetic distance between DNA barcodes of the two micromoth species was 7.9-8.1% (K2P). These results suggest narrow host ranges for Adesmia-feeding Ypsolopha and highlight the need to further explore the taxonomic diversity of these micromoths in other South American environments.
RESUMEN
Argyrotaeniasocoromaensissp. nov. (Lepidoptera, Tortricidae, Tortricinae, Archipini) from the arid Andes of northern Chile is described and illustrated. Adults are sexually dimorphic, with differences in wing size, shape and pattern. The larvae feed on Steviaphilippiana Hieron. (Asteraceae) and Lupinusoreophilus Phil. (Fabaceae). Genetic distance between DNA barcodes of male and female adults reared from larvae collected on the two hosts was 0-0.2% (K2P). The discovery of A.socoromaensissp. nov. represents the first record of the genus Argyrotaenia Stephens, 1852 and the tribe Archipini for the Chilean fauna of Tortricidae.
RESUMEN
Surveys in the arid shrubland of the central Andes revealed larval polyphagy for Cataspilatesmarceloi Vargas, 2022 (Lepidoptera, Geometridae, Ennominae, Boarmiini), a geometrid moth with flightless females. This discovery suggests that, as well as in the Holarctic fauna, larval polyphagy would have been important for the evolution of flightlessness among Neotropical geometrid moths of the tribe Boarmiini.
RESUMEN
Background: Astrotischeria Puplesis & Diskus, 2003 (Lepidoptera, Tischeriidae) is a New World genus of micromoths whose larvae are leaf miners associated mainly with plants of the family Asteraceae. The original description of the type species Astrotischeriakarsholti Puplesis & Diskus, 2003 was based on adults from central Peru. No additional distribution records, host plants or DNA barcodes have been documented for this species. New information: Astrotischeriakarsholti is reported for the first time from Chile, based on adults obtained from leaf mines of Ambrosiacumanensis Kunth (Asteraceae) collected in the transverse valleys of the Atacama Desert. This discovery expands the distribution range of this micromoth nearly 900 km to the southeast and represents its first host plant record. Divergence between DNA barcodes of A.karsholti and the nearest congeneric was 6% (K2P). A Maximum Likelihood analysis, based on DNA barcodes, raises questions about the monophyly of Astrotischeria.
RESUMEN
Background: The generic assignment of the geometrid moth Xanthorhoeedmondsii (Butler, 1882) (Lepidoptera, Geometridae, Larentiinae), originally described under Hypochroma Guenée, [1858], a junior homonym of Hypochroma Herrich-Schäffer, [1855] (Geometridae, Ennominae), is assessed using genitalia morphology and analysis of mitochondrial DNA sequences. New information: Morphological characters revealed closeness to the type species of Disclisioprocta Wallengren, 1861 (Larentiinae). In agreement with morphology, the molecular analysis clustered X.edmondsii with species of Disclisioprocta in a well-supported monophyletic group distantly related to members of Xanthorhoe Hübner, [1825]. Accordingly, Disclisioproctaedmondsii (Butler, 1882) comb. nov. is proposed.
RESUMEN
Although adults are winged and able to fly in most Lepidoptera species, they are apterous or brachypterous and unable to fly in others, such as the flightless females of some geometrid moths. Records of flightless females in the highly diverse and widespread tribe Boarmiini (Geometridae: Ennominae) are mainly restricted to some Nearctic and Palearctic genera. The aim of this study is to provide the first record of flightless females for Cataspilates Warren, 1897, a Boarmiini genus endemic to the Neotropical Region, through the description of Cataspilates marceloi sp. nov. from the arid highlands of the western slopes of the Andes of northern Chile. DNA barcodes confirmed the conspecificity of brachypterous females and winged males reared from larvae collected on the native shrub Adesmia spinosissima (Fabaceae). This contribution represents the first female description for Cataspilates and provides a new opportunity to improve the understanding of the evolution of flightlessness in geometrid moths.
RESUMEN
Dione (Agraulis) dodona (Nymphalidae: Heliconiinae) is a butterfly restricted to the western slopes of the Andes of Peru and Chile and is associated with Malesherbia tenuifolia in xerophytic environments. In this study, we found six additional species of host plants for D. (A.) dodona belonging to the genus Malesherbia (Passifloraceae). We used mitochondrial DNA sequences (COI) and microsatellites to screen genetic variation and investigate population structure in six geographic disjointed populations of D. (A.) dodona associated with distinct Malesherbia species. The PCoA analysis based on allele frequencies evidenced a lack of differentiation among populations and a low FST. The Bayesian cluster analyses revealed the existence of three genetically distinct groups, but almost all individuals present an admixture ancestry. An absence of isolation by distance pattern was observed. Possible scenarios are discussed: a bottleneck or recent colonization from interconnected populations from the south, and ongoing gene flow among local populations by high dispersal through a landscape formed of isolated populations of Malesherbia.
RESUMEN
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.
RESUMEN
Background: The micromoth fauna of the arid environments of the western slopes of central Andes remains poorly explored. Plants native to this area host overlooked species. A survey for micromoth larvae on the Chilean endemic Steviaphilippiana Hieron. (Asteraceae) was performed. New information: The first records of plume moths (Lepidoptera, Pterophoridae) associated with S.philippiana are provided. Adults of Adainajobimi Vargas, 2020 and a new species of Oidaematophorus Wallengren, 1862 were reared from larvae collected on inflorescences and leaves, respectively. Oidaematophorusandresi sp. n. is described and illustrated. A phylogenetic analysis of mitochondrial DNA sequences clustered each of the two plume moths with the type species of its respective genus. These records expand the host plant range of A.jobimi and add a second species of Oidaematophorus to the Chilean fauna of plume moths.
RESUMEN
Genitalia morphology of a new gnorimoschemine micromoth (Lepidoptera, Gelechiidae, Gelechiinae, Gnorimoschemini) discovered in the Atacama Desert, northern Chile, fits the original description of Scrobipalpulopsis Povolný, 1987, a genus previously synonymized with Scrobipalpula Povolný, 1964. The generic assignment of the new species was assessed using a Bayesian phylogenetic analysis based on mitochondrial DNA sequences. The new species, the type species of Scrobipalpulopsis and another species recently transferred from this genus to Scrobipalpula were grouped in a monophyletic cluster distantly related to that of Scrobipalpula. Furthermore, an ancestral state reconstruction analysis suggested that the presence of two pairs of processes on the vinculum in the male genitalia represents a synapomorphy for the cluster of three species. Accordingly, the revalidation of Scrobipalpulopsis gen. rev. (type species Phthorimaeastirodes Meyrick, 1931) and the reinstated combination Scrobipalpulopsislutescella (Clarke, 1934) comb. rev. are proposed. The micromoth Scrobipalpulopsisaguilaensis sp. nov., whose larvae feed on inflorescences of the Chilean endemic Glandulariagynobasis (Verbenaceae), is described and illustrated. Genetic divergence with congenerics was found to be 2.5-4.4% (K2P). This discovery represents the first record of Scrobipalpulopsis from the Atacama Desert.
RESUMEN
Butterflies associated with xerophytic environments of the Andes have been little studied, and they exhibit high levels of endemism. Herein Dione (Agraulis) dodona Lamas & Farfán, sp. nov. (Nymphalidae; Heliconiinae) is described, distributed on the western slopes of the Andes of Peru and northern Chile, between 800 and 3,000 m elevation. Adults of both sexes, and the immature stages, are described and illustrated based on light and scanning electron microscopy. The immature stages are associated with MalesherbiatenuifoliaD. Don (Passifloraceae) found in xeric environments, representing a new record of this genus as a host plant for the subfamily Heliconiinae. Conspicuous morphological differences are presented for all stages at the generic level. Based on a phylogenetic analysis of the COI barcode mitochondrial gene fragment, D. (A.) dodona Lamas & Farfán, sp. nov. is distinguished as an independent lineage within the Agraulis clade of Dione, with ca. 5% difference to congeneric species.
RESUMEN
BACKGROUND: Oidaematophoruspseudotrachyphloeus Gielis, 2011 (Lepidoptera, Pterophoridae) is a little-known Neotropical plume moth previously recorded in Ecuador, Peru and Argentina. Its host plants and DNA barcodes are unknown. NEW INFORMATION: Oidaematophoruspseudotrachyphloeus is recorded for the first time from Chile, based on six specimens from the Azapa Valley (Arica Province) and two from Guayacán (Coquimbo Province). Those from the Azapa Valley were reared from folivorous larvae collected on Ambrosiacumanensis Kunth (Asteraceae), representing the first host plant record for this plume moth. The first DNA barcode sequences of O.pseudotrachyphloeus are provided and used to explore relationships with congenerics.
RESUMEN
BACKGROUND: The largest number of species of the widespread and highly diverse micromoth genus Ypsolopha Latreille, 1796 (Lepidoptera, Yponomeutoidea, Ypsolophidae) is known from the Northern Hemisphere. Only seven species have been described from the Neotropical Region, two of which occur in Chile. NEW INFORMATION: The adult stage of Ypsolophachicoi sp. n. from the arid highlands of the western slopes of the Andes of northern Chile is described and illustrated. Its larvae feed on the native shrub Muehlenbeckiafruticulosa (Walp.) Standl. (Polygonaceae). The morphology of the genitalia of Y.chicoi sp. n. resembles that of the only congeneric known to occur in the same geographic area, Y.moltenii Vargas, 2018, whose larvae feed on Adesmiaverrucosa Meyen (Fabaceae). Besides using different host plants, the two species can be accurately separated, based on morphological differences in female and male genitalia.
RESUMEN
BACKGROUND: Iridopsis Warren, 1894 (Lepidoptera: Geometridae: Ennominae: Boarmiini) is a New World moth genus mainly diversified in the Neotropical Region. It is represented in Chile by two described species, both from the Atacama Desert. NEW INFORMATION: Iridopsis socoromaensis sp. n. (Lepidoptera: Geometridae: Ennominae: Boarmiini) is described and illustrated from the western slopes of the Andes of northern Chile. Its larvae were found feeding on leaves of the Chilean endemic shrub Dalea pennellii (J.F. Macbr.) J.F. Macbr. var. chilensis Barneby (Fabaceae). Morphological differences of I. socoromaensis sp. n. with the two species of the genus previously known from Chile are discussed. A DNA barcode fragment of I. socoromaensis sp. n. showed 93.7-94.3% similarity with the Nearctic I. sanctissima (Barnes & McDunnough, 1917). However, the morphology of the genitalia suggests that these two species are distantly related. The discovery of I. socoromaensis sp. n. highlights the need for additional surveys in underexplored areas to understand better the taxonomic diversity and evolutionary relationships of the mainly Neotropical moth genus Iridopsis.
RESUMEN
Abstract The integration of field work with DNA barcoding is useful to disentangle lepidopteran interactions in nature. Adults of the little-known geometrid moth Cosmophyga cortesi Vargas, 2008 (Lepidoptera: Geometridae) were reared from folivorous larvae collected on the native tree Schinus areira L. (Anacardiaceae) at about 260 and 1500 m elevation in the transverse valleys of the Atacama Desert of northern Chile. Similarity of two DNA barcodes of C. cortesi was 99.7 and 100% with one sequence of an unidentified geometrid larva previously collected in a cell of the potter wasp Hypodynerus andeus (Packard, 1869) (Hymenoptera: Vespidae). This finding represents the first host plant record for C. cortesi, expands its previously documented altitudinal range by more than 1200 m and confirms that its larvae are captured by females of a potter wasp.
RESUMEN
Abstract Cercophana frauenfeldii Felder (Lepidoptera: Saturniidae), also known as the "Andean Moon Moth", is a Neotropical species native to continental Chile whose larvae feed on species of the families Gomortegaceae, Laureaceae and Winteraceae. We describe and document C. frauenfeldii immature stages, namely, egg, its four larval instars, and chaetotaxy of the last instar, pupa and cocoon for the first time. In terms of its phenology, we extend its larval activity, originally described to occur between November and mid-December, to June until the end of January. We report the adult flight period depends on the species' distributional range following two well-differentiated patterns: February to mid-April in Central-North Chile and April to June in Central-South Chile. Furthermore, we provide a unified view of its current distributional range and host plants (including the endangered tree Gomortega keule) through bibliographic data, field observations and laboratory rearing. Finally, we discuss aspects of the species' conservation as part of the unique ecosystems found in the temperate forests of southern South-America.
RESUMEN
The southwestern Andes of Peru harbors a hidden taxonomic diversity of Lepidoptera. Here a new leaf-mining species of Gracillariidae (Lepidoptera) is described, Phyllocnistis furcata Vargas & Cerdeña, sp. nov., from a dry Andean valley of southern Peru, at 2400 m above sea level. The morphological aspects of adults (male and female) and the immature stages associated with Baccharis alnifolia Meyen & Walp. (Asteraceae) are given, under optical microscopy and scanning electron microscopy. DNA barcodes show that its nearest neighbor is the Atlantic Forest species Phyllocnistis ourea Brito & Moreira, 2017 that feeds on Baccharis anomala DC. The importance of morphological characters from immature stages for diagnosis among congeneric species is also discussed. Phyllocnistis furcata represents the fourth species of Phyllocnistis Zeller for Peru, and first record from the south of Peru for the genus.
RESUMEN
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.
RESUMEN
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.
RESUMEN
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).