Corresponding author: Vazrick Nazari (
Academic editor: D. Lafontaine
The monotypic genus
Nazari V (2017) Review of
The tribe
In November 2011, a non-descript female gelechiid moth collected by J.-F. Landry from Santa Cruz Island in 1984 (CNCLEP00077350) was submitted for DNA barcoding. This specimen yielded a unique 407 bp fragment COI barcode that, while clustering with other
The new species was initially discovered through dissection of Bohart Museum of Entomology, University of California, Davis
Biodiversity Institute of Ontario, University of Guelph, Ontario, Canada
Canadian National Collection of Insects, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
Research collection of Valeriu Albu, O’Neals, California, USA
California Academy of Sciences, San Francisco, USA
Essig Museum of Entomology, University of California, Berkeley, USA
Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County, Los Angeles, California, USA
Entomology Research Museum, University of California, Riverside, California, USA
Bohart Museum of Entomology, University of California, Davis, California, USA
Markov chain Monte Carlo
Western USA (California and Arizona) and Baja California, Mexico.
Both species specialize in xeric habitats. The host plant is unknown, but is probably in the
1 | Forewing predominantly dark brown or gray; male genitalia with large bilobate vincular processes 4× length of sacculus; phallus with a curved tip and a distinct subterminal hook; female genitalia segment 8 extensively sculpted with microtrichea, signum aviform with granulated wings |
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– | Forewing orange yellow except costal and terminal areas dark brown; male genitalia vincular processes not longer than sacculus, phallus tip acute with a subtle subterminal thorn; female genitalia segment 8 with hardly any microtrichea, signum aviform with smooth wings |
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Holotype ♂, California: Los Angeles County, Santa Catalina Island, Middle Cyn. 5.ii.1978, J.A. Chemsak, specimen #
For a complete list of additional specimens examined from California, Arizona and Mexico (n = 386), see Suppl. material
Distinguishable from the species described below by dark forewing and frons, well-developed vincular processes that are more than 4× as long as sacculus, segment 8 in female genitalia heavily sculpted with microtrichea, and signum heavily granulated with small stubby spines.
Adults of
Close up of the head of male
Male genitalia of
Last abdominal segment of male
Tegumen slender, parallel-sided, the anterior margin laterally notched; uncus long and narrow with a round apex, finely setose; gnathos a short delicate spine with distinct V-shaped arms about same width; culcitula weakly developed. Valva sigmoid, long and slender, parallel-sided, bifurcating at about ⅘ length of valva towards tip into two equally-sized acute branches in form of antlers; sacculus parabasally located, short and cone-shaped, finely setose; posterior margin of vinculum with a striking paired bilobate process separated by a deep, narrow excision; this process with a shorter truncate lobe provided with a brush of long, stiff hairs, their tips extending over second (longer) lobe with obtuse upper edge and with rounded lateral side, both armoured with numerous short spinules; lateral side of the paired process fused basally with oblique wall of sacculus; (ventral) wall of sacculus strengthened basally by a distinct, paired, heavily-sclerotized curved ledge; saccus elongate, ligulate, nearly as long as tegumen, with distinctly-sclerotized lateral edge and a moderately rounded tip; phallus nearly as long as the longitudinal genitalia axis, moderately sigmoid, with a strongly-curved, rounded tip, a distinct subterminal hook-like spine, and an irregularly subovate caecum.
Female genitalia of
Povolný’s assumption that this species is a Channel Islands endemic is incorrect, as it seems to have a much wider distribution on the mainland. Examined specimens are from the USA: California (Imperial, Inyo, Los Angeles, Modoc, Riverside, San Bernardino, San Diego, Santa Barbara and Solano counties); Arizona (Cochise and Coconino counties), as well as Mexico (States of Sonora, Baja California, and Baja California Sur).
Adults fly throughout the year, probably in more than one generation. Studied specimens were collected in every month of the year in almost even numbers (the high number of samples collected in March is likely an artefact of high-volume Malaise trapping in one location). The two males that formed the type series of this species were collected in the “xeric maritime habitats extending from California Channel Islands.” Additional specimens examined were collected in a variety of generally dry habitat types in canyons, creeks, campgrounds, microphyll forest, dry bush, dunes and desert habitats. The life history and host plant remain unknown; nearly all specimens examined were collected at light or in Malaise traps, although one specimen (UCREM 4318,
The new species can be easily distinguished from
The new species is named in honor of Donald J. Trump, to be installed as the 45th President of the United States on January 20, 2017. The reason for this choice of name is to bring wider public attention to the need to continue protecting fragile habitats in the US that still contain many undescribed species. The specific epithet is selected because of the resemblance of the scales on the frons (head) of the moth to Mr. Trump’s hairstyle. The name is a noun in the genitive case.
So far only known from Riverside and Imperial counties in southern California and Baja California in Mexico.
Specimens collected at mercury-vapour light, black-light or Malaise trap in February, April, June and August, in dry or sandy habitats. Life history and host plant unknown.
The two species of
Distribution of
Bayesian Inference of COI barcode sequences for selected
The discovery of this distinct micro-moth in the densely populated and otherwise zoologically well-studied southern California underscores the importance of conservation of the fragile habitats that still contain undescribed and threatened species, and highlights the paucity of interest in species-level taxonomy of smaller faunal elements in North America. By naming this species after the 45th President of the United States, I hope to bring some public attention to, and interest in, the importance of alpha-taxonomy in better understanding the neglected micro-fauna component of the North American biodiversity.
I am indebted to Jerry Powell and Pete Oboyski (
Material examined and GenBank accessions
species data
Material examined and GenBank accessions.