Corresponding author: Eugenie Phillips-Rodríguez (
Academic editor: E. van Nieukerken
We discuss 45 Costa Rican species of
Phillips-Rodríguez E, Powell JA, Hallwachs W, Janzen DH (2014) A synopsis of the genus
The genus
Worldwide information on the biology of
Of the 45 species of
Images of genitalia were captured using a S2CTV Olympus Stereomicroscope with a JVC3-CCD video camera and enhanced using Auto Montage (Version 3.03.0103, 1997–2000) and Montage–Explorer (version 1.02.0348, 1998) software, both copyrighted ©SYNOPTICS LTD. Images of adults and caterpillars were captured using a digital camera and arranged in the figs for publication.
The descriptions of species are based on the series available rather than just the holotype. A short diagnosis is given for the described species and a more elaborate description can be found in
The specimens examined are listed for each of the newly described species, and these are presented alphabetically by province and specific locality. The months of the year are cited in lower case Roman numerals. The following abbreviations are used in the material examined sections: N = north; S = south; E = east; W = west; Est. = Estación; ACG = Área de Conservación Guanacaste; P. N. = Parque Nacional; m = meters. Detailed information on specimens examined for all the species is presented in Suppl. material
We have images for 11 species of caterpillars (Figs
Species | Plant family | Food plant species |
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Species | Forest type | Reared /Light |
---|---|---|
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Rain Forest | (*) |
|
Rain Forest | (**) (*) |
|
Rain Forest | (**) (*) |
|
Rain Forest | (*) |
|
Dry Forest | (*) |
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Dry Forest | (*) |
|
Rain Forest | (**) (*) |
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Dry Forest | (*) |
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Dry Forest | (**) (*) |
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Rain Forest | (**) (*) |
|
Rain Forest | (*) |
|
Rain Forest | (*) |
|
Rain Forest | (*) |
|
Dry Forest | (*) |
|
Rain Forest/Dry Forest | (*) |
|
Dry Forest | (*) |
|
Rain Forest | (*) |
|
Dry Forest | (*) |
|
Rain Forest/Dry Forest | (*) |
|
Dry Forest | (*) |
|
Dry Forest | (*) |
|
Rain Forest | (**) (*) |
|
Rain Forest | (**) (*) |
|
Rain Forest | (*) |
|
Rain Forest | (**) (*) |
|
Rain Forest/Dry Forest | (**) (*) |
|
Rain Forest/Dry Forest | (**) (*) |
|
Rain Forest | (**) |
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Dry Forest | (**) (*) |
|
Rain Forest | (**) (*) |
|
Rain Forest | (*) |
|
Rain Forest | (**) (*) |
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Dry Forest | (*) |
|
Rain Forest | (*) |
|
Rain Forest | (**) (*) |
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Dry Forest | (**) (*) |
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Rain Forest | (*) |
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Rain Forest | (*) |
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Dry Forest | (**) (*) |
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Rain Forest | (*) |
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Rain Forest/Dry Forest | (**) (*) |
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Rain Forest/Dry Forest | (*) |
Ethmia from Costa Rica. CO1 Barcode Gap analysis. Distances (%). Maximum intra-specific variation (Max Intra-Sp) and Nearest Neighbor (NN) distance.
Species | Max Intra-Sp | Nearest Species | Distance to NN |
---|---|---|---|
|
0 |
|
6.38 |
|
1.12 |
|
7.71 |
|
0.77 |
|
5.24 |
|
0.31 |
|
3.59 |
|
0.66 |
|
6.13 |
|
0.62 |
|
5.07 |
|
0.31 |
|
3.97 |
|
0.17 |
|
6.52 |
|
1.65 |
|
6.13 |
|
0.15 |
|
6.67 |
|
0.62 |
|
8.95 |
|
0.18 |
|
3.59 |
|
0.15 |
|
5.85 |
|
0.31 |
|
2.82 |
|
0.62 |
|
6.67 |
|
0.92 |
|
5.07 |
|
0.62 |
|
2.43 |
|
0.48 |
|
2.43 |
|
0.15 |
|
4.36 |
|
0.93 |
|
2.82 |
|
0.15 |
|
5.24 |
|
0.77 |
|
5.81 |
|
0 |
|
4.67 |
|
0.49 |
|
4.36 |
|
0.15 |
|
5.72 |
|
0.77 |
|
1.75 |
|
0.46 |
|
5.22 |
|
1.24 |
|
6.38 |
|
0 |
|
8.51 |
|
0.46 |
|
5.81 |
|
0 |
|
5.37 |
|
0.15 |
|
3.97 |
|
0.31 |
|
8.36 |
|
0.62 |
|
6.56 |
|
0.94 |
|
7.09 |
|
0 |
|
5.22 |
|
0 |
|
6.52 |
|
0.52 |
|
1.75 |
|
1.4 |
|
6.74 |
|
0.16 |
|
4.67 |
|
0.62 |
|
6.71 |
Aiming for simplicity and a better comprehension of this species-rich and morphologically complex group of moths, we divided this study of Costa Rican
In this section we treat species of
This group is defined by the presence of the Sc-R crossvein in the HW and the dorsal scaling of the second abdominal segment ochreous (Figs
This species is distinct from any other in Costa Rica by having the white FW crossed by black lines and a bright gold terminal margin.
Male: FW length 9.5–9.8 mm (n = 3).
Female: FW length 10.9–11.3 mm (n = 3).
Female: Texas, USA. [USNM, examined].
(Fig.
Male: FW length 7.8–8.3 mm (n = 4).
Female: FW length 8.7–9.8 mm (n = 3).
Female: USA, Texas, Brownsville, in copula, 29 May 1904. USNM Type No. 9272 [USNM, examined].
This group is defined by the presence of a posterior blotch on the FW (Fig.
Male: FW length 8.1-8.4 mm (n = 3).
Female: FW length 8.9–9.8 mm (n = 3).
Male: Panamá, Porto Bello, May 1912, A. Busck. USNM Type No. 16695 [USNM, examined].
Male: FW length 8.3-8.6 mm (n = 3).
Female: FW length 8.8-10.1 mm (n = 3).
Male: 06-SRNP-104306, DNA Barcoded,
Male: FW length: 10.1–13.4 mm (n = 4).
Female: FW length 11.1–13.4 mm (n = 3).
Male: Costa Rica, “Banana River” [Río Banano near Limón, Limón Prov.] March 1907, W. Schaus. USNM Type No. 68206 [USNM, examined].
(Fig.
Similar externally to species matching the Exornata species-group FW pattern, but coppery blotch restricted to posterior area of FW.
Male: FW length: 9.5–9.8 mm (n = 3).
Female: FW length 11.7–12.0 mm (n = 3).
Female: Mexico, Veracruz, Orizaba, [no date], W. Schaus. USNM Type No. 68205 [USNM, examined].
Male: FW length 10.9–11.7 mm (n = 3). Genitalia (Fig.
Female: FW length 11.7–12.4 mm (n = 3). Genitalia (Fig.
Male: Costa Rica, Volcan de Irazú, 6000–7000 ft. [no date] [BMNH, examined].
This species is most similar to
Male: FW length 10.9–11.9 mm (n = 3).
Female: FW length 11.4–13.9 mm (n = 3).
Male: 09-SRNP-36206, DNA Barcoded,
(Fig.
Male: FW length 7.2–7.8 mm (n = 3).
Female: FW length 7.9–8.2 mm (n = 3).
Female: Panamá, Porto Bello, March 1911, A. Busck [USNM, examined].
Male: FW length 7.1–7.8 mm (n = 3).
Female: FW length 7.9–8.2 mm (n = 3).
Male and
Male: FW length 8.3–9.7 mm (n = 3).
Female: FW length 9.5–10.1 mm (n = 3).
Female: Panamá, Cabima, May 1911, A. Busck. USNM Type No. 16696 [USNM, examined].
This is a group of species characterized by having a broad FW with a well-defined coppery blotch from posterior to near costal area, the terminal band is bright ochreous in all the species (Figs
Male: FW length 9.2–10.2 mm (n = 3).
Female: FW length 11–11.5 mm (n = 3).
Male: Perú, Chanchamajo [MNHU].
According to
Male: FW length: 10.3 mm (n = 1).
Female: FW length 11.5–12.5 mm (n = 3).
Male: 06-SRNP-108063, DNA Barcoded,
(Fig.
Male: FW length 10.3–11.2 mm (n = 3).
Female: FW length 11.5–12.5 mm (n = 3).
Male: 10-SRNP-105021, DNA Barcoded,
Food plant and immature stages are unknown. In ACG it has been found in the rain forest.
This species is easily confused with
Male: FW length 8.7 to 9.5 mm (n = 3).
Female: FW length 9.6–10.6 mm (n = 4).
Male: Mexico, stated as “Durango: Presidio” but should be Presidio de Mazatlan, Sinaloa (no date) [see
According to
Male FW length: 7.5–8.9 (n = 4).
Female: FW length 8.9–9.2 mm (n = 3).
(Fig.
This is a group of species characterized by having a FW with dark metallic markings and genital scaling yellow-orange to bright red (Figs
Male: FW length 8.4–8.9 mm (n = 2).
Female: FW length 9.2–10.3 mm (n = 3).
Male: Mexico, 34 miles south of Atlixco, Puebla, June 27, 1957, J. A. Chemsak [EME, examined].
Male: FW length 12.1–15.8 mm (n = 3).
Female: FW length 13.4–16.3 mm (n = 3).
Male: 09-SRNP-106458, DNA Barcoded,
In Costa Rica (Fig.
In this section we treat
This group is characterized by FW pattern consisting of longitudinal dark streaks. HW of male with a costal brush and Sc-R pinch-fold. The abdomen has ochreous genital scaling; the uncus is short, hoodlike and the gnathos is absent. Papillae anales are membranous and posterior apophyses elongate; the antrum is enlarged with sclerotized band; the ductus bursae is sclerotized basally and the signum dentate. In Costa Rica this group includes one species.
Male: FW length 11.3–13.6 mm (n = 5).
Female: FW length 13.6–14.3 mm (n = 4).
Male: Costa Rica, Banana River, March 1906, USNM Type No. 68203 [USNM, examined].
This species has been recorded from southern Mexico to northwestern South America (coast of Colombia). In Costa Rica (Fig.
(Fig.
This group is characterized by FW pattern consisting of longitudinal gray or brown/black streaks. The HW of the male is unmodified or with a hair pencil enclosed in costal fold. Scaling of the abdomen is undifferentiated, completely ochreous gray with genital scaling weakly ochreous. The uncus is membranous or absent and the gnathos absent. Valva has dense setation on inner side and cucullus “plume” is present. Papillae anales are membranous, the posterior apophyses elongate; the antrum is enlarged, usually with sclerotized band; the signum is a dentate bar, that could be reduced or lacking. In Costa Rica this group includes eight species, six described as new here.
Male: FW length 7.5–9.8 mm (n = 5).
Female: FW length 8.8–10.8 mm (n = 6).
Male: 11-SRNP-101561, DNA Barcoded,
Through the DNA barcoding of specimens from Costa Rica we were able to initially distinguish four species within this complex:
This species is easily distinguished externally by the presence of two distinct black spots at base of FW posterior half and the presence of two anterior pronotal black spots. In male genitalia there is a characteristic row of five large flat spines on valva anterior margin.
Male: FW length 8.1–9.1 mm (n = 3).
Female: FW length 8.3–9.1 mm (n = 6).
Male: 10-SRNP-112782, DNA Barcoded,
Male: FW length 11.9–12.8 mm (n = 3).
Female: FW length 12.7 to 13.4 mm (n = 3).
Male: Panamá, Barro Colorado Island, 1–9 May 1964, W. D. & S. S. Duckworth. USNM Genitalia Slide No. 89952 [USNM, examined].
This species is known from Panamá and Costa Rica. In Costa Rica (Fig.
Male: FW length 9.4–10.3 mm (n = 2).
Female: FW length 11.3 to 11.8 mm (n = 2).
Male: 10-SRNP-101359, DNA Barcoded.
Male: FW length 9.1–9.8 mm (n = 3).
Female: FW length 10.2–10.8 mm (n = 3).
Male: 10-SRNP-102921, DNA Barcoded,
This species can be easily identified externally by the scaling of its abdomen, which is entirely ochreous, the FW pattern composed of a few short black dashes over a whitish background, and the spines on the valva being evenly spaced in male genitalia.
Male: FW length 10–11.4 mm (n = 2).
Female: FW length 12.7 mm.
Male: El Salvador, 13 km N San Salvador, 4 February 1965, S. S. & W. D. Duckworth [USNM, examined].
The abdomens of female specimens captured at lights are covered with pollen, suggesting that oviposition occurs into flowers of a plant that blooms in the dry season (
Male: FW length 6.3–6.8 mm (n = 3).
Female: FW length 6.5–7.5 mm (n = 2).
Male: 11-SRNP-103265, DNA Barcoded,
This species can be distinguished by its smaller size and the presence of three curved large distal setae on the valva of male genitalia.
Male: FW length 7.1–7.8 mm (n = 3).
Female: FW length 7.9–8.3 mm (n = 3).
Male: 11-SRNP-104923, DNA Barcoded,
The FW pattern in this group consists of longitudinal blackish streaks. HW of the male has a costal brush. The genital scaling is ochreous, the uncus is membranous and the gnathos is absent; valva with or without cucullus “plume”. Papillae anales are membranous, setate and posterior apophyses are elongate; the antrum is enlarged with sclerotized band and the signum is notched. In Costa Rica this group includes 13 species, nine described as new here.
Male: FW length 12.8–14.5 mm (n = 3).
Female: FW length 14.5–15.3 mm (n = 3).
Male: Mexico, Chichen Itza, Yucatan, Feb., 1956, E. C. Welling [EME, examined].
Male: FW length 10.8–12 mm (n = 3).
Female: FW length 11.1–12.7 mm (n = 3).
Male: 09-SRNP-104663, DNA Barcoded,
In Costa Rica (Fig.
The food plant and immature stages are unknown.
Male: FW length 10.3–15 mm (n = 4).
Female: FW length 13.1–15.5 mm (n = 3).
Male: Costa Rica, San José [BMNH, examined].
According to
(Fig.
This species is most similar to
Male: FW length 9–9.4 mm (n = 3).
Female: FW length 9.3–9.5 mm (n = 3).
Male: 09-SRNP-109881, DNA Barcoded,
This species has been collected in Costa Rica (Fig.
Male: FW length 8.4–10.3 mm (n = 3).
Female: FW length 8.9–10.4 mm (n = 3).
Male: 11-SRNP-1973, DNA Barcoded,
This species has been collected in Costa Rica (Fig.
(Fig.
Male: FW length 10.2–10.6 mm (n = 3).
Female: FW length 10.3–10.7 mm (n = 3).
Male: 05-SRNP-45922, DNA barcoded,
This species has been collected in Costa Rica (Fig.
(Fig.
Male: FW length 10.6–10.9 mm (n = 3).
Female: FW length 10.9–11 mm (n = 2).
Female: 11-SRNP-30760, DNA barcoded,
This species has been collected in Costa Rica (Fig.
(Fig.
Male: FW length 10.6–10.8 mm (n = 3).
Female: FW length 10.9–11 mm (n = 2).
Male: 09-SRNP-1051, DNA barcoded,
This species is most similar to
Male: FW length 16.4–17.4 mm (n = 3).
Female: FW length 16.8–19.1 mm (n = 3).
Male: Venezuela, Cuenca del Río Borborata (Sept. l948) [EME, examined].
(Fig.
This species is most similar to
Male: FW length 17.9–18.8 mm (n = 3).
Female: FW length 18.8–19.7 mm (n = 2).
Male: INB0004222359, DNA barcoded,
Male: FW length 14.0–15.6 mm (n = 3).
Female: FW length: 16.8–19.1 mm (n = 2).
Male: Costa Rica, Juan Viñas [no date] (W. Schaus) [USNM, examined].
Male: FW length 15.9–16.4 mm (n = 3).
Female: FW length 16.4–16.7 mm (n = 2).
Male: 09-SRNP-110144, DNA Barcoded,
This species can be distinguished by the long ochreous spines below apex of valva in male genitalia.
Male: FW length 13.3–13.4 mm (n = 2).
Female: FW length 13.3–15.5 mm (n = 2).
Male: INBCRI0003101969,
The trifurcella species group (sensu
This species can be discriminated easily from
Male: FW length 10.3–10.5 mm (n = 3).
Female: FW length 10.5-10.7 mm (n = 3).
Male: 11-SRNP-103729, DNA Barcoded,
Male: FW length 9.4–9.8 mm (n = 3).
Female: FW length 9.8–10.3 mm (n = 3).
Male: Guatemala, Cayuga, [no date], W. Schaus [USNM, examined].
Male: FW length 8.9–10.3 mm (n = 2).
Female: FW length 8.7–10.4 mm (n = 2).
Male: INB0004336361,
were not described or photographed.
This group is characterized by a FW with a distinct pattern of blue spots and an unmodified HW in the male. The abdomen scaling is undifferentiated, the uncus is membranous and the gnathos absent; valva with cucullus “plume”. Papillae anales are membranous, posterior apophyses are short and anterior apophyses rudimentary; the antrum is weakly enlarged and the signum is a small sclerotized patch. In Costa Rica this group includes one species.
Male: FW length 9.0–10.5 mm (n = 3).
Female: FW length 10.5–11.1 mm (n = 3).
Male: Costa Rica, Tuis, 5800’, [no date], W. Schaus [USNM, examined].
This group is characterized by a FW pattern consisting of group of dots arranged in transverse lines. The male HW with a hair pencil enclosed in a Sc pinch-fold. The uncus and gnathos are absent and the valva has a cucullus “plume”. Papillae anales are membranous and posterior apophyses elongate; the antrum is enlarged and the signum simple. In Costa Rica this group includes one species.
Male: FW length 7.5–7.6 mm. (n = 3).
Female: FW length 7.5–7.6 mm (n = 3).
Male: Venezuela, Caracas [no date] [USNM, examined].
Male genitalia of
Male genitalia of
Male genitalia of
Male genitalia of
Male genitalia of
Male genitalia of
Male genitalia of
Male genitalia of
Female genitalia of
Female genitalia of
Female genitalia of
Female genitalia of
Female genitalia of
Female genitalia of
Female genitalia of
Female genitalia of
Female genitalia of
Interspecific divergence in barcode sequences among these species of
From the 45 species found in Costa Rica, 42 occur in the ACG. Exceptions include:
Within ACG the genus
We acknowledge the support of Área de Conservación Guanacaste (ACG) (
Collection localities data.
Collection localities data. GenBank or BOLD accession numbers for CO1 sequences. DNA Barcoded specimens from Janzen & Hallwachs, and INBio.
Collection localities data.
Collection localities data. Additional material, INBio.
NJtree (BOLD TaxonID Tree).