A review of the Paectes arcigera species complex (Guenée) (Lepidoptera, Euteliidae)

Abstract Five new species of Paectes Hübner [1818] related to Paectes arcigera (Guenée) (Puerto Rico, U.S. Virgin Islands, British Virgin Islands, Guadeloupe, Dominica, St. Lucia, Trinidad) and Paectes longiformis Pogue (Brazil) are described: Paectes asper sp. n. (Florida, Bahamas, Cuba, Cayman Islands, Jamaica, Haiti, Dominican Republic, Puerto Rico, British Virgin Islands, U.S. Virgin Islands, Dominica, Colombia), Paectes medialba sp. n. (Argentina), Paectes similis sp. n. (Brazil), Paectes sinuosa sp. n. (Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay), and Paectes tumida sp. n. (Colombia, Guyana, Suriname, French Guiana). Adults and genitalia are illustrated for all species. Taxonomic changes include the rev. stat. of Paectes nana (Walker) (Florida, Greater Antilles, Mexico, Guatemala, Galapagos) as a valid species and revised synonyms Paectes indefatigabilis Schaus and Paectes isabel Schaus as junior synonyms of Paectes nana instead of Paectes arcigera. New host records for Paectes sinuosa and Paectes nana reared on Brazilian peppertree (Schinus terebinthifolius Raddi, Anacardiaceae) are presented. The holotype and female genitalia of Paectes obrotunda (Guenée) are illustrated.

Redescription. Adults. Sexes dimorphic. Male. Head -antenna broadly bipectinate to 3/5 length, then filiform; eyes large, globular; vertex with broad scales, cream colored, thin black lines adjacent to scape; frons with broad scales, projecting slightly beyond anterior eye margin, mostly cream colored with a few gray and ferruginous scales, two black dots along eye margin, one ventral to antenna, other dorsal to palp; labial palp porrect, mixture of cream-colored, gray, and ferruginous scales, internal surface white. Thorax -prothorax somewhat variable, well-marked specimens cream colored with medial ferruginous band, anterior margin a thin black line, posterior margin gray to black and not as well defined as anterior line; patagium with cream-colored hairlike scales mixed with ferruginous, gray, and black scales; protibia cream colored mixed with a few black scales; tarsi gray with white apical bands; middle legs mixture of cream-colored and pale gray scales, scales much longer than either the pro-or hind tibia, tarsi pale gray with cream-colored apical bands; hind tibia cream colored, tarsi cream colored; underside with white hairlike scales; forewing length 9.5-12.2 mm; costal area a gray; ovate basal spot white in ventral half, pale gray white-tipped scales in dorsal half; antemedial line thin, black, from posterior margin to Cu vein, forming ventral border of basal spot; medial area between antemedial and postmedial lines mostly white mixed with pale-gray scales; some specimens with medial line consisting of two very thin crescent-shaped lines from posterior margin to just below M3 vein; reniform spot obscure, consists of two small ferruginous dots in a vertical pattern, or may only be represented by a single dot in some specimens; postmedial line a mixture of ferruginous and black scales, double line from posterior margin to vein M2 then single until merging with black dash at vein R5 that extends to outer margin; white apical spot; subterminal area variable, gray to cream colored, mixed with ferruginous scales; terminal line a series of black dashes between veins; fringe light brown to gray with gray patches at wing veins resulting in a somewhat checkered appearance; hind wing with marginal shading dark gray, veins highlighted dark gray, white between veins and at base, anal fold a white and dark gray striped pattern. Abdomen -variable, mixture of creamcolored, light-brown, and ferruginous scales, posterior margin of dorsal segments with short, black line; venter variable, can be white with faint, black medial stripe to a pair of wide black or brown stripes with a thin central line of the same color on a white background; male eighth segment membranous with a pair of short, sternal, sclerotized bars and a pair of longer, wider, dorsal sclerotized bars; a pair of lateral, coremata bearing numerous, fine, elongate setae. Genitalia (Fig. 29) -Uncus triangulate, apex recurved and pointed, 0.62-0.64 × length of subscaphium; subscaphium triangulate, decurved, pointed apex; valve membranous, reduced, widest at base and tapering to a fingerlike projection, setose; costal margin sinuate, apex produced, fingerlike projection wider than valve, setose; sacculus well developed, proximal half fused with valve, distal half free, elongate, broad, curved inward, longer than valve, apex broadly rounded; saccus U-shaped; aedeagus straight, slightly curved in distal half, dorsum near apex covered with minute spicules; vesica irregularly-shaped oval, wide diverticulum lateral to apex of aedeagus, a long, flat cornutus at base of vesica directed posteriorly, short, thumb-like diverticulum near apex and adjacent to irregular sclerotized area bearing a short, narrow cornutus. Female. As in male except: antenna filiform; forewing length 9.8-11.6 mm; medial area less contrasting with fewer white scales than male; overall more drab in appearance than male. Genitalia (Fig. 37) -Papillae anales ovate, soft, fleshy, covered with numerous setae; anterior apophyses fused with eighth segment; posterior apophyses present; venter of eighth segment covered with minute spicules; ostium bursae sclerotized, rectangulate, dorsal invagination covered with thorn-like spines, dorsal spines largest; base of ductus bursae rectangulate and fused with eighth segment; ductus bursae juncture with appendix bursae below base, striate; duct of appendix bursae narrow, striate 2/3 length; appendix bursae membranous, round; corpus bursae ovate to round, covered internally with numerous thorn-like signa.
Distribution and biology. Paectes arcigera is restricted to the eastern Caribbean Islands from Puerto Rico and the Lesser Antilles, including U.S. Virgin Islands, British Virgin Islands, Guadeloupe, Dominica, St. Lucia,and Trinidad (Fig. 48). Probably flies throughout the year with flight records for all months except February. Nothing is known about biology or host plants. McMullen (1986) remarked that adults of P. arcigera were seen near Crytocarpus pyriformis Kunth (Nyctaginaceae) on Isla Santa Fe, Galapagos Islands, but this record can be referred to P. nana.
Remarks. Paectes arcigera has been confused in collections and in the literature as P. obrotunda. Kimball (1965) and Minno (1992) listed P. arcigera as occurring in Florida, but these are based on a broad concept of P. arcigera that made this revision of the species complex necessary. These Florida records are now known to be referable to P. asper and P. nana. Franclemont and Todd (1983) and Lafontaine and Schmidt (2010) also listed P. arcigera as occurring in North America, unaware that the name represented a species complex. Askew (1994) listed P. arcigera as occurring on Little Cayman Island, but this is probably referable to P. asper. Paectes arcigera and P. asper occur sympatrically in the U.S. Virgin Islands, British Virgin Islands, and Dominica. Diagnosis. Paectes longiformis is most likely to be confused with P. similis Pogue, but can be differentiated by the color of the medial area of the forewing. In P. longiformis , the medial area is cream colored interspersed with some dark-ferruginous scales and in P. similis (Fig. 7) this area is shiny white with some gray scales. The tarsi in P. longiformis are dark gray, whereas in P. similis they are mostly white with some gray scales. There are several differences in the male genitalia to differentiate P. longiformis from P. similis. The uncus is 0.62-0.70 × the length of the subscaphium in P. longiformis (Fig. 30) and 0.80 × in P. similis (Fig. 31). The distal, free saccular extension is longer than the valve in P. longiformis (Fig. 30) and shorter than the valve in P. similis (Fig. 31). The female genitalia are easily separated from the other species in this group by the form of the lateral margins of the eighth sternite. In P. longiformis, the lateral margins of the eighth sternite are slightly produced and form a right angle (Fig. 38). In P. arcigera and P. nana, the lateral margins are not evident (Figs 37,39) and in P. asper, P. medialba Pogue, and P. sinuosa Pogue, the lateral margins are produced .

Paectes longiformis
Distribution and biology. Known only from the type locality in northeastern Brazil in the state of Bahia (Fig. 49). Larvae have been reared from the Brazilian peppertree. It is possible that this species has a much broader range, considering the wide range of its host plant, but so far no other specimens have been collected.
Remarks. As a potential biological control agent against the Brazilian peppertree in Florida, baseline data was developed about the biology and temperature requirements of P. longiformis (Manrique et al. 2012 Etymology. The species name is the Latin term for "like" which refers to the similarity between this species and P. longiformis. Diagnosis. Comparison of P. similis to P. longiformis was given above. Description. Adult. Male. FW length 10.5 mm. Head -vertex with broad scales, pale gray; labial palp porrect, mixture of pale-gray, ferruginous, and brown scales tipped white, internal surface white; eyes large, globular; frons with broad scales, pale gray, dark brown scales at margin of vertex; male antenna broadly bipectinate to just beyond half length then filiform. Thorax -prothorax pale gray, anterior margin with thin black line; patagium pale-gray scales tipped white, a few dark-brown scales anteriorly, mixed with hairlike scales; protibia mixed with white and brown scales, anterior margin white, tarsi brown with white apical bands; midtibia mostly white with some light-brown scales medially, tarsi white; hind tibia white, tarsi white; forewing costal area with pale-gray scales tipped white, minute white dots from postmedial line to apex; prominent white apical spot; basal area ferruginous mixed with a few pale-gray tipped white and white scales; antemedial line black, incomplete, from anal vein to R vein, forming distal border to basal area; medial area slightly paler in overall color from terminal area, consisting of pale-gray and white scales; reniform spot obscure, a pair of tiny dark-brown dots, ventral dot just above M vein in discal cell and larger than dorsal dot, which consists of only a few dark scales; postmedial line black outlined with some ferruginous scales, a double line from posterior margin to vein CuA2, continuing as single line to connecting point with black dash between veins R5 and M1 that extends to outer margin; subterminal area a mixture of light-brown, gray, white, and ferruginous scales, darker than medial area; terminal line a series of black, recurved lines between veins; fringe dark gray at veins, pale gray between veins giving checkered appearance; hind wing white, marginal shading and veins highlighted dark gray, anal fold diffuse white and dark-gray striped pattern. Abdomen -eighth segment membranous with pair of dorsal sclerotized bars; pair of lateral coremata bearing numerous, fine, elongate setae. Genitalia (Fig. 31) -Uncus triangulate, apex recurved and pointed, 0.8 × length of subscaphium; subscaphium triangulate, decurved, apex pointed; valve membranous, rectangulate, apex truncate, ventrally covered with elongate setae; costal margin sinuate, produced into a truncate lobe, apex round, elongate setae dorsally from middle to apex; sacculus well developed, proximal half fused with valve, distal half free, curved toward midline, apex narrowly rounded; saccus elongate, V-shaped; aedeagus slightly decurved, dorsally spiculate in distal half; base of vesica slightly wider than apex of aedeagus, spiculate ventrally with 2 leaf-like ventral cornuti, becomes ovate with lateral, slightly curved diverticulum, opposite lateral diverticulum a sclerotized, spiculate, grooved area with very short cornutus, two bump-like diverticula on either side of grooved area. Female. Unknown.
Distribution. Known only from the type locality ( Fig. 49).
Remarks. The holotype of P. similis was in a series of specimens in the USNM collection identified as P. obrotunda. Though known only from the type specimen, it is described so as to help eliminate confusion in this complex group of look-a-like species. ( [BMNH]. OAXACA: Oaxaca, (1 male, 1 female), genitalia slide male USNM 42805, Coll. Wm. Schaus, June 1896 (1 male), Schaus [BMNH]. PUEBLA: Tehuacan, 11 June (1 female Diagnosis. Paectes nana has two distinct forms. The most easily recognized bears exaggerated dark markings on the apical portion of the postmedial line that is contiguous with the subapical dash, the posterior portion of the postmedial line from CuA1 to posterior margin, and the antemedial line from just dorsal to anal vein to posterior margin (Fig. 11). This form is not present in P. asper. The other form of P. nana most resembles both P. asper (Figs 8-10). The forewing costa in P. nana is gray with small, faint, dark-gray quadrate spots along the margin at approximately 1/4 and 1/2 length of wing. In P. asper the forewing costa is ferruginous mixed with some gray and the quadrate spots are absent (Figs 12-15). In females of P. nana (Figs 10-11), the medial area of the forewing is gray, or can have gray scales tipped with white, giving a slightly lighter overall color than the remainder of the forewing. In P. asper, the medial area is somewhat lighter in coloration than the remainder of forewing and entirely white scales are present as are white-tipped gray scales (Figs 16-18). A cream-colored basal spot is present and contrasts with the remainder of the forewing in P. asper, and in P. nana the basal area is only very slightly contrasting with white-tipped gray scales.

Paectes nana
Both the male and female genitalia are distinct between these species. In the male genitalia, the costa is thumb-like with a more produced apex in P. nana (Fig. 32), whereas in P. asper the costa in truncate and the apex is not produced (Fig. 33). In P. nana, there are several flat setae arising from a sclerotized ridge on the dorsal surface of the valve (Fig. 32), these flat setae are absent in P. asper (Fig. 33). The cornutus at the base of the vesica is wide in P. nana (Fig. 32), but narrow in P. asper (Fig. 33). In the female genitalia, P. nana is easily recognized by the ostium bursae being a sclerotized circle (Fig. 39), but in P. asper the ostium is crescent shaped (Fig. 40).
Redescription. Male. Sexes dimorphic. Head -vertex with broad scales, mixture of cream-colored and light-brown scales, anterior margin with a few black scales; labial palp porrect, a mixture of gray, light-brown, dark-ferruginous, and black scales, internal surface white; eyes large, globular; frons with broad scales, projecting slightly beyond anterior eye margin, with cream-colored and light-brown scales with a few black scales medially; male antenna broadly bipectinate to 2/3 length then filiform. Thorax -prothorax concolorous with vertex, anterior margin with a thin black line; patagium concolorous with prothorax, mixed with hairlike scales; protibia white mixed with black, apical band white, obscure, tarsi black with distinct white apical bands; middle tibia grayish brown, tarsi gray with white apical bands; hind tibia cream-colored, tarsi cream colored; underside with white hairlike scales; forewing length 10.9-11.6 mm; costal area a mixture of dark-gray scales tipped a lighter color and a few black scales; distinct ovate cream-colored basal spot margined posteriorly with a few black scales; thin black antemedial line from posterior margin to middle of basal spot; interior of wing from distal margin of ovate spot to postmedial line mostly white and contrasted with subterminal and terminal areas; reniform spot obscure, with only a few paleferruginous scales; postmedial line black, a double line from posterior margin to vein M2 then single until merging with black dash between veins R5 and M1 that extends to outer margin; apical spot white; subterminal area brown, veins gray, color extending on to fringe; terminal line a series of black, shallow scalloped lines between veins; fringe brown, gray patches from wing veins resulting in a somewhat checkered appearance; hind wing white, marginal shading dark gray, veins highlighted dark gray, anal fold a white and dark gray striped pattern. Abdomen -cream colored scattered with a few pale-ferruginous scales; male eighth segment membranous with a pair of short, sternal, sclerotized bars and a pair of longer, wider, dorsal sclerotized bars; a pair of lateral coremata bearing numerous, fine, elongate setae. Genitalia (Fig. 32) -Uncus triangulate, apex recurved and pointed; subscaphium longer than uncus, triangulate, decurved, apex pointed; valve membranous, elongate, narrowed distally, apex round, covered with many elongate setae, basal-dorsal margin sclerotized, with several wide, spine-like setae; costa of valve short, deeply curved, apex produced and rounded, densely covered with elongate setae; sacculus well developed, proximal half fused with valve, distal half free, elongate, curved inward, longer than valve, apex round; saccus triangulate; aedeagus straight, slightly bent at distal third, dorsum in distal third covered with minute spicules; base of vesica a short tube with one flat, elongate cornutus with pointed apex directed posteriorly, vesica ovate, small round diverticulum just distal to flat basal cornutus, apex of vesica with an irregular sclerotized area bearing a short, thumb-like cornutus. Female. As in male except: Head -antenna filiform; forewing length 9.4-9.9 mm; ground color pale gray; antemedial line black, reduced to a concave line from just below Cu vein to anal vein connected to a convex line from anal vein to posterior margin; basal spot absent; interior of wing from base to postmedial line pale gray with scattered white scales or scales tipped white and only slightly paler than subterminal and terminal areas; medial line black, faint, dentate from just below Cu vein to posterior margin. Genitalia (Fig. 39) -Papillae anales truncate, soft, fleshy, covered with numerous setae; ninth sternite covered with minute spicules distally with spicules becoming larger and thicker closer to ostium bursae; anterior apophyses fused with eighth segment; posterior apophyses present; ostium bursae with sclerotized, crescent-shaped large dorsal and small ventral caps; base of ductus bursae, as it emerges from ostium bursae, sclerotized then becomes membranous and striated, after splitting with appendix bursae, ductus bursae narrower and more heavily striated; appendix bursae ovate, membranous; corpus bursae ovate, covered internally with numerous thornlike signa.
Distribution and biology. Paectes nana is widespread from Florida through the Greater Antilles, except for Puerto Rico, and from Mexico to Costa Rica; in South America distributed from Venezuela, Colombia, and northern Ecuador (Fig. 50). It has been introduced to the Galapagos Islands (Roque-Álbelo and Landry 2011).
Paectes nana is a native species from Florida that has been reared from Brazilian peppertree in several counties, including Hernando, Lee, Levy, Monroe, and St. Lucie. Larvae that were collected in September and October had a pupal stage from 9-18 days and larvae collected in January and February had a pupal stage from 11-15 days.
Adults probably fly all year with recorded dates from January-March, June-July, September-October, and December. Dyar (1901) stated that larvae of P. nana (referred to as P. burserae) are common on gumbo-limbo (Bursera simaruba (L.) Sarg., Burseraceae). In Costa Rica P. nana collecting dates range from May through November and has been reared from B. simaruba and B. tomentosa (Jacq.) Triana & Planch.

Paectes asper
Diagnosis. The forewing costa is ferruginous with some gray in P. asper and mostly gray with some ferruginous in P. arcigera. The medial area of the forewing is mostly white with a white apical spot in P. asper; in P. arcigera these areas are cream-colored.
The male genitalia are easily differentiated between P. asper and P. arcigera. The valve in P. asper has thick, curved dorsal setae; in P. arcigera the setae are hairlike. The costa is truncate in P. asper but triangulate in P. arcigera. The free saccular extension is narrow in P. asper and wide with an expanded apex in P. arcigera.
The female genitalia have small, curved lateral projections at the base of the eighth sternite in P. asper; these projections are absent in P. arcigera. The ostium bursae is crescent shaped bearing minute spicules in P. asper whereas in P. arcigera the ostium bursae is semicircular in shape and bears large conical spines.
Description. Male. Head -antenna broadly bipectinate to 3/5 length then filiform; eyes large, globular; vertex with broad scales, light-brown mixed with pale-and dark-ferruginous scales; frons with broad scales, projecting slightly beyond anterior eye margin, concolorous with vertex, two small black dots on eye margin; labial palp porrect, mixture of light-brown and ferruginous scales, internal surface white. Thorax -prothorax pale ferruginous, with a thin, black anterior margin, posterior margin pale gray, can be mixed with black or dark-ferruginous scales; patagium pale gray variably mixed with ferruginous and a few black scales, mixed with hairlike scales; pro and mid tibia gray and ferruginous mixed with white scales, apical band present, tarsi ferruginous with white apical bands; hind tibia ferruginous mixed with white scales, lighter than pro or mid tibia, tarsi white mixed with ferruginous scales, apical bands not distinct; underside with white hairlike scales; forewing length 9.4-12.9 mm; costal area dark gray and ferruginous; ovate basal spot distinct; antemedial line black, sharply angulate basally, continues around ventral margin of ovate spot, arrowhead shaped; reniform a pair of small ferruginous spots, vertically oriented; interior of wing a variable mix of white, pale-ferruginous, and ferruginous scales, always lighter than costa and subterminal area; postmedial line black, black and ferruginous, or ferruginous, a double line from posterior margin to below M vein, then a single line to M1 vein; black horizontal dash between R5 and M1 vein continuing to outer mar-gin; apical spot white; subterminal area gray, distal border ferruginous and dentate; terminal area with irregularly shaped tan patch near tornus; terminal line a series of dark-ferruginous spots between wing veins; fringe pale gray becoming white at apex; hind wing white, marginal shading dark gray, veins highlighted dark gray, anal fold with a white and dark-gray striped pattern; fringe white. Abdomen -dorsum variable from pale gray to dark gray mixed with ferruginous scale patches, distal margin of segments usually with a darker line that can be ferruginous or black, obscure creamcolored dorsal band from middle to antemedial segment; venter variable from white to tan to ferruginous, medial line black to ferruginous flanked by paler, wider, lateral lines variable in color and intensity from black to gray, or can be represented by a thin medial line; male eighth segment membranous with a pair of short, sternal, sclerotized bars and a pair of longer, slightly wider, dorsal sclerotized bars; a pair of lateral coremata bearing numerous, fine, elongate setae. Genitalia (Fig. 33) -Uncus triangulate, apex sharply recurved and pointed, 0.62-0.64 × length of subscaphium; subscaphium, triangulate, decurved, apex pointed; valve membranous, elongate, narrow, covered with broad, curved setae; costa sclerotized, deeply recurved, apex rounded or truncate, sparse hairlike setae dorsally and at apex; sacculus well developed, proximal half fused with valve, distal half free, elongate, broad, curved inward, longer than valve, apex with roughened surface; saccus V-shaped; aedeagus straight; vesica ovate, large bulbous lateral diverticula just above vesica base; adjacent to basal diverticulum a second bulbous diverticulum with an irregular sclerotized patch bearing elongate somewhat flattened cornutus; thumblike diverticulum opposite sclerotized patch; ventral cornutus at base of vesica, stout, elongate, pointed caudally. Female. As in male except: antenna filiform; forewing length 9.2-12.5 mm; medial area of forewing white, suffused with pale gray scales and less contrasting than in male. Genitalia (Fig.  40) -Papillae anales ovate, soft, fleshy, covered with numerous setae; venter of eighth segment covered with minute spicules; anterior apophyses fused with eighth sternite; posterior apophyses present; ventrolateral corners of eighth sternite produced into small, outwardly curved projections; ostium bursae crescent shaped, sclerotized plate bearing minute spicules; ventral to ostium bursae, base of ductus bursae rectangular and fused to eighth sternite, short membranous section of ductus bursae at juncture of appendix bursae and ductus bursae, ductus bursae striate and gradually enlarges into corpus bursae; appendix bursae emerges from ductus bursae just ventral to rectangular part of ductus bursae, consists of two sacs, one at junction of ductus bursae then a constriction and a second, enlarged, membranous sac; corpus bursae tear-drop shaped, covered internally with numerous thornlike signa.
Distribution and biology. Paectes asper is distributed from southern Florida and Bahamas to the Greater Antilles (except Puerto Rico), and the British Virgin Islands, U.S. Virgin Islands, and Dominica in the Lesser Antilles (Fig. 51). A specimen in the BMNH is labeled Costa Rica, St. Andrews I. This specimen was interpreted to be from San Andrés Island in the western Caribbean, which is now part of Colombia.
Remarks. Paectes asper was in the series of specimens in the USNM collection identified as P. obrotunda. Specimens of P. asper can be confused with specimens of P. arcigera from the British Virgin Islands, U.S. Virgin Islands, and Dominica. Paectes asper is sympatric with P. arcigera on Guana Island, B.V.I., St. Croix, U.S.V.I., and Dominica. In Florida, Cuba, and  Diagnosis. Paectes medialba has been confused with P. longiformis in the USNM collection. It differs from P. longiformis by the more pronounced white medial area of the male forewing and its distribution in northwestern Argentina versus the northeastern Brazil distribution of P. longiformis. There are many differences in the male genitalia of P. medialba and P. longiformis. The free extension of the sacculus in P. longiformis is much longer than in P. medialba and is spiculate in P. medialba and non-spiculate in P. longiformis. The setae on the dorsal surface of the valve are wide, elongate, curved apically, and numerous in P. medialba whereas in P. longiformis they are hairlike, shorter, straight, and more sparse. In the female genitalia the lateral projections of the eighth sternite are more produced and sharply pointed in P. medialba (Fig. 41) than in P. longiformis (Fig. 38). The ductus bursae between its juncture with the appendix bursae and its entering the corpus bursae is tapered in P. medialba but straight in P. longiformis. The signa are more numerous in the corpus bursae of P. longiformis than in P. medialba.
Description. Adult. Sexes dimorphic. Male. Head -antenna broadly bipectinate to just beyond half length then filiform; eyes large, globular; vertex with broad scales, pale gray, finely tipped with white; frons with broad scales, badly rubbed, pale gray with black posterior margin; labial palp porrect, mixture of pale-gray and black scales tipped with white, internal surface white. Thorax -prothorax mixture of gray and white scales, anterior margin a thin black line; patagium pale gray with dark-gray scales medially, all tipped with white, mixed with hairlike scales; protibia black scales tipped with white, more white scales along inner margin, tarsi black barely tipped with white, white apical bands; middle and hind legs absent from holotype; forewing length 9.4 mm; costal area dark gray mottled with white scales, faint white dashes along costa from just beyond middle to below apex; distinct ovate basal spot, few dark gray and white scales basally, remainder of scales tan; thin black antemedial line from posterior margin to Cu vein, forming ventral border of basal spot; medial area mostly white mixed with a few tan and dark-brown scales; medial line dark gray, faint, straight from posterior margin to anal vein, curved from anal vein to Cu vein; reniform spot obscure, a pair of tiny dots, ventral dot just above Cu vein in discal cell, dorsal dot just below R vein, dark brown; postmedial line black, angulate, from posterior margin to vein R5, faint medially; black dash along vein R5 not quite extending to outer margin and not contiguous with postmedial line; white apical spot mixed with a few dark-gray scales; subterminal area brown, scattered with white scales; terminal line a series of dark-brown, recurved lines between veins; fringe brown; hind wing white, marginal shading dark gray, veins highlighted dark gray, anal fold with a white and dark-gray striped pattern. Abdomen -eighth segment membranous with pair of dorsal sclerotized bars; pair of lateral coremata bearing numerous, fine, elongate setae. Genitalia (Fig. 34) -Uncus triangulate, apex recurved and pointed, 0.7 × length of subscaphium; subscaphium triangulate, decurved, apex pointed; valve membranous, rectangulate, apex produced, round, dorsal surface covered with broad, apically curved, elongate setae; costa thumb shaped, dorsal margin curved, elongate setae dorsally in distal third; sacculus well developed, proximal half fused with valve, distal half free, angulate, spiculate, shorter than valve, apex curved inward; saccus V-shaped, arms wide; aedeagus straight, dorsally spiculate in apical 2/3; vesica uninflated, a single, basal leaf-like cornutus, grooved sclerotized area bearing short cornutus. Female. As in male except: Head -antenna filiform; eyes large, globular; vertex light brown, few scattered dark-brown scales; frons light brown, scattered with more dark-brown scales than vertex; labial palp porrect, brown with white-tipped scales, white internally. Thorax -prothorax light brown, anterior margin a thin black line, few dark-brown scales along posterior margin; patagium gray, few dark-gray scales, mixed with hairlike scales; protibia dark gray with white-tipped scales, tarsi dark gray, apical bands white; forewing length 9.9 mm; ground color brownish gray; basal area not differentiated from ground color; antemedial line black, straight from posterior margin, curved around basal area to Cu vein; medial area not differentiated from ground color; reniform spot a pair of tiny black dots on either side of Cu vein; postmedial line black, faint, double to Cu2 vein, single from Cu2 vein to R5 vein; black dash at R5 vein not contiguous with postmedial line, not quite continuing to outer margin; apical spot faint, white; subterminal area not differentiated; terminal line a black dash at tornus, then a series of black spots between veins; fringe brownish gray. Genitalia (Fig. 41) -Papillae anales crescent shaped, soft, fleshy, covered with numerous setae; anterior apophyses fused with eighth sternite; posterior apophyses present; venter of eighth segment spiculate in distal half, with sharply-pointed lateral projections; sclerotized ventral projection of eighth sternite enters membranous base of ductus bursae, which then becomes constricted, then widens for a short distance below constriction where appendix bursae branches, below junction of appendix bursae, ductus bursae widens as it enters corpus bursae; appendix bursae ovate, membranous; corpus bursae ovate, covered internally with numerous thornlike signa pointing inward, signa continue posteriorly into posterior part of ductus bursae. (Fig. 49). Noththe male genitalia the dorsal margin of the costa is slightly concave in P. sinuosa ( Fig.  35) but greatly convex in P. medialba (Fig. 34). The free saccular extension is sinuate in P. sinuosa (Fig. 35) but straight in P. medialba (Fig. 34). At the base of the vesica there are two wide cornuti in P. sinuosa (Fig. 35) but only one in P. medialba (Fig. 34).

Distribution and biology. Known from northwestern Argentina
Description. Adult. Male. Head -antenna broadly bipectinate to just beyond half length then filiform; eyes large, globular; vertex with broad scales, dark brown anteriorly, light brown posteriorly; frons with broad scales projecting slightly beyond anterior eye margin, mostly light brown with a posterior band of dark brown scales; labial palp porrect with mixture of light-brown and brown scales tipped with white, internal surface white. Thorax -prothorax light brown, anterior margin with thin black line; few scales forming a faint medial line; posterior margin with some dark-brown scales; patagium with dark-brown scales tipped with white, mixed with a few white scales, scales broad mixed with hairlike scales; protibia dark-brown scales tipped with white, mixed with white scales, apical band white, obscure, tarsi dark brown with distinct white apical bands; midtibia concolorous with protibia, but with more white scales giving a slightly lighter overall color, white apical band more distinct than in protibia, tarsi dark brown with white apical bands; hind tibia mostly white with a few dark-brown scales, tarsi white; underside with white hairlike scales; forewing length 10.5 mm; costal area dark gray with a few white scales forming short dashes along costa, especially from postmedial band to just below apex; distinct ovate cream-colored basal spot; thin black antemedial line from posterior margin forming  to outer margin; white apical spot; subterminal area a mixture of light-brown, gray, white, and ferruginous scales, lighter than costa and darker than medial area; terminal line a series of gray, recurved lines between veins; fringe brown, gray patches opposite vein apices; hind wing white, marginal shading dark gray, veins highlighted dark gray, anal fold with a white and dark gray striped pattern. Abdomen -dorsum mixture of pale gray, black, and ferruginous, with small patches of black scales at caudal apex of segments 2-3; ventrum white with a faint black medial line and partial lateral lines; male eighth segment membranous with a pair of short, sternal, sclerotized bars and a pair of longer, wider, dorsal sclerotized bars; a pair of lateral, coremata bearing numerous, fine, elongate setae. Genitalia (Fig. 35) -Uncus triangulate, apex recurved and pointed, approximately same length as subscaphium; subscaphium triangulate, decurved, apex pointed; valve membranous, rectangulate, slightly produced distally, apex round, covered with wide, elongate setae; costa short, recurved, apex produced, round, sparsely covered with elongate, hairlike setae; sacculus well developed, proximal 2/3 fused with valve, distal 1/3 free, sinuate, spiculate, longer than valve, apex round; saccus with broad arms; aedeagus straight; vesica emerges at a right angle ventrally from aedeagus; bulbous with a short, distal diverticulum and two elongate leaflike cornuti at base, longest laterally, shortest ventrally; rectangular, grooved sclerotized plate lateral to distal diverticulum, short slightly curved cornutus on grooved plate. Female. As in male except: antenna filiform; forewing length 9.5 mm; antemedial line from costa to R vein dark gray, angulate toward apex then angulate toward base with a pointed apex, black from R vein to anal vein, curved with a straight line extending to posterior margin; medial area less contrasted than male with whitetipped gray scales; postmedial line black, well developed from posterior margin to CuA2 vein then faint to M2 becoming more developed from M2 to R5; thin black line along R5 to outer margin; apical spot white. Genitalia (Fig. 42) -Papillae anales ovate, soft, fleshy, covered with numerous setae; venter of eighth segment covered with minute spicules; anterior apophyses fused with eighth sternite; posterior apophyses present, ventrolateral corners produced into triangular projections; ostium bursae a small dimple or absent; base of ductus bursae rectangular fused to eighth sternite, ductus bursae elongate, striate, approximately same width throughout, small ventrally produced pocket just below fused base; appendix bursae emerges dorsally from approximately middle of ductus bursae, ovate; corpus bursae ovate, covered internally with numerous thornlike signa.
Distribution and biology. Known from the states of Goias and São Paulo, Brazil, the Chaco of northwestern Paraguay, and in the state of Tucuman, Argentina (Fig. 52).
Remarks. Paectes sinuosa is described to differentiate the several species previously identified as P. obrotunda in the USNM collection.

Paectes tumida
Etymology. The species name is derived from the Latin tumeo (swell), referring to the swollen base of the free saccular extension in the male genitalia.
Diagnosis. Forewing with a white medial area in P. tumida; in P. similis it consists of white-tipped gray scales, so the area is less contrasting than in P. tumida; in P. obrotunda medial area is mixed with gray, ferruginous, and a few cream-colored scales and also is less contrasting than in P. tumida. The postmedial line is faint and black in P. tumida; in P. similis it is black and well developed with a faint double line at the posterior margin; in P. obrotunda the postmedial line is ferruginous and double at the posterior margin and black and ferruginous where it curves toward the subapical black dash.
The male genitalia of P. tumida have elongate, curved setae on the dorsal surface of the valve, whereas in P. obrotunda and P. similis the valve has shorter, hairlike setae. The costal margin is convex in P. tumida, but straight in P. similis, and slightly concave in P. obrotunda. The free saccular extension is elongate and extends above the costa in P. obrotunda, but is shorter and does not extend above the costa in P. tumida and P. similis. In P. tumida, the base of free saccular extension is swollen and densely covered with spicules, but in P. obrotunda and P. similis the base is not swollen and without spicules.
Description. Male. Head -antenna broadly bipectinate to 1/2 length then filiform; eyes large, globular; vertex with broad scales, mixture of white, brown, and black scales; frons with broad scales, projecting slightly beyond anterior eye margin, white and brown scales; labial palp porrect, mixture of brown, white, and pale ferruginous scales, internal surface white. Thorax -prothorax mixture of pale-gray, gray, and brown scales, medial band dark brown; patagium of brown, pale-ferruginous, and white broad scales, mixed with hairlike scales; protibia white mixed with black, apical band white, obscure, tarsi black with distinct white apical bands; middle and hind legs missing in holotype; forewing length 10.9 mm; costal area brown; basal area mixture of white, pale-ferruginous, and brown scales, not a well-defined ovate spot; antemedial line consists of a few black scales between posterior margin and anal vein then extending along anal vein a short distance before slightly curving upward; central area of wing from basal area to postmedial line mostly white mixed with brown scales and contrasted with subterminal and terminal areas, thin curved brown line from posterior margin to anal vein and contiguous with thin line from anal vein to CuA2 vein; reniform spot obscure, a pair of small, round brown spots; postmedial line brown and pale ferruginous,  double line from posterior margin to vein CuA2, single curved line between M2 and M1; black dash between veins R5 and M1 that extends to outer margin; apical spot white; subterminal area brown mixed with pale ferruginous and white scales; terminal line a series of black, shallow scalloped lines between veins; fringe brown; hind wing marginal shading dark gray, veins heavily highlighted dark gray, areas between veins white; anal fold white with dark-gray striped pattern; fringe white. Abdomen -male eighth segment membranous with a pair of short, sternal, sclerotized bars and a pair of longer, wider, dorsal sclerotized bars; a pair of lateral, coremata bearing numerous, fine, elongate setae. Genitalia (Fig. 36) -Uncus triangulate, apex recurved and pointed, 1.3 × length of subscaphium; subscaphium, triangulate, decurved, apex pointed; valve membranous, short, truncate, covered with many elongate, curved setae; costa of valve extends above membranous part of valve, margin straight, apex broadly rounded, tuft of elongate setae near distal tip of apex; sacculus well developed, proximal half fused with valve, distal half free, sinuate, produced distally, apex round, covered with minute spicules; saccus triangulate; aedeagus straight, dorsum in distal third covered with minute spicules; base of vesica a short tube with two flat, elongate cornuti with pointed apices directed posteriorly, emerging from tubelike base, vesica ovate, apex of vesica with an irregular sclerotized area bearing a short, thumblike cornutus. Female. As in male except: antenna filiform; forewing length 11.5 mm; antemedial line dark brownish gray, faint, angulate from R vein to Cu vein then curved becoming a prominent black partial curve just dorsal to anal vein then straight to posterior margin; medial area less white than male; medial line dark brownish gray, series of variously sized, coalesced excurved lines from R vein to posterior margin; postmedial line dark brownish gray, double, slightly sinuate and fades medially. Genitalia (Fig. 43) -Papillae anales crescent shaped, soft, fleshy, covered with numerous setae; anterior apophyses fused with eighth sternite; posterior apophyses present; venter of eighth segment spiculate in distal half, sharply pointed projections laterally, small crescent-shaped, spiculate medial line; ostium bursae ovate with medial, curved, sclerotized bar; ductus bursae striate; appendix bursae juncture approximately midway between ostium bursae and corpus bursae, striate, curved; corpus bursae somewhat triangulate, covered internally with numerous thornlike signa pointing inward.
Distribution. Specimens have been collected from Villavicencio, Colombia, and from Guyana, Suriname, and French Guiana (Fig. 49).
Remarks. Paectes tumida is described to differentiate the several species previously identified as P. obrotunda in the USNM collection. Ingura obrotunda Guenée in Boisduval and Guenée 1852: 312. Paectes obrotunda;Hampson 1912: 130, pl. CLXXVII, Fig. 11;Franclemont and Todd 1983: 131;Poole 1989: 758;Poole and Gentili 1996: 762;Lafontaine and Schmidt 2010: 40. Type material. Type locality: "Brazil" Holotype female. BMNH; photographs of adult and genitalia examined (Figs 44-47). Diagnosis. Since P. obrotunda is only known from the female holotype it can be compared to females of P. longiformis, P. sinuosa, and P. medialba, which are found in Brazil, Argentina, and Paraguay. Paectes obrotunda has a distinct antemedial line that extends from the posterior margin to the anal vein then curves around faint basal area toward Cu vein. In P. longiformis the antemedial vein is faint and not well developed. The forewing subapical, marginal dash is black and distinct in P. obrotunda, but ferruginous and faint in P. longiformis. There is a faint area of white scales proximal to the postmedial line in P. obrotunda, which is absent in P. longiformis. Paectes sinuosa is distinct from P. obrotunda in having the antemedial line heavily developed with black scales along the anal vein and suffused with black scales along the posterior margin. The forewing subapical, marginal dash is longer in P. sinuosa than in P. obrotunda. In P. medialba the postmedial line is double from posterior margin to approximately middle of forewing whereas in P. obrotunda it is single and faint. The forewing subapical, marginal dash is slightly longer and more robust in P. medialba than in P. obrotunda. In the female genitalia the eighth sternite is longer than wide with lateral margins produced in P. medialba but sternite in P. obrotunda is wider than long and the lateral margins are not produced.
Redescription. Adult. Female. Head -antenna filiform; eyes large, globular; labial palp porrect. Thorax -prothorax light brown, anterior margin thin black line; forewing length 9.2 mm; a few white scales forming short dashes along costa, especially from postmedial band to just below apex; thin black antemedial line from posterior margin forming ventral border to faint basal spot; medial area of wing with some scattered white scales forming an indistinct area proximal to postmedial line; postmedial line black, faint at posterior margin becoming more distinct prior to subapical, marginal dash; black dash between veins R5 and M1 that extends to outer margin; apical spot white; terminal line a series of black, recurved lines between veins; fringe with white patches giving a checked appearance; hind wing with dark gray marginal band that extends to middle of wing with veins highlighted dark gray. Genitalia (Fig.  46) -Papillae anales crescent shaped, soft, fleshy, covered with numerous setae; ninth sternite probably covered with minute spicules; eighth sternite with no distal apical lateral projections, lateral margins straight; ostium bursae somewhat sclerotized, band- like with lateral apices narrowed; base of ductus bursae narrower than ostium bursae; remainder of genitalia unknown.
Distribution. Known only from Brazil, with no specific locality. Remarks. Paectes obrotunda belongs in this species group because it shares with them the shape of the antemedial line, white medial area, white apical spot, and black marginal dash in the forewing. The female genitalia are different from those of the other species in this group and no other specimens from other groups examined during this study matched them, so P. obrotunda is only known from the holotype. Paectes obrotunda has never been correctly identified in the literature. Hampson (1912) gave a wide distribution of P. obrotunda extending from throughout the Caribbean to Paraguay. The Caribbean distribution could refer to either P. asper, P. nana or P. arcigera, and the Paraguay record is probably P. sinuosa. Kimball (1965) recorded P. obrotunda from Florida and these specimens can be referred to either P. nana or P. asper. Franclemont and Todd (1983) listed P. obrotunda from North America, undoubtedly following Kimball (1965).
Due to the cryptic nature of this species complex, the remaining species of Neotropical Paectes are currently being revised. A number of specimens from Costa Rica that have been analyzed using DNA barcoding of CO1 and their respective host plants will be included. A phylogenetic analysis using morphological characters of the Neotropical species included in this and the next study will be discussed.