One species in eight : DNA barcodes from type specimens resolve a taxonomic quagmire

Each holotype specimen provides the only objective link to a particular Linnean binomen. Sequence information from them is increasingly valuable due to the growing usage of DNA barcodes in taxonomy. As type specimens are often old, it may only be possible to recover fragmentary sequence information from them. We tested the efficacy of short sequences from type specimens in the resolution of a challenging taxonomic puzzle: the Elachista dispunctella complex which includes 64 described species with minuscule morphological differences. We applied a multistep procedure to resolve the taxonomy of this species complex. First, we sequenced a large number of newly collected specimens and as many holotypes as possible. Second, we used all >400 bp examine species boundaries. We employed three unsupervised methods (BIN, ABGD, GMYC) with specified criteria on how to handle discordant results and examined diagnostic bases from each delineated putative species (operational taxonomic units, OTUs). Third, we evaluated the morphological characters of each OTU. Finally, we associated short barcodes from types with the delineated OTUs. In this step, we employed various supervised methods, including distance-based, tree-based and character-based. We recovered 658 bp barcode sequences from 194 of 215 fresh specimens and recovered an average of 141bp from 33 of 42 holotypes. We observed strong congruence among all methods and good correspondence with morphology. We demonstrate potential pitfalls with tree-, distance- and character-based approaches when associating sequences of varied length. Our results suggest that sequences as short as 56bp can often provide valuable taxonomic information. The results support significant taxonomic oversplitting of species in the Elachista dispunctella complex.Peer reviewe

New records of Chalcidoidea (Hymenoptera) from the Maltese Islands with an updated checklist

Thirty-three species of Chalcidoidea (Hymenoptera) are newly recorded from the Maltese Islands, of which, 19 include host data. An updated checklist for the 181 chalcidoid species recorded from Malta is also included, which belong to 17 families as follows: Agaonidae (3), Aphelinidae (21, 1 as new record), Azotidae (1), Chalcididae (8 species, 5 as new records), Encyrtidae (24, 1 as new record), Eulophidae (51, 16 are new records), Eupelmidae (9, 2 as new records), Eurytomidae (6, 1 as new record), Leucospidae (4), Megastigmidae (1), Mymaridae (2), Ormyridae (1), Perilampidae (1 new record), Pteromalidae (39, 5 as new records), Signiphoridae (2), Tetracampidae (1) and Torymidae (7, 1 as new record).peer-reviewe

The Species Richness of Lepidoptera in a Fragmented Landscape: A Supplement to the Checklist of Moths of Butler County, Ohio

Land conversion for agriculture or urban expansion has fragmented the midwestern landscape and isolated native biotas in remnant habitat patches. Identification of priority renmants to be targeted for conservation, however, requires an understanding of the species diversity and distributions in such fragmented landscapes. During a 3-year inventory, we estimated the species richness of Lepidoptera in forests and old fields within an agricultural region of southwest Ohio, Butler County. A combination of casual collecting (butterflies) and a systematic field study (moths) were used to sample lepidopteran species at several sites from 1998-2000. Our inventory added 207 new species to the checklist of the Lepidoptera of Butler County, bringing the total described species richness of the region to 599 species (including Peoria tetradella (Pyralidae), a state record). The species accumulation curve produced from our 1999 moth inventory did not reach saturation, suggesting that additional species remain to be recorded. These results indicate that even highly modified landscapes can support a substantial species diversity of Lepidoptera if there are sufficient areas of native habitat. Since short-term insect inventories tend to be biased toward common, well-known species, rapid diversity assessments may miss important elements of conservation interest. Checklists should remain an important data source for species occurrences and biogeography. Without a well-established knowledge of species geography, critical areas of conservation interest may be overlooked or left unprotected

Effects of adult feeding on the reproduction and longevity of Noctuidae, Crambidae, Tortricidae and Elachistidae species

This research evaluates the effect of the adult diet on the reproduction of Anticarsia gemmatalis Hübner, Heliothis virescens (Fabr.), Spodoptera frugiperda (J. E. Smith) (Noctuidae), Diatraea saccharalis (Fabr.) (Crambidae), Gymnandrosoma aurantianum Lima (Tortricidae) and Stenoma catenifer Walsingham (Elachistidae). Adults of all species were fed either water or a 10% honey solution. The egg viability for the 1st and 2nd egg masses, adult fecundity, longevity, number of mating and the ovigeny index (OI) (degree of ovarian maturation) were evaluated. Fecundity of A. gemmatalis and H. virescens was drastically reduced when females were fed only on water. Egg viability from both 1st and 2nd egg masses was variable between treatments. Females of A. gemmatalis, H. virescens and S. frugiperda, and males of some species had a reduced longevity when fed only on water. The number of matings was higher for A. gemmatalis and D. saccharalis when fed on water only. The OI was < 1.0 for all species evaluated indicating that all females may develop new oocytes as they age. Based on the OI and the reduced fecundity of A. gemmatalis and H. virescens, one observes that adult feeding is important for the reproduction of both species, and the IO is not a good parameter to indicate such condition. Spodoptera frugiperda, G. aurantianum, D. saccharalis and S. catenifer do not require any source of carbohydrates as adults to sustain their reproduction.Coordenacao de Aperfeicoamento de Pessoal de Nivel Superior (CAPES

Folivore caterpillars on Roupala montana Aubl. (Proteaceae) in Cerrado Sensu Stricto

No cerrado a riqueza de espécies de lepidópteros é alta e confirmada por registros de adultos, mas o conhecimento sobre as interações das lagartas com suas plantas hospedeiras ainda é incipiente. Os objetivos deste trabalho foram conhecer a riqueza de espécies de lepidópteros folívoros em Roupala montana Abl., a idade relativa das folhas consumidas pelas espécies e suas amplitudes de dietas. Os dados foram coletados em áreas de cerrado sensu stricto de Brasília de 1991 a 2004. As lagartas encontradas foram coletadas e criadas no laboratório. Foram registradas 62 espécies de lepidópteros de 22 famílias, consumindo folhas jovens (8%) e maduras (92%) de R. montana. Cerconota sciaphilina (Zeller) (Elachistidae), duas espécies de Gracillariidae e uma de Gelechiidae consumiram somente folhas jovens e, apresentaram ciclo de vida curto e sincronizado com a fenologia foliar da planta hospedeira. Das espécies que consomem folhas maduras, 36 foram consideradas polífagas e mostraram variação muito grande na utilização do recurso. Vinte e seis espécies foram encontradas somente em R. montana, sendo que 58% delas são bastante raras, o que dificulta análise de amplitude de dieta. As espécies monófagas em R. montana foram Chlamydastis platyspora (Meyrick) (Elachistidae), Stenoma cathosiota Meyrick (Elachistidae), Idalus prop. sublineata (Rothschild) (Arctiidae) e Eomichla sp. (Oecophoridae).Richness of lepidopteran species in the cerrado is high. The confirmation of this richness is based on adult records but knowledge of larvae-host plants interactions is still incipient. The main purpose of this work was to identify folivorous caterpillar species on Roupala montana Aubl. in areas of a Brazilian cerrado sensu stricto, their dietary range, and the relative age of the consumed leaves richness. Three data sets, collected from 1991 to 2004 were used in this study. All caterpillars found on the host plants in the field were collected and reared in the laboratory. Sixty-two lepidopteran species from 22 families were recorded; they were found feeding on new (8%) and mature (92%) leaves of R. montana. Cerconota sciaphilina (Zeller) (Elachistidae), two unidentified Gracillariidae species and, one species of Gelechiidae fed only on new leaves. These species showed a short life cycle, which was very syncronized with the host plant foliar phenology. Among the species feeding on mature leaves, 36 were considered polyphagous and, these showed a large variation in the use of the food resource. Twenty-six species were found only on R. montana, 58% were very rare, a character that difficults the analysis of their dietary range. The monophagous species on R. montana were: Chlamydastis platyspora (Meyrick) (Elachistidae), Stenoma cathosiota Meyrick (Elachistidae), Idalus prop. sublineata (Rothschild) (Arctiidae), and Eomichla sp. (Oecophoridae)

Crescimento foliar em Xylopia aromatica (Lam) Mart. (Annonaceae): implicações sobre a palatabilidade para lagartas de Stenoma scitiorella Walker 1864 (Lepidoptera: Elachistidae)

Variations in specific foliar mass and water content, nitrogen, soluble carbohydrates and tannins were studied during the growth and maturation processes of the Xylopia aromatica leaves, to determine the effects of such alterations on the herbivory of Stenoma scitiorella caterpillars. This work was carried out in the physiognomy of the typical cerrado of the Parque Estadual de Vassununga, Gleba Pé-de Gigante, Santa Rita do Passa Quatro, São Paulo State, Brazil. While nutritional quality (water and nitrogen) decreases during expansion and maturation of Xylopia aromatica leaves, the chemical (tannins) and physical (sclerophylly) defenses are raised. In agreement with the observations on herbivory, the results support the hypothesis that the reduction in palatability and increase in chemical defenses of Xylopia aromatica leaves account for the caterpillars' preference for young expanding leaves.Com o objetivo de avaliar os efeitos do crescimento e do amadurecimento de folhas de Xylopia aromatica sob o ataque de lagartas de Stenoma scitiorella, foram estudados a variação da área, massa foliar específica, bem como os teores de água, nitrogênio, hidratos de carbono e taninos durante estes processos. O trabalho foi desenvolvido numa fisionomia de cerrado stricto sensu na Gleba Pé-de-Gigante do Parque Estadual de Vassununga, localizado no município de Santa Rita do Passa Quatro, Estado de São Paulo, Brasil. A expansão e o amadurecimento das folhas de Xylopia aromatica resultaram na redução da qualidade nutricional e no aumento de defesas químicas e físicas. Concordando com as observações realizadas sobre a herbivoria, os resultados permitem supor que a redução na palatabilidade das folhas pode explicar a preferência das lagartas por folhas jovens ainda no início do processo de expansão.Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP

Insect species described from Big Bend National Park

The list contains 192 insect species, of which 139 are primary types. All have been described from material collected in or near Big Bend National Park, Texas

New host plant records for Oenomaus ortygnus (Cramer) (Lepidoptera: Lycaenidae) in Mexico

This is the first record of Oenomaus ortygnus (Cramer) damaging fruits of ilama (Annona diversifolia) and extends the butterfly distribution for three states in Mexico.Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)Pró-Reitoria de Pesquisa of the Universidade de São Paulo (USP

Variation in Lepidopteran Occurrence in Hemlock-Dominated and Deciduous-Dominated Forests of Central Appalachia

Eastern hemlock, (Tsuga canadensis Carrière, Pinaceae), is threatened with extirpation by an exotic invasive herbivore, the hemlock woolly adelgid, (Adelges tsugae Annand, Homoptera: Adelgidae). Given this threat, a broader and more detailed knowledge of the community associated with eastern hem- lock is merited. As Lepidoptera are important members of forest communities, this study was initiated to determine the relative occurrence of Lepidoptera in hemlock-dominated and deciduous-dominated habitats by evaluating abundance, species richness, temporal variation, and composition overlap. Lepidoptera were surveyed using blacklight traps from May – August 2010 at two collection sites in the Appalachian region of eastern Kentucky. The first collection site was within a forest stand dominated by mixed deciduous species, the second site possessed an overstory of eastern hemlock. Lepidoptera ≥ 20 mm in wingspan were identified and enumerated, yielding a total of 1,020 individuals of ≥ 137 species and 18 families. The total number of Lepidoptera captured in May and June was fewer than in July and August (P ≤ 0.05). The composition of the assemblage varied between collection sites as well as seasonally; 85 species were identified at the deciduous site and 107 species were identified at the hemlock site. While 27 species were recorded only at the deciduous site, 49 species were unique to the hemlock site. Of those unique to the hemlock site, five species were either detritivores or conifer specialists. These data demonstrate the importance of both deciduous and hemlock-dominated forest habitats for many species of Lepidoptera in Appalachia. Our study forms a foundation for understanding species richness patterns of Lepidoptera in hemlock forests in North America and is a useful baseline for comparisons of richness and diversity post invasion by the hemlock woolly adelgid

Wolbachia and DNA barcoding insects: patterns, potential and problems

Wolbachia is a genus of bacterial endosymbionts that impacts the breeding systems of their hosts. Wolbachia can confuse the patterns of mitochondrial variation, including DNA barcodes, because it influences the pathways through which mitochondria are inherited. We examined the extent to which these endosymbionts are detected in routine DNA barcoding, assessed their impact upon the insect sequence divergence and identification accuracy, and considered the variation present in Wolbachia COI. Using both standard PCR assays (Wolbachia surface coding protein – wsp), and bacterial COI fragments we found evidence of Wolbachia in insect total genomic extracts created for DNA barcoding library construction. When >2 million insect COI trace files were examined on the Barcode of Life Datasystem (BOLD) Wolbachia COI was present in 0.16% of the cases. It is possible to generate Wolbachia COI using standard insect primers; however, that amplicon was never confused with the COI of the host. Wolbachia alleles recovered were predominantly Supergroup A and were broadly distributed geographically and phylogenetically. We conclude that the presence of the Wolbachia DNA in total genomic extracts made from insects is unlikely to compromise the accuracy of the DNA barcode library; in fact, the ability to query this DNA library (the database and the extracts) for endosymbionts is one of the ancillary benefits of such a large scale endeavor – for which we provide several examples. It is our conclusion that regular assays for Wolbachia presence and type can, and should, be adopted by large scale insect barcoding initiatives. While COI is one of the five multi-locus sequence typing (MLST) genes used for categorizing Wolbachia, there is limited overlap with the eukaryotic DNA barcode region