Descriptions of five morphologically and genetically confirmed new species of the Coleophora poecilella Walsingham, 1907 species group (Lepidoptera, Coleophoridae) from the Palearctic Region

Five new Coleophora species belonging to the C. poecilella species group are described: C. mirleftensis Tabell, sp. nov. from Morocco, C. embaensis Tabell, sp. nov. and C. charynensis Tabell, sp. nov. from Kazakhstan, C. nupponeni Tabell, sp. nov. from Kazakhstan and Tajikistan, and C. tugaicola Tabell, sp. nov. from Tajikistan. The male genitalia of C. hypomona (Falkovitsh, 1979) and the female genitalia of C. trichopterella Baldizzone, 1985 are illustrated for the first time. DNA barcodes are provided for each species, with a comparison to the genetically most similar species.Peer reviewe

Description of the female of Elachista leifi (Lepidoptera: Elachistidae)

The female of Elachista leifi Kaila & Kerppola is described based on two females collected in northern Finland. In addition to the larger size; the almost black ground colour, the small light area at fringe at the tip of the forewing and the bluish lustre on the underside of the thorax are the best diagnostic characters. The female genitalia of the species can be separated from those of other closely related species, except E. kilmunella, by the shape of antrum, the teeth of ductus bursae and the size and shape of signum. We did not find any reliable differences in female genitalia between E. kilmunella and E. leifi, due to variation in the characteristics of E. kilmunella

Insects inhabiting two old-growth forest polypore species

This paper describes insect communities inhabiting two old-growth forest polypores Amylocystis lapponica and Fomitopsis rosea (Polyporaceae). Basidiocarps of both species were collected from old-growth forests in southern and eastern Finland and Russia. Samples of A. lapponica and F. rosea basidiocarps revealed insect communities of more than 50 species each, including many rare old-growth forest species. Here we report the rearing results and discuss the biology of the beetle Hallomenus sp. (Melandryidae) inhabiting A. lapponica and the beetle Cis dentatus (Cisidae), the moth Agnathosia mendicella (Tineidae) and the fly Elfia cingulata (Tachinidae) inhabiting F. rosea. Distribution maps of C. dentatus and A. mendicella in Finland are given

The ecology and biology of Coleophora boreella Benander, 1939 (Lepidoptera: Coleophoridae)

The ecology and biology of Coleophora boreella Benander, 1939 are described. In Hailuoto, northern Finland, the food plant is Sagina nodosa (L.) Fenzl (Caryophyllaceae). The larva mines and feeds externally on the leaves and also feeds on seeds. The larval case is described and the taxonomic status of C. sternipennella group is briefly discussed

Genomic evidence suggests Mesapamea remmi is an imaginary species (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae)

Taxonomic status of the noctuid moth Mesapamea remmi Rezbanyai-Reser (Lepidoptera) has remained controversial since its description in 1985. Based on morphology, it has been considered a valid species or a hybrid between Mesapamea secalis (Linnaeus) and Mesapamea didyma (Esper). We studied this case of uncertain identity by using traditional Sanger sequencing techniques (COI and seven nuclear genes) as well as double digest restriction-site associated DNA (ddRAD) sequencing, which resulted in analyses including 9402 loci and 1 512 976 bp across the genome. Our analyses showed that genomic data do not support the hybrid hypothesis and that M. remmi is not separated genetically from M. secalis; both are clearly distinct from M. didyma. Reproductive organs of M. remmi males are unique and diagnosable, whereas females are teratological in the sense that ductus seminalis is missing and corpus bursae is malformed, the latter being connected directly to the ovipore. These data support the view that M. remmi is not a valid species and we consider M. remmi Rezbanyai-Reser, 1985 to be a junior synonym of M. secalis (Linnaeus, 1758). We demonstrate that genomic approaches provide an efficient way to address various difficult and long-standing taxonomic issues, in this case oversplitting of species.Peer reviewe

Description of immature stages of Nemophora bellela (Walker, 1863) (Lepidoptera: Adelidae)

Little life history data is available on the larvae of Adelidae (Lepidoptera, Adeloidea). We provide information on the life history of Nemophora bellela (Walker, 1863), a circumpolar adelid species occurring in northern Europe on peat bogs and open tundra with Betula nana. The habitat is described and details of the larval behavior and larval diet are provided. The later instar larvae are case dwelling and feed on the ground on detritus. The larval case and chaetotaxy are described in detail. The female pupal exuviae is described. Our observations on the life history of N. bellela are in general agreement with the known details of the life history of related species, but some differences were also observed

Characterization of Pleurotinae, with review of Pleurota species close to P. aristella (Linnaeus) from Morocco (Lepidoptera: Gelechioidea: Oecophoridae)

Morphological traits characterizing and delimiting Pleurotinae (Oecophoridae) are provided and discussed. The evidence supports the validity of the subfamily as suggested by recent molecular studies. The Pleurota aristella (Linnaeus, 1767) species group is characterized, and six new species belonging to the group from Morocco are described: Pleurota tricolor Tabell, sp. nov., P. pellicolor Tabell, sp. nov., P. lacteella Tabell, sp. nov., P. moroccoensis Tabell, sp. nov., P. ochreopalpella Tabell, sp. nov., and P. atlasensis Tabell, sp. nov. Habitus images and label data are provided for the types of P. goundafella Zerny, 1935; P. insignella Zerny, 1935; P. ochreostrigella Baker, 1885; P. macrosella Rebel, 1900; P. staintoniella Baker, 1888; P. mauretanica Baker, 1888; and P. algeriella Baker, 1885. DNA barcodes of the new species are compared with all available Pleurotinae sequences (BIN n = 117) in BOLD.Peer reviewe

Pyralis cardinalis, a charismatic new species related to P. regalis [Denis & Schiffermüller], 1775, first recognized in Finland (Lepidoptera, Pyralidae)

The informal Pyralis regalis complex, including species of the genus Pyralis Linnaeus, 1758 (Pyralidae), with a bright white or silvery pattern on the forewing, is reviewed, supplemented by observations of the externally distinguished P. perversalis (Herrich-Schaffer, 1849), which also exhibits similarities in genitalia and DNA baroodes. We describe Pyralis cardinalis Kaila, Huemer, Mutanen, Tyllinen & Wikstrom, sp. nov., based on specimens ranging from Denmark and Sweden in the West to Japan and South Korea in the East. A neotype is designated for the predominantly South European P. regalis [Denis & Schiffermuller], 1775. Lectotypes are designated for Asopia kacheticalis Christoph, 1893 and Pyralis princeps Butler, 1889. Pyralis regalis ssp. sagarrai Leraut, 2005 is considered a valid species, stat. nov.Peer reviewe

Wide-ranging barcoding aids discovery of one-third increase of species richness in presumably well-investigated moths

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