DESCRIPTION OF THE IMMATURE STAGES OF THREE SPECIES OF EULEPIDOTIS GUENEE (LEPIDOPTERA : NOCTUIDAE) WITH NOTES ON THEIR NATURAL HISTORY

12 Pages·1999·4.9 MB·

by  M G Pogue

PROC. ENTOMOL. SOC. WASH.
101(2), 1999, pp. 300-311
DESCRIPTION OF THE IMMATURE STAGES OF THREE SPECIES OF
EULEPIDOTIS GUENEE (LEPIDOPTERA: NOCTUIDAE) WITH
NOTES ON THEIR NATURAL HISTORY
Michael G. Pogue and Annette Aiello
(MGP) Systematic Entomology Laboratory, PSI, Agricultural Research Service, U.S.
Department of Agriculture, % National Museum of Natural History, Washington, DC
20560-0168, U.S.A. (e-mail: [email protected]); (AA) Smithsonian Tropical Re-
search Institute, P.O. Box 2072, Balboa, Ancon, Republic of Panama (e-mail:
[email protected])
—
Abstract. Larvae and pupae of the genus Eiilepidotis Hiibner are described for the
first time. The species are E. merricki (Holland), E. juncida (Guenee), and E. superior
(Guenee), all of Neotropical distribution. The larval host of E. merricki is Spanish-lime,
Melicocciis bijiigatus Jacq. (Sapindaceae), which is cultivated as an ornamental and fruit
tree throughout the Caribbean. Larvae of E. juncida were reared from Ingafagifolia (L.)
Willd. ex Benth. (= Inga laurina (Sw.) Willd.) (Mimosaceae). Larvae off. superiorwere
defoliating Quararibea asterolepis Pitt. (Bombacaceae).
Key Words: Melicoccus, Sapindaceae, Inga, Mimosaceae, Quararibea, Bombacaceae,
host plants. Neotropical, Panama, Puerto Rico
Larvae oftropical Lepidoptera are poorly salpiniaceae) on Maraca Island, Roraima,
known, and unless reared to adults, they are Brazil. Unfortunately no larvae from the
virtually impossible to identify specifically. latter study were preserved.
We describe for the first time the immature Larvae, pupae, and adults of E. merricki
stages of Eulepidotis Hiibner, a large genus were sent to one of us (MGP) by Lionel-
belonging to the subfamily Catocalinae, Pagan, U.S.D.A., Animal and Plant Health
that is mainly of Neotropical affinity and Inspection Service, Plant Protection and
which comprises 105 species, 3 of which Quarantine, San Juan, Puerto Rico, for
occur in North America (Poole 1989, Poole identification. The larvae were defoliating
and Gentili 1996). The immature stages of Spanish-lime, Melicoccus bijugatus Jacq.
E. merricki (Holland), E. juncida (Guenee), (Sapindaceae), a tree used for fruit and as
and E. superior (Guenee) were studied. ornamental purposes in the Caribbean.
There have been two reports of Eulepi- Spanish-lime is native to continental tropi-
dotis larvae defoliating tropical trees. Wong cal America from Nicaragua to Surinam
et al. (1990) reported larvae of E. superior and is planted widely and becoming natu-
defoliating Quararibea asterolepis Pitt. ralized in the Caribbean (Adams 1972,
(Bombacaceae) on Barro Colorado Island, Proctor 1984).
Panama. Nascimento and Proctor (1994) re- One of us (AA) reared the immature
ported that larvae of E. phrygionia Hamp- stages of E. juncida and E. superior. The
son were defoliating a monodominant rain- host of E. juncida was Inga fagifolia (L.)
forest of Peltogyne gracilipes Ducke (Cae- Willd. ex Benth. (= Ingalaurina (Sw.)
—
.
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101, 2 301
**^*^^*m-F*i
,v.^.
Figs. 1-3. Larval habitus. 1, Eiilepidotis merricki. 2. E.juncida. 3, E. superior.
Willd.) (Mimosaceae). The host of Eulepi- Three larvae and 10 pupae off. superior
dotis superior is Quararibea asterolepis were obtained and designated as Aiello Lot
Pitt (Bombacaceae). 85-19. The larvae were preserved in 80%
ethanol, and seven adults with associated
Methods and Materials
pupal skins were reared and are in the col-
Twenty-two larvae of E. juncida were lection of the Smithsonian Tropical Re-
collected and designated as Aiello Lot 80- search Institute, Republic of Panama.
003. Fifteen of the larvae were preserved
in 80% ethanol. Seven were placed in a cy- Key to Known Eulepidotis Larvae
lindrical rearing cage along with both old
and young foliage. The cage was construct- 1 Head dark brown to black, reticulate pattern
ed from petri dishes and aluminum window reduced;—mid-d—orsal stripe black, solid (Fig. 1);
screen with a circle of paper towel on the setae AI A2 A3 form an acute angle (Fig.
floor and measured 10 cm tall by 9 cm in 5) E. merricki (Holland)
- Head brown, reticulate pattern covers most of
diameter. To maintain and regulate humid-
ity, a damp, folded strip ofpaper towel was htaeeadA;lmidA-d2o—rsaAl3stfroirpembarnokoebntu(sFeigasn.gl2-e3)(;Figsse.-
placed on the cage cover, and the entire as- 12-19) 2
sembly was kept inside a clear plastic 2. Head with reticulate pattern restrictedto lateral
ZipLoc® bag. After pupation the pupae area; dorsolateral markings on abdomen in
were placed into separately numbered cages pairs (Fig. 2); labrum with one pairofsetae on
to await eclosion. Fifteen larvae, one pupa, lateral margin (Fig. 14) .... E. juncida (Guenee)
and four adults with associated pupal skins - Head uniformly covered with a reticulate pat-
tern; abdominal segments with single large
are in the collection of the National Muse-
um of Natural History, Smithsonian Insti- odofrssaeltamearokninlgatser(aFlig.ma3r);gilnab(rFuimg.wi2t1h)twopairs
tution, Washington, D.C. E. superior (Guenee)
— —
302 PROCEEDINGS OF THE ENTOMOLOGICAL SOCIETY OF WASHINGTON
Key TO Known Eulepidotis Pupae Pupa
—
1. Length less than 12 mm; labial palpus disjunct Diagnosis. Labial palpi present, contin-
(Fig. 30) E. jitncida (Guenee) uous; profemur absent.
—
- Length greater than 13 mm; labial palpus con- Description. Male (Figs. 25-27).-
tinuous (Figs. 25 and 34) 2 Length 15.8 ± 1.04 mm (range, 15.0-17.0
2. Profemur absent (Fig. 25) E. merricki (Holland) mm) (n = 3). Labial palpi present, contin-
- Profemur present (Fig. 34) uous. Profemur absent. Mesothoracic leg-
E. superior (Guenee) reaching eye. Wings do not extend beyond
caudal margin of segment 4. Segments 1-3
Eulepidotis merricki (Holland) and 8 with shallow circular pits on dorsum;
(Figs. 1, 4-10, 25-29) segments 4-7 with shallow circular pits in
Larva a dense band extending about Va width of
—
Diagnosis. Dorsal black stripe from segment caudally and completely encircling
pronotum to transverse stripe on segment 8 segments 5-7; segment 9 smooth. Genital
and extending beyond band to segment 9. opening on a circular plate. Anal opening
Head black to dark brown, without reticu- below genital opening. Cremaster consist-
ing ofa large median pair ofslightly curved
late pattern.
Description. Head (Figs. 5-10): Width hooks and 3 pairs of small hooks, 1 pair
of head capsule 1.8 ± .06 mm (range, 1.8- located mediodorsally, 2 pairs located lat-
1.9 mm) (n = 5). Black to dark brown; ec- erally (Fig. 27).
dysial line, epicranial suture, and posterior Female (Figs. 28-29): Similar to male
mm
margin of head to stemmatal area cream. except: length 15.2 ± 0.35 (range,
Prothoracic shield dark brown; medial 15.0-15.5 mm) (n = 2). Genital opening at
patch dark brown withthin cream stripe; caudal border of segment 8, dividing seg-
dorsolateral band cream; lateral edges dark ment 8 ventrally. Anal opening well caudad
brown. Labrum medially cleft; 3 pairs of of genital opening.
dorsal setae forming an oblique line medi- Host. Melicoccus bijugatus Jacq.; Fam-
ally (Fig. 7); 3 pairs of ventral epipharyn- ily Sapindaceae; common names: Spanish-
geal setae (Fig. 8). Mandible with 3 distinct lime, genip, honeyberry, mamoncillo, que-
broad teeth; oral surface with broad molar- nette, Quenepa, Ho—ngibeere.
bearing process (Fig. 10). Natural history. The only information
Thorax: Dorsal stripe black; dorsolateral known is that thousands of larvae were de-
band cream; lateral band broad, black, di- foliating the host plant (Lionel Pagan, per-
vided by a series of cream spots, extending sonal communic—ation).
to just below setae LI and L3. Legs dark Discussion. The adult of E. merricki
brown. Underside dark brown to metatho- most closely resembles Eulepidotis carcis-
racic legs, caudal halfofmesothorax cream; tola Hampson and E. fumata (Felder and
VI setae surrounded by dark brown spot. Rogenhofer). In E. merricki the prothorax
Abdomen (Fig. 1): Dorsal stripe black to and tegula have a black stripe; this is absent
broad transverse band on segment 8 and ex- in E. carcistola and E.fumata. An elongate
tends between segments 8 and 9; dorsolat- white spot at the base of median line ofthe
eral band cream; lateral stripe black; lower forewing is larger and more distinct in E.
lateral stripe with irregular margins, cream; carcistola than in E. merricki and E. fu-
spiracular stripe black with irregular mar- mata. The forewing lines in E. fumata are
gins and not enclosing spiracle; below spi- very faint compared with the bold distinct
racles and venter cream. Prolegs cream; lines in E. merricki.
plantae black; crochets in an uniordinal me- Eulepidotis merricki was described from
soseries. Segments 1 and 2 with 3 SV setae. a specimen collected flying around low
VOLUME NUMBER
101. 2 303
Figs. 4-10. Eidepidotis merricki larva. 4, Setal map. 5, Head. 6, Head, lateral view (scale = 0.5 mm). 7,
Labrum, dorsal view. 8, Labrum, ventral view. 9, Mandible, dorsal view. 10, Mandible, ventral view (scale =
0.1 mm).
304 PROCEEDINGS OF THE ENTOMOLOGICAL SOCIETY OF WASHINGTON
T2-3 A1-2 A3-6
11
12
^^
15 17
Figs. 11-17. Eiilepiilotisjimciila larva. 11, Setal map. 12, Head. 13, Head, lateral view (scale = 0.5 mm).
14, Labrum, dorsal view. 15. Labriim. ventral view. 16, Mandible, dorsal view. 17, Mandible, ventral view(scale
= 0.1 mm).
herbage outside New Brighton, Pennsylva- onym of Palindia fumata Felder and Ro-
nia, on August 5, 1900. Holland (1902) in genhofer (= E. fumata). The point is that
the original description stated that it is very E. merricki is not a Nearctic species but a
close io Palindia mabis GxxenQQ {= E. jun- Neotropical one, and that H. D. Merrick
cida (Guenee)) which he confused as a syn- just happened to collect a specimen that
— — —
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101, 2 305
was somehow imported from the Neotrop- consisting of irregular spots and stripes that
ics, possibly on tropical fruits. There are no are more or less contiguous to segment 6,
other specimens of E. merricki from the line not contiguous to absent on segments
Nearctic in the National Museum, Washing- 7 to 9; spiracular band brown, broad, ex-
ton, D.C., or The Natural History Museum, tending below LI seta; below LI seta and
London, collections. In Franclemont and venter cream. Prolegs cream to brown lat-
Todd (1983) E. merricki is noted as being erally; plantae cream; crochets in an unior-
of questionable occurrence in America dinal mesoseries. Segments 1 and 2 with 3
north of Mexico. SV setae.
Eiilepidotis merricki has a Caribbean dis-
Pupa
tribution, having been collected from Ja- —
mm
maica, Cuba, and Puerto Rico. Diagnosis. Small, less than 12
long. Labial palpi present, but disjunct. Pro-
Eulepidotisjimcida (Guenee)
femur present.
(Figs. 2, 11-17, 30-33) Description. Male (Figs. 30-33):
— Larva Length 9.3 ± 0.40 (range, 8.9-9.7 mm) (n
Diagnosis. Head brown with reticulate = 3). Labial palpi present, disjunct. Profe-
pattern restricted to lateral area. Dorsum of mur present. Mesothoracic leg reaching
abdomen with pair of dorsolateral brown eye. Wings do not extend beyond caudal
patches encompassing setae Dl and D2. margin of segment 4. Segments 1-3 and 8
Description. Head (Figs. 12-17): dorsum with shallow circular pits; segments
Width of head capsule for three instars as 4-7 with shallow circular pits in a dense
follows: 1.2 mm (n = 1); 1.8 ± .03 mm band extending about Va width of segment
(range, 1.7-1.8 mm) (n = 7); 2.0 ± .05 mm caudally and completely encircling seg-
(range, 2.0-2.1 mm) (n = 7). Brown with ments 5-7; segment 9 smooth. Genital
lateral reticulate pattern; adfrontal area opening on a circular plate. Anal opening
from ecdysial line tojust beyond setae AFl caudad of genital opening. Cremaster con-
cream; setae PI and P2 with cream pina- sisting of a large median pair of curved
cula. Labrum medially cleft; 3 pairs ofdor- hooks and 3 pairs of small hooks, 1 pair
sal setae with second pairbelow other pairs; located mediodorsally, 2 pairs located lat-
3 pairs of ventral epipharyngeal setae (Fig. erally (Figs. 32-33).
15). Mandible with 2 distinct broad teeth, 1 Female (Fig. 33): Similar to male except:
smaller tooth mostly obscured from dorsal length 9.4 ± 0.99 mm (range, 15.0-17.0
view; oral surface with a broad molar-bear- mm) (n = 2). Genital opening at caudal
ing process with small pointed processes on border of segment 8, dividing segment 8
either side (Fig. 17). ventrally. Anal opening well caudad ofgen-
Thorax: Prothoracic shield brown; dorso- ital opening.
lateral band cream; small cream patch be- Host. Inga fagifolia (L.) Willd. ex
tween D2 and XD2. Dorsal stripe or patch Benth. (= Inga laurina (Sw.) Willd.); fam-
on segment 2 brown, on segment 3 cream; ily Mimosaceae. —
dorsolateral band cream; lateral band broad, Natural history. On March 5, 1980, an
brown, interrupted by several cream spots, outbreak of larvae occuned on Barro Col-
extending to just below setae LI and L3. orado Island, Republic of Panama, near the
Legs brown. Underside mostly cream, 900 meter mark on Thomas Barbour Trail
brown shading between coxae and encom- on the central plateau of the island. Larvae
passing VI setae. were so abundant that the rainlike sound of
Abdomen (Fig. 2): Dorsum with pair of their fecula landing on the leaf litter could
dorsolateral brown patches encompassing be heard many meters away.
setae Dl and D2; lower lateral stripe cream, Although the majority were in the cano-
306 PROCEEDINGS OF THE ENTOMOLOGICAL SOCIETY OF WASHINGTON
SDl\^
—
VOLUME NUMBER
101, 2 307
py, larvae fed at various levels in the tree Description.—//eo^ (Figs. 19-24):
eating only young leaves. They dropped on Width of head capsule for two instars as
silk lines to the forest floor and surrounding follows: 1.9 mm (n = 1); 2.6 mm (n = 2).
vegetation to molt. Molting took place un- Brown with cream reticulated pattern. La-
der a sheet of silk across a leaf. Larvae brum cream, medially cleft; 3 pairs of dor-
walked by "looping," as do geometrids, but sal setae forming a straight line medially; 2
they have the full complement of five pairs pairs of small setae along lateral edge; 3
of prolegs. pairs of ventral epipharyngeal setae (Fig.
Some larvae dropped, presumably in re- 22). Mandible with 2 outer setae; cutting
sponse to some perceived danger, and be- surface with 3 indistinct teeth; oral surface
gan reascending almost immediately. They with broad molar-bearing process (Fig. 24).
progressed slowly by gathering the silk line Thorax: Prothoracic shield brown; mid-
into a ball using their thoracic legs. Upon dorsal stripe faint, cream; lateral stripe
completion of their journey, they aban- wide, cream; marked with various spots and
doned the ball of silk. patches of cream. Cream dorsally with a
Seven larvae were brought into the lab- few faint mid-dorsal patches ofbrown. Pro-
oratory on March 5; one died on March 7. thorax with SD and L setal groups on
The remaining six molted on March 9, and brown pinacula. Thoracic segments 2 and 3
late on March 10 began preparing pupation with seta SDl and setae LI and L3 on
chambers of fecula and intact leaves on the brown pinacula. Legs cream. Underside
cage floor. Five pupated on March 1 1, and cream.
the sixth larva failed to pupate and died on Abdomen (Fig. 3): Mid-dorsal quadrate
March 12. Two adults eclosed during the marks light brown, less distinct on seg-
night of March 19-20, and two more ments 4-6 and 9; dorsolateral band cream;
eclosed during the night of March 20-21. lateral band broad, brown, broken by series
The fifth pupa died and was preserved. Pu- ofcream spots along dorsal margin; distinct
pal duration was 9 days for females and 10 cream spots slightly dorsal and posterior to
days for males—. spiracles. Dl seta inside, D2 seta outside
Discussion. In the adult stage, E. jiinci- dorsal patch. Segments 1 and 2 with SDl,
da is similar to E. juliata (Stoll). In E. jim- LI, and L3 on brown pinacula. Segments
cida the median brownish-yellow stripe ex- 3-6 and 8 with SDl and L group setae on
tends from the costa to the inner margin of brown pinacula. Prolegs cream; crochets in
forewing, in contrast to E. jimcida, which an uniordinal mesoseries. Segments 1 and
has a more whitish-yellow median stripe that 2 with 2 SV setae, SVl represented by a
does not extend to the inner margin. sclerotized ring near SV3.
Eulepidotis jimcida has a wide distribu-
Pupa
tion from Mexico to Panama in Central —
America and from Guyana, Venezuela, and Diagnosis. Labial palpus present, con-
Colombia to Bolivia in South America. Eu- tinuous; profemur present.
lepidotisjuliata is known, so far, only from Description. Male (Figs. 34-36).-
mm
Guyana, Venezuela, and Bolivia. Length 15.8 ± 1.04 (range, 15.6-19.6
mm) (n = 4). Labial palpi present, elongate,
Eulepidotis superior (Guenee)
continuous. Profemur present. Mesothorac-
(Figs. 3, 18-24, 34-37) ic leg reaching eye. Wings do not extend
Larva
— beyond caudal margin of segment 4. Seg-
Diagnosis. Reticulated pattern covering ments 1-3 and 8 with shallow circular pits
entire head. A single large mid-dorsal light on dorsum; segments 4-7 with shallow cir-
brown (in alcohol specimens) mark on all cular pits in a dense band extending about
abdominal segments. Va width of segment caudally and complete-
PROCEEDINGS OF THE ENTOMOLOGICAL SOCIETY OF WASHINGTON
308
27 28 29
v(esncFatilrgeasl=v^i05e.-w5^o9mfmt)e.rEmiAidbnebaprliedsvoeitagitmsieonmntessr:r.i2acn8kt.i9=paunvpetane.tnrn2aa5l.;via3eowv=eonftarntaaellrmvoiipneeawln.isneg2g6;m.egno6ts=d.org2se9an.liDtaovlriseoawple(vnsimcegawl;eoIt=p^-e1n.ml0anbmailmal)s.peagl2pm7ie,.n1S1s
= prothoracic leg; 12 = mesothoracic leg; mx == maxilla.
VOLUME 101, NUMBER 2 309
32
Figs. 30-33. Eiilepidotis jiuicida pupa. 30. S ventral view. 31. d dorsal view (scale = 1.0 mm). 32. S
ventral view of terminal segments. 33, 9 ventral view of terminal segments (scale = 0.5 mm). Abbreviations:
fl = femur of prothoracic leg; Ip = labial palpi.