Skip to main content Skip to main navigation menu Skip to site footer
Type: Article
Published: 2003-06-30
Page range: 1–16
Abstract views: 35
PDF downloaded: 3

Morphology and behaviour of the larva of Calindoea trifascialis (Lepidoptera: Thyrididae), a chemically-defended retreat-building caterpillar from Vietnam

Centre for Biodiversity and Conservation Biology, Royal Ontario Museum, 100 Queen's Park, Toronto, Ontario Canada, M5S 2C6 and Department of Zoology, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada, M5S 1A1, Canada
Lepidoptera abdominal protuberances allomones exocrine glands defense Dipterocarpaceae weaver ants Vietnam Australia

Abstract

The final- instar larva of Calindoea trifascialis is described and illustrated for the first time, including chaetotaxy. All instars have paired fleshy lateral protuberances associated with large exocrine glands on the first abdominal segment. When disturbed, the larvae secrete defensive allomones that deter ants. The larvae construct tent-like feeding retreats and skeletonize the leaves of Dipterocarpus tuberculatus while concealed within the retreat; retreats of increasing size are constructed throughout larval development. When feeding is completed, the final-instar larva constructs a pupation retreat. This leaf roll falls from the plant and is capable of movement prior to pupation. The morphology and larval retreats of an unidentified species of thyridid from Queensland, Australia are also illustrated and discussed in the context of the new information concerning C. trifascialis.

References

  1. Ashton, P.S. (1982) Dipterocarpaceae. In: Flora Malesiana, Series I - Spermatophyta (Flowering Plants), Vol. 9(2). Martinus Nijhoff, The Hague, pp. 237-552.

    Common, I.F.B. (1990) Moths of Australia. Melbourne University Press, Carleton, 519 pp.

    Darling, D.C., Schroeder, F.C., Meinwald, J., Eisner, M. & Eisner, T. (2001) Production of cyanogenic secretion by a thyridid caterpillar (Calindoea trifascialis, Thyrididae, Lepidoptera). Naturwissenschaften (Berlin), 88, 306-309.

    Dugdale, J.S., Kristensen, N.P, Robinson, G.S. & Scoble, M.J. (1999) The Smaller Microlepidopteran- grade Superfamilies. In: Kristensen, N.P. (ed), Lepidoptera, Moths and Butterflies, Vol. 1: Evolution, Systematics, and Biogeography. Handbook of Zoology, 35. Walter de Gruyter, Berlin, 217-232.

    Eisner, T., Kluge, A.F., Carrel, J.C., & Meinwald, J. (1972) Defence mechanisms of Arthropods. XXXIV. Formic acid and acyclic ketones in the spray of a caterpillar. Annals of the Entomological Society of America, 65, 765-766.

    Gibbs, R.D. (1974) Chemotaxonomy of Flowering Plants. Volume III, Orders. McGill-Queen’s University Press, Montreal. 698 pp.

    Hasenfuss, I. (1979) Zur evolutionsbiologie der Larven der Thyrididae (Lepidoptera). Zoologishe Bietrage (Bonn), 30, 195-203.

    Hasenfuss, I. (1980) Die Präimaginalstadien von Thyris fenestrella Scopoli (Thyrididae, Lepidoptera). Zoologishe Bietrage (Bonn), 31, 168-190.

    Laurie,.A., Duc, H.A. & Anh, P.T. (1989) Survey for kouprey (Bos sauveli) in Western Daklak Province, Vietnam. The Kouprey Conservation Trust. Unpublished. 34 pp. Original not seen, but available from http://www.wcmc.org.uk/infoserv/countryp/vietnam/app7new.html#YOK DON (accessed October 8, 2001)

    Li, K.H.K. (1996) Ecological notes on Hong Kong Thyrididae (Lepidoptera) including the immature stages of eight species. Transactions of the Lepidopterological Society of Japan, 47, 125- 143.

    Neunzig, H.H. (1987) Thyrididae (Pyraloidea), In: Stehr, F.W. (ed.), Immature Insects [1],. Kendall/ Hunt Publishers, Debuque, pp. 495-496.

    Robinson, G.S., Tuck, K.R. & Shaffer, M. (1994) A Field Guide to the Smaller Moths of South- East Asia. Natural History Museum, London, 311 pp.

    Sagers, C.L. (1992) Manipulation of host plant quality: herbivores keep leaves in the dark. Functional Ecology, 6,741-743.

    Sandberg, S.L. & Berenbaum, M.R. (1989) Leaf-tying by tortricid larvae as an adaptation for feeding on phototoxic Hypericum perforatum. Journal of Chemical Ecology, 15, 875-885.

    Scoble, M. J. (1995) The Lepidoptera: Form, Function and Diversity. Oxford University Press, Oxford, 404 pp.

    Shaffer, M., & Nielsen, E.S. (1996) Thyrididae. In: Nielsen, E.S., Edwards, E.D. & Rangsi R.V. (eds), Checklist of the Lepidoptera of Australia. CSIRO, Canberra, pp. 161-163.

    Thiele, J.H.R. (1986) Die Gattung Thyris Hoffmannsegg, 1803. Über die Ergebnisse der Untersuchungen fžr eine Monographie (Lep., Thyridae). Atalantia (Mžnchen), 17, 105-146.

    Thiele, J.H.R. (1997) Anmerkungen zur Biologie und Verbreitung von Pseudothyris sepulchralis (Lepidoptera: Thyrididae). Holarctic Lepidoptera, 4, 55-58.

    Weatherston, I, MacDonald, J.A., Miller, D., Riere, G., Percy-Cunningham, J.E. & Benn, M.H. (1986) Ultrastructure of exocrine prothoracic gland of Datana ministra (Drury) (Lepidoptera: Notodontidae) and the nature of its secretion. Journal of Chemical Ecology, 12, 2039-2050.

    Weatherston, I, Percy, J.E., MacDonald, L.M. & MacDonald, J.A. (1979) Morphology of the prothoracic defense gland of Schizura concinna (J.E. Smith) (Lepidoptera: Notodontidae) and the nature of its secretion. Journal of Chemical Ecology, 5, 165-177.

    Whalley, P.E.S. (1976) Tropical Leaf Moths: A Monograph of the Subfamily Striglininae (Lepidoptera: Thryrididae). British Museum of Natural History, London. 192 pp.