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Type: Articles
Published: 2012-12-12
Page range: 1–16
Abstract views: 32
PDF downloaded: 22

A new species of Phyllocnistis Zeller (Lepidoptera: Gracillariidae) from southern Brazil, with life-history description and genetic comparison to congeneric species

PPG Biologia Animal, Departamento de Zoologia, Instituto de Biociências, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Av. Bento Gonçalves 9500, Porto Alegre RS, 91501-970, Brazil
Departamento de Genética, Instituto de Biociências, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Av. Bento Gonçalves, 9500. Porto Alegre, RS 91501-970, Brazil
Departamento de Recursos Ambientales, Facultad de Ciencias Agronómicas, Universidad de Tarapacá, Casilla 6-D, Arica, Chile
Departamento de Zoologia, Instituto de Biociências, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Av. Bento Gonçalves 9500, Porto Alegre RS, 91501-970, Brazil
Lepidoptera leaf-mining moths gracillariids Neotropical region hypermetamorphosis passion vines

Abstract

Male, female and immature stages of Phyllocnistis tethys Moreira & Vargas sp. nov. (Lepidoptera; Gracillariidae) from the Atlantic Rain Forest, coastal mountains of southern Brazil, are described and illustrated, using both optical and scanning electron microscopy. A preliminary analysis of mitochondrial (COI) DNA sequences including putative members of congeneric species is also provided. The immature stages are associated with the passion vine Passiflora organensis (Passifloraceae). The hypermetamorphic, endophyllous larva has four instars; the first, second and third instars are sap-feeders, associated primarily with the spongy parenchyma, and construct a blotch mine in the lower surface of the lamina; the fourth, non-feeding (spinning) instar constructs a flimsy endophyllous cocoon at the end of the mine, where pupation occurs. This is the first species of Phyllocnistis Zeller described from Brazil, and the first leaf-mining gracillariid associated with Passifloraceae.

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