Homaledra octagonella (Walsingham)

Hayden, James E., 2021, Two new species of palm-leaf skeletonizers (Lepidoptera: Pterolonchidae: Homaledra Busck), Insecta Mundi 2021 (859), pp. 1-24 : 19

Homaledra octagonella (Walsingham)

( Fig. 49 )

Material examined. USA: Florida: Alachua Co. : 1 larva: Gainesville, 2832 NW 41 st Place , 3-XI-2020, J. Hayden ; Indian River Co.: 1♂: Vero Beach, SE 9 St. FMEL impoundment, 27.58701, −80.36875, 18-V-2012, UV, J.E. Hayden ; Marion Co.: 1♂: Santos, MV light, 3-IV-1991, J.S. Kutis ; 1♂: Santos, CR 328, 1 mi. E. of CR 475, MVL, 16-III-1991, J.S. Kutis, MGCL slide 4543 ; Putnam Co.: 1♂: Welaka For. Cons. Sta., Site 4, live oak xeric hammock, 17–21-III-1986, J.B. Heppner, MGCL slide 4542 ; 1♂: same data except 28–31-VII-1986 ; 1♂: Palatka, at MV/UV light, 28-III-1991, H.D. Baggett; Volusia Co.: 1♂: Blue Spring State Park , 31-III-1983, L.C. Dow .

Remarks. The general characters of the single available larva are consistent with most other Homaledra species : a submental pit is present, the V setae on T1–T3 are medioposterior of the close-set coxae, the A1 SD1 seta is hairlike (being short and curved), and the A9 D1 seta is anterior of D2. The larva bears a straight case with octagonal cross-section that appears to be made of frass pellets.

Figures

Figures 48–58. Habitus of other Homaledra species and larval damage. 48) Homaledra heptathalama male (FL, Levy Co., FSCA). 49) H. octagonella male (FL, Putnam Co., FSCA). 50) Damage of H. sabalella on date palm (Phoenix sp.) (FL, Collier Co.). 51) Damage of H. sabalella on Serenoa repens (FL, Lake Co.), with broad frass tunnel. 52) Damage of H. sabalella on Serenoa repens (FL, Levy Co.), dense leaf-tying silk indicated. 53) Damage of H. howardi on Cocos nucifera (FL, Miami-Dade Co.). 54) Detail of same with larva indicated. 55) H. howardi on Livistona chinensis, showing damage on a broad-leaved palm (FL, Miami-Dade Co.). 56) Damage of H. knudsoni on Sabal palmetto (FL, Alachua Co., Gainesville). 57) Same (FL, Alachua Co., Micanopy). 58) Active leading end of frass tunnel (indicated) of H. knudsoni (FL, Alachua Co., Gainesville). Scales = 5 mm.