Coleophora neolycii Li, 2006

Li, Houhun, 2006, Notes on Coleophora (Lepidoptera: Coleophoridae) injurious to Lycium (Solanaceae), with descriptions of two new species from China, Zootaxa 1184 (1), pp. 57-68 : 64-67

Coleophora neolycii Li , sp. n.

( Figs. 3–4 , 11–14 , 16 )

Coleophora sp. Gao, 1999: 32 , pl. 14.

Type material

Holotype: ♂, CHINA: Yingchuan [38 27’ N, 106 16’ E], Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region , 4.vii.1988, reared from Lycium barbarum Linnaeus , genitalia slide no. L96469 . Paratypes: 1 ♀, same data as holotype, genitalia slide no. L96166 ; 1 ♂, 3 ♀, Zhongning County [37 29’ N, 105 40’ E], Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region, 25.vii.–15.viii.1961, reared from leaves and stems of Lycium barbarum Linnaeus .

Diagnosis

This species is similar to Coleophora lycii Falkovitsh and Coleophora synchrona (Falkovitsh) , but can be distinguished from them by the genital structures: in the male genitalia the costa is straight and parallel to ventral margin in the distal 2/3, the sacculus is narrower and its apex somewhat truncate, and the cornuti are in a compact bundle; in the female genitalia the spinulate section of ductus bursae has no spinules and the base of signum is larger and twice as long as the spine.

Description

Adult ( Fig. 3 ).Wing expanse: ♂ and ♀, 12.5–13.5 mm. Head: White; postocular scales ochreous brown. Labial palpus porrect, white, outer surface with longitudinal ochreous brown stripe; second segment as long as diameter of compound eye; third segment about 2/3 length of second, pointed at apex. Scales of haustellum white. Antenna with scape greyish white, anterior margin with dense rough scales; flagellum annulated with white and light brown.

Thorax: Dorsum and tegula white. Forewing with costa nearly straight; upper surface white, with sparse ochreous or brown scales; an ochreous brown spot at lower angle of cell; ventral surface greyish brown; cilia white to ochreous brown. Hindwing grey, cilia ochreous grey. Legs greyish white, with a few scattered brown scales; hind tibia with long hairs dorsally.

Abdomen ( Fig. 14 ). Greyish white; first tergum with 42 spiniform setae; setal patches of second tergum long rectangular, about three times as long as width, with 98 spiniform setae. Male genitalia ( Figs. 11–13 ) with gnathos suborbicular, basal arms broad, longer than gnathos, with several bristles. Tegumen long rectangular, lateral margin concave at middle, anterior margin slightly arched; pedunculi strongly curved, about half as long as tegumen. Transtilla long subtriangular, as long as pedunculum. Valva elongate, costa with basal 1/3 broad, distal 2/3 straight and parallel to ventral margin, apex rounded. Valvula large and broad, about 1/3 length of valva, distally rounded, with dense setae. Sacculus shorter than costa, narrow, sclerotized; ventral margin gently curved; dorsal margin nearly straight, sclerotized, with carina; distal portion gradually narrowed, apex blunt, somewhat truncate, extending to middle of valva. Juxta narrow, elongate, curved, apex acuminate; juxtal rods sclerotized, slender, of equal length, arched; annulus narrow, indistinct; lamina broad, long, sclerotized; cornuti 15, compacted into a slender bundle. Female genitalia ( Fig. 16 ) with papillae anales short and broad, with short setae. Posterior apophyses three times length of anterior apophyses. Sterigma subtrapezoidal, caudally margined with stiff setae; caudal margin of tergum rounded, medially slightly emarginate; caudal margin of sternum straight, inwardly oblique, median portion deeply cut to ostium bursae; anterior margin straight. Ostium bursae situated near posterior margin of sterigma, rounded, about 1/6 width of sterigma. Colliculum sclerotized, extending to anterior margin of sterigma. Ductus bursae very long, about seven times length of sterigma, coiled at middle; spinulate section without distinct spinules; median lamina strongly sclerotized, about four times length of sterigma; median portion with loose coils. Corpus bursae oval, relatively small, longer than sterigma; signum larger, rhomboidal; spine about half length of base; base broad, with a strongly sclerotized longitudinal carina connected to spine.

Larva and larval case ( Fig. 4 ). Last instar about 6.5 mm in length. Head pale brown to dark brown. Body yellowish white to yellow, slightly tinged with brown; prothoracic plate brown; mesothoracic plate sometimes with sclerotized trapezoidal black region; thoracic legs pale yellow; anal plate black, medially with a pair of shining dots. Larval case 9.5–11.0 mm in length, dark brown, of the tubular­silk type, fishlike, widest in middle,

with five sections, straight or slightly arched, anal opening compressed, oral opening angled from 20–30º to long axis.

Biology

Larvae fed in leaves or stems of Lycium barbarum , primarily mining leaves from the underside. The number of generations per year is unknown. The first generation begins feeding in the middle of May and causes severe damage from the middle of June to early July. Different instars overwinter in cases attached to branches or axillary buds. Pupation takes place from the middle of April to early May within the larval case that is attached to a stem with silk after the final instar turns around to face the anal opening of the case. The pupa is about 5.5 mm in length and yellowish brown. Adults emerged from the anal opening in May.

Distribution China: Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region.

Etymology

The specific name is derived from the Greek prefix neo­ = new, and the specific name lycii , in reference to its relationship with Coleophora lycii Falkovitsh.

Remarks

Gao (1999) recorded this species as Coleophora sp. from the type locality of Yinchuan City and Zhongning County of Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region , an important agricultural area producing dry berries of the barbary wolfberry .

Figures

FIGURES 1–4. Adults and larval case. 1, Coleophora mosasaurus (Falkovitsh); 2, Coleophora ningxiana sp. n.; 3, Coleophora neolycii sp. n.; 4, larval case of Coleophora neolycii sp. n.

FIGURES 11–14. Coleophora neolycii sp. n. 11, male genitalia (gen slide no. L96469); 12, valva and sacculus enlarged; 13, cornuti enlarged; 14, abdomen.

FIGURES 15–16. Female genitalia. 15, Coleophora ningxiana sp. n. (gen slide no. L96470); 16, Coleophora neolycii sp. n. (gen slide no. L96166).