Phyllonorycter grewiella ( Vári, 1961 )

Prins, Jurate De & Kawahara, Akito Y., 2012, Systematics, revisionary taxonomy, and biodiversity of Afrotropical Lithocolletinae (Lepidoptera: Gracillariidae), Zootaxa 3594 (1), pp. 1-283 : 82-84

23. Phyllonorycter grewiella ( Vári, 1961)

( Figs 53–57 , 201–205 , 314, 315 , 377 , 430 , 437, 438 )

Lithocolletis grewiella — Vári, (1961: 213 –214; pl. 22, fig. 8; pl. 65, fig. 5; pl. 104, fig. 3).

Phyllonorycter grewiella — Vári & Kroon (1986: 39, 136, 157), Kroon (1999: 35, 104, 152), Dall'Asta et al. (2001: 33–34), Vári et al. (2002: 26), Lopez-Vaamonde et al. (2003: 1818), De Prins & De Prins (2005: 298), Lopez-Vaamonde et al. (2006: 7).

Diagnosis. The forewing pattern is quite unique from other Afrotropical Phyllonorycter in that it has two striking broad dorsal strigulae and an obscure apical patch. Valva broad, with a large bidentate sternum VIII. Female genitalia of P. grewiella lack sterigmatic sclerotization on sternum VII, antrum covered with tiny spines, ductus bursae long, corpus bursae small and round. Larvae of P. grewiella mine the upperside of its host leaf, whereas larvae of the other two Grewia feeding Afrotropical Phyllonorycter species P. grewiaecola and P. grewiaephilos are underside miners.

Material examined. Holotype: ♂, [1] [ South Africa] ‘ Malelane / 24.iii.1952 / [leg.] Janse & Vari’; [2] ‘HT’; [3] ‘G.[enitalia] / 7523’; [4] ‘ Lithocolletis / grewiella Vári / ♂ PARATYPE [sic] No 6373’, in TMSA .

Paratypes: 2♂ and 1♀. (including 2♂ and 1♀ genitalia slides). South Africa: 1♀, Skukuza, 6.iv.1952, [leg.] L. Vári, Ac.[quisition] no: 496; G.[enitalia] 7135; AT; Lithocolletis grewiella Vári ♀ ALLOTYPE No 6374, in TMSA. 1♂, Skukuza, 2.iv.1952, [leg.] L. Vári, Ac.[quisition] no: 447;8; G.[enitalia] 7134; Lithocolletis grewiella Vári ♂ PARATYPE No 6375, in TMSA. 1♂, Skukuza, 19.iv.1952, [leg.] L. Vári, Ac.[quisition] no: 492; 10; G.[enitalia] 7130; Lithocolletis grewiella Vári ♂ HOLOTYPE [sic] No 6376, in TMSA.

Remarks. The labels “Holotype” and “Paratype” have obviously been reversed in two type specimens while rearranging the collection, since Vári (1961: 214) indicated Malelane as the type locality of this species.

Additional material: 7♂, 11♀ (including 4♂ and 1♀ genitalia preparations) and 15 specimens. Botswana: 2 specimens, Kang, 32 km S, 22–24.i.1978, [leg.] M. J. Scoble. Ac[quisition]. no 3703, in TMSA. 1 specimen, Nata, 14.i.1978, [leg.] L. Vári, in TMSA. Kenya: 2♂, Taita Discovery Centre, Mwakaramba Tank, 03°40’S 38°46’E, 500 m, 02.iv.2001, leg. J. & W. De Prins, e. l. Grewia sp. , 18.iv.2001, gen. prep. De Prins 3398♂ (MRAC/KMMA 00261), specimen ID: RMCA ENT 000003110, ID: RMCA ENT 000003108, in INRA, DNA voucher CLV11807 in CCDB, genitalia slide in RMCA. 1♀, same locality data, specimen ID: RMCA ENT 000003120, in RMCA. 2♂, Tsavo National Park, Taita Discovery Centre, 03°40’S 38°45’E, 530 m, mine 12.iv. 2002, leg. J. De Prins; e.l. Grewia villosa Willd. (Tiliaceae) , 24.iv.2002 and 25.iv.2002, specimen IDs: RMCA ENT 000003107, 000003111, gen. prep. De Prins 3482♂ (MRAC/KMMA 00260), in RMCA. 1♂, same locality data, e. l. 25.iv.2002, in NMK. 4♀, same locality data e.l. from 22.iv.2002 to 24.iv.2002, RMCA ENT 000003112–000003115, gen. prep. De Prins 3484♀ (MRAC/KMMA 00262), in RMCA. 1♀, same locality data, e. l. 22.iv.2002, in NMK. 1♂, Arabuko Sokoke Forest, 10.5 km W Gede, 80 m, 03°16’S 039°58’E, 26.iii.2004, leg. J. & W. De Prins, specimen ID: RMCA ENT 000003109, gen. prep. De Prins 3644♂ (MRAC/KMMA 00263), in RMCA. 4♀, Tsavo–ca. 30 km S Voi, Taita Discovery Centre, Env.[ironment] TDC [Taita Discovery Centre], 475 m, 03°43’S 038°46’E mine 23.iii.2004, leg. J. & W. De Prins, e.l. Grewia villosa Willd. (Tiliaceae) , from 30.iii.2004. to 05.iv.2004, specimen IDs: RMCA ENT 000003116–000003119, in RMCA, 1♀, ID: RMCA ENT 000003117, DNA voucher CLV11907, in CCDB. Namibia: 1 specimen, Abachaus [Abaehaus], S[outh].W[est]. A[frica]., Feb[ruary]’ [19]43, G. Hobohm, in TMSA. 1 specimen, same locality data except the date ix’ [19]45, in TMSA. 1♀, Erongo, Eileen Farm, campsite, 1310 m, 15–16.iii.2005, leg. W. Mey, in ZMHB. South Africa: 1 specimen, Malelane, 24.iii.1952, Janse & Vari, in TMSA. 1 specimen, Naboospruit, Mosdene Fm. [farm], 17.ii.1976, Grewia ? caffra , e. l. 23.ii.1976, L. Vári, in TMSA. 1♀, Rustenburg, 03.iii.1958. D. W. Rorke, Ac[quisition]. no. 2047, in TMSA. 1 specimen, same locality data except the date 04.iii.1958, in TMSA. 1 specimen, Krüger National Park Survey, Olifants Camp, 23.xi.1961. Ac[quisition]. no. 2341, in TMSA. 1 specimen, Kruger National Park Survey, Punda Milia, 6–15.v.1975, Potgieter & Scoble, in TMSA. 2 specimens, Nylstroom, Deelkraal Farm, 23.ii.1976, M. J. Scoble. Ac[quisition]. no. 3542, in TMSA. 1 specimen, Pretoriuskop [Pretorius Kop], 02.vi.1980, on Grewia , e.l. 27.vi.1980, L. Vári, in TMSA. 1 specimen, Skukuza, 27.vi.1980, L. Vári, Ac[quisition]. no. 3820, in TMSA. 1 specimen, same locality data except the date 04.vii.1980, in TMSA. Yemen: 1♂, prov[ince]. Ibb, 5 km NE Al Qa’jdah [Al Qa’idah], 1850 m, 28.iv.1998, leg. M. Fibiger et al., gen. prep. De Prins 3717♂, in ZMUC.

Redescription. Adult ( Figs 53–57 ). Forewing length: 2.4–2.8 mm.

Head: Vertex tufted with white piliform scales with a faint suffusion of ochreous brown scales; frons smooth, shiny white. Labial palpus as long as diameter of compound eye, white (in a few specimens last segments golden fuscous), apically pointed, directed downwards. Maxillary palpus white, small, proboscis pale beige with light golden shine. Antenna as long as forewing, not ringed, smooth scaled, first four flagellomeres dirty white, remaining flagellomeres light ochreous with golden shine; pedicel shiny white, scape dirty white, pecten white, thick, as long as scape.

Thorax: Ochreous brown with a broad transverse white band anteriorly; tegulae white. Forewing ochreous dark golden with metallic shine with white marking consisting of three tiny costal markings and two large dorsal strigulae; costa with white streak stretching from base to middle of forewing, broader basally and gently tapering apically, edged dorsally; second costal strigula is beyond middle of forewing, narrow spine shaped, oblique, edged basally, third costal strigula at 3/5 oblique, very narrow, consisting of dirty white and golden fuscous scales, obscure, edged basally with black scales; first dorsal strigula at 1/4, broad white, oblique, curved, pointed at middle of forewing, edged with black scales from both sides, second dorsal strigula (patch) at 3/4, white, broad, triangularshaped, edged with black scales basally; apical area of forewing with irroration of fine blackish scales, more dense at tornal sector; a black apical dot present, outer margin of forewing edged with fringe line; fringe pale, very short from apex to tornus, and twice longer along dorsum. Hindwing greyish fuscous with long pale golden shiny fringe. Legs pale, with dark brown markings; fore femur ochreous fuscous, fore tibia fuscous with dirty white basal 1/4, tarsomeres I–III fuscous, apical trasomeres ochreous; mid-tibia with two oblique fuscous ochreous parallel patches, first patch from 1/4 of tibia to middle, second patch from middle to apex; tarsomeres I–II with fuscous basal halves, terminal tarsomeres dirty white; tibial spurs dirty white; hind femur light ochreous, hind tibia ringed with two fuscous stripes, first stripe runs from base to 1/4 of hind tibia, second stripe at apical 1/4 of hind tibia; apical and medial tibial spurs almost of same length, light ochreous; tarsomere I with apical fuscous patch, tarsomere II with basal fuscous patch, terminal tarsomeres III–V light ochreous.

Abdomen: Fuscous dorsally, golden shiny ventrally, terga VII and VIII light fuscous. Sternum VIII in males well developed, big, tapering caudally with bidentate apex.

Male genitalia ( Figs 201–205 ). Tegumen very long (860 µm), cylindrical, somewhat elongate-quadrangular, with small pointed peak at apex; tegumenal arms sclerotized, broad at bases and narrow at apical half, slightly sinuating at basal 1/3, approaching each other at apical 1/3 forming inverted elongate V, narrowly connected at apex; also with weakly sclerotized ark shaped, narrow rounded bridge running from dorsomedian part and reaching 2/3 length of tegumenal arm. Valvae symmetrical, broad at base, as long as tegumen, ca. 860 µm, gently tapering from beyond half and abruptly narrow at apical 1/5; apex and subapical area set with 5–6 long bristles (ca. 115 µm) and multiple shorter bristles, stiff setae (50 µm in length); a spine, 66 µm long, at 2/3 length of valval ventral margin. Vinculum broad, sclerotized, crescent-shaped, with slender saccus of moderate length, ca. 175 µm long, caudal part of slightly enlarged, with rounded apex. Aedoeagus as long as sternum VIII, ca. 810 µm, gently tapering from coecum to middle, then nearly straight and bending caudally with truncate vesica; apical third of aedoaegus with a single cornutus in form of an elongate scar.

Female genitalia ( Figs 314, 315 ). Papillae anales connected dorsally, flattened, ca. 3× wider than long, sclerotized posteriorly, covered with very small penaculate tubercules of setae posteriorly and bigger penaculate tubercules anteriorly, setae as long as papillae anales, basal bar narrow, slightly wider ventrad at base of posterior apophyses. Posterior apophyses sclerotized, ca. 0.38 mm long, reaching posterior 1/3 segment VII, slender and apically pointed. Segment VIII not sclerotized, weakly connected ventrally and dorsally. Anterior apophyses half of length of posterior, ca. 0.20 mm, located at posterior 1/3 of segment VII. Segment VII strongly scletotized. Sterigma simple, ostium located at posterior margin of segment VII. Ductus bursae very long, ca. 3.5× as long as segment VII, equally narrow along length. Corpus bursae rounded, ca. 0.23 × 0.21 mm, diameter ca. ½ of posterior margin of segment VII, with rounded sclerotized area in anterior poriton of corpus bursae bearing delta-shaped signum and covered with tiny short spines, occupying almost 1/3 of anterior membranous portion of bursa copulatrix.

Remarks. The illustration of the female genitalia in Vári (1961: pl.104: 3) may be misleading. Vári (1961: 214), while observing the genitalia preparation LV 7135, made from the female paratype specimen No 6374 states, that “ductus and corpus bursae are not perceptible in preparation”.

Variation. The tuft of scales on the head can slightly vary in density of suffusion of ochreous piliform brown scales. The background colour of mesothoracic and metathoracic legs can vary from dirty white to pale yellow. The ground colour of forewings can have slightly different dark ochreous gold shading.

DNA sequences. A COI barcode is available for P. grewiella (Molecular sample code: Pgrew [ JX888182 ]; Table S1 ).

Habitat. Phyllonorycter grewiella is found in coastal savannahs of southern and East Africa, also forests belonging to the Zanzibar-Inhambane floristic region and in coastal Yemen ( Figs 437, 438 ).

Host plant(s). Seven species of Grewia (Malvaceae) :

G. caffra Meisn. (new record).

G. damine Gaertn. (= G. bicolor Juss ).—In note 0496 written by Vári on 02 April 1952 (manuscript notebook of Vári) it is stated that he collected at “Skukuza 1+ some empty mines of Lithocolletis (=0447) on Grewia bicolor Juss. s. l. (= 0458) [0458 = Nepticula ]. [ P. grewiella [types]]” (new record).

G. flava DC. —In note 3542 written by Vári on 19 February 1976 (manuscript notebook of Vári) it is stated that he collected in “Dellkraal 2 mines of Acrocercops [recte Phyllonorycter ] on Grewia flava . First moth emerged 23.ii.1976. [ P. grewiella ]” (new record).

G. flavescens Juss. — Vári (1961: 214), Kroon (1999: 104), Dall’Asta (2001: 34), De Prins & De Prins (2005: 298).

G. hexamita Burret (= G. messinica Burtt Davy & Greenway )— Vári (1961: 214), Kroon (1999: 35, 104), Dall’Asta et al. (2001: 34), De Prins & De Prins (2005: 298). In note 0447 written by Vári on 24 March 1952 (manuscript notebook of Vári) it is stated that he collected at “ Skukuza some mines of Lithocolletis on Grewia messinica (= 0446) [0446 = Nepticula ]. Moth emerged 02.iv.1952. [ P. grewiella [types]”.

G. monticola Sond. —In note 2047 written by Vári on 23 February 1958 (manuscript notebook of Vári) it is stated that D. W. Rorke collected at “Rustenburg some mines of Lithocolletis on Grewia monticola Sond. First moth emerged 03.iii.1958. [ P. grewiella ]” (new record).

G. villosa Willd. (new record) ( Fig. 430 ).

Mine. An upperside tentiform mine, shaped as an oval blotch which can reach 30 mm in diameter with one or two folds. Frass black and loose in mine, pupation without cocoon. Exuvium protrudes epidermis before adult emerges. Mines were found on large young leaves.

Flight period. Most specimens were reared and collected during every month of the year except August, October and December. The earliest record of P. grewiella is 14 January, the latest 23 November. The majority of specimens were bred and collected in late March and early April.

Distribution. ( Fig. 377 ). This species is recorded from Botswana, Kenya, Namibia, Yemen (all new records) and a few localities in South Africa ( Vári 1961: 214). The single record from Bontebok (Cape Province) (Lopez-Vaamonde et al. 2003: 1818) is not included in our distribution map because it is a questionable record. The species was identified from a single larva only, taken from a mine on Grewia sp. (Lopez-Vaamonde, pers. comm.).

Figures

FIGURES 51–56. Adults. Scale bar 1 mm. 51, Phyllonorycter grewiaephilos, holotype ♂, Kenya, Tsavo, mine 12.iv.2002, leg. J. De Prins, specimen ID: RMCA ENT 00000307. 52, Phyllonorycter grewiaephilos, paratype ♂, Kenya, Tsavo, mine 12.iv.2002, leg. J. De Prins, specimen ID: RMCA ENT 000003076. 53, Phyllonorycter grewiella, holotype 6373♂, South Africa, Malelane, 24.iii.1952, leg. A.J.T. Janse & L. Vári, in TMSA. 54, Phyllonorycter grewiella, ♂, Kenya, Tsavo, mine 12.iv.2002, leg. J. De Prins, specimen ID: RMCA ENT 000003111. 55, Phyllonorycter grewiella, ♀, Kenya, Tsavo, mine 12.iv.2002, leg. J. De Prins, specimen ID: RMCA ENT 000003112. 56, Phyllonorycter grewiella, ♀, Namibia, Erongo, 15–16.iii.2005, leg. W. Mey, in ZMHB.

FIGURES 57–62. Adults. Scale bar 1 mm. 57, Phyllonorycter grewiella, ♂, Yemen, Ibb, Al Qa’idah, 28.iv.1998, leg. M. Fibiger et al., in ZMUC. 58, Phyllonorycter acutulus, holotype ♂, Kenya, Aberdares, 12.iv.2000, leg. U. Dall’Asta, specimen ID: RMCA ENT 000004451. 59, Phyllonorycter brachylaenae, holotype 6414♂, South Africa, Pretoria, 20.x.1949, leg. L. Vári, in TMSA. 60, Phyllonorycter brachylaenae, ♀, South Africa, Pretoria, 18.iii.1955, leg. L. Vári, specimen ID: RMCA ENT 000004114. 61, Phyllonorycter dombeyae, holotype ♂, South Africa, KwaZulu-Natal, Hluhluwe-Imfolozi, mine 15.vii.2008, leg. C. Lopez-Vaamonde, specimen ID: RMCA ENT 000005040. 62, Phyllonorycter hibiscina, holotype 6403♂, South Africa, Hennops River, 12.ix.1950, leg. L. Vári, in TMSA.

FIGURES 201–205. Male genitalia. Scale bar 100 µm. 201–205, Phyllonorycter grewiella. 201–202, holotype, the drawing is made by Willy De Prins after the genitalia prep. Vári 7523, in TMSA. 201, valva. 202, sternum VIII. 203–205, genitalia prep. De Prins 3717, in ZMUC. 203, ventral view. 204, sternum VIII. 205, aedoeagus.

FIGURES 314–317. Female genitalia. Scale bar 200 µm. 314–315, Phyllonorycter grewiella, genitalia prep. MRAC/KMMA 00262, in RMCA. 314, segments VII–X, lateral view. 315, corpus bursae. 316–317, Phyllonorycter acutulus, holotype, genitalia prep. MRAC/KMMA 00419, in RMCA. 316, segments VII–X, ventral view. 317, corpus bursae.

FIGURES 367–378. Distribution of Afrotropical Lithocolletinae species. 367, Phyllonorycter achilleus. 368, Phyllonorycter adderis. 369, Phyllonorycter agassizi. 370, Phyllonorycter chionopa. 371, Phyllonorycter encaeria. 372, Phyllonorycter kazuri. 373, Phyllonorycter lantanae. 374, Phyllonorycter gato. 375, Phyllonorycter grewiaecola. 376, Phyllonorycter grewiaephilos. 377, Phyllonorycter grewiella. 378, Phyllonorycter acutulus.

FIGURES 427–431. Leaf mines of Afrotropical Lithocolletinae species. 427, Phyllonorycter grewiaecola abaxial mine on Grewia tristis [Malvaceae], Tsavo, Kenya, 12 April 2002. 428–429, Phyllonorycter grewiaephilos mine on Grewia villosa [Malvaceae], Tsavo, Kenya, 23 March, 2004. 428, adaxial side. 429, abaxial blotch/tentiform mine. 430, Phyllonorycter grewiella mine on Grewia villosa [Malvaceae], Tsavo, Kenya, 12 April 2002. 431, Phyllonorycter ocimellus mine on Ocimum gratissimum [Lamiaceae], Taita Hills, Kenya, 09 April, 2001.

FIGURES 437–440. Habitats of Afrotropical Lithocolletinae species. 437, Arabuko Sokoke Forest, Kenya, April 2001. The habitat contains elements of coastal mixed forest as well as miombo / Cynometra woodland. 438, Tsavo, Kenya, April 2002. The habitat contains elements of semi-arid grassland and savannah. 439, Ololua Forest, Rift Valley, Kenya, April 2002. The habitat is dominated by tree vegetation. 440, Taita Hills, Kenya, April 2003. The habitat is a precambrian mountain range covered with moist forest housing many endemic species of flora and fauna.