Phyllonorycter encaeria (Meyrick, 1911)

Prins, Jurate De & Kawahara, Akito Y., 2012, Systematics, revisionary taxonomy, and biodiversity of Afrotropical Lithocolletinae (Lepidoptera: Gracillariidae), Zootaxa 3594 (1), pp. 1-283 : 69-70

The encaeria species group

The encaeria species group consists of three species: P. encaeria ( Meyrick, 1911) , P. lantanae ( Vári, 1961) and P. kazuri De Prins , n. sp. The encaeria species group shares some similarities to the rhynchosiae species group. Species of both groups possess a few synapomorphies: more or less flap-like projection(s) on ventral margin of valva in male genitalia, a large cuticle fold of sterigma occupying a significant area of segment VII, and a needlelike projection in female genitalia. But the species of the encaeria species group differ from the rhynchosiae species group in that their corpus bursae does not carry signa. Wing pattern in the encaeria species group is not readily distinguishable, however these species possess a sharply angulated fascia in the middle of forewing which can be interrupted, two oblique strigulae are located opposite to each other, and a white apical patch / strigula. Wing pattern does not provide characteristic features that can readily distinguish species within the group. Dissections of genitalia also do not provide sufficient diagnostic differences among species within the encaeria species group. Thus, only males can be used to diagnose species within the group and female genitalia can only provide an easy noticeable diagnostic character separating the encaeria species group from the rhynchosiae species group. The male of P. lantanae is unknown. Larvae of the encaeria species group ( P. lantanae ) feed in infra tentiform mines on leaves of Verbenaceae plants.

The male genitalia in the encaeria group are characterized by a parallel sided valva with rounded cucullus with a broad flap-like, weakly sclerotized projection on ventral margin. Transtilla strongly sclerotized with long proximal arms, saccus of medium length, slightly longer than sternum VIII, aedoeagus of medium length, slightly longer than saccus.

The female genitalia are characterized by fold-shaped sterigmatic sclerotization, sharp needle-like projection initiating at the bases of posterior apophyses, ductus bursae slender in girth, moderate or small corpus bursae without signum.

Key to species of encaeria group based on external characters

1. Forewing with two fasciae.............................................................................. 2

– Forewing with one angulated fascia or has only oblique strigulae ( Figs 45, 46 )............................ 19. lantanae

2. Thorax entirely ochreous ( Figs 42, 43 )............................................................ 17. encaeria

– Thorax golden ochreous with white lateral margins ( Fig. 44 )............................................ 18. kazuri

Key to males of encaeria group based on genitalia*

1. Ventral margin of valva with harp-like projection subcaudally ( Fig. 185 )................................. 17. encaeria

– ventral margin of valva with long broad flap-like projection extending along entire ventral margin of valva ( Fig. 188 ).................................................................................................... 18. kazuri

* male genitalia of P. lantanae unknown.

Key to females of encaeria group based on genitalia

1. Posterior apophyses as long as anterior apophyses, more or less straight, antrum weakly sclerotized ( Fig. 307 )... 17. encaeria

– Posterior apophyses ca. 1.5× as long as anterior apophyses, posterior apohyses slightly bent in the middle, antrum well sclerotized ( Figs 308–310 )................................................................ 19. lantanae ; 18. kazuri *

* P. lantanae and P. kazuri can be separated by external characters (see diagnosis), male of P. lantanae unknown.

Figures

FIGURES 45–50. Adults. Scale bar 1 mm. 45, Phyllonorycter lantanae, holotype 6377♀, South Africa, Louis Trichardt, 20.iv.1955, leg. L. Vári, in TMSA. 46, Phyllonorycter lantanae, ♀, Kenya, Rift Valley, Gilgil, 26.xi.2005, leg. D.J.L. Agassiz, in BMNH. 47, Phyllonorycter gato, holotype ♀, Rwanda, Nyungwe, mine 03.viii.2008, leg. J. & W. De Prins, specimen ID: RMCA ENT 000005151. 48, Phyllonorycter grewiaecola, holotype 6370♂, South Africa, Waterpoort, 4.v.1956, leg. L. Vári, in TMSA. 49, Phyllonorycter grewiaecola, ♂, Kenya, Tsavo, mine 12.iv.2002, leg. J. De Prins, specimen ID: RMCA ENT 000003003. 50, Phyllonorycter grewiaecola, ♂, Kenya, Tsavo, mine 12.iv.2002, leg. J. De Prins, specimen ID: RMCA ENT 000003018.

FIGURES 39–44. Adults. Scale bar 1 mm. 39, Phyllonorycter adderis, holotype ♂, Rwanda, Nyungwe, mine 03.viii.2008, leg. J. & W. De Prins, specimen ID: RMCA ENT 000005052. 40, Phyllonorycter agassizi, holotype ♂, Kenya, Ndoinet, 20.xii.1998, leg. D.J.L. Agassiz, specimen ID: RMCA ENT 000006146. 41, Phyllonorycter chionopa, holotype 6496♀, Namibia, Abachaus, ??.x.1944, leg. G. Hobohm, in TMSA. 42, Phyllonorycter encaeria, holotype 361♂, South Africa, Pretoria, 08.x.1906, leg. A.J.T. Janse, in TMSA. 43, Phyllonorycter encaeria, ♀, South Africa, Pretoria, 20.ix.1951, leg. L. Vári, in TMSA. 44, Phyllonorycter kazuri, holotype ♂, Kenya, Tsavo, 12.iv.2002, leg. J. De Prins, specimen ID: RMCA ENT 000003276.

FIGURES 185–190. Male genitalia. Scale bar 100 µm. 185–187, Phyllonorycter encaeria, holotype, the drawing is made by Willy De Prins after the genitalia prep. Vári 4156, in TMSA. 185, ventral view. 186, sternum VIII. 187, aedoeagus. 188–190, Phyllonorycter kazuri, holotype, genitalia prep. MRAC/KMMA 00348, in RMCA. 188, ventral view. 189, sternum VIII. 190, aedoeagus.

FIGURES 306–307. Female genitalia. Scale bar 200 µm. 306, Phyllonorycter chionopa, holotype, the drawing is made by Willy De Prins after the genitalia prep. Vári 7727, in TMSA. 307, Phyllonorycter encaeria, the drawing is made by Willy De Prins after the genitalia prep. Vári 7504, in TMSA.

FIGURES 308–309. Female genitalia. Scale bar 200 µm. 308, Phyllonorycter kazuri, paratype, genitalia prep. MRAC/KMMA 00348, in RMCA. 309, Phyllonorycter lantanae, holotype, the drawing is made by Willy De Prins after the genitalia prep. Vári 7548, in TMSA.

FIGURES 310–311. Female genitalia. Scale bar 200 µm. 310, Phyllonorycter lantanae, genitalia prep. De Prins 3703, in BMNH. 311, Phylonorycter gato, holotype, genitalia prep. MRAC/KMMA / 00486, in RMCA.