Eumetriochroa hederae Kumata, 1998

Kobayashi, Shigeki, Huang, Guo-Hua & Hirowatari, Toshiya, 2011, Two species of Gracillariidae (Lepidoptera) new to China, and description of the pupal morphology of the genera Corythoxestis and Eumetriochroa, Zootaxa 2892, pp. 25-32 : 28-29

Eumetriochroa hederae Kumata, 1998

Figs. 1 C, 2M–O.

Eumetriochroa hederae Kumata, 1998: 85 –89, figs 1, 2A, 12(A, B), 14(A), 17, 18(A), 22(A), 24(A,B). Type locality: Japan (Fukuoka).

Diagnosis. Antennal scape with a large scaly pecten. Forewing ocher brownish in ground color with five whitish fasciae. Male genitalia without a thorn-like apical seta; aedeagus with a long cornutus. Female genitalia with trapezoid seventh abdominal segment ( Kumata 1998).

Pupa. ( Fig. 5 ). Brown, 5.0–6.2 mm in length, 0.8–1.0 mm in diameter. Vertex with a spade-like frontal process (cocoon cutter), acutelly elevated centrally. Antenna long and straight, extending over A10. Dorsum of A2–A10 with a concentration of small spines except for median part. A10 furcated with a pair of digital processes from caudal apex with small acute processes at apex ( Fig. 5 L); another pair of anteriorly curved, small caudal ones from dorsal side ( Fig. 5 K).

Host plant. Hedera nepalensis var. sinensis (Tobl.) Rehd. (new record); Hedera rhombea (Miq.) Bean ( Kumata 1998) in Japan, Araliaceae .

Distribution. China (new record), Japan (Honshu, Shikoku, Kyushu) ( Kumata 1998).

Specimens examined. 2 Ƥ, China: Tianpingshan, Badagongshan NNR, Sangzhi, Hunan, 28.v.–1. vi.2009 em. S. Kobayashi, T. Hirowatari & Guo-Hua Huang (genitalia slide no. OPU-SK174, 175), Host: Hedera nepalensis var. sinensis , 27.v.2009 (larva) (HUNAU, OPU).

Biology. Kumata (1998) recorded the biology of this species in Japan. In the present study, we observed the larva forming yellowish green serpentine mine on leaf of Hedera nepalensis var. sinensis . The mines ( Fig. 2 M–O) were found on the upper side of leaves and were entirely subepidermal, usually one mine per leaf.

Remarks. This species is easily distinguished from other Eumetriochroa species by the characters summarized in the diagnosis. We describe the pupal morphology of this species for the first time based on Japanese specimens: 26 exs, Konagao, Soni, Nara Pref., Japan (S. Kobayashi leg.), 14.iii.2010 (larva). We could not recognize any difference in the pupal morphology between Chinese and Japanese specimens.

Figures

FIGURE 1. Two species of adult Oecophyllembiinae new to China. A. Corythoxestis sunosei (Kumata, 1998) male. B. Female. C. Eumetriochroa hederae Kumata, 1998 female.

FIGURE 2. Habitat, hostplants and immature stages of Oecophyllembiinae moths. A – L. Corythoxestis sunosei (Kumata, 1998) and Mussaenda esquirolii. M – O. Eumetriochroa hederae Kumata, 1998 and Hedera nepalensis var. sinensis. A. Habitat in Houxi, Wuyunjie Nat. Nature Reser., Hunan. B. Hostplant. C. Hostplant, leaf and mine. D. Leaf mines on the upper surface, arrows pointing larvae. E. Later instar larvae within mines. F. Final instar larva. G. Pupal cocoon fold on upper surface. H. Pupa, ventral view. I. Dorsal view. J. Lateral view. K. Resting posture of the adult, dorsal view. L. Lateral view. M. Habitat in Tianpingshan, Hunan and host plant. N, O. Host plant and leaf mines. M, N. arrows pointing at leaf mines.

FIGURE 5. Pupa of Eumetriochroa hederae Kumata, 1998 from Japan. A. Head, ventral view. B. Cocoon cutter, ventral view. C. Frons. D. Head, lateral view. E. Cocoon cutter, lateral view. F. Spines on sixth abdominal tergum. G. Head, dorsal view. H. Cocoon cutter, dorsal view. I. A 8 – A 10, dorsal view. J. Lateral view. K. Caudal processes on A 10, dorsal view. L. Acute process of cremaster.