Guttigera schefflerella Kobayashi, Huang & Hirowatari

Kobayashi, Shigeki, Huang, Guo-Hua, Nakamura, Akihiro & Hirowatari, Toshiya, 2013, Four new species of Gracillariidae (Lepidoptera) from China and Japan, and description of the pupal morphology of the genera Corythoxestis, Eumetriochroa, Guttigera, and Metriochroa, Zootaxa 3619 (2), pp. 101-129 : 110-113

Guttigera schefflerella Kobayashi, Huang & Hirowatari sp. nov.

Figs. 2 C–D, 4, 8, 16.

Diagnosis. All Guttigera species possess a forewing with three radial veins R2–R4 on costa and without R5 and M1; hindwing with vein M3 stalked with CuA ( Fig. 4 A, B). The genus was represented by only two species from New Guinea ( Diakonoff 1955), and each species was described based on only one male specimen: G. rhythmica Diakonoff, 1955 has a blackish-purple forewing and three-ribbed pyramid shaped valva with a group of brush-like bristles; G. albicaput Diakonoff, 1955 has a whitish forewing irrorated with fuscous scales and the genital structure is unknown ( Diakonoff 1955). The new species is easily distinguished from the other two species by white with ochreous oblique streaks of forewing and male genitalia with elongate valva broaden to apex; a group of brush-like scales occurring on interior part of apex ( Fig. 4 E), and distinguished from Eumetriochroa species in having similar forewing parttern (e.g. E. hiranoi , E. kalopanacis and E. miyatai ) by a black patch at near apex of forewing and large flap of scape in antennae ( Fig. 2 C, D). The resting posture of the adult moth in extending the antennae anteriorly is unique in the genera of Oecophyllembiinae and Phyllocnistis species.

Adult. ( Fig. 2 C, D). Wing expanse 8.1 mm in holotype, 6.1–8.1 mm (7.4 mm in average of seven specimens) in paratypes. Head smooth, frons lustrous white mixed with ochreous scales. Labial palpus whitish, second segment tufted ochreous scales bellow. Maxillary palpus absent. Antennae about 1.1–1.2 x longer than forewing, lustrous white annulated with ochreous; scape lustrous white, slightly thickened, with ochreous to brown with a large flap of scales below. Thorax white with ochreous. Abdomen ochreous in anterior part, grey to dark silver in posterior part. Anal tuft whitish brown with blackish brown at apex. Legs white to pale ochreous, all tarsi with narrowly black-ringed; outer spurs pale ochreous; anterior tibia with a blackish brown line; median tibia smooth; posterior tibia with white hairs above. Forewing white with ochreous oblique streaks with dark brown scales; an obscure patch base to 1/6; first streak at costal 1/3, second line at costal 1/2, third line at costal 3/4; a large apical patch at 5/6 of wing, another at apex; a black patch from middle to dorsum at 5/6. Cilia white and ochreous in costal area; a small blackish apical spot at apex with blackish scales at apex; terminal cilia white with fuscous fringe line near termen. Hindwing white; cilia white.

Wing venation ( Fig. 4 A, B). Forewing lanceolate, with nine veins. Sc along costal fold, ending at one-third of costa; R1 absent; R2, R3 and R4 from end of cell to costa; R5 and M1 absent; M2, M3 and Cu from end of cell to dorsum; CuP weak, from base and reaching dorsal area; A1+2 from base to one-third of dorsum. Hindwing lanceolate, with six veins; Sc along anterior margin, ending at two-sevenths of costa; R S to costa near apex; branched M1; M2 weak, from base ending at two-thirds of dorsum. Cu from base ending at two-sevenths of dorsum; branched M3.

Male genitalia ( Fig. 4 C–F). Tegumen as long as valva in length. Vinculum short acute in anterior part. Valva elongate, broaden to apex; a group of brush-like scales occuring on interior part of apex. Aedeagus tubular; vesica without spines.

Female genitalia ( Fig. 4 G). Apophysis anterioris and apophysis posterioris slender. Ostium bursae slightly cupshape; ductus bursae short, tubular. Corpus bursae large, elongate, without signum.

Remarks. The female adult moth of the genus is recorded for the first time. In the original description of the genus, the maxillary palpus were characterized as “very short porrect, pointed”. However, we could not observe the maxillary palpus in this new species. The type species possesses a hindwing with M2 connate with costal vein (perhaps R S), whereas the new species possesses a hindwing with independent M2. In spite of these mismatched characters, we placed the new species in the genus based on the following characters: fore- and hindwing veins, flap of antennae, valva with brush-like scales on apex in the male genitalia. We did not observe generic characters of the female genitalia that distinguish it from other Gracillariidae .

Pupa. ( Fig. 16 ). Pale blackish brown, 4.7 mm in length, 0.7 mm in diameter. Vertex with a triangular frontal process flanked by a pair of horn-shaped processes ( Fig. 16 B, E). Clypeus with a pair of long setae, about 1.5x length of frontal process, with stout base ( Fig. 16 A–B, D–E). Dorsum of A2–A10 with a concentration of small spines in anterior portion with a pair of long setae from dorsal side ( Fig. 16 G); A4–A10 with two pairs of long setae from lateral side ( Fig. 16 H, K, L). A10 furcated with a pair of Y-shaped processes from caudal apex, rolled dorsal side ( Fig. 16 I, M, O); two pairs of processes from mid-dorsal side: one pair of small needle-shaped ones; another pair of small stout ones rolled dorsally ( Fig. 16 J, N).

Host plant. Schefflera octophylla (Lour.) Harms (Araliaceae) .

Distribution. Japan (Kagoshima (Amami–Oshima) and Okinawa (Ishigaki Is.) Prefectures).

Specimens examined

Type material. 10 (23 5Ƥ 3exs).

Adults: Holotype 3, Japan: Kuninao, Yamato, Amami–Oshima, Kagoshima, 20–22.iii.2012 em., S. Kobayashi leg., Host: Schefflera octophylla , 6.iii.2012 (ex larva) (genitalia slide no. OPU-SK395) in OPU. Paratypes 13 5Ƥ 3exs. Same host plants as holotype, Kagoshima Pref.: 13 2Ƥ, Anbo, Yakushima Is., 27.x.1959, H. Kuroko; [Amami–Oshima, Kobayashi leg.]: 1Ƥ 1ex, Kise, Kasari, 8& 20–22.iii.2012 em., S., 5.iii.2012 (ex larva); 1Ƥ 2exs, same locality as holotype, 20–22.iii.2012 em., 6.iii.2012 (ex larva). 1Ƥ, Takeda, Omoto, Ishigaki Is., Okinawa, 10–13.xi.2011 em., S. Kobayashi, 30.x.2011 (larva) in OPU.

Pupae: 1 ex. Kise, Kasari, Amami–Oshima, Kagoshima, 24.iii.2012., S. Kobayashi leg., Host: Schefflera octophylla , 5.iii.2012 (ex larva)

Etymology. The specific epithet, schefflerella , is derived from host plant genus name, Schefflera .

Biology. The biology and hostplant of the genus is recorded for the first time. This species has a few generations per year. The larvae emerge in early spring and autum. The larvae mine leaves (each foliole) of Schefflera octophylla forming broad, long serpentine mines, about 40–50~ cm in length, clear to white, 0.5–4.0 mm in width; frass line: ~1.0 mm in width, pale brown to blackish brown; old mine are brown in coloration, with the epidermis cell removed and curling or becoming wrinkled from foliolate margin ( Fig. 8 F). The mines (( Fig. 8 A–E) were found on both sides of the leaves, and were entirely subepidermal, usually 1–2 mines per foliole. The late instar larva is pale yellow in coloration ( Fig. 8 H). A pupal cocoon fold (white to cream white, 15.0 mm in length, 3.0 mm in width) is situated at the end of the mine, and usually found along the foliolate margins; sometimes a rolled 1/4 foliole ( Fig. 8 C, D, K). When resting, adult moths raise the anterior part of the body at a steep angle with the fore and mid legs stepped ventro-laterally and the hind legs posteriorly in parallel with the abdomen; the antennae are extended anteriorly ( Fig. 8 L).

Figures

FIGURE 2. Adult of Oecophyllembiinae species from China and Japan. A. Metriochroa symplocosella sp. nov., holotype 3. B. Paratype ♀. C. Guttigera schefflerella sp. nov., holotype 3. D. Paratype ♀. E. Eumetriochroa araliella sp. nov., holotype 3. F. Paratype ♀ mining Evodiopanax innovans. G. Paratype 3 mining Dendropanax trifidus. H. Paratype 3 mining Fatsia japonica. I. Corythoxestis tricalysiella sp. nov., holotype 3. J. Paratype ♀. K. Corythoxestis sunosei (Kumata, 1998) 3 in Japan. L. Corythoxestis yaeyamensis (Kumata, 1998).

FIGURE 4. The wing venation and genitalia of Guttigera schefflerella sp. nov .. A. Forewing ♀. B. Hindwing ♀. C. Male genitalia, lateral view. D. Ventral view. E. Left valva, lateral view. F. Aedeagus, ventral view. G. Female genitalia, ventral view.

FIGURE 8. Biology of Guttigera schefflerella sp. nov. and the hostplant, Schefflera octophylla. A, B. Later mines and cocoon folds on the abaxial epidermis of the part of leaf (folioles). C. The immature stages on the adaxial epidermis. D, G – K: On the abaxial epidermis of the foliole (s); E – F: On the adaxial epidermis of the foliole. D – E, J. Mines and cocoon folds. F. Old mines. G. Mine by young larva. H. Mine by later instar larva. I. Last instar larva. K. Cocoon fold. L. Resting posture of the adult.

FIGURE 16. Pupa of Guttigera schefflerella sp. nov .. A. Head, ventral view. B. Cocoon cutter, ventral view. C. Frons. D. Head, lateral view. E. Cocoon cutter, lateral view. F. Head, dorsal view. G. Spines on 2 nd abdominal tergum, dosal view. H. Spines on 6 th abdominal tergum, tergum view. I. A 7 – A 10, dorsal view. J. Caudal processes on A 10, dorsal view. K. Spines on 6 th abdominal tergum, dosal view. L. Spines on 2 nd – 3 rd abdominal tergum, lateral view. M. A 8 – A 10, lateral view. N. Caudal processes on A 10, lateral view. O. A 8 – A 10, ventral view. lp: lateral process of cocoon cutter; sc: seta of clypeus; ds: dorsal seta; sds: subdorsal seta; ls: lateral seta.