Acalyptris staticis (Walsingham)

Van, Erik J., 2007, Acalyptris Meyrick: revision of the platani and staticis groups in Europe and the Mediterranean (Lepidoptera: Nepticulidae), Zootaxa 1436, pp. 1-48 : 19-21

Acalyptris staticis (Walsingham)

( Figs. 9 , 29–32 , 49 , 67 , 79 –81, 118, 119 , 126 )

Stigmella staticis Walsingham, 1908: 1010 . Lectotype ♂ (here designated). SPAIN, CANARY ISLANDS: Tenerife: Pto. Orotava, Tenerife, 4.v.1907, Limonium pectinatum , e.l. 30.v.1907, Walsingham, no. 99202, Walsingham Collection 1910–425, Genitalia slide BM24095 (BMNH) [examined].

Stigmella staticis ; Hering 1957: 618 [mine keys]; Klimesch 1977: 201 –202, figs. 34–36 [redescription, genitalia]. Acalyptris staticis ; van Nieukerken 1986b: 141 [new combination, listed]; A. & Z. Laštůvka 1993: 158 [listed].

Diagnosis. A. staticis is recognised by the uniform grey brown colour, and absence of any special scales. It slightly resembles Trifurcula species, but the lack of special scales separates the males easily. The male genitalia differ from other species in this group by the medially broadened valva, blunt uncus and bilobed posterior process of the vinculum. The female genitalia are similar to other species in this group but differ by the non hairy abdominal tip with just a few setae only.

Description. Male ( Fig. 9 ). Forewing length 1.5–2.3 mm; wingspan 4.3–4.7 mm. Head: frontal tuft and collar yellowish orange; scape yellowish white mixed with brown scales, flagellum grey brown. Antenna with 38–40 segments. Thorax and forewing uniformly grey brown; cilia line indistinct, cilia grey. Hindwing and underside of both wings with same colour as forewing. Hindwing with costal bristles. Abdomen grey. Female. Forewing length 1.9–2.3 mm, wingspan 4.0–5.0 mm. Antenna with 34–36 segments.

Male genitalia ( Figs. 29–32 , 67 , 79–81 ). Measurements: see Table 3 . Vinculum rounded ventral plate narrow, with bilobed ventral, posterior process; lateral arms expanded ventrally. Tegumen rounded, with few setae dorsally, Uncus ribbon-like, without central element, with prominent seta on either half. Gnathos with long spatulate central element. Valva ( Fig. 67 ) widest in middle, inner margin forming approximately triangular lobe; tip rounded with many spine like setae dorsally; transtilla with curved transverse bar and long sublateral processes. Aedeagus ( Figs. 30, 32 , 80, 81 ) widest at tip, with two pairs of carinae: ventral carina bifurcate, pointed; lateral carina slightly curved dorsad. Vesica without any cornuti.

Female genitalia ( Fig. 49 ). T8 narrow, indistinct, with few small setae and scales. T9 with two groups of 10–14 setae. Vestibulum and bursa flimsy, without sclerotisations, bursa hardly reaching beyond segment 7. Ductus spermathecae with 2–2½ narrow convolutions.

Larva not examined.

Biology. Hostplant: Limonium pectinatum (= Statice pectinata ), growing on rocky shores.

Egg on leaf underside. Leafmine ( Figs. 118, 119 ) a gallery throughout, initially leaving parenchyma layers on both sides of leaves intact, appearing green, filled with frass; later a full-depth mine with narrow broken frass; mine contorted, usually following a curved zigzag track, with each turn touching previous turn.

Distribution ( Fig. 126 ). Macaronesia: Canary Islands, only known from Tenerife. This species may be under threat, since many of the localities for its hostplant suffer from building activities for tourism. However, it is also possible that A. staticis may still be found along other coasts, such as other Canary Islands or that of Morocco.

Material examined. 8 ɗ, 10 Ψ. SPAIN, CANARY ISLANDS: 2ɗ, 6Ψ (Lecto- and paralectotypes): Tenerife: Pto. Orotava, Tenerife, 4.v.1907, Limonium pectinatum , e.l. 15–31.v.1907, Walsingham ( BMNH); 1ɗ: Puerto de la Cruz, 4.iv.1965, L. pectinatum , e.l. 28.iv.1965, J. Klimesch; 4ɗ, idem, 19.i.1969, e.l. mid ii.1969; 1Ψ, idem, 3.iii.1969, e.l. 1.iv.1969; 1ɗ, 3Ψ: idem, 23.i.1973, e.l ii.1973 ( ZSM, RMNH, RJ).

Leafmines on Limonium pectinatum . SPAIN, CANARY ISLANDS: Tenerife: Puerto de la Cruz, 26.iii.1965 + 18.i.1970, J. Klimesch ( RMNH).

Acalyptris limonii Z. & A. Lašt ů vka

( Figs. 11, 12 , 39, 40, 43 , 53, 54 , 68 , 113, 114 , 127 )

Acalyptris limonii Z. & A. Laštůvka, 1998: 314. Holotype ♂, GREECE: Arta, Salaora, ex larva 1996, Raupe 15.vi.1996, Limonium vulgare ( AL) [not examined]

Diagnosis. A distinctly fasciate species, resembling A. lesbia . Female easily recognised by conspicuous anal tuft; A. limonii is much darker than A. maritima . Superficially resembling several Ectoedemia species. Male genitalia separated from the similar A. maritima and lesbia by narrow, pointed gnathos, uncus much longer than in maritima , about equal to lesbia . Female genitalia easily recognised from the other Limonium feeders by the tufts on T7 (sockets visible in preparations); the very hairy anal papillae and S7 are similar to A. lesbia and A. limoniastri . The latter also has similar male genitalia, but lacks the pointed uncus and has much larger male genitalia.

Description. Male ( Fig. 11 ). Forewing length 1.9 mm, wingspan 4.1–4.3 mm. Head: frontal tuft ochreous yellow, scape white with few ochreous scales. Antenna with 32 segments. Thorax and forewing white, covered with dark-tipped scales; dark tips half scale length; a narrow fascia at 2/3, cilia white, cilia line present. Hindwing grey-white, dark costal bristles. Underside of forewing brownish, hindwing white; white hairpencil from underside near frenulum. Abdomen grey brown, with conspicuous yellowish white anal tufts.

Female ( Fig. 12 ). Forewing length 2.3 mm (1), wingspan 4.8 mm. Antenna with 32 segments. Abdominal tip with conspicuous yellow anal tufts, more or less paired.

Male genitalia ( Figs. 39, 40, 43 , 68 ). Measurements: see Table 3 . Vinculum rounded with ventral plate narrow; lateral arms slightly expanded ventrally. Tegumen forming slightly produced pseuduncus with many setae dorsally. Uncus with long, pointed central element. Gnathos with a long narrow spatulate central element. Valva ( Fig. 68 ) length not measured (not flat in slide), basally broadest; tip slightly produced inwards, with many thick setae dorsally; transtilla with almost straight transverse bar and short sublateral processes. Aedeagus ( Figs. 40, 43 ) with ventral carina bifurcate, pointed; lateral carinae strongly curved dorsad. Vesica without any cornuti.

Female genitalia ( Figs. 53, 54 ). Paired tufts of many scales on T7, no setae. T8 trapezoid, slightly indented mesially, with a small patch of few setae and scales. T9 with two groups of ca 45–50 setae. S7 also with many long setae near abdominal tip. Vestibulum and bursa flimsy, without sclerotisations, bursa hardly reaching beyond segment 7. Ductus spermathecae with 2 narrow convolutions.

Biology. Hostplant: Limonium cf. vulgare (see under group description), growing in salt marshes.

Egg on either side of leaf. Leafmine ( Figs. 113, 114 ) a gallery throughout, starting much contorted, often spirally, later a full-depth mine with narrow broken frass, running more straight through leaf. Larval exit hole on leaf upperside. Mines indistinguishable from those of A. maritima or A. lesbia .

Cocoon white, usually spun on leaf underside.

Distribution ( Fig. 127 ). Coasts of Adriatic, Ionian and Aegean Seas: recorded from Croatia (new record) and Greece.

Remarks. The relatively large bursa as illustrated in the original description has not been observed by me.

Material examined. 2 ɗ, 2 Ψ. GREECE: 2ɗ, 2Ψ, paratypes, Arta: Salaora, 15.vi.1996, Limonium vulgare , e.l. vi.1996, A. Laštůvka ( AL, RMNH, CVDB).

Leafmines on Limonium cf. vulgare .: CROATIA: Istra, Baska-Trget, 25.viii.1998, A. Laštůvka ( RMNH). – GREECE: Arta: Salaora, 15.vi.1996, A. Laštůvka ( RMNH) [mixed with inseparable mines of maritima ]

Additional records. CROATIA: 1ɗ, Istra, Baska-Trget, 25.viii.1998, Limonium vulgare , e.p. ix. 1998. GREECE: 3ɗ, Arkadia, Paralion Astros, e.l. vii.1998, A. Laštůvka ( AL).

Acalyptris maritima A. & Z. Lašt ů vka

( Figs. 13 , 36, 37, 42 , 55, 56 , 69 , 112 , [113, 114?], 127)

Acalyptris maritima A. & Z. Laštůvka, 1997: 119. Holotype ♂, GREECE: Arta, Salaora, 15.vi.1996, ex l. VI.1996, A. Laštůvka, Limonium vulgare (AL) [not examined].

Diagnosis. A very pale species with fascia hardly visible, much paler than A. limonii or lesbia . Female slightly darker, fascia inconspicuous, separated from limonii by absence of anal tuft; A. lesbia female is darker and has a conspicuous fascia. Male genitalia as A. limonii and lesbia , separated by very wide triangular gnathos, uncus much shorter than in other two and aedeagus relatively short compared to lesbia . Female genitalia differ from A. lesbia and limonii by the sparse setae of the anal papillae and the absence of many setae on S7.

Description. Male ( Fig. 13 ). Forewing length 2.3–2.6 mm, wingspan 5.0–5.5 mm. Head: frontal tuft and collar pale ochreous to ivory white; scape ivory white with few brown-tipped scales. Antenna with 32–36 segments. Thorax and forewing cream white, with brown-tipped scales (tips ca 1/4 of scale length), leaving narrow fascia at 2/3; cilia silvery white, cilia line present. Hindwing silvery white, with costal bristles. Underside of forewing darker yellowish brown, underside of hindwing yellowish brown, small white hairpencil arising near frenulum. Abdomen yellowish grey, anal tufts conspicuous, ochreous.

Female. Forewing length 2.1 mm, wingspan 4.5 mm. Antenna with 32 segments. Abdominal tip rounded, without anal tufts.

Male genitalia ( Figs. 36, 37, 42 , 69 ). Measurements: see Table 3 . Vinculum anteriorly rounded, with ventral plate narrow, posteriorly with triangular ventral process; lateral arms slightly expanded ventrally. Tegumen forming slightly produced, rounded pseuduncus with many setae dorsally. Uncus with short, pointed central element, slightly curved posteriorly. Gnathos with broad triangular central element with cuspidate tip, lateral arms ‘swollen’. Valva ( Fig. 69 ) basally broadest; tip slightly produced inwards, with many thick setae dorsally; transtilla with very straight, long transverse bar and short sublateral processes. Aedeagus ( Fig. 42 ) with ventral carina bifurcate, pointed; lateral carinae strongly curved dorsad. Vesica without cornuti.

Female genitalia ( Figs. 55, 56 ,). No tufts on T7, no sockets visible. T8 trapezoid, slightly indented mesially, with few setae and scales. T 9 in total with ca 26 setae. S7 with short setae only near abdominal tip. Vestibulum and bursa flimsy, without sclerotisations, bursa hardly reaching beyond segment 7. Ductus spermathecae with 2 narrow convolutions.

Biology. Hostplant: Limonium cf. vulgare (see under group description), growing in salt marshes.

Egg on either side of leaf. Mine a full-depth mine, gallery throughout, starting much contorted, often spirally, later a full-depth mine with narrow broken, brown, frass, running more straight through leaf. Larval exit hole on leaf upperside. Mines not separable from those of A. limonii or A. lesbia .

Cocoon white, usually spun on leaf underside.

Distribution ( Fig. 127 ). Coasts of Adriatic, Ionian and Aegean Seas: recorded from Croatia (new record), Greece and Italy.

Remarks. The relatively large bursa as depicted in the original description was not observed by me.

Material examined. 4 ɗ, 1 Ψ. GREECE: 1ɗ, paratype, Arta: Salaora, 15.vi.1996, Limonium vulgare , e.l. vi.1996, A. Laštůvka ( RMNH); 1ɗ, Fthiotis: Skala, 11.vi.1997, Limonium vulgare , e.l. vi.1997, Laštůvka ( ZMUC). — ITALY: 2ɗ, 1Ψ, paratype, Brussa: Portogruaro, 15.viii.1997, Limonium vulgare , e.l. [viii].1997, A. Laštůvka ( AL, CVDB, ZMUC).

Leafmines on Limonium cf. vulgare .: GREECE: Arta: Salaora, 15.vi.1996, A. Laštůvka ( RMNH) [mixed with inseparable mines of maritima ]. — ITALY: Brussa: Portogruaro, 16.viii.1997, A. Laštůvka ( RMNH).

Additional records. CROATIA: 1ɗ, Dalmacia, Blace, Limonium vulgare , e.p. viii. 2002, A. Laštůvka ( AL).

Figures

FIGURES 9 – 17. Acalyptris staticis group, adults. 9, A. staticis, Canary islands, Tenerife, Puerto de la Cruz; 10, A. limoniastri, Algeria, Biskra, Paratype; 11, A. limonii, ♂ paratype, Greece, Salaora; 12, A. limonii, Ψ paratype, Greece, Salaora; 13, A. maritima, ♂, Greece, Skala; 14, A. lesbia, ♂ holotype, Greece, Lesvos; 15, A. pyrenaica, Germany, Eifel, Nettersheim; 16, 17, A. lesbia, ♂ live specimen, paratype; [material in RMNH, except Fig. 13, in ZMUC].

FIGURES 26 – 35. 26 – 28. Acalyptris platani group: male genitalia in ventral view, details. 26, 27, A. pistaciae, slide 1269, Holotype; 28, A. loranthella, slide 1261, Greece, Evvoia. 29 – 35. Acalyptris staticis group: male genitalia in ventral view. 29 – 32, A. staticis, slides 1430, Tenerife, Puerto de la Cruz, BM 24095, Holotype; 33 – 35, A. limoniastri, slides 3127, Tunisia, Nefta, BM 22597, Holotype and BM 22616 (35), paratype, Algeria, Hammam-es-Salahin.

FIGURES 49 – 54. Acalyptris staticis group: terminal abdominal segments and female genitalia (as far as visible), in dorsal view and dorsally focussed (49, 51, 54), more ventrally focussed, showing sternite (50, 52, 53). 49, A. staticis, slide 1431, Canary islands, Tenerife, Puerto de la Cruz; 50, A. pyrenaica, slide 3569 (only partly preserved), Spain, Coll del Canto, paratype; 51, 52, A. limoniastri, slide BM 22615, Algeria, Biskra, Paratype; 53, 54, A. limonii, slide 3529, Greece, Salaora, paratype.

FIGURES 62 – 70. Acalyptris species: male genitalia, valva dorsal side, drawn from right valva, through ventral side (some from left valva, mirrored); not all setae on valval tip and margins are drawn. 62, A. platani, slide 1257, Italy, Trento; 63, A. minimella, slide 1433, Corsica, Porticcio; 64, A. pistaciae, 1268, Cyprus, Limassol, paratype; 65, A. loranthella, slide 1261, Greece, Evvoia; 66 A. limoniastri, slide BM 22614, Algeria, Biskra, Paratype; 67, A. staticis, slide 1430, Canary islands, Tenerife, Puerto de la Cruz; 68, A. limonii, slide 3488, Greece, Salaora, paratype; 69, A. maritima, slide 3709, Italy, Portogruaro, paratype; 70, A. lesbia, slide 3625, male holotype, Greece, Lesvos; 71, A. pyrenaica, slide 2886, Germany, Eifel, Marmagen [not on same scale, from Nieukerken & Biesenbaum (1997)].

FIGURES 72 – 83. Acalyptris species, male genitalia, capsules (72, 74, 76, 79) and aedeagus in ventral (73, 75, 77 80, 82) and lateral view (78, 81, 83). 72, 73, A. minimella, slide 1433, Corsica, Porticcio; 74, 75, A. pistaciae, slide 1268, Cyprus, Limassol, paratype; 76 – 78, A. limoniastri, slide BM 22616, Algeria, Hammam-es-Salahin and BM 22613 (77), Biskra, paratypes; 79 – 81, A. staticis, slide 1430, Canary islands, Tenerife, Puerto de la Cruz; 82, 83, A. lesbia, Greece, Lesvos, slide 3625, holotype and slide 3552, paratype.

FIGURES 112 – 119. Acalyptris staticis group, leafmines. 112, A. maritima, Portogruaro, Brussa; 113, 114, A. limonii or maritima on Limonium sp., Arta, Salaora, 15. vi. 1996; 115 – 117, A. lesbia on Limonium gmelini, 117 showing two cocoons on midrib, leaf underside; 118, 119, A. staticis on L. pectinatum, Tenerife, Puero de la Cruz. All mines 2 × natural size, except Fig. 117, which is more enlarged.

FIGURES 125 – 127. Distribution maps of Acalyptris. 125, A. loranthella, shaded area shows approximate distribution of host Loranthus europaeus; 126, A. staticis group in Western Mediterranean: A. pyrenaica (black dots), A. staticis (grey dots) and A. limoniastri (black squares); 127, A. staticis group in Eastern Mediterranean: A. maritima (black dots), A. limonii (grey diamonds) and A. lesbia (grey square).

FIGURES 36 – 44. Acalyptris staticis group: male genitalia in ventral or lateral view (aedeagus, 40, 43, 44). 36, 37, 42, A. maritima, slides 3709, Italy, Portogruaro and 3515, Greece, Salaora, both paratypes; 38, 44, A. lesbia, slides 3625, Holotype and 3552, paratype 2003; 39, 40, 43, A. limonii, slide 3488, Greece, Salaora, paratype; 41, A. pyrenaica, slide 2827, Germany, Eifel, Nettersheim.

FIGURES 55 – 61. 55 – 59. Acalyptris staticis group: terminal abdominal segments and female genitalia (as far as visible), in dorsal view and dorsally focussed, in 58 more ventrally focussed, showing sternite. 55, 56, A. maritima, slide 3530, Italy, Portogruaro; 57 – 59, A. lesbia, slide 3642, paratype, Greece, Lesvos. 60 – 61. Acalyptris species, female, second abdominal segment from ventral, showing shape of s 2 a. 60, A. limoniastri, slide BM 22615, Algeria, Biskra, Paratype; 61, A. minimella, slide 3415, Portugal (Algarve), Serra de Monte Figo.