Epicephala bipollenella Li, Wang & Hu, 2012

Kawakita, Atsushi & Kato, Makoto, 2016, Revision of the Japanese species of Epicephala Meyrick with descriptions of seven new species (Lepidoptera, Gracillariidae), ZooKeys 568, pp. 87-118 : 91-92

Taxon classification Animalia Lepidoptera Gracillariidae

Epicephala bipollenella Li, Wang & Hu, 2012 Figs 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7

Epicephala sp. 2 ( Kato et al. 2003); Epicephala sp. ( zeylanicum ) ( Kawakita et al. 2004); Clade 6 ( Kawakita and Kato 2006); Epicephala sp. ex Glochidion zeylanicum ( Kawakita and Kato 2009); Epicephala sp. 5 ( Glochidion zeylanicum ) ( Kawakita et al. 2010).

Diagnosis.

This species is distinctive among other species of Epicephala in that the anterior margin and midline of the seventh sternite of females have strong sclerotized wrinkles. The species is similar to Epicephala lanceolatella but can be distinguished from the latter by the apically rounded sacculus, stronger wrinkles on seventh sternite of females and broader lamella postvaginalis.

Description.

Description as in Zhang et al. (2012a), except the following.

Head: Female proboscis with a large number of trichoid sensilla; sensilla 1.5 × as long as width of proboscis, denser toward base.

Male genitalia: Aedeagus slightly curved downwardly; dorsal surface with a sclerotized longitudinal ridge beginning medially at base and curving left toward apex.

Material examined.

64♂, 51♀. JAPAN: Kagoshima Prefecture: Amami Island, Akakina, 3.vii.1999, 1♂, 1♀; Amami Island, Akakina, 2.x.2002, 1♂; Amami Island, Akakina, 23.xii.2004, 2♂, 1♀; Amami Island, Taira, 24.vi.2008, 2♂, 1♀; Okinawa Prefecture: Okinawa Island, Henoko, 13.vi.2004, 41♂, 32♀; Okinawa Island, Henoko, 15.vi.2015, 7♂, 9♀; Okinawa Island, Taiho, 13.vi.2004, 2♂, 1♀; Okinawa Island, Higashi, 13.vi.2004, 3♂, 4♀; Ishigaki Island, Omoto, 25.ix.2005, 1♂, 1♀; Iriomote Island, Funaura, 29.ix.2004, 3♂, 1♀; Iriomote Island, Sonai, 9.ix.2008, 1♂.

DNA barcodes.

AY221966-AY221971, AY525733, DQ299033-DQ299039.

Known host and adult behavior.

Known only from Glochidion zeylanicum . Pollination behavior present. Oviposition from apical stylar pit, in stylar tissue (Fig. 8C). Larva feeds on seeds.

Distribution.

Occurs widely throughout the Ryukyu Archipelago, Japan (Fig. 9B). Known also from China ( Zhang et al. 2012a).

Remarks.

Zhang et al. (2012a) suggest that this species pollinates two Glochidion species ( Glochidion zeylanicum and Glochidion hirsutum , hence the name bipollenella ). However, Glochidion hirsutum is a name used to refer to hairy individuals of Glochidion zeylanicum , which occur in low frequency in some populations. Similar co-occurrence of glabrous and pubescent individuals is common in Glochidion (A. Kawakita, personal observation). This species is therefore better viewed as a specialist of Glochidion zeylanicum , at least in populations thus far studied.