Ancylis saliana Gilligan and Huemer

Gilligan, Todd, Huemer, Peter & Wiesmair, Benjamin, 2016, Different continents, same species? Resolving the taxonomy of some Holarctic Ancylis Hübner (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae), Zootaxa 4178 (3), pp. 347-370 : 367

Ancylis saliana Gilligan and Huemer , sp.n.

Figs. 47–52, 72, 85

Type material. Holotype. Ƌ: “FL: Putnam Co., Palatka, At MV /UV light” “ H. D. Baggett, 7-III-1992 ” ( MEM) . Paratypes (11). United States: 2 Ƌ, 3 ♀ [same data as holotype], 18 February 1992 (1 ♀, MEM), 17 April 1992 (1 Ƌ, MEM), 2 May 1992 (1 Ƌ, MEM), 12 May 1992 (1 ♀, MEM), 6 September 1991 (1 ♀, MEM) ; 1 Ƌ, Florida, Collier Co., near Copeland, Fakahachee Strand , Jane’s Scenic Drive , 28 March 1986, leg. “DOW”, slide TMG676 ( FSCA) ; 1 Ƌ, Florida, Collier Co., near Copeland, Fakahachee Strand , Jane’s Scenic Drive , 28 March 1986, leg. H. D. Baggett ( MEM) ; 2 ♀, Florida, Paradise Key , 4 March 1919, leg. Schwarz and Barber, slide TMG691 ( USNM) ; 1 ♀, Florida, Royal Palm State Park , [date unreadable] 1930, leg. F. M. Jones, slide TMG629 ( USNM) ; 1 ♀, Florida, Volusia Co., Cassadaga , 29 January 1963, leg. S. V. Fuller ( FSCA) .

Diagnosis. Ancylis saliana is distinguished by the shape of the longitudinal line, which extends along A1+2 before angling abruptly back towards the base of the wing, and then continuing down to CuA2 and straight towards the apex. This shape approximates a “wave” or “hook” in most specimens that is easy to distinguish from the weakly sinuate line in A. diminuatana . In specimens of A. diminuatana where the longitudinal line curves more abruptly to the costa (e.g., Fig. 42), A. saliana can be distinguished by the pale tan or brown coloration in the dorsal half of the wing versus gray in A. diminuatana .

Description. Head, labial palpi and thorax tan. Second and third segment of labial palpi with patches of brown scales. Forewing. FWL Ƌ 5.9–6.8 mm (n=4), ♀ 6.5–7.7 mm (n=8). Forewing is falcate. The costal half of the wing is a mix of light tan, brown, and yellowish brown. The costa is light tan becoming brown towards the apex with remnants of costal strigulae. The dorsal half of the wing is pale tan with some brown markings. The longitudinal line runs from the base of the wing along A1+2, angles abruptly back above the cubitus towards the base of the wing, and then continues down to CuA2, and straight towards the apex. Small black streaks are often present on R5 just proximal to the termen, which has a row of dark brown scales. Some specimens (Fig. 52) have black scales interspersed in the costal half of the wing along the margin of the longitudinal line and in the dorsal half of the wing. Cilia at the apex dark brown with a white postapical strigula, other cilia are pale tan. Hindwing is pale grayish brown. Male genitalia. As described for the group. Female genitalia. As described for the group with the following modifications: apophyses posteriores 0.7 as long as apophyses anteriores; antrum sclerotized to the posterior 0.20 of the ductus bursae; and ductus seminalis arising in the anterior 0.3 of the ductus bursae.

Molecular data. Unknown.

Distribution. Ancylis saliana is only known from few localities in Florida.

Biology. The majority of adults were collected from January to May. A single collection in September from the type locality suggests two generations. The larval host is unknown.

Etymology. The species name is a variation of the Latin “ sali ” for “waves,” referring to the shape of the longitudinal line in most specimens.

Remarks. Although it is somewhat troubling that we could find no genitalic differences from A. diminuatana , we believe that the consistent shape of the longitudinal line and lack of gray in the dorsal half of the wing sufficiently distinguishes A. saliana as a separate species.