Ancylis geminana

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 : 362-363

Ancylis geminana group

The A. geminana group contains A. geminana , A. christiandiana , A. diminutana , A. diminuatana , A. subarcuana , and A. saliana . Ancylis diminuatana and A. subarcuana are elevated from synonymy with A. geminana , and A. christiandiana and A. saliana are described as new. As a result of these taxonomic changes, none of the species in this group is considered to be Holarctic in distribution.

Species identification in this group is difficult and usually relies on minor differences in wing pattern. Male genitalia are variable and useless in discriminating species; we illustrate each species to display the range of variability in this group. Female genitalia are uniform with species-specific characters for only a couple taxa. Shared characters include:

Forewing. Fasciae are undefined; instead the wing is divided longitudinally along the radius and/or cubitus into a darker costal half and a lighter dorsal half, creating a two-toned appearance in some species. The border between the costal and dorsal halves creates a sinuate “longitudinal line,” often bordered in white, which runs from base to apex. The shape and degree of expression of the longitudinal line is often useful in diagnosing species.

Male genitalia. Uncus bifid to 0.75–0.9 its total length, well developed in all species. Socii large membranous setose pads. Valva with costal margin concave to nearly straight; saccular angle moderately to strongly developed with variable triangular terminal projection; neck width variable, from moderate to wide; cucullus with rounded dorsal lobe and narrow fingerlike ventral lobe, outer margin concave to straight, variably setose with rows of short setae along dorsal lobe and outer margin. Caulis 0.5–0.7 as long as phallus; phallus 0.4–0.5 as long as valva; vesica with> 100 deciduous lanceolate cornuti.

Female genitalia. Papillae anales moderately setose. Apophyses posteriores the same length or 0.75 as long as apophyses anteriores. Lamella postvaginalis membranous, undefined; lamella antevaginalis sclerotized, projecting ventrally above ostium, often with slight median indentation, forming a weakly sclerotized funnel-shaped antrum. Colliculum present as two small lateral sclerites continuous with anterior sclerotization of antrum. Ductus seminalis arising posterior to junction of ductus and corpus bursae. Corpus bursae large, oval; two blade- or hornshaped signa present.

Variation. The shape of the male valva varies greatly. The width of the neck, and corresponding degree of development of the dorsal lobe of the cucullus, can vary extensively within species (e.g., Figs. 70–71, 73–74 ) or even within the same individual (e.g., Fig. 71 ). The shape of the ventral lobe of the cucullus also varies within species and individuals. Note that the appearance of valval shape is influenced by the method of slide preparation; any tilting or twisting of the genitalia during mounting will alter the appearance of the cucullus and the sacculus. The male genitalia figures presented here ( Figs. 67–74 ) illustrate the range of variability found within this group; however, none of the variability is specific to a particular species and any of the figures could represent any of the species treated here.

Figures

FIGURES 67 – 74. Male genitalia. 67, A. geminana ([no data], TMG 618). 68, A. christiandiana (Austria, TOR 464 P. Huemer). 69, A. diminutana (Germany, TMG 616). 70 – 71, A. diminuatana (70, Maryland, TMG 688; 71, Nebraska, TMG 635). 72, A. saliana (Florida, TMG 676). 73 – 74, A. subarcuana (73, Austria, TMG 619; 74, Germany, TMG 703).