Phyllonorycter leucothorax ( Walsingham, 1907 )

Eiseman, Charles S. & Davis, Donald R., 2020, Wrong side of the leaf: assigning some Lithocolletinae species (Lepidoptera: Gracillariidae) to their proper genera, Zootaxa 4751 (2), pp. 201-237 : 221

Phyllonorycter leucothorax ( Walsingham, 1907)

( Figs. 43–49 )

Lithocolletis leucothorax Walsingham 1907: 223 .

Cameraria leucothorax (Walsingham) — Davis 1983: 11.

Phyllonorycter leucothorax (Walsingham) — Gates et al. 2002: 222.

Leaf mine. On the lower leaf surface; according to Braun (1916) the larva “consumes the entire leaf substance within the mine and at maturity throws the lower epidermis into several folds between which are numerous fine wrinkles.”

Generic placement. Braun (1908) correctly placed Lithocolletis leucothorax in her Group I. Davis (1983) proposed the new combination Cameraria leucothorax . Gates et al. (2002) used the name “ Phyllonorycter leucothorax (Wlsm.) ”, but they did not indicate this as a new combination, and the species has otherwise continued to be placed in Cameraria ( De Prins & De Prins 2019) . The placement in Phyllonorycter is supported by the underside tentiform leaf mine, the proximally dark-margined white forewing markings ( Figs. 43–44 ), and the absence of setae on the tegumen ( Fig. 45 ).

Hosts. Fagaceae : Notholithocarpus densiflorus (Hook. & Arn.) P.S. Manos, C.H. Cannon, & S.H. Oh var. echinoides (R.Br. ter) P.S. Manos, C.H. Cannon & S.H. Oh, Quercus chrysolepis Liebm.

Distribution. USA: CA, OR.

Review. Walsingham (1907) described this species from an adult caught in the Santa Cruz Mountains of California. Braun (1908) cited additional specimens from Placer Co. Braun (1916) reared adults from wrinkled underside mines on Notholithocarpus densiflorus var. echinoides (as Quercus densiflora var. echinoides Sargent ) collected at Upper Klamath Lake, Oregon on 8 August 1915. Opler (1974) recorded this species from Quercus chrysolepis , noting that DRD had compared his reared material with the type and had found the specimens to be conspecific. Gates et al. (2002) also listed Phyllonorycter leucothorax as forming lower-surface mines on Q. chrysolepis .

Figures

FIGURES 43–44. Phyllonorycter leucothorax adults. 43: Wings and habitus; 44: Head and forewing illustration.

FIGURES 45–49. Phyllonorycter leucothorax. 45: Male genitalia, ventral view; 46: Sternite 8; 47: Phallus; 48: Female genitalia, ventral view; 49: Female genitalia, lateral view.