Rejectaria richardashleyi Goldstein & Janzen & Hallwachs & Proshek 2022, sp. n.
Creators: name: Goldstein, Paul Z.
name: Janzen, Daniel H.
name: Hallwachs, Winnie
name: Proshek, Benjamin
Publisher: name: Zenodo
Year: 2022
Subjects: Biodiversity
Taxonomy
Animalia
Arthropoda
Insecta
Lepidoptera
Noctuidae
Rejectaria
Rejectaria richardashleyi
Rejectaria paratrax

description: Rejectaria richardashleyi Goldstein, sp. n.
Habitus Figs 21–22, 35–36, 42. Male genitalia Figs 56, 83–84. Female genitalia Figs 94, 102. Larva Figs 115–117.
Material examined. Type material: Holotype ♂ COSTA RICA: Guanacaste, Area de Conservacion Guanacaste, Sector Pitilla: Sendero Mismo, 10.98758, -85.41967, el. 680m, larva on Asplundia microphylla, 09/16/2009, ecl. 10/20/2009, Jose Calvo, collector, 09-SRNP-32559, USNMENT01493269.
Paratypes (68♂♂, 56♀♀) COSTA RICA: ALAJUELA, AREA DE CONSERVACION GUANACASTE. SECTOR RINCON RAIN FOREST (33♂♂, 28♀♀): 1♂, Comejen, 10.95669, -85.28934, el. 213m, larva on Asplundia microphylla, 11/05/2012, ecl. 12/04/2012, Keiner Aragon, collector, 12-SRNP-68765, USNMENT01493114. 1♂, Laureles, 10.93319, -85.25335, el. 95m, larva on Asplundia utilis, 06/10/2007, Jose Perez, collector, ecl. 07/10/2007, 07- SRNP-41583, USNMENT01493209. 1♂, 1♀ Palomo, 10.96187, -85.28045, el. 96m, larva on Asplundia utilis, 12/14/2010, Manuel Rios, collector: (1♂) ecl. 01/13/2011, 10-SRNP-68137, USNMENT01493014; (1♀) ecl. 01/12/2011, 10-SRNP-68139, USNMENT01493079. 5♂♂, 6♀♀, Quebrada Escondida, 10.89928, -85.27486, el. 420m, larva on Asplundia utilis: (1♂) 10/09/2001, ecl. 11/09/2001, Freyci Vargas, collector, 01-SRNP-5975, USNMENT01493279; (1♂) 12/05/2001, ecl. 12/30/2001, Freyci Vargas, collector, 01-SRNP-23447, USNMENT01479307; (1♂) 12/18/2001, ecl. 01/24/2002, Jose Perez, collector, 01-SRNP-23524, USNMENT01493009; (1♂) 11/29/2010, ecl. 12/29/2010, Anabelle Cordoba, collector, 10-SRNP-44494, USNMENT01493153; (1♂) 02/25/2011, ecl. 03/29/2011, Jose Perez, collector, 11-SRNP-41004, USNMENT01493262. (1♀) 10/09/2001, ecl. 11/10/2001, Freyci Vargas, collector, 01-SRNP-5973, USNMENT01493138; (1♀) 12/05/2001, ecl. 12/28/2001, Freyci Vargas, collector, 01-SRNP-23446, USNMENT01493117; (1♀) 09/17/2003, ecl. 10/09/2003, Jose Perez, collector, 03-SRNP-12755.1, USNMENT01493141; (1♀) 08/06/2005, ecl. 08/29/2005, Jose Perez, collector, 05-SRNP-42034, USNMENT01493167; (1♀) 11/25/2009, ecl. 12/16/2009, Jose Perez, collector, 09-SRNP-43306, USNMENT01493290; (1♀) 02/25/2011, ecl. 03/28/2011, Jose Perez, collector, 11-SRNP-41005, USNMENT01493033. 1♂, 1♀, Quebrada Escondida, 10.89928, -85.27486, el. 420m, larva on Carludovica costaricensis, 12/05/2013, Jose Perez, collector: (1♂) ecl. 01/05/2014, 13-SRNP-44863, USNMENT01493237; (1♀) ecl. 01/01/2014, 13-SRNP-44864, USNMENT01493160. 3♂♂, 2♀♀, Quebrada Guarumo, 10.90445, - 85.28412, el. 400m, larva on Asplundia utilis, Jose Perez, collector, 09/28/2010: (1♂) ecl. 10/24/2010, 10-SRNP- 43538, USNMENT01493186; (1♂) ecl. 10/24/2010, 10-SRNP-43540, USNMENT01493206; (1♂) ecl. 10/24/2010, 10-SRNP-43541, USNMENT01493204; (1♀) ecl. 10/18/2010, 10-SRNP-43539, USNMENT01493245; (1♀) ecl. 10/31/2010 r, 10-SRNP-43542, USNMENT01493005. 2♂♂, 1♀, Rio Francia Arriba, 10.89666, -85.29003, el. 400m: larva on Asplundia utilis: (1♂) 10/07/2008, ecl. 11/01/2008, Anabelle Cordoba, collector, 08-SRNP-41982, USNMENT01493082; (1♂) 07/08/2013, Jose Perez, collector, ecl. 08/04/2013, 13-SRNP-42618, USNMENT01493092; (1♀) same data as previous, ecl. 08/07/2013, 13-SRNP-42617, USNMENT01493172. 1♂, Selva, 10.92291, -85.31877, el. 410m, Larva on Asplundia utilis, 12/16/2016, ecl. 01/08/2017, Edwin Apu, collector, 16-SRNP-81079, USNMENT01501726. 2♂♂, 4♀♀ Sendero Anonas, 10.90528, -85.27882, el. 405m, larva on Asplundia utilis (1♂) Jose Perez, collector, 10/10/2003, ecl. 11/09/2003, 03-SRNP-31011, USNMENT01493059; (1♀) 08/09/2004, ecl. 09/13/2004, Jose Perez, collector, 04-SRNP-42008, USNMENT01493062; (1♂) 02/27/2013, ecl. 04/07/2013, 13-SRNP-40884, USNMENT01493179; (1♀) 02/27/2013, ecl. 03/28/2013, 13-SRNP-40883, USNMENT01493162; (1♀) 12/02/2014, ecl. 12/18/2014, Anabelle Cordoba, collector, 14-SRNP-44987, USNMENT01493244; (1♀) 09/19/2005, ecl. 10/18/2005, Minor Carmona, collector, 05-SRNP-42715, USNMENT01493022. 2♀♀, Sendero Anonas, 10.90528, -85.27882, el. 405m, larva on Carludovica costaricensis 02/12/2013, Pablo Umaña Calderon, collector: (1♀) ecl. 03/17/2013, 13-SRNP-40664, USNMENT01493278; (1♀) ecl. 03/13/2013, 13-SRNP-40665, USNMENT01493154. 1♀, Jacobo, 10.94076, -85.3177, el. 461m, larva on Asplundia utilis, 12/02/2010, ecl. 01/03/2011, Manuel Ríos, collector, 10-SRNP-81463, USNMENT01493115. 2♀♀, Sendero Guaca, 10.9061, -85.28281, el. 400m, (1♀) larva on Cyclanthus bipartitus, 12/27/2002, ecl. 01/24/2003, Jose Perez, collector, 02-SRNP-21559, USNMENT01493222; (1♀) larva on Asplundia utilis, 12/11/2003, ecl. 01/09/2004, Jose Perez, collector, 03-SRNP-31713, USNMENT01493037. 10♂♂, 4♀♀, Sendero Rincon, 10.8962, -85.27769, el. 430m, larva on Asplundia utilis: (1♂) 01/09/2002, ecl. 02/10/2002, Armando Rios, collector, 02-SRNP-6051, USNMENT01493250; (1♂) 02/12/2002, ecl. 03/15/2002, Jose Perez, collector, 02- SRNP-6319, USNMENT01493282; (1♂) 11/13/2004, ecl. 12/13/2004, Jose Perez, collector, 04-SRNP-42741, USNMENT01493036; (1♂) 11/25/2004, ecl. 12/27/2004, Jose Perez, collector, 04-SRNP-42810, USNMENT01493150; (1♂) 12/09/2004, ecl. 01/09/2005, Jose Perez, collector, 04-SRNP-42900, USNMENT01493187, USNM slide 148578; (1♂) 01/02/2005, ecl. 02/01/2005, Jose Perez, collector, 05-SRNP- 40001, USNMENT01493118; (1♂) 01/20/2005, ecl. 02/28/2005, Minor Carmona, collector, 05-SRNP-40228, USNMENT01493241; (1♂) 12/07/2005, ecl. 01/09/2006, Jose Perez, collector, 05-SRNP-43616, USNMENT01493078; (1♂) 11/07/2008, ecl. 12/08/2008, Jose Perez, collector, 08-SRNP-42148, USNMENT01493083; (1♂) 11/07/2008, ecl. 12/11/2008, Jose Perez, collector, 08-SRNP-42149, USNMENT01493042;(1♀) 01/09/2002,ecl. 02/06/2002, JosePerez,collector,02-SRNP-6048,USNMENT01493284; (1♀) 01/09/2002, ecl. 02/06/2002, Armando Rios, collector, 02-SRNP-6053, USNMENT01493252; (1♀) 11/07/2008, ecl. 12/09/2008, Jose Perez, collector, 08-SRNP-42147, USNMENT01493286; (1♀) 02/26/2013, ecl. 03/24/2013, Jose Perez, collector, 13-SRNP-40837, USNMENT01493292. 1♀, Sendero Rincon, 10.8962, - 85.27769, el. 430m, larva on Cyclanthus bipartitus, 09/17/2010, ecl. 10/07/2010, Pablo Umaña Calderon, collector, 10-SRNP-43308, USNMENT01493077. 2♂♂, 2♀♀, Sendero Venado, 10.89678, -85.27001, el. 420m, larva on Asplundia utilis, Jose Perez, collector: (1♂) 12/03/2004, ecl. 01/10/2005, 04-SRNP-42863, USNMENT01493101; (1♂) 10/23/2013, ecl. 11/29/2013, 13-SRNP-44157, USNMENT01493164; (1♀) 12/03/2004, ecl. 01/08/2005, 04- SRNP-42864, USNMENT01493227; (1♀) 10/23/2013, ecl. 11/27/2013, 13-SRNP-44156, USNMENT01493263. 1♂, Sendero Juntas, 10.90661, -85.28784, el. 400m, larva on Asplundia utilis, 11/17/2010, ecl. 12/20/2010, Jose Perez, collector, 10-SRNP-44288, USNMENT01479216. 2♂♂, 1♀, Vado Rio Francia, 10.90093, -85.28915, el. 400m, Jose Perez, collector, larva on Asplundia utilis: (1♂) 01/07/2002, ecl. 02/09/2002, 02-SRNP-6038, USNMENT01493148; (1♂) 01/02/2015, ecl. 01/31/2015, 15-SRNP-40024, USNMENT01479359; (1♀) 11/01/2013, ecl. 12/06/2013, 13-SRNP-44276, USNMENT01493094. 1♂, Vado Rio Francia, 10.90093, -85.28915, el. 400m, Jose Perez, collector, larva on Carludovica costaricensis, 01/11/2013, ecl. 02/15/2013, 13-SRNP-40115, USNMENT01493132. SECTOR SAN CRISTOBAL (9♂♂, 8♀♀): 3♂♂, Rio Blanco Abajo, 10.90037, -85.37254, el. 500m: (1♂) 11/15/2004, ecl. 12/09/2004, larva on Asplundia utilis, Gloria Sihezar, collector, 04-SRNP-60897, USNMENT01493012; (1♂) 11/05/2005, ecl. 12/08/2005, larva on Asplundia utilis, Gloria Sihezar, collector, 05- SRNP-6913, USNMENT01493066; (1♂) larva on Asplundia microphylla, 12/04/2005, ecl. 12/27/2005, Osvaldo Espinoza, collector, 05-SRNP-7574, USNMENT01493091. 2♂♂, 1♀, Sendero Colegio, 10.89296, -85.3788, el. 520m, Larva on Asplundia utilis, Gloria Sihezar, collector: (1♂) 10/03/2005, ecl. 11/09/2005, 05-SRNP-6176, USNMENT01493120; (1♀) 10/11/2006, ecl. 11/11/2006, 06-SRNP-8361, USNMENT01493229; (1♂) larva on Cyclanthus bipartitus, 08/25/2006, ecl. 09/18/2006, Carolina Cano, collector,06-SRNP-7082, USNMENT01493144. 1♂, 1♀, Sendero Huerta, 10.9305, -85.37223, el. 527m, larva on Asplundia utilis, 01/16/2007, Osvaldo Espinoza, collector: (1♂) ecl. 02/16/2007, 07-SRNP-273, USNMENT01493063; (1♀) ecl. 02/17/2007, 07-SRNP-271, USNMENT01493289. 1♀, Brasilia: Moga, 11.01227, -85.34929, el. 320m, larva on Asplundia utilis, 12/03/2013, ecl. 12/30/2013, Minor Carmona, collector, 13-SRNP-65705, USNMENT01493048. 2♂♂, 2♀♀, Sendero Palo Alto, 10.88186, -85.38221, el. 570m, larva on Asplundia utilis: (1♂) 01/16/2017, Elda Araya, collector, ecl. 02/10/2017, 17-SRNP-67, USNMENT01501706; (1♂) 01/16/2017, Elda Araya, collector, ecl. 02/13/2017 17- SRNP-69, USNMENT01501703; (1♀) 09/20/2005, Carolina Cano, collector, ecl. 10/16/2005, 05-SRNP-5882, USNMENT01493194; (1♀) 09/20/2005, Carolina Cano, collector, ecl. 10/18/2005, 05-SRNP-5883, USNMENT01493264. 1♂, 3♀♀, Tajo Angeles, 10.86472, -85.41531, el. 540m, larva on Asplundia utilis, Gloria Sihezar, collector, 09/20/2010: (1♂) ecl. 10/24/2010, 10-SRNP-5402, USNMENT01493126; (1♀) ecl. 10/11/2010, 10-SRNP-5397, USNMENT01493034; (1♀) ecl. 10/16/2010, 10-SRNP-5399, USNMENT01493032; (1♀) ecl. 10/22/2010, 10-SRNP-5401, USNMENT01493166. SECTOR DEL ORO (5♂♂, 1♀): 4♂♂, 1♀, Bosque Aguirre, 11.0006, -85.438, el. 620m, larva on Cyclanthus bipartitus, 11/11/2010, Lucia Ríos, collector: (1♂) ecl. 12/11/2010, 10-SRNP-22482, USNMENT01493142: (1♂) ecl. 12/12/2010, 10-SRNP-22479, USNMENT01493035; (1♂) ecl. 12/12/2010, 10-SRNP-22480, USNMENT01493193;(1♂)ecl. 12/20/2010, 10-SRNP-22481, USNMENT01493137; (1♀) 05/24/2015, ecl. 06/22/2015, 15-SRNP-20615, USNMENT01493202. 1♂, Monte Cristo, 11.01373, -85.42531, el. 525m, larva on Cyclanthus bipartitus, 11/07/2016, ecl. 12/03/2016, Lucia Ríos, collector, 16-SRNP-21701, USNMENT01501728. SECTOR PITILLA (21♂♂, 16♀♀): 4♂♂, 3♀♀, Sendero Cuestona, 10.99455, -85.41461, el. 640m, larva on Asplundia microphylla: (1♂) 12/06/2003, ecl. 01/08/2004, Lucia Ríos, collector, 03-SRNP-37286, USNMENT01493055; (1♀) 10/03/2006, ecl. 10/27/2006, Manuel Rios, collector, 06-SRNP-34630, USNMENT01493192; (1♂) 07/01/2011, ecl. 09/01/2011, Manuel Rios, collector, 11-SRNP-31890, USNMENT01493260; (1♀) 08/25/2011, ecl. 09/25/2011, Manuel Rios, collector, 11-SRNP-32415, USNMENT01493105; (1♂) 09/28/2011, ecl. 11/03/2011, Manuel Rios, collector, 11-SRNP-32933, USNMENT01493113; (1♂) 11/15/2012, Calixto Moraga, collector: ecl. 12/26/2012, 12-SRNP-31712, USNMENT01493076; (1♀) ecl. 12/20/2012, 12-SRNP-31711, USNMENT01493224. 2♂♂, Sendero Evangelista, 10.9868, -85.42083, el. 660m: larva on Asplundia microphylla: (1♂) 08/03/2011: ecl. 09/01/2011, Freddy Quesada, collector, 11-SRNP-32123, USNMENT01493257; (1♂) 08/05/2013, ecl. 09/04/2013, Manuel Rios, collector, 13- SRNP-31037, USNMENT01493276. 7♂♂, 4♀♀, Sendero Laguna, 10.9888, -85.42336, el. 680m, larva on Asplundia microphylla: (1♂) 08/25/2004, ecl. 09/20/2004, Calixto Moraga, collector, 04-SRNP-34808, USNMENT01493228; (1♂) 10/07/2006, ecl. 11/06/2006, Manuel Rios, collector, 06-SRNP-34667, USNMENT01493028; (1♂) 12/22/2008, ecl. 01/26/2009, Manuel Rios, collector, 08-SRNP-33140, USNMENT01493088 (1♂) 11/23/2009, ecl. 12/25/2009, Calixto Moraga, collector, 09-SRNP-33319, USNMENT01493149; (1♂) 08/15/2011, ecl. 09/07/2011, Freddy Quesada, collector, 11-SRNP-32330, USNMENT01493235; (1♂) 02/19/2013, ecl. 04/06/2013, Calixto Moraga, collector, 13-SRNP-30344, USNMENT01493016; (1♂) 08/26/2013, ecl. 10/02/2013, Freddy Quesada, collector, 13-SRNP-31215, USNMENT01493047; (1♀) 10/09/2006, ecl. 11/02/2006, Petrona Rios, collector, 06-SRNP- 34701, USNMENT01493089; (1♀) 12/09/2008, ecl. 01/11/2009, Petrona Rios, collector, 08-SRNP-33069, USNMENT01493002; (1♀) 12/09/2008, ecl. 01/15/2009, Petrona Rios, collector, 08-SRNP-33070, USNMENT01493163; (1♀) 12/22/2014, ecl. 01/25/2015, Freddy Quesada, collector, 14-SRNP-31775, USNMENT01493080. 1♂, 1♀, Sendero Memos, 10.98171, -85.42785, el. 740m, larva on Asplundia microphylla: (1♂) 11/28/2003, ecl. 01/07/2004, Lucia Ríos, collector, 03-SRNP-37132, USNMENT01493211; (1♀) 12/04/2007, ecl. 12/30/2007, Manuel Rios, collector, 07-SRNP-34060, USNMENT01493060, USNM slide 148389. 4♂♂, 2♀♀, Sendero Mismo, 10.98758, -85.41967, el. 680m, larva on Asplundia microphylla: (1♂) 09/28/2011, ecl. 11/09/2011, Manuel Rios, collector, 11-SRNP-32934, USNMENT01493253; (1♂) 08/22/2013, ecl. 09/24/2013, Freddy Quesada, collector, 13-SRNP-31144, USNMENT01493129; (1♂) 08/22/2013, ecl. 10/06/2013, Freddy Quesada, collector, 13-SRNP-31213, USNMENT01493190; (1♂) 08/22/2013, ecl. 10/07/2013, Freddy Quesada, collector, 13-SRNP- 31235, USNMENT01493045; (1♀) 08/20/2010, ecl. 09/20/2010, Petrona Rios, collector, 10-SRNP-31827, USNMENT01493216, USNM slide 148577; (1♀) 09/14/2016, ecl. 10/12/2016, Freddy Quesada, collector, 16- SRNP-31531, USNMENT01501768. 1♂, Sendero Nacho, 10.98445, -85.42481, el. 710m: larva on Asplundia microphylla, 09/27/2011, ecl. 10/23/2011, Manuel Rios, collector, 11-SRNP-32907, USNMENT01493104. 2♂♂, 3♀♀, Sendero Naciente, 10.98705, -85.42816, el. 700m, larva on Asplundia microphylla: (1♂) 11/25/2013, ecl. 01/07/2014, Calixto Moraga, collector, 13-SRNP-31690, USNMENT01493214; (1♂) 11/25/2013, ecl. 01/04/2014, Calixto Moraga, collector, 13-SRNP-31693, USNMENT01493170; (1♀) 10/19/2012, ecl. 11/27/2012, Manuel Rios, collector, 12-SRNP-31546, USNMENT01493130; (1♀) 11/19/2014, ecl. 01/02/2015, Freddy Quesada, collector, 14-SRNP-31689, USNMENT01493003; (1♀) 11/09/2016, ecl. 12/08/2016, Freddy Quesada, collector, 16-SRNP-31843, USNMENT01501778. 1♀, Sendero Tierra Blanca, 10.98122, -85.41773, el. 680m: larva on Asplundia microphylla: 03/07/2013,ecl. 04/09/2013, Manuel Rios,collector,13-SRNP-30378,USNMENT01493169. 1♀, Estacion Pitilla, 10.98931, -85.42581, el. 675m: larva on Asplundia microphylla: 10/02/2014, ecl. 11/06/2014, Freddy Quesada, collector, 14-SRNP-31297, USNMENT01493086. 1♀, Sendero Bernales, 10.9835, -85.42117, el. 660m: larva on Asplundia microphylla: 01/09/2017, ecl. 02/09/2017, Freddy Quesada, collector, 17-SRNP-30083, USNMENT01501776.
Diagnosis. Rejectaria richardashleyi bears a number of strong similarities to both R. magas (see diagnosis above) and B. albidiscalis. It differs from both species in its large hind-femoral tufts; from albidiscalis in the broken HW submarginal band, which is more continuous in albidiscalis, and possibly in the configuration of the male palp, the second segment of which extends approximately to just beyond the patagium in richardashleyi, and to the center of the thorax in albidiscalis. Rejectaria richardashleyi is also similar to Strathocles magnipilosa but the latter species has vastly expanded hind femoral tufts and elongate forewings, each with a posteromedial hyaline patch. Rejectaria richardashleyi is outwardly distinguished from other Neotropical Herminiinae by the combination of the bold yellowish-tan am and pm lines on the forewing, their dark shading flanking the median field, and the small pale crescent lunule; additionally, in the male genitalia, the costa of the valva is completely fused to the valva, and sclerotized in its basal half; the vesica bears a conspicuously anvil-shaped subbasal lobe, similar to that in magas. The female genitalia lack the serrate semicircular ridges inside the bursa which are present in villosa, villavicencia, magas, and ritaashleyae.
Description. Head. Frons, vertex dark chocolate-brown; antennae setose-ciliate; male palpi (Fig. 35) dark brown, orange scaling along inner edge of 2 nd segment, highly developed, sweeping back sharply over the head, but with no acute angles; female palpi (Fig. 36) cocoa-brown, curved in a semicircle, 3 rd segment fine, nearly as long as 2 nd, scaled dark gray and faintly edged with white at base and tip.
Thorax. Wings— (males, 19mm, n=5; females, 18mm, n=5) Forewing dusky brown; basal line absent; am and pm lines both present and bicolorous, dark brown outwardly, paler inward; median stigma a small pale lunule; pm line sharp, inwardly a diffuse dark brown band, outwardly a more sharp, tannish brown line, angled slightly inward near costa; st line faint, pale, jagged; terminal line a series of black chevrons edged outwardly with tannish brown; HW concolorous with FW, basal and am lines absent, pm and st lines continuous with those of FW. Legs— (Figs 35, 36) Male with conspicuous tufts on all legs, hind-femoral tufts the most expansive; white bands present in female.
Abdomen. Dark brown, concolorous with uppersides of wings.
Male genitalia. (Figs 56, 83–84) Uncus elongate, setose, sheepsfoot-shaped, costal margin of valva sclerotized or partially sclerotized basally, without any part free, sclerotized in basal half, a small setal tuft at terminus of sclerotization; vinculum bluntly tapered; phallic ridge present; vesica multi-lobate, with thin sclerotized patch originating on phallus and bearing reduced patch of microspines; microspines on remainder of vesica concentrated primarily on two subbasal lobes, one anvil-shaped.
Female genitalia. (Figs 94, 102) Ductus and corpus bursae more stout than in previous species; bursal band of signa (Fig. 102) weakly developed as series of rudimentary toothlike internal spines, less well developed than in paratrax, and opposite corkscrew-shaped appendix bursae, also shared by those species; a small patch and partial second band of toothlike spines closer to ductus; spinules distributed medioventrally in the vicinity of the belt.
Immature stages. (Figs 115–117) Mature larva green with pale subdorsal and spiracular stripes; head green with four dark stripes; dorsal stripes yellowish; subdorsal and spiracular stripes white; intersegmental bands yellowish white.
Etymology. Rejectaria richardashleyi is named in honor of Richard C.Ashley of Texas and Nicoya, Costa Rica, in recognition of his many years of support for Biodiversity Development and Inventory of Area of Conservacion Guanacaste and its recent expansion nationally as BioAlfa, an effort to support Costa Rica’s bioliteracy.
Biology. Larvae documented feeding on Asplundia microphylla (n = 43), Asplundia utilis (n = 74), Carludovica costaricensis (n = 5), and Cyclanthus bipartitus (n=9). The parasitoid Zelomorpha paulgoldsteini (Braconidae: Agathidinae) was reared from R. richardashleyi larvae on Asplundia utilis (3 records: 10-SRNP-68136, 10-SRNP- 68138, 15-SRNP-45311); see parasitoid records under ritaashleyae, above.
Distribution. Costa Rica
Remarks. This species bears a number of similarities to both Bleptina albdidiscalis and Strathocles magnipilosa as well as Rejectaria magas, but in the absence of a phylogenetic analysis it is unclear whether these represent synapomorphies.
description: Published as part of Goldstein, Paul Z., Janzen, Daniel H., Hallwachs, Winnie & Proshek, Benjamin, 2022, New species in Rejectaria Guenée (Lepidoptera: Erebidae: Herminiinae) with a focus on the Cyclanthaceae-feeders, pp. 451-483 in Zootaxa 5087 (3) on pages 467-478, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5087.3.4, http://zenodo.org/record/5826945