Udea galapagensis Landry, 2016, sp. n.
Creators: name: Bernard Landry
Publisher: name: Zenodo
Year: 2016
Subjects: Biodiversity
Taxonomy
Animalia
Arthropoda
Insecta
Lepidoptera
Pyralidae
Udea
Udea galapagensis

description: Udea galapagensis sp. n.
Figs 69, 70, 90, 134, 180
Material examined:
Holotype: ♂, ‘ ECU
[ADOR]., GALAPAGOS | Isabela, V[olcan]. Darwin | 1000 m elev[ation]., 18.v.1992 | M[ercury]V[apour]L[ight], leg [it]. B. Landry’; ‘MHNG | ENTO ♂ | 00009036 ’; ‘HOLOTYPE | Udea | galapagensis | B. Landry’. Deposited in MHNG.
Paratypes: 21 ♂, 39 ♀ from the Galápagos Islands, Ecuador. – Fernandina: 1 ♂, 1 ♀, SW side, GPS: 815 m elev[ation]., S 00° 21.270’, W 91° 35.341’, 11.ii.2005, u[ltra]v[iolet]l[ight] (B. Landry, P. Schmitz); 1 ♂, 1 ♀, SW side, crater rim, GPS: 1341 m elev., S 00° 21.910’, W 91° 34.034’, 12.ii.2005, uvl (B. Landry, P. Schmitz). – Isabela: 2 ♂, 1 ♀, Volcan Sierra Negra, Corason [sic] Verde, 360 m, i.1971 (L163, R. Perry & Tj. De Vries, B.M. 1971-79); 1 ♀, 1 km W Puerto Villamil, 3.iii.1989, MVL (B. Landry); 2 ♂, 2 ♀, 3 km N S[an]to Tómas, Agr[iculture]. Zone, 8.iii.1989 MVL (B. Landry); 2 ♂, Sierra Negra, pampa zone, 1000 m, 12.iii.1989 MVL (B. Landry); 2 ♀, NE slope Alcedo, ca. 400 m up (S) Los Guayabillos camp, GPS: 892 m elev., S 00° 25.208’, W 91° 04.765’, 1.iv.2004, uvl (B. Landry, P. Schmitz); 1 ♂, Alcedo, lado NE, 700 m, camp guayabillos, 16.iv.2002, uvl (B. Landry, L. Roque); 3 ♂, 2 ♀, Alcedo, lado NE, 1100 m, cumbre, Caseta Cayot, 17.iv.2002, uvl (B. Landry, L. Roque); 2 ♀, V[olcan]. Darwin, 630 m elev., 16.v.1992, MVL (B. Landry); 2 ♂ (one dissected, slide MHNG-ENTO-8711), 3 ♀ (one dissected, slide MHNG- ENTO-8712), same data as holotype; 6 ♀, V. Darwin, 1240 m elev., 19.v.1992, MVL (B. Landry); 1 ♂, Sierra Negra, Corazon Verde, xi-xii.1974 (T.J. de Vries, B.M. 1976-58); 1 ♀, Volcan Sierra Negra, Santo Tomas, Corazon Verde, 360 m, xi.1974, on Teuerium besicarium, Labiatae (T.J. de Vries, B.M. 1976-58). – San Cristóbal: 1 ♀, 4 km SE P[uer]to Baquarizo [sic], 12.ii.1989, MVL (B. Landry); 2 ♀, idem except 20.ii.1989; 1 ♀, 1 km S El Progreso, 14.ii.1989, MVL (B. Landry); 1 ♂, pampa zone, 15.ii.1989, MVL (B. Landry); 1 ♂ (dissected, CNC slide PYR 375), 2 ♀, idem except 18.ii.1989; 1 ♂, base of Cerro Pelado, 22.ii.1989, MVL (B. Landry); 1 ♀, La Toma, ca. 5.6 km east El Progreso, GPS: 299 m elev., S 00° 55.356’, W 89° 31.089’, 23.ii.2005, uvl (B. Landry); 2 ♀, El Junco, east side, GPS: 654 m elev., S 00° 53.734’, W 89° 28.727’, 25.ii.2005, uvl (B. Landry); 1 ♀, El Junco, v.1975 (T.J. de Vries, B.M. 1976-58). – Santa Cruz: 2 ♀, Los Gemelos, 31.i.1989, MVL (B. Landry); 1 ♀ (dissected, slide MHNG-ENTO-9023), idem except 27.v.1992; 1 ♂, Media Luna, pampa zone, 2.ii.1989, in flight (B. Landry); 1 ♀, Finca S[teve]. Devine, 17.iii.1989, MVL (B. Landry); 1 ♀, transition zone, house of L. Roque, elev. 137 m, GPS: 00° 42.595’, W 90° 19.196’, 9.iv.2004, white light (B. Landry); 1 ♀, Media Luna, xi.1974 (B.M. 1975-7). – Santiago: 1 ♂, N side, GPS: 527 m elev., S 00° 13.690°, W 90° 44.135’, 5.iii.2005, uvl (P. Schmitz). Deposited in BMNH, CDRS, CNC, and MHNG.
Diagnosis: This species is externally most similar to several other Udea species found in South America, including U. capsifera (Meyrick, 1933), described from Argentina, for which the male genitalia are also very similar. For example, both species have a single long cornutus on the vesica (Fig. 134), but in U. capsifera (slide BM 21107 of lectotype) the cornutus is about one fourth of the length of the phallus while it is one third of that length in U. galapagensis. In addition, the spinose end of the uncus in U. capsifera is larger, with distinctly longer spines, the longest about 7/10 the length of the spined surface, the ventral margin of the valva is more strongly angled, the lateral margins of the juxta are slightly concave and the basal margin is more broadly rounded, the vinculum is slightly longer and more narrowly rounded apically, and the transtilla is narrower and set with about one third as many less setae along a narrower section of the transtilla. The second palpomere of the labial palpus of U. capsifera dorsally has a distinct triangular projection of compact scales; this projection is also present in U. galapagensis, but it is less prominent and scales are longer and less compactly set. The fore- and midlegs of U. galapagensis are mostly greyish brown with a darker dorsal edge at base while they are paler with the midleg tibia, for example, whitish beige except for brown dorsal edge at base in U. capsifera, and the latter species is larger (9 mm forewing length in lectotype). Udea fusculalis (Hampson, 1899) is externally similar but my dissection (Pyralidae Brit. Mus. Slide. 21108) of a male syntype shows that it is clearly a different species as its uncus is longer and its spinose section apically is almost as narrow as the unspinose stem, the juxta is medially notched at base, and the vesica doesn’t have a long cornutus. Udea tenoalis Munroe, 1974 is also similar but in the male the juxta is bifid, the vinculum is ventrally pointed, and the cornutus is one fourth of the length of the phallus, and in the female genitalia there is no distinct sclerotized structure associated with the ostium bursae, the ductus bursae is shorter than the corpus bursae, and the latter is densely set with strong spines in the proximal half. In the Galápagos this species is similar to four others with brown wings and darker brown markings. They can be separated by the key presented in the treatment of Herpetogramma phaeopteralis (Guenée) above.
Etymology: The specific name refers to the place of origin of the specimens.
Description: Male (n=22) (Fig. 69). Head: frons flat with vestiture short scaled, appressed, greyish brown, with appressed white scales along eye margin at base of antenna and ocellus, scales behind eye short, dark to pale greyish brown and white, longest scales laterally on occiput mostly yellowish brown and projecting dorsomedially, narrow scales projecting anteriorly between antennae greyish brown; antenna slightly serrate, with ciliation about 2/5 as long as width of flagellomeres, vestiture greyish brown, darker on scape and basal flagellomeres; maxillary palpus conspicuous, projecting anteriorly beyond eye margin to distance equal to about half diameter of eye, vestiture white medially, greyish brown laterally; labial palpus porrect, long, projecting beyond frons to distance equal to 1.3 diameter of eye, basal palpomere mostly dirty white with scales slightly projecting ventrally, second palpomere ventrally with narrow projecting scales apically, dorsally with slightly wider projecting scales forming triangle reaching frontoclypeal margin, with scales brown to greyish brown toward apex, with base of scales paler, third palpomere thin scaled, greyish brown; haustellum white at base, greyish brown beyond, increasingly darker. Thorax dorsally at base dark greyish brown with purple tinge, posteriorly paler, tan, with scales often darker tipped, those of apex of tegulae elongate and almost reaching apex of thorax. Foreleg coxa pale greyish brown with blackish brown patch at base and white at tip; femur greyish brown with scattered white scales and blackish brown apical patch; tibia greyish brown with pale dirty cream at base, middle, and apex, with long scales over epiphysis pale greyish brown, white, and cream; tarsomeres pale dirty cream with pale greyish brown mostly on fourth. Midleg femur as on foreleg; tibia enlarged in girth, with longitudinal slit ventrally (hiding androconial hair-like scales), greyish brown, darker on basal half, with white at tip, spurs pale cream; tarsomeres dirty cream with light greyish brown on whole exposed surface. Hindleg femur white with scattered greyish brown scales, sometimes forming patches postbasally, postmedially, and apically; tibia pale cream, sometimes darker, with scattered greyish brown scales, spurs pale cream; tarsomeres pale cream with more or less greyish brown scales. Forewing length: 7.0- 8.5 mm (holotype: 8.5 mm) (wingspan: 15.5-18.5 mm). Wing vestiture brown with more or less conspicuous darker markings as shown. Abdomen dorsally greyish brown with whole apical margin of tergites white or white only medially; ventrally pale greyish brown with apical dark greyish brown spot laterally on sternites II-VI. Segment VIII with sclerotization pattern as shown (Fig. 90).
Male genitalia (n=5) (Fig. 134). Uncus at base fused medially with tegumen, forming cross with narrow lateral wings and slightly wider basal sections, basal section of free shaft (‘neck’) very narrow, apical section (‘head’) enlarged, covered with short, thick spines, apex broadly rounded. Subscaphium narrow at base, enlarging to 4 X basal width at mid-length and then narrowing and forming sclerotized canal almost closed dorsally, apically reaching tip of valvae. Tegumen short and wide, lightly sclerotized except for deeply concave basal margin medially, lateral margins, and especially apicolateral angles, devoid of scales medially and along basal margin. Pseudognathos lightly sclerotized laterally, more strongly so medially and forming thin, bell-shaped curve. Transtilla with lateral arms strongly developed, curving to connect medially in narrow bridge, ventrally set with pointed scales of medium length present also on membrane ventrad of transtilla. Valva narrow, parallelmargined until slightly beyond middle, then narrowing to half basal width at rounded apex, with dorsal margin more thickly sclerotized, medially at base near middle with more thickly sclerotized diagonal ridge prolonged by short and narrow fibula reaching ventral margin, recurved, and set with one seta medially near base and 1-2 very small ones apicomedially, also medially along midline with series of stiff setae from 1/3 to 2/3. Juxta small, quadrangular. Vinculum of medium width laterally; saccus bulbous. Phallus straight, dorsally membranous from base of incomplete coecum penis to 3/5 of length; vesica with single long cornutus about 1/3 of length of phallus shaft.
Female (n=39) (Fig. 70): Antenna filiform with ciliation about as long as 1/6 width of flagellomeres. Forewing length: 7.0-9.0 mm (wingspan: 15.0-19.0 mm). Female genitalia (n=2) (Fig. 180). Papillae anales short, longer medially and about 1/6th of width, dorsally connected, with setation abundant and long along basal margin; sclerotized basal margin short on both sides of bases of apophyses, pointed dorsally, slightly enlarging ventrally; posterior apophyses thin, about 2/3 as long as width of papillae anales, with slight enlargement at base. Segment VIII with tergum medium sized, reducing in length by 1/4 at base of apophyses, then ventrad from base of apophyses scobinated and with ventral margin converging toward dorsal margin, with very few short setae dorsally; ventrally with lightly sclerotized, smooth surfaced triangular plate covering most of space; anterior apophyses about 1/3 longer than posterior, thicker, without distinct enlargement. Membrane around ostium bursae unmodified. Ductus bursae long, of medium girth, with funnel-shaped antrum elongate, well sclerotized, about 11% of whole ductus length, internally with short setae on most of surface directed medially and posteriorly; colliculum well sclerotized, short, about 2/5th length of antrum, unsclerotized dorsally, smooth surfaced; inception of ductus seminalis dorsally at base of distal, smooth section of ductus seminalis. Corpus bursae rounded, about 30% of length of ductus bursae, with large, internally spinulated, mouth-shaped plate.
Biology: One specimen has a label with ‘ Teuerium besicarium ’, the correct spelling of which is Teuctrium vesicarium Mill., a Lamiaceae species native to the Galápagos and found on the four largest inhabited islands (Floreana, Isabela, San Cristóbal, Santa Cruz) (Jaramillo Díaz & Guézou, 2015). In addition, the species has been found most commonly in the high elevation pampa zone and the collecting records are from November, December, and January until May.
Distribution: Presumed endemic to the Galápagos, this species has been found on the islands of Fernandina, Isabela, San Cristóbal, Santa Cruz, and Santiago.
Remarks: The San Cristóbal specimens are in general darker (Fig. 70) than those from the other islands, but darker specimens are also known from Isabela. more contrasting stigma at the end of the forewing cell (Fig. 70) can be observed in only six of the specimens at hand. Udea capsifera (Meyrick, 1933: 409) was described from four specimens in genus Phlyctaenia. dissected male is here designated lectotype, with the following labels: 1-‘LECTO / TYPE’ [circular, marine blue bordered, typed]; 2- ‘Alta Gracia / Argentina / CB..32’ [hand written]; 3- ‘Meyrick Coll. / B.M. 1938-290.’ [typed, upside down]; 4- ‘ capsifera Meyr. ’ [hand written]; 5- ‘ Phlyctaenia / capsifera / ¼ Meyrick / E. Meyrick det. / in Meyrick Coll.’ [handwritten except for typed last two lines]; 6- ‘B.M. Pyralidae / Genitalia slide /. 21107 ♂ ’ [typed except for male sign]; 7- ‘ LECTOTYPE / Phlyctaenia / capsifera / Meyrick / Des. B. Landry, 2014’ [typed except for scientific name and ‘14’]. The three other syntypes, all males with the same locality label as the lectotype, are designated paralectotypes.
description: Published as part of Bernard Landry, 2016, Taxonomic revision of the Spilomelinae (Lepidoptera, Pyralidae s. l.) of the Galápagos Islands, Ecuador, pp. 315-399 in Revue suisse de Zoologie 123 (2) on pages 393-395, DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.155309