Reisseronia annae Larysz, 2017, sp. nov.
Creators: name: Larysz, Adam
Publisher: name: Zenodo
Year: 2017
Subjects: Biodiversity
Taxonomy
Animalia
Arthropoda
Insecta
Lepidoptera
Psychidae
Reisseronia
Reisseronia annae

description: Reisseronia annae sp. nov.
(Figs 1–13, 16)
Diagnosis. The males of all 13 species of the genus Reisseronia are known. Two species R. gertrudae and R. imielinella are known as parthenogenetic. The species Reisseronia annae sp. nov. described in this paper was found to be also parthenogenetic (Larysz 2016). R. annae sp. nov. differs from R. gertrudae and R. imielinella in the size of the females and larval cases, the number of antennal segments, and the structure of the legs, pupae, pupal head plate and female genitalia. Comparing the here below described species with the congeneric ones the diagnostic differences are as follows:
The new species is similar to the reduced females of R. tschetverikovi Solanikov, 1990 (female length 4.5–5.0 mm, width 1.2 mm), but differs in the length of hairs (long, curled in R. annae sp. nov., short, erect in R. tschetverikovi) on the head and thorax, and the number of antennal segments (three segments in R. annae sp. nov., one segment in R. tschetverikovi) (Rutjan 2003).
Females of R. muscaelutum Kurz, Kurz & Zeller-Lukashort, 2006 (female length 3.7 mm, width 0.85 mm) differ from the new species by having short, erect hairs on the head and thorax and by having smaller larval cases (length 6.0 mm, width 1.6 mm) (Kurz et al. 2006), while females of R. annae sp. nov. have long, curled hairs on the head and thorax, and their larval case are as big as 7.2 mm in length and 2.0 mm in width.
Females of R. staudingeri (Heylaerts, 1879) and R. satanella Kurz, Kurz & Zeller-Lukashort, 2006 are similar in size to these of R. annae sp. nov. R. staudingeri— length 3.5–5.0 mm, width 1.3 mm, R. satanella— length 4.5– 5.25 mm, width 1.15–1.35 mm), R. annae sp. nov. —length 3.0– 4.2 mm, width 0.9–1.3 mm, but differ from the former two species in the number of antennal segments: in R. staudingeri one antennal segment, in R. satanella 8– 10 antennal segments, in R. annae sp. nov. three antennal segments. The size of their larval cases also serve as a diagnostic character. The larval case length 11.0–14.0 mm, width 3.0–4.0 mm in R. staudingeri, 7.0– 9.5 mm, width 1.5–2.7 mm in R. satanella (Kurz et al. 2006), while larval case length 7.0– 7.4 mm, width 1.6 mm – 2.6 mm in R. annae sp. nov.
Females of R. arnscheidi Wiedlich, 2006 are similar (2–3 antennal segments, 1–2 tarsal segments, length 4.0– 4.5 mm) to these of R. annae sp. nov. (three antennal segments, one tarsal segment, length 3.0– 4.2 mm), but their larval cases are larger (length 8.0–10.0 mm. width 2.0 mm) (Weidlich 2006; Malkiewicz et al. 2013), while in R. annae sp. nov. larval cases are smaller (length 7.0– 7.4 mm).
Females of other congeneric species and their larval cases are larger: females of R. tarnierella (Bruand, 1851) are 5.0– 6.5 mm in length, and have 2–3 antennal segments, 2–3 tarsal segments and 8.0 mm long larval cases; females of R. nigrociliella (Rebel, 1934) are 6.0–7.0 mm in length, and have 2 antennal segments, 4–5 tarsal segments and larval cases 7.0–12.0 mm in length; females of R. pusilella (Rebel, 1940) are 5.0–6.0 mm long, and have 5–6 antennal segments, 3 tarsal segments, and 10.0 mm long larval cases. The largest two species of the genus are R. magna Hättenschwiler, 1982 (female length 10.0 mm, 2 antennal segments, 5 tarsal segments, larval case length 16.0–20.0 mm) (Hättenschwiler 1982) and R. ionica Weidlich, 2016 (female length 6.0 to 7.2 mm, 2–3 antennal segments, 2 tarsal segments, larval case length 12.0–16.0 mm) (Weidlich 2016).
The new species is diagnosed from the other two congeneric parthenogenetic species R. gertrudae and R. imielinella by the following characters:
POLAND CA66, Katowice-Janów, 9 V 2014 e.l., larva 29 III 2014 concrete fence, leg. Adam Larysz. FIGURE 2. Reisseronia annae sp. nov. ♀: Holotype. Ventral view (photo A. Larysz).
POLAND CA66, Katowice-Janów, 9 V 2014 e.l., larva 29 III 2014 concrete fence, leg. Adam Larysz. FIGURE 3. Reisseronia annae sp. nov. ♀: Holotype. Dorsal view (photo A. Larysz).
POLAND CA66, Katowice-Janów, 9 V 2014 e.l., larva 29 III 2014 concrete fence, leg. Adam Larysz. FIGURE 4. Reisseronia annae sp. nov. ♀: Holotype. Head, thorax ventral view (photo A. Larysz). POLAND CA66, Katowice-Janów, 9 V 2014 e.l., larva 29 III 2014 concrete fence, leg. Adam Larysz.
Adults—females of R. annae sp. nov. are smaller (length 3.0 to 4.2 mm, width 0.9 to 1.3 mm) than females of R. imielinella (length 3.0 to 5.2 mm, width 1.0 to 1.8 mm) (Malkiewicz et al. 2013) and larger than R. gertrudae (length 1.0 to 3.0 mm, width 1.0 to 1.5 mm) (Sieder 1962). The new species R. annae sp. nov. has antennae with three segments (Fig 4), while R. gertrudae only one reduced antennal segment (Sieder 1962), R. imielinella one or two (Malkiewicz et al. 2013). R. gertrudae has all the leg segments reduced, the femur and tibia are not separated, tarsal segments are absent, and the claw is invariably unpaired (Sieder 1962; Malkiewicz et al. 2013). R. imielinella has the femur and tibia distinctly separated, with one tarsal segment and all legs have paired claws (Malkiewicz et al. 2013), while R. annae sp. nov. has all legs reduced, transparent, with one tarsal segment and paired brown claws. The hind femora have a cavity on the dorsal side (Fig 4, 6). The hind femora in R. gertrudae and R. imielinella without cavity. In the female genitalia of R. annae sp. nov. the accessory apophyses are very short and thin, about 0.2× the length of the posterior apophyses (Fig 7) (in R. imielinella accessory apophyses longer and thicker, about 0.4× the length of posterior apophyses).
Pupae— R. annae sp. nov. has abdominal segments A4–8 dorsally with a smaller number of spines (A4 with 3– 4 spines, A5 with 16–23 spines, A6 with 18–22 spines, A7 with 15–21 spines, and A8 with 2 spines) (Fig 8) than R. imielinella (A4 with 10 spines, A5–A7 with 20–25 spines, A8 with 5–9 spines). The pupal head of the new species has antennae (as long as 0.5 mm), distinctly longer than the height of the eyes (Fig 9), while the pupal antennae of R. imielinella are shorter (0.3 mm), and reach usually the half of eye’s height (Malkiewicz et al. 2013).
Larval cases— length on average of R. annae sp. nov. is 7.2 mm and width on average 2.0 mm, while smaller at R. imielinella (length on average 6.52 mm, width on average 1.9 mm) (Malkiewicz et al. 2013) and at R. gertrudae (length 6.0 to 7.0 mm, width 2.0 mm) (Sieder 1962) (Fig 11).
Description. Adults. (n = 40) Parthenogenetic females wingless. Length 3.0 to 4.2 mm (average 3.4 mm), width 0.9 to 1.3 mm (average 1.1 mm) (Figs 1 –3).
Head. (Fig 4) Greyish with long, curled creamy hairs. Antennae (0.15 to 0.17 mm length) with three segments. Eyes black, oval, 0.20 mm long and 0.13 mm wide. Labial and maxillary palpi absent (see Davis & Robinson 1998: 105).
Thorax. Segments sclerotized, brown, with long curled creamy hairs (Fig 5). Wings not visible. All legs reduced, transparent, with distinct separate femur and tibia. All legs with one tarsal segment and paired brown claws. Hind femur with cavity on dorsal side (Figs 4, 6).
Abdomen. Dorsally segments brownish, moderately sclerotized, A1–3 pigmented reddish. A3–6 with narrow band, less than ½ the width of a segment. A7 wider, sclerotized (Fig 3). Ventral segments paler, less sclerotized, A7 with long curled white hairs prior to oviposition.
Genitalia. (Fig 7). Papillae anales membranous, rounded with short, white setae. Eighth segment rounded, concave, sclerotized and setose. Ovipositor relatively short with three pairs of apophyses. Anterior apophyses longer, thicker than posterior apophyses, about 1.1× their length. Pseudapophyses very short and thin, about 0.2× the length of the posterior apophyses. Postvaginal plate densely covered with thick spines. Bursa copulatrix not visible.
Larva. (Figs 12–13). (n = 10) Body length of L 4 larvae on average 5.7 mm (smallest 5.2 mm, largest 6.3 mm), width on average 1.4 mm (smallest 1.3 mm, largest 1.6 mm). Head well sclerotized, shiny black, hypognathous. Thoracic segments shiny black to dark brown, well sclerotized, prothorax the widest (0.45 to 0.5 mm), mesothorax the narrower (0.4 mm) and metathorax the narrowest (0.3 mm). Claws of thoracic legs brown, comparatively long, moderately curved. Abdominal segments dorsally grey to cream coloured, A1–3 pigmented brown-to-reddish, A10 dark brown and slightly sclerotized. Crochets of all prolegs in elliptical uniordinal unbroken groups. Number of crochets 13–22 (average 17).
Larval case. (Fig 11). (n = 125) Length on average 7.2 mm (50 % between 7.0– 7.4 mm, smallest 6.3 mm, largest 8.2 mm. Width on average 2.0 mm, (smallest 1.6 mm, largest 2.6 mm). Light greyish, covered with grass and other plant debris placed longitudinally and almost of the same length.
Pupa. (Figs 8, 10). (n = 6) Length 4.0– 4.7 mm, width 1.1–1.3 mm, pale brown, sclerotized with short, white setae. Pupal head plate with four pairs of setae, antennae (0.5 mm) distinctly longer than eyes (Fig 9). Abdominal segments A4–8 dorsally with anterior bands of transverse spines: A4 with 3–4 spines, A5 with 16–23 spines, A6 with 18–22 spines, A7 with 15–21 spines, and A8 with 2 spines gathered medially. A5 posteriorly with a second row of 20–26 spines directed posteriorly (Fig 8). Abdominal segments ventrally without spines. Cremaster reduced to small protuberances (Fig 10).
Type material. Holotype ♀: POLAND (CA 66), Katowice-Janów 9 V 2014 e.l., larva 29 III 2014, płot betonowy [concrete fence], leg. Adam Larysz. Holotype is deposited in coll. Upper Silesian Museum (USMB), Bytom, Poland, with catalogue number: USMB LEP 0003 /A1 (in 75% ethanol). The total number of paratypes is 145♀♀, deposited in the coll. Upper Silesian Museum (USMB), Bytom, Poland.
Paratypes ♀♀: same locality, all leg. Adam Larysz, all płot betonowy [concrete fence], material in 75% ethanol: 6♀♀, 1 VI 2015 e.l., l. 16 V 2015; 10♀♀, 27 V 2014 e.l., l. 2 V 2014; 1♀+ case, 11 V 2014 e.l., l. 29 III 2014; 2♀♀, 31 V 2015 e.l., l. 16 V 2015; 1♀, 31 V 2015 e.l., l. 3 V 2015; 2♀♀, 22 V 2015 e.l., l. 5 V 2015; 1♀, 21 V 2015 e.l., l. 3 V 2015; 1♀, 6 V 2015 e.l., l. 25 III 2 015; 1♀, 29 IV 2015 e.l., l. 25 III 2015; 1♀, 28 IV 2 0 15 e.l., l.
25 III 2015; 3♀♀, 28 V 2013 e.l., l. 9 V 2013; 2♀♀, 4 V 2014 e.l., l. 29 III 2014; 1♀, 3 V 2014 e.l., l. 16 III 2014; 1♀ + case, 8 V 2014 e.l., l. 29 III 2 014; 6♀♀, 15 V 2014 e.l., l. 9 III 2 014; 1♀, 24 V 2014. e.l., l. V 2014; 4♀♀, 2 0 V 2013 e.l., l. 4 V 2013; 3♀♀, 22 V 2013 e.l., l. 4 V 2013; 3♀♀, 23 V 2013 e.l., l. 4 V 2013; 1♀, 24 V 2013 e.l., l. 4 V 2013; 5♀♀, 30 V 2013 e.l., l. 9 V 2013; 4♀♀, 31 V 2013 e.l., l. 9 V 2013; 4♀♀, 26 V 2013 e.l., l. 4 V 2013; 2♀♀, 28 V 2013 e.l., l. 4 V 2013; 3♀♀, 1 VI 2013 e.l., l. 9 V 2013; 2♀♀, 2 VI 2013 e.l., l. 9 V 2013; 2♀♀, 5 VI 2013 e.l., l. 23 V 2013; 3♀♀, 6 VI 2013 e.l., l. 23 V 2013; 6♀♀, 7 VI 2013 e.l., l. 23 V 2013; 6♀♀, 8 VI 2013 e.l., l. 23 V 2013; 1♀, 8 VI 2013 e.l., l. 4 V 2013; 6♀♀, 9 VI 2013 e.l., l. 23 V 2013; 5♀♀, 10 VI 2013 e.l., l. 23 V 2013; 1♀, 10 VI 2013 e.l., l. 29 V 2013; 2♀♀, 11 VI 2013 e.l., l. 29 V 2013; 4♀♀, 12 VI 2013 e.l., l. 29 V 2013; 2♀♀, 12 VI 2013 e.l., l. 23 V 2013; 3♀♀, 13 VI 2013 e.l., l. 29 V 2013.
Paratypes of larvae (in 75% ethanol): same locality, all leg. Adam Larysz, 13 larvae L4, 4 V 2013, płot betonowy [concrete fence]; 2 larvae L4 + 1 case, 3 VI 2015, płot betonowy [concrete fence]; 1 larva L4, 30 V 2015, płot betonowy [concrete fence]. Paratypes of larvae (dry): 10 larvae L4 + 10 cases, 23 V 2013, płot betonowy [concrete fence]; 1 larva L4 + 1 case, 15 VI 2013, na mchu [on moss].
Paratypes of pupae (in 75% ethanol): same locality, all leg. Adam Larysz, 5 pupae, 27 V 2013 e.l., l. 4 V 2013, płot betonowy [concrete fence]; 1 pupa, 14 V 2014, płot betonowy [concrete fence].
Etymology. Reisseronia annae sp. nov. is dedicated to my beloved wife Anna.
Distribution. Known only from Katowice (50° 15' 14"N 19° 04' 56"E), Upper Silesia, southern Poland. The altitude of the type locality is 270 m.
Habitat. The habitat of R. annae sp. nov. is situated near the Katowice—Kraków road. It is an industrial habitat with a dry, ruderal meadow supporting mainly Achillea millefolium (L.), Hieracium pilosella L., Cardamine pratensis L., Taraxacum officinale F.H. Wigg., Poa annua L., Solidago sp., Verbascum sp., Calamagrostis sp. There are also xerophilic mosses and various grasses (Figs 14 –15).
Eight further psychid species were found at this site: Epichnopterix plumella (Denis & Schiffermüller, 1775), Dahlica triquetrella (Hübner, 1813), Acanthopsyche atra (Linnaeus, 1767), Apterona helicoidella (Vallot, 1827), Sterrhopterix fusca (Haworth, 1809), Proutia betulina (Zeller, 1839), Psyche casta (Pallas, 1767) and Taleporia tubulosa (Retzius, 1783).
Life history. The biology is similar to that of R. imielinella (Malkiewicz et al. 2013). After hibernation, the larvae in their cases appeared from March until June (the earliest finding was on 9th March, the latest on 3rd June). They were most abundant in mid-May. Most of the larvae were found climbing up the concrete fence on sunny days (Fig 16). A few cases with inactive larvae were found in early spring among low vegetation between mosses (Fig 15). A number of larvae were collected for breeding in captivity. The larvae accepted Taraxacum officinale F.H. Wigg. as a food plant. After having finished their growth, the larvae pupated on the walls of the breeding container, to which they had attached themselves with silken threads. Some larvae, in the last instar, left their bags and did not build a new one, and subsequently died. The pupal stage lasted about 10–16 days. Hatching of females was sometimes observed as they emerged from the cases, laying about 20– 30 eggs in the pupal exuvia. No male hatched during the breeding. The young larvae hatched from the eggs after 20–25 days and built cases for themselves from the material of the mother’s case. Hibernation takes place during the mature larval stage. In the spring, these resumed feeding for a short time, after which they completed their development and pupated.
description: Published as part of Larysz, Adam, 2017, Reisseronia annae sp. nov. — a new parthenogenetic bagworm moth from Poland (Lepidoptera, Psychidae), pp. 193-200 in Zootaxa 4242 (1) on pages 194-199, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4242.1.11, http://zenodo.org/record/376088