An overview of “arginussa” species group of Memphis Hübner, [1819], with the description of a new species from Panama (Lepidoptera: Nymphalidae: Charaxinae)

Memphis Hübner, [1819] is a nymphalid butterfly genus exclusive to the Neotropics. It includes species with iridescent bluish or greenish coloration on the upper side of the wings while the underside is cryptic, resembling dead leaves. This paper aims to describe a remarkable new species, M. smalli Riley & Dias sp. nov., from the remote Atlantic slopes of Panama based on molecular and morphological analyses. We also review the taxonomy of species herein included in the “arginussa” species group based on distances analyses of DNA sequence data. The “arginussa” species group, as defined here, includes M. arginussa (Geyer, 1832), M. eubaena (Boisduval, 1870) stat. rest., M. onophis (Felder & Felder, 1861) stat. rest., M. lemons (Druce, 1877), M. neidhoeferi (Rotger, Escalante & Coronado, 1965), M. perenna (Godman & Salvin, [1884]), M. lankesteri (Hall, 1935) stat. rest., M. paulus Costa & Orellana, 2014, M. pithyusa (Felder, 1869), M. herbacea (Butler & Druce, 1872) and M. smalli sp. nov. Anaea pithyusa morena Hall, 1935 syn. nov. is recognized as a synonym of Nymphalis pithyusa Felder, 1869. The new species and its closest ally, M. herbacea, are illustrated, including characters of the head, labial palpus, wings, legs, male and female genitalia and their distribution map.

Changes in Morphometric Traits of Ground Beetles Along Urbanization Gradients

Urbanization has a significant impact on abiotic and biotic factors in nature. We examined the morphometric characters of four carabid species (Abax parallelepipedus, Carabus scheidleri, Carabus violaceus, and Pterostichus oblongopunctatus) along urbanization gradients in and around the cities of Vienna (Austria) and Debrecen (Hungary). We found significant differences among urban, suburban, and rural areas in the parameters of antennomers, the maxillary palpus, the labial palpus, and the length of the tibia and the elytra of the carabids studied. We also found significant differences between males and females based on the parameters of antennomers, the maxillary palpus, the labial palpus, the femur, and the elytra. An interaction between urbanization and sex was found in the case of antennomers, the maxillary palpus, the labial palpus, the femur, and the elytra. Our findings suggested that in the cases of species from Carabini tribus the parameters of antennomers, the maxillary palpus, and the elytra could be useful for assessing the effects of urbanization because these morphometric characters responded sensitively to the environmental stress, whereas the most useful parameters are those of antennomers and the tibia for the species of Pterostichini tribus. Our findings also revealed that females are more sensitive to environmental stress than males.

Revision of the genus Eumorphobotys with descriptions of two new species (Lepidoptera, Crambidae, Pyraustinae)

The genus Eumorphobotys Munroe & Mutuura (1969) comprises two species that have been found in southern China. Two new species, E. concavuncus sp. n. and E. horakae sp. n., are described from southwest China. In appearance, this genus also resembles Calamochrous Lederer, 1863, Sclerocona Meyrick, 1890, Prodasycnemis Warren, 1892, and Loxoneptera Hampson, 1896. In order to evaluate the generic placement of the new taxa, the phylogeny of Eumorphobotys species and several species representing the potential related genera based on sequence data of COI, 16S rRNA, EF-1α and 28S rRNA gene regions were reconstructed and the taxonomy of these genera based on morphological characters was re-assessed. The results are as follows: (i) the monophyly of Eumorphobotys is well supported; (ii) Loxoneptera is paraphyletic. Two species of Calamochrous were recovered as terminal lineages within Loxoneptera; (iii) the clade comprising species of Loxoneptera and Calamochrous is in the sister position to Eumorphobotys with a robust support; (iv) species of Loxoneptera and Calamochrous resemble Eumorphobotys in the wing shape and the porrect labial palpus but differ in genitalia structures. The relationships of these genera are discussed; (v) two new species, E. concavuncus sp. n. and E. horakae sp. n., are described, Calamochrous obscuralis (Caradja, 1925) syn. n. is synonymized with E. eumorphalis (Caradja, 1925) based on the male genitalia and the adults and genitalia of all species (except the female of E. horakae sp. n.) are illustrated.

Two new genera of Cretaceous dustywings in amber from northern Myanmar (Neuroptera: Coniopterygidae)

Two new genera and species are added to the fauna of dustywings (Coniopterygidae) preserved in Upper Cretaceous (earliest Cenomanian) amber of northern Myanmar, doubling the described diversity from this deposit. One genus is of the subfamily Aleuropteryginae and described as Achlyoconis heptatrichia Engel, new genus and species. This species is noteworthy for the infumate and patterned wings and unique presence of seven prominent setae positioned on thickenings occurring along the length of the forewing media. Paranimboa litotes Engel, new genus and species, is representative of the subfamily Coniopteryginae and distinctive among Mesozoic groups for the unbranched Rs, among other traits. In addition, a peculiar larva preserved alongside the holotype of P. litotes is described. While having a prothoracic and head form similar to aleuropterygines as well as a labial palpus with only two palpomeres, diagnostic for Coniopterygidae, the antenna bears four articles rather than the two present in crown-group dustywings. A revised key to the genera of Cretaceous Coniopterygidae is provided.

Two new species of the genus Irepacma Moriuti, Saito & Lewvanich (Lepidoptera: Oecophoridae) from Guizhou Province, China

Irepacma was established by Moriuti, Saito & Lewvanich in 1985, with Irepacma pakiensis Moriuti, Saito & Lewvanich, 1985 as the type species. It shared the two-segmented labial palpus in male with the closely related genera Periacma Meyrick, 1894, Ripeacma Moriuti, Saito & Lewvanich, 1985 and Epiracma Wang, 2005. The typical character to distinguish Irepacma from its allies is the absence of the apophyses anteriores in the female genitalia. In the male genitalia it is closer to Periacma Meyrick, but can be distinguished mostly by the absence of the dorso-proximal process of the valva, or by having a dorso-proximal process that often far exceeds half the length of the valva.

Larval morphology of Paroster Sharp, 1882 (Coleoptera: Dytiscidae: Hydroporinae): reinforcement of the hypothesis of monophyletic origin and discussion of phenotypic accommodation to a hypogaeic environment

The larvae of 13 species (six epigaeic and seven hypogaeic) of the Australian endemic genus Paroster Sharp, 1882 are described with an emphasis on chaetotaxy of the head capsule, head appendages, legs, last abdominal segment and urogomphi. A cladistic analysis of 41 Hydroporinae species and 63 informative characters supports a monophyletic origin of members of Paroster, which share a labial palpus comprised of three palpomeres and the absence of the primary seta FE7. Contrary to their epigaeic counterparts, larvae of hypogaeic Paroster species have turned out to be very divergent morphologically. In addition to the common characteristics associated with hypogaeic living (i.e., absence of eye, reduced pigmentation, and thin or soft exoskeleton), larvae of these species have undergone a relative elongation/ enlargement of the head capsule and a more elongate and narrower mandible and have developed a variable number of secondary temporal spines. Compared to the other stygobitic species studied, larvae of Paroster hinzeae (Watts & Humphreys, 2001), P. macrosturtensis (Watts & Humphreys, 2006), P. stegastos (Watts & Humphreys, 2003) and P. darlotensis (Watts & Humphreys, 2003) evolved a disproportionately large head capsule relative to body size. Larvae of P. wedgeensis (Watts & Humphreys, 2003) and P. mesosturtensis (Watts & Humphreys, 2006) are deemed to have deviated the least from the hypothetical epigaeic Paroster groundplan.

A new genus and new species of metalmark moths (Lepidoptera: Choreutidae) from Costa Rica

Alasea, new genus, is described and illustrated. As currently defined, Alasea is monotypic with the single species A. corniculata, n. sp., from Heredia, Limón, and Puntarenas provinces in Costa Rica. The new genus is assigned to the subfamily Choreutinae based on morphological and molecular data. As in other choreutines, Alasea has a bluntly pointed forewing and hindwing (in Brenthiinae the wings are obtuse); the basal segment of the labial palpus is parallel-sided (in Brenthiinae it is narrowed basally); and the basal flagellomeres of the antenna are heavily scaled (in Brenthiinae such scaling is never present). The immature stages and the biology of A. corniculata are unknown. Additionally, the terminology and homology of genitalic characters used in descriptions of Choreutidae are reviewed, and suggestions for more consistent usage are provided.

A taxonomic review of the genus Frisilia Walker (Lepidoptera: Lecithoceridae), with description of two new species

The genus Frisilia Walker of the world is reviewed, with all of the 31 known species including two new species, F. cornualis sp. nov. and F. nesiotes sp. nov. The genus can be divided into the nesciatella and the anningensis species groups, on basis of the presence or absence of a median process of the juxta in the male genitalia. For all of the known species, we provide photos of adults and their male or female genitalia, all available taxonomic information including original references, type localities, type depositories, sources of available specimens, geographical distributions, and some recently collected data of the species. Frisilia striapunctata Wu is transferred to the genus Homaloxestis Meyrick, due to the normal slender labial palpus of the male and its wing venation. Frisilia drimyba Diakonoff (1967), known from the Philippines, is excluded from the genus Frisilia because of its lanceolate forewing with sharply pointed apex.