Skip to main content
ARS Home » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #258916

Title: Reassignment of four species currently in Herpetogramma Lederer (Spilomelinae) to Pyraustinae (Crambidae: Pyraloidea: Lepidoptera)

Author
item Solis, M Alma

Submitted to: Proceedings of the Entomological Society of Washington
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 1/15/2011
Publication Date: 7/30/2011
Citation: Solis, M.A. 2011. Reassignment of four species currently in Herpetogramma Lederer (Spilomelinae) to Pyraustinae (Crambidae: Pyraloidea: Lepidoptera). Proceedings of the Entomological Society of Washington. 113(2):1-10.

Interpretive Summary: Snout moths comprise a large family of moths with over 10,000 species worldwide. Species are often difficult to separate, and this is especially true in the group that includes the southern beet webworm and tropical sod webworm. The caterpillars of these species cause billions of dollars in damage annually to crops and sod in the United States. Some species have been misplaced in this group. This paper reassigns four species to another subfamily based on the type specimens. Photographs of the adult morphology are provided including the genitalia and hearing organs. This information will be useful to scientists, action agency identifiers, and regulatory personnel at U.S. ports.

Technical Abstract: During an ongoing study of Herpetogramma Lederer (Spilomelinae), four species, three from the Western Hemisphere and one from Japan, were discovered to be misplaced in the genus and the subfamily. Based on primary type material, the following new and revised combinations and transfers to the Pyraustinae are proposed: the male syntype of Pachyzancla nigripalpis Hampson is designated as the lectotype and is transferred to Pyrausta, and the female syntype of P. nigripalpis is transferred to Hahncappsia as a species of uncertain identity but closest to H. jaliscalis Capps. Pachyzancla straminea Hampson and Pachyzancla holochrysis Hampson are transferred to Pyrausta; Herpetogramma albipennis Inoue is transferred to Aglaops Warren. The adults, genitalia, and labels are illustrated for the first time.