Asturodes Amsel (Lepidoptera: Crambidae: Spilomelinae): Three new species from the Western Hemisphere and foodplant records from Area de Conservación Guanacaste, Costa Rica

Authors: Solis, M Alma; PHILIPS-RODRIGUEZ, E. - National Museum Of Costa Rica; HALLWACHS, W. - University Of Pennsylvania; DAPKEY, TANYA - University Of Pennsylvania; JANZEN, D. - University Of Pennsylvania

Submitted to: Proceedings of the Entomological Society of Washington
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 8/19/2020
Publication Date: 2/11/2020
Citation: Solis, M.A., Philips-Rodriguez, E., Hallwachs, W., Dapkey, T., Janzen, D.H. 2020. Asturodes Amsel (Lepidoptera: Crambidae: Spilomelinae): Three new species from the Western Hemisphere and foodplant records from Area de Conservación Guanacaste, Costa Rica. Proceedings of the Entomological Society of Washington. 122(1):147-171.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.4289/0013-8797.122.1.147

Interpretive Summary: Snout moths are pests of many agricultural crops worldwide causing billions of dollars in damage, and many are beneficial components of native habitats. We describe three new species from the Western Hemisphere. Two species from Costa Rica feed on the leaves of the plant family Rhamnaceae. A new structure composed of scales was discovered in association with the male genitalia found in all four species of this group. We provide a key for their identification and provide images of the adults and internal structures. This information will be useful to scientists, action agency identifiers, and regulatory personnel at U. S. ports.

Technical Abstract: Asturodes Amsel, 1956, a Neotropical genus of distinctive yellow pyraloid moths with dark brown lines and silver scales on the wings and abdomen, is revised. The type species, Asturodes fimbriauralis Guenée (Lepidoptera: Crambidae), two new species from Costa Rica, and another new species from South America, are diagnosed and illustrated. A petaloid scale formed by a group of coalesced setae was discovered as part of the abdominal androconial organs of the male genitalia. The caterpillars of the type species and the Costa Rican new species were found feeding on the leaves of Rhamnaceae in Area de Conservación Guanacaste (ACG) in northwestern Costa Rica. This study is part of a long-term inventory of ACG caterpillars, their food plants and their parasitoids, that includes COI DNA barcoding of specimens for discovery and identification.